CA Report: Top New Cigars (January 22, 2024)
Fresh Sticks at Famous Smoke Shop from Steve Saka, Tatiana, and PDR—all reviewed!
Where’d all this snow come from? Seems like just yesterday I was putting the cover on the pool. Maybe next year I’ll get a snowblower…because dropping a few grand on one of those bad boys is the only way to ensure that it’ll never snow again.
Although we’re in the bowels of the bluster, and sun-kissed sandy beaches are still months away, that doesn’t mean you can’t splurge a little on yourself with some new cigars. This week, we’re covering Muestra de Saka’s latest size called Krakatoa, celebrating Tatiana’s 25th Anniversary, and exploring a PDR budget smoke that is so affordable, even your better half would be impressed. Check ‘em all out.
And as always, if there’s a new cigar you think is worth talking about, let us know in the comments below!
Muestra de Saka Krakatoa
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Named after an Indonesian volcano that produced the loudest sound ever recorded, the latest Muestra de Saka vitola—Krakatoa—has landed at Famous. Steve Saka himself has been tight-lipped about precisely which tobaccos are used in the popular blend, hinting only that they’re Nicaraguan and come from the country’s most acclaimed growing regions: Condega, Estelí, Jalapa, and Ometepe.
Fans of bolder cigars will love the new size’s peppery appeal. Expect a medley of salt, pepper, earth, fiery spices, and a dash of cinnamon. Just like that glass of bourbon, all the warm flavor will help keep you cozy in the cold.
Tatiana 25th Anniversary
Wrapper: Proprietary
Binder: Proprietary
Filler: Proprietary
Nestor Miranda’s popular Tatiana brand is celebrating a quarter century in business. Most associate the Tatiana name with sweetly-flavored infusions that pique the interests of adventurous palates. This blend, however, departs from the eclectic flavors and goes all in on luxury leaves. Nestor won’t tell us what’s inside, but here is what our taste buds picked up: dark chocolate, vanilla, medium-roast coffee, earth, wood, and spices.
It’s worth noting that these 10-count boxes are limited and once they’re gone, they’ll be harder to find than a coworker to cover your shift. Ring in Tatiana’s silver anniversary and reward your senses!
PDR Value Line Reserve
Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut Shade
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Are PDR Value Line Reserve cigars as good as Davidoff’s? No. Are they as complex as a My Father blend? Nah. Are they easy smoking at a great price? You’re god-damn right, they are. I’m not one to twist your arm here on Top New Cigars, but through the end of January (some even February), Value Line Reserve bundles are half off at Famous—sinking their per-stick price under $2 to start. I wouldn’t be doing you any service by omitting that kind of inside baseball.
When it’s too cold out there to smoke for any appreciable length of time, you won’t feel bad about putting one of these out too early. Bonus: that $2 hits heavier in the flavor department than its price tag would suggest.