Tag Archives: Top Cigars

30 YEARS OF ELEV8TE CIGAR WITH THE ATABEY BLACK DELIRIOS

Hudson, NH – Luxury meets legacy on August 30th as Nelson Alfonso of Selected Tobacco unveils the Atabey Black Delirios, a masterful 5 ¾ x 55 vitola launch to honor the 30th Anniversary of Elev8te Cigar Lounge in Villa Park, Illinois. This milestone release fuses unmatched technique, rare tobacco, and an aging process like no other, delivering a smoking experience worthy of three decades of cigar culture.


Wrapped in a dark, oily Ecuadorian Maduro leaf, the Atabey Black Delirios conceals a Dominican binder and a thoughtful blend of Dominican and Peruvian fillers. True to Selected Tobacco’s uncompromising standards, each cigar has been aged for five years post-roll in a proprietary environment of five distinct cedar varieties and French oak, with meticulously controlled humidity cycles, allowing the blend to mature into a timeless balance of depth and complexity.

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Casa Carrillo Cigars Announces Encore Black Bulwarks Begins Shipping This Week

[MIAMI, FL.] — Casa Carrillo Cigars proudly announces the release of the Encore Black Bulwarks, shipping to select retailers this week. This bold new vitola continues the legacy of the acclaimed Encore line—first recognized when the Encore Majestic earned Cigar Aficionado’s #1 Cigar of the Year in 2018. Following the successful debut of the first Encore Black (5 3/8 x 52), the Bulwarks introduces a larger 6 x 58 Perfecto format and a deeper, more commanding expression of the Encore Black blend.

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Welcome Cigar Fish Brokerage to Bentley Tobacco USA & Hooten Young Cigars

We’re excited to announce the addition of Cigar Fish Brokerage to the growing Bentley Tobacco USA and Hooten Young Cigars team.

Covering Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kansas, the Cigar Fish team brings a wealth of experience, strong relationships, and a shared passion for premium cigars. Their commitment to professional, brand-driven growth aligns seamlessly with our mission of providing elevated cigar experiences.

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Ozgener Karatoba

This cigar has a very smooth wrapper and is box pressed. The cold draw is perfect.

The initial flavors are earthy and the retrohale is smooth. The burn is very even.

In the first third light coffee notes and toasted tobacco join the flavor profile. This is a good medium to full bodied cigar. The burn and ash are perfect.

During the second third light pepper joins the profile for an excellent complexity. Pepper is also in the retrohale. The burn and ash remain solid.

Approaching the final inch the flavor profile remains more medium than full, but the overall taste is very good. The ash and burn are still perfect.

Overall a very enjoyable experience. The Ozgener family has another hit on their hands. 9.2/10, Joe Bob says check it out.

Micallef Purple Reigns as the Newest Color Series Release

Micallef Cigars proudly announces the release of Micallef Purple, the latest addition to its growing Color Series. Following the celebrated launches of  Micallef Black, Blue, and Red, the new Micallef Purple continues the tradition of offering exceptional cigars at an outstanding value—ensuring quality and consistency while maintaining the same price point established with Micallef  Black in 2023. Micallef Black, the first in the series, was awarded Cigar of the Year  2023 by The Cigar Authority, cementing the Color Series as a standout in the industry. 

Read more: Micallef Purple Reigns as the Newest Color Series Release

Micallef Purple is a medium-bodied cigar featuring a San Andrés Sumatra wrapper, a Broadleaf binder, and a carefully curated blend of Nicaraguan,  Dominican, and Mexican fillers. This combination delivers a smooth yet complex smoking experience, with notes of cinnamon, nuts, cocoa, and white pepper,  balanced by earthy undertones of chocolate, leather, molasses, and cedar. 

The official launch of Micallef Purple will take place at the Premium Cigar  Association (PCA) Trade Show in April. The cigar will be sampled to select  consumers ahead of its national release, with exclusive pre-release  opportunities at: 

• The Cigar Authority Care Package in April

Following these previews, Micallef Purple will be available in brick-and-mortar shops nationwide beginning April 24, 2025. 

The Color Series reflects Micallef’s unwavering philosophy: delivering premium cigars that offer exceptional quality at an accessible price. Since the introduction of Micallef Black, this approach has resonated with cigar enthusiasts and retailers alike. Micallef Purple continues this tradition,  maintaining the same price as its predecessors—ensuring smokers can enjoy a top-tier experience without compromise. 

“Micallef Purple, continues our mission of making premium cigars accessible without compromise.” said Dan Thompson, President of Micallef Cigars. “Like the  rest of the Color Series, it proves that premium quality and affordability can go  hand in hand.” 

Al Micallef, Founder of Micallef Cigars, added: “We continue to invest in the best tobaccos, the best people, and the best processes to bring extraordinary cigars to the market. Micallef Purple is another proud addition to our Color Series, and  I can’t wait for our Ambassadors and retail partners to enjoy it.” 

Micallef Cigars remains committed to brick-and-mortar retailers, ensuring their continued success by offering exclusive products, pricing consistency, and direct-to-store support. 

Purple is available in Toro and Robusto sizes in 25-count boxes and will be available in brick-and-mortar retailers nationwide beginning April 24th.  

Strength: Medium 

Wrapper: San Andrés Sumatra 

Binder: Broadleaf 

Filler: Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Mexico 

Retail Price: Robusto (5×52) $7.00/cigar, Toro (6×52) $8.00/cigar

Sobremesa Solita “Red” Release

Dunbarton, NH – Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust® (DTT) will begin shipping the eagerly anticipated Sobremesa® Solita “Red” liga on Tuesday, February 25th, 2025, to Select Purveyors. Sobremesa Solita “Red” is a limited production, 6.25 x 46 parejo packed in the semi-boite nature dress box that is synonymous with the brand. The blend is a stronger varietal of the original 7 tobacco core recipe featuring a dark rosado Grade 1 Ecuador Habano capa, a San Andres Negro capote and a combination of four Nicaraguan and a Seedleaf Pennsylvanian tripas. In 2015 the core liga was introduced to the marketplace as simply Sobremesa, but was rebranded as Sobremesa Solita in 2024 to provide clearer differentiation from its milder Connecticut Shade sister puro, Sobremesa Brulée.

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Tobacco Tactical and Crowned Heads Unite for Exclusive “555”Coroneta Habano

Tobacco Tactical Cigar Co. and Crowned Heads proudly unveil their collaboration on the Tobacco Tactical Exclusive Crowned Heads Coroneta Habano 5 x 55 Box Pressed, known as the “555.” This cigar is a testament to both companies’ dedication to innovation, designed to optimize the Coroneta blend for a boxpressed format.


The journey of the 555 began in 2023 when Alexander Berezowski and Michael Medrano of Tobacco Tactical traveled to the NACSA factory in Nicaragua for product development. While sampling Crowned Heads’ prototype blends, the idea for collaboration took root. What started as a conversation quickly evolved into a shared vision to craft something exceptional. “This project grew from a foundation of mutual admiration and a relentless drive for quality,” said Berezowski, cofounder of Tobacco Tactical. “Jon [Huber, co-founder of Crowned Heads] and his team embraced the creative process with us, blending our strengths to create
something special.”

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PLASENCIA COSECHA 151 EARNS “BEST NEW CIGAR OF 2024” HONORS BY CIGAR JOURNAL

(Miami, Florida) February 6, 2025- Plasencia Cigars, a world-leading premium tobacco grower established in 1865, announces that the Cosecha 151 La Tradition (Toro size) earned the award for “Best Cigar of 2024” by Cigar Journal.

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Crowned Heads Announces Four Kicks Mule Kick LE

Crowned Heads is excited to announce its first Limited Edition release of 2025, Crowned Heads Four Kicks Mule Kick LE 2025.

For only the second time since the original Mule Kick in 2012, the blend deviates entirely from the traditional Mule Kick blend, featuring an all-new blend that delivers body, boldness, and balance. “When we were evaluating potential new blends last year, one blend from Casa Carrillo really stood out to me,” commented Crowned Heads co-founder, Jon Huber. “That blend really connected with my palate, exhibiting body, complexity, impeccable balance, and ultimately, we decided that it needed to become a part of the Mule Kick lineage.”

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The list: 2024

The new cigars this year were mostly great. Like my last list (2022), the cigars are not ranked, however, the first five (alphabetized) and the “rest” that I deemed “worthy” (lol). If you don’t care for my methods, there are plenty of other lists to read. Let’s be honest, all of these lists are subjective, so if you don’t agree, or feel that something was left off, well, sorry. I can’t be everywhere all the time and a lot of other people’s “tops” are not available in my city. All cigars listed were released in 2024. I also only picked one cigar per company (sorry Steve Saka).

For 2024, my favorite five new releases were:

  • Aganorsa Arsenio
  • Black Label Trading Company Orthodox
  • Dunbarton Umbagog Bronzeback
  • Micallef Red
  • Perdomo 30th Sun Grown

As for the rest of the list, all of these scored at least 91 on my scale.

  • Black Star Line War Witch Maduro
  • Cavalier Geneva USA Exclusive
  • Crowned Heads Blood Medicine
  • Don Doroteo Alcalde
  • Epic Casino Real Lancero
  • Espinoza Warhead X
  • Ferio Tego Summa
  • Foundation Aksum
  • Gran Habano El Enegmio
  • Kristoff Tres Hombres
  • Leaf by Oscar Criolo
  • Luciano Foreign Affair
  • Tatuaje 10 Tuxtla
  • West Tampa Red Lancero

FDA Rule that Would Limit Nicotine in Tobacco Products Sent to Biden White House for Review

[THE REGULATORS ARE RUNNING ROUGHSHOD OVER US]

WASHINGTON, DC (December 12, 2024) – On December 10th, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) submitted a proposed rule that would sharply limit nicotine in tobacco products. This radical new step is expected to have far-reaching implications for the entire industry and could represent the first salvo in an attempt by the Agency to “sunset” all combustible tobacco. 

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CIGAR CIRCUS: A NEW DESTINATION FOR CIGAR ENTHUSIASTS IS COMING!

Cigar lovers, get ready! – A new experience in the world of premium cigars, is set to launch in 2025. Featuring an e-commerce platform and a flagship showroom in Clearwater, Florida, Cigar Circus is designed to cater to cigar enthusiasts locally, nationally, and beyond.

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Humidif Group and Kingmakers Cigars Partner, Create Limited Edition Humidor made for NASCAR Cup Series Champion

Miami, FL – November 14, 2024 — HumidifGroup, a company specialized in the design and fabrication of packaging and accessories for the cigar industry, and Kingmakers Cigars have partnered to create the Limited Edition Humidor made for the NASCAR Cup Series Champion. Only two of humidors were created, one for the winner of the race, and another for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing.

This humidor boasts an array of unique features that reflect the excellence and craftsmanship of HumidifGroup and Kingmakers while paying tribute to the prestige NASCAR series. It was presented and handed to the Champion Driver of NASCAR’s 2024 Championship Series, Joey Logano on November 10 at Phoenix Raceway.   The Humidor was created in collaboration between the two firms to pay tribute to NASCAR’s rich 75-year legacy in stock car racing. The 50-count humidor is designed to present 50 specially crafted 6×52 Ecuador Habano figurados in 5 trays of 10, and feature a blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan filler and binder. The humidor features clean, aerodynamic lines and gauge inspired details to celebrate the spirit of the sport including a hygrometer place to ensure optimal humidity  designed to resemble a speedometer and checkered laser cutouts symbolizing the iconic checkered finish lines and flags.

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Operation: Cigars For Warriors Announces 2024 “Giving Tuesday” fundraising drive

Ocala, FL – Operation: Cigars For Warriors announced today that it is conducting a fundraising drive from November 11th

December 3rd (Giving Tuesday). CFW is continuing to partner with retailers like Smoker Friendly to ensure a steady flow of monetary and cigar donations in order to continue its progress towards reaching the milestone of 1.7M cigars shipped to troops since 2012.


As part of their ongoing collaboration with CFW, Smoker Friendly Donation Centers will be conducting a special “roundup” campaign during this time, where customers may elect to round their purchase up to the nearest dollar and donate the difference to Cigars for Warriors.

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Gran Habano El Enemigo

This is a very attractive cigar. One water spot on an otherwise flawless wrapper. Tonight’s beverage is a Great Nation Otter Milk Stout. Clean clip with my Palio reveals a very nice draw. According to the CigarMedics portable hygrometer reading 74% on the head and 71% in the foot Just about perfect.

Initial impressions are light pepper in an earthy medium bodied cigar. The early retrohale shows some pepper notes to follow. Ash and burn line are excellent.

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Foundation Cigars Begins Shipping 2024 Annual Release Highclere Castle Senetjer

Foundation Cigar Company is proud to announce the return of the Highclere Castle Senetjer as an annual limited release. Beginning this November, Senetjer will be available through select tobacconists to celebrate the enduring partnership between Foundation Cigars and Highclere Castle. Initially crafted to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb, Senetjer is now an annual November release.

The tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun was unearthed by renowned archaeologist Howard Carter and the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, the great-grandfather of the current Earl and owner of Highclere Castle. The partnership pays homage to this historical event and brings the rich cultural history of Egypt into the luxury cigar market.

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Statesman Connecticut

This cigar was sent to me by the Statesman Cigar Company. My original plan was to make it a morning smoke with coffee, but I found this Voodoo Love Child trippel that is smooth and tasty, so I decided to try pairing them.

The cigar looks very well made; the wrapper color is closer to Colorado shade. Very clean cut and excellent cold draw.

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DON DOROTEO CIGARS EARNS A 94 RATING BY ENTHUSIAST REPORT

The El Alcalde blend has been aging for 15 years as the cigars were originally rolled in 2008

El Alcalde translates to “The Mayor” and pays homage to Doroteo’s trajectory, which saw him come from humble beginnings as a young tobacco farmer, to the mayor of his city. Doroteo Fermin Delgado grew up on a farm learning the ways of the tobacco leaf from his father Marcos Delgado. Sadly, Macros passed away when Doroteo was 16 years of age. Through sheer grit Doroteo over the years saved enough money to purchase plots of land, which totaled eighty-four acres. La Aurora took notice of his tobacco and quickly became his exclusive buyer. Doroteo became a leader of his community, and his popularity led him to become the mayor of his small town in 1969.

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INTERGALACTIC EVENT HORIZON

September 24, 2024 — Black Works Studio (BLK WKS) is pleased to announce the release of INTERGALACTIC Event Horizon; hand crafted at Fabrica Oveja Negra in Esteli, Nicaragua.

INTERGALACTIC Event Horizon is a new Limited Edition that will begin shipping to select BLK WKS retailers this week.  It will also be available in Europe later this month.

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THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED FUENTE THE OPUSX SOCIETY CIGAR WILL MAKE ITS OFFICIAL PREMEIRE IN MIAMI

(MIAMI, FL) – Manny Iriarte Enterprises will launch Fuente The OpusX Society Cigar with a marvelous event at the exclusive Tabacon Cigar Lounge in Miami, Florida on Saturday, October 19, 2024. In true Fuente style, event goers can expect an opulent event fitting of the Fuente OpusX brand. Tabacon Cigar Lounge is at 5241 NW 87th Ave Suite D109, Doral, FL 33178. This exclusive event is limited to only 150 tickets that are being sold worldwide. Dress code: Cocktail / Miami Chic. For tickets and information for the World Premiere Party please visit: World Premiere Party: Fuente The OpusX Society Cigar (ticketspice.com).

Step onto the red carpet and into a world of unparalleled luxury. This is not just a party; it’s the birth of a new legend in the OpusX Cigar Family, and you’re invited to be a part of it.    

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Killer Bee Buzz Saw

September 16, 2024 — Black Works Studio is pleased to announce the upcoming release of Killer Bee Buzz Saw as a Smoke Inn exclusive, handcrafted at Fabrica Oveja Negra in Esteli, Nicaragua. 

“Smoke Inn has been a big supporter of Black Works Studio, so we wanted to do something special with our first exclusive release.  The Buzz Saw perfecto was a fan favorite from the 2021 Hive release.  This cigar is bold and very intense.  The Buzz Saw is a great representation of the Killer Bee and definitely deserved an individual release,” said James Brown, creator of BLTC and partner at Fabrica Oveja Negra.

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