Top 25 New Cigars 2022

Rated by the Cigar Journal tasting panel, blind, on the 100-point scale.

1. 

   #25 | 1502 Aniversario 10

   Tasting notes:

   Among this Toro’s fine cedar and leather aromas is the sweetness of vanilla beans, as well as delicate pepper and a touch of salt. It unfolds as nutty, fruity, and earthy.

   Owner: Global Premium Cigars Factory: A.J. Fernandez Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Ecuador Binder: Mexico Filler: Nicaragua Strength: 7 (of 10) Size: 152 x 19.8 | 6 x 50 Released: 2022

   
2. 

   #24 | Great Wall The Mao Series

   Tasting notes:

   This perfectly rolled, handcrafted cigar is complex and harmonious. It offers woody, leathery, earthy, and fruity notes paired with sponge cake, mint, coffee, and caramel. On top of that, chili heat.

   Owner: China Tobacco Sichuan Industrial Co. Factory: Great Wall Cigar Factory Origin: Other Wrapper: Dom. Rep. Binder: Indonesia Filler: Dom. Rep. Strength: 5 (of 10) Size: 159 x 19.8 | 6 1/4 x 50 Released: 2022

   
3. 

   #23 | Platinum Nova Leo 11 Edition Limitada Nicaragua

   Tasting notes:

   This Toro with a pigtail offers leather flavors, with undertones of earth and charcoal. It is peppery and develops a light note of saffron. But cocoa and cinnamon sweetness are also present, as well as coffee aromas.

   Owner: Platinum Nova Cigar LLC Factory: Barreda Cigar Nicaragua Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Ecuador Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Strength: 7 (of 10) Size: 152 x 21.4 | 6 x 54 Released: 2021

   
4. 

   #22 | Liga Privada Único Serie Year of the Ox

   Tasting notes:

   This cigar in a Maduro wrapper produces huge amounts of smoke and white ash. The subtle fruity sweetness is underscored by pepperiness, nutty and wood aromas, and mineral notes.

   Owner: Drew Estate LLC Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: USA Binder: Brazil Filler: Honduras Strength: 4 (of 10) Size: 152 x 21.4 | 6 x 54 Released: 2021

   
5. 

   #21 | The American Double Robusto

   Tasting notes:

   The cigar reveals aromas of earth and undergrowth, dried flowers and hazelnuts. Then herbal notes, chocolate sweetness; some coffee and chili heat come into play.

   Owner: J.C. Newman Cigar Co. Factory: J.C. Newman El Reloj Origin: USA Wrapper: USA Binder: USA Filler: USA Strength: 8 (of 10) Size: 140 x 22.2 | 5 1/2 x 56 Released: 2021

   
6. 

   #20 | Cumpay Lancero

   Tasting notes:

   Creamy milk chocolate marries with leather, coffee and nut aromas in this Lancero. Roasted nuts, sweetness and some pepper also play a part, and at times some juniper can be discerned.

   Owner: Maya Selva Cigars Factory: TAOSA Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Strength: 7 (of 10) Size: 178 x 15.1 | 7 x 38 Released: 2022

   
7. 

   #19 | Principle Martinique Lancero

   Tasting notes:

   This elegant Lancero format presents sweetness, acidity, pepper, and a hint of bitter tones. It has a very complex blend, with a penchant for wood and fruit notes paired with spice/sharpness.

   Owner: Principle Cigars Inc. Factory: Kelner Boutique Factory Origin: Dom. Rep. Wrapper: Ecuador Binder: Dom. Rep. Filler: Dom. Rep. Strength: 6 (of 10) Size: 191 x 15.5 | 7 1/2 x 39 Released: 2022

   
8. 

   #18 | La Aroma de Cuba (outside US: del Caribe) Pasión Box-Pressed Torpedo

   Tasting notes:

   Creamy wood, toast and nut aromas unfold over the vegetal note that is retronasally noticeable, with a fruity sweetness and a peppery spice. An elegant-looking cigar with great tower of ash.

   Owner: Ashton Distributors, Inc. Factory: My Father Cigars S.A. Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Strength: 7 (of 10) Size: 156 x 21.4 | 6 1/8 x 54 Released: 2021

   
9. 

   #17 | Davidoff Dominicana Toro

   Tasting notes:

   This pigtailed Toro presents aromas of fresh wood and fresh earth, notes of thyme, cloves, and roasted aromas. An increasing fruity sweetness comes up that is accompanied by gentle chili spice and pleasant bitter tones.

   Owner: Oettinger Davidoff AG Factory: Tabadom Origin: Dom. Rep. Wrapper: Dom. Rep. Binder: Ecuador Filler: Dom. Rep. Strength: 7 (of 10) Size: 152 x 21.4 | 6 x 54 Released: 2021

   
10. 

    #16 | A. Flores Connecticut Valley Reserve Azul Churchill

    Tasting notes:

    The sweet start has notes of cherries and chocolate, caramel, and vanilla at the ready that combine well with the woody aromas. The smoke of the cigar is creamy and cool, delicately salty and tart.

    Owner: PDR Cigars Factory: PDR Cigars Origin: Dom. Rep. Wrapper: USA Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Dom. Rep. Strength: 6 (of 10) Size: 178 x 19.8 | 7 x 50 Released: 2022

    
11. 

    #15 | Garofalo La Famiglia Connecticut Epicure

    Tasting notes:

    In the first third, the cigar delivers bitter almond, licorice, subtle sweetness and acidity. A peppery kick, ample spice, a floral note, toast, roasted and leathery aromas develop … very creamy.

    Owner: United Cigar Group Factory: Tabacalera Perdomo S.A. Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Ecuador Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Strength: 4 (of 10) Size: 152 x 21.4 | 6 x 54 Released: 2022

    
12. 

    #14 | Drew Estate 20 Acre Farm Toro

    Tasting notes:

    This cigar’s lush cedar and oaky aromas blend well with the pepper spiciness, nut and coffee tones, and the subtle spice. Pastry scents and fruity notes can be detected.

    Owner: Drew Estate LLC Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Ecuador Binder: Honduras Filler: Nicaragua Strength: 5 (of 10) Size: 152 x 20.6 | 6 x 52 Released: 2021

    
13. 

    #13 | Plasencia Cosecha 149 Santa Fe

    Tasting notes:

    The cigar’s sweet, fruity and tart flavors are accompanied by cocoa, espresso and wood. But in the foreground is a fine herbal note with a pinch of pepper and delicate sweetness.

    Owner: Plasencia Group Factory: Tabacos Oriente Origin: Honduras Wrapper: Honduras Binder: Honduras Filler: Honduras Strength: 8 (of 10) Size: 124 x 23.8 | 4 7/8 x 60 Released: 2021

    
14. 

    #12 | Villiger Exclusivo USA 2021 Robusto

    Tasting notes:

    This slightly box-pressed cigar unfolds the sweetness of maple and caramel, the spice of nutmeg, and aromas of earth, leather, and nuts. Some chili can be found in the creamy, buttery smoke.

    Owner: Villiger North America Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza S.A. Origin: Dom. Rep. Wrapper: Ecuador Binder: Dom. Rep. Filler: Dom. Rep. Strength: 4 (of 10) Size: 127 x 20.6 | 5 x 52 Released: 2021

    
15. 

    #11 | AVO Syncro Caribe Toro

    Tasting notes:

    A cigar like milk chocolate and creamy cappuccino with a slight nougat aftertaste. Leather, wood, and earthy aromas complement the experience as well as a pinch of pepper.

    Owner: Oettinger Davidoff AG-Basel Factory: OK Cigar Factory Origin: Dom. Rep. Wrapper: Dom. Rep. Binder: Ecuador Filler: Dom. Rep. Strength: 6 (of 10) Size: 152 x 20.6 | 6 x 52 Released: 2021

    
16. 

    #10 | Oliva Serie V Melanio Limited Edition 2021 4 x 60

    Tasting notes:

    The aromas of coffee and roasted, lightly salted almonds dominate the first few draws of this cigar. In addition, it offers some pepperiness, leather, cloves, and the gentle sweetness of dried fruit.

    Owner: Oliva Cigar Co. Factory: Tabacalera Oliva S.A. Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Ecuador Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Strength: 6 (of 10) Size: 102 x 23.8 | 4 x 60 Released: 2021

    
17. 

    #9 | A.J. Fernandez Enclave Connecticut Figurado

    Tasting notes:

    The smoke of this Figurado is buttery and has the sweetness of cotton candy on the palate. Earthy and cedary aromas, herbal spice as well as fresh pepper and licorice make for diversity.

    Owner: A.J. Fernandez Cigars Factory: Tabacalera A.J. Fernandez Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Ecuador Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Strength: 5 (of 10) Size: 165 x 20.6 | 6 1/2 x 52 Released: 2021

    
18. 

    #8 | Flor de Selva Colección Aniversario Nº20 Toro

    Tasting notes:

    Earthy, woody and leafy aromas mingle in this Toro with toasty, chocolate notes and fruity hints of cranberry; all underscored by cereal, BBQ notes, and sweetness.

    Owner: Maya Selva Cigars Factory: TAOSA Origin: Honduras Wrapper: Honduras Binder: Honduras Filler: Honduras Strength: 5 (of 10) Size: 152 x 20.6 | 6 x 52 Released: 2022

    
19. 

    #7 | Ramón Allones 40 Carat ER Países Bajos

    Tasting notes:

    Sweetness of chocolate and leather unfold alongside strong earth and wood flavors. Although some samples didn’t draw perfectly, the subtle flavors and smooth flavor profile are compelling.

    Owner: Cubatabaco Factory: Cubatabaco Origin: Cuba Wrapper: Cuba Binder: Cuba Filler: Cuba Strength: 8 (of 10) Size: 184 x 19.8 | 7 1/4 x 50 Released: 2022

    
20. 

    #6 | La Aurora Preferidos Hors d’Age 2020

    Tasting notes:

    This perfectly rolled cigar unfolds aromas of wood and nuts. At the same time, it also develops the sweetness of cinnamon and a subtle leather component, combined with a gentle peppery kick.

    Owner: La Aurora S.A. Factory: La Aurora Origin: Dom. Rep. Wrapper: Ecuador Binder: Ecuador Filler: Dom. Rep. Strength: 7 (of 10) Size: 152 x 21.4 | 6 x 54 Released: 2021

    
21. 

    #5 | VegaFina Nicaragua Gran Vulcano

    Tasting notes:

    This cigar develops voluminous, creamy smoke and stimulates the whole palate with sweetness, delicate spiciness, a subtle salty tone, and tart-sweet licorice. It is nutty, spicy, and harmonious.

    Owner: Tabacalera S.L.U. Factory: Tabacalera de Garcia Origin: Dom. Rep. Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Strength: 6 (of 10) Size: 137 x 22.2 | 5 3/8 x 56 Released: 2022

    
22. 

    #4 | Perdomo Inmenso Seventy Sun Grown Churchill

    Tasting notes:

    In the first third, this huge format shows cedary, oak and roasted aromas as well as balanced pepperiness. Later, the aroma wheel turns more towards fruity notes and nuts with spice and sweetness.

    Owner: Perdomo Cigars Factory: Tabacalera Perdomo S.A. Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Strength: 5 (of 10) Size: 178 x 27.8 | 7 x 70 Released: 2021

    
23. 

    #3 | Sixty by Rocky Patel Sixty

    Tasting notes:

    With its woody, leathery and coffee aromas, this large cigar provides the perfect foundation for the sweetness of brioche, caramel, and cocoa, as well as peppery spice, and toast.

    Owner: Rocky Patel Premium Cigars Factory: TAVICUSA Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Mexico Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Strength: 8 (of 10) Size: 152 x 23.8 | 6 x 60 Released: 2021

    
24. 

    #2 | Davidoff Winston Churchill LE 2022

    Tasting notes:

    This tightly rolled Perfecto draws fantastically and unfolds leathery and roasted aromas, a bundle of spices as well as the sweetness of chocolate. Floral and woody notes with a peppery kick round it out.

    Owner: Oettinger Davidoff AG Factory: CIDAV Origin: Dom. Rep. Wrapper: Ecuador Binder: Mexico Filler: Dom. Rep. Strength: 8 (of 10) Size: 149 x 24.2 | 5 7/8 x 61 Released: 2022

    
25. 

    #1 | Padrón Family Reserve No.95 Natural

    Tasting notes:

    A complex, spicy, peppery Gordo with base notes of earth, lush aromas of cedar, leather, cocoa, as well as cloves. From time to time, coffee notes and more sweetness come to the fore.

    Owner: Padrón Cigars, Inc. Factory: Tabacos Cubanica S.A. Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Strength: 8 (of 10) Size: 121 x 23.8 | 4 3/4 x 60 Released: 2022