CA Report: Top New Cigars (April 15, 2024)

Check out tasty new cigar arrivals from Dunbarton, Kristoff, and AJ Fernandez!

If you’re like me, you procrastinate later. Taxes are no different. Down to the buzzer as usual…but I’m in before the deadline and that’s all that matters. And with a refund headed this way, my greedy hands rub together in anticipation of some well-deserved cigar cash. I picked three new cigars to try out now that Uncle Sam’s paid me back. Check out my quick reviews on Polpetta from Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, Kristoff Nicaragua, and a fresh, big-ring size of the popular AJ Fernandez New World Connecticut blend.

If you’re smoking these, or any other recently released cigars, please let us know on our social media channels linked below!

Kristoff Nicaragua

Wrapper: Nicaragua Habano
Binder: Nicaragua Corojo
Filler: Nicaragua Esteli, Condega, & Jalapa

The first of a new line of ‘Heritage Series’ cigars that focus on various tobacco-yielding countries, Kristoff Nicaragua is all-in on flavor. The blend’s puro format effervesces notes of wood, earth, coffee, and a touch of floral sweetness. Of course, there’s plenty of pepper, yet a recipe with such a bold pedigree is still able to maintain a mostly medium body. And at less than $10 apiece to start, you’ll have plenty of that tax return leftover for that credit card payment you’ve been neglecting since Christmas.

Polpetta by Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Mexican San Andres
Filler: Mixed

Italian for “meatball,” Dunbarton’s Polpetta is an odd dog indeed. Admittedly more expensive than a mixed filler cigar (also called Cuban sandwich) really should be…the rub is, it’s actually worth the price of admission. Why? Because you wouldn’t have known had I not told you. Polpetta’s fillers are comprised of trimmings from the rolling tables where Mi Querida, Triqui Traca, and Umbagog are made—along with some long filler of its own. In addition, there’s a sultry Mexican San Andres binder and a Connecticut Broadleaf cherry on top. Expect a smooth layer of sweetness with notes of earth, baking chocolate, spices, and a hint of cinnamon. Check it out and I’m confident you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

New World Connecticut Gordo (New Size!)

Wrapper: U.S. Connecticut Shade
Binder: Mexican San Andres
Filler: Nicaragua & Brazil

AJ’s New World Connecticut has a new heavyweight champion: the Gordo. At 6” x 60, this widebody smoke is even mellower and smokes cooler than its thinner-ringed siblings, yet it packs all of the familiar flavor you’ve come to love inside its XL frame. Bring your Bluetooth speaker outside, crack open a cold beer, and enjoy the mild weather alongside New World Connecticut’s smooth flavors of cedar, leather, earth, and light spices. Why not treat yourself? Isn’t that what a tax return is for? Smoke, drink, and be merry. For tomorrow we’re broke again!