CA Report: Top New Cigars (October 14, 2024)
New cigar releases from H. Upmann, Tatuaje, & Oscar Valladares—all now available at Famous Smoke Shop!
As we head into spooky season, it occurs to me that there’s nothing nearly as scary as an empty humidor. Except maybe Christmas decorations in October. The horror!
That’s why I plucked every new cigar release I could find (don’t tell the warehouse guy) in the Famous Smoke Shop humidor; three stood out on my palate. Check out my reviews on what to expect from H. Upmann, Tatuaje, and Oscar Valladares’ latest offerings.
And as always, if there’s a fresh release burning in your mind, drop me a line on our social links below!
H. Upmann 180th Anniversary
Wrapper: Nicaragua Medio Tiempo
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Get your second mortgage ready because H. Upmann 180th Anniversary is going to bust your piggy bank. Priced above $20 a stick, this cigar demands a certain pedigree.
Just look at that number. Nearly two centuries. To put it another way, only 68 years younger than the United States. You’re not going to survive two world wars, recessions, depressions, a revolution, and everything in between unless you have something good going on under the hood. And lemme tell you…this cigar does.
We’ll be unveiling a longer, more detailed panel review of H. Upmann 180th in the coming days, but such a cigar deserves an extra mention…so, let’s get into the flavors. Caramel—almost like a caramel cream candy—with a pinch of vanilla stirred in. Additionally, earth, toast, and oak, with a raisin and floral finish. Holy moly.
Sure, it’s pricey. But it’s worth it. Consider it for your next special occasion.
Tatuajue Cojonu 2012 Corojo
Wrapper: Nicaragua Corojo
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Speaking of time machines, there’s no need to adjust your screen. It’s still 2024. Tatuaje’s naming convention for Cojonu can be a little confusing. 2012 is neither the tobacco vintage, nor the year the Cojonu line debuted. Instead, it’s the year that this size—the 6 ½” x 52 Toro Extra—was first released (originally with CT Broadleaf, Habano, & Sumatra wrappers). Fast forward a dozen years and Pete Johnson’s just added a Nicaragua Corojo wrapper to the stable.
I Cojonu Corojo to smoke equal parts earthy and sweet with a layer of baking chocolate, minerals, and a slight damp earth note on the finish. If Corojo isn’t your thing, you can check out the 2012 Tuxtla which sports a Mexican San Andres Maduro. No matter which trigger you pull, my wager is that you’re going to come out on the good end of this deal!
The Oscar Connecticut
Wrapper: Honduras Connecticut Shade
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras & Nicaragua
Speaking of bets, I bet you can tell me what kind of wrapper this cigar has without even looking at the tobaccos. Seems everybody’s got a Connecticut these days—and for good reason; they’re still the most popular act in town. Oscar Valladares, in his endless quest to stand out from the crowd, manages to make Connecticut jump off the page. Specifically, where his Connecticut is grown: Honduras.
Honduras is known for quite a bit. Olancho San Agustin, authentic Corojo, bold tobaccos like its southern neighbor of Nicaragua. Yet, Connecticut is not exactly a household commodity for Honduras’ tobacco trade.
As for flavor, it’s like smoking a Honduran cigar without the punch (no pun intended). Is it Connecticut-y? Yes. Is it different? Also yes. I noted cedar and vanilla, but also dark wood, espresso beans, and a molasses-like sweetness I typically only find in stronger cigars. It’s the best of both worlds while maintaining a mellow disposition. Sign me up for seconds.