Top New Cigars (November 13, 2023)
JOHNNY TOBACCONAUT RETURNS + NEW RELEASES FROM CROWNED HEADS, ALEC BRADLEY, & MORE!
We’re in those weird doldrums between Halloween and Thanksgiving. Mariah Carey is almost fully-thawed for her Christmas radio takeover, your in-laws are already talking about how many days they’ll be staying over winter break, and your credit card seems to be perpetually anywhere but in your wallet. Welcome to holiday hell. Time to order some new cigars to ensure your survival. I’ve picked out three fresh additions to help you save valuable time.
This week, it’s all boutique. Johnny Tobacconaut returns with a new wrapper. Plus, Crowned Heads goes all-in on their latest super premium. This and more below!
Room 101 Johnny Tobacconaut
Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut Shade
Binder: Mexico
Filler: Nicaragua
Maybe the best-named cigar of all time, Matt Booth’s Johnny Tobacconaut returns—this time clad in Connecticut with help from AJ Fernandez. And just like the original, it’s a limited edition.
“Fit for the chaser of a galactic experience,” says Booth. “It has elegance and sophistication with strength and complexity balanced among the elements. There are peaks and valleys of nuances and notes and smooth transitions. I can firmly say it’s one of the best blends I’ve ever collaborated on.”
I found a light sweetness among a nebula of flavors like cedar, toast, almonds, and floral finish. Ignite your inner explorer and give it a shot before it’s gone for good.
Crowned Heads La Vereda
Wrapper: Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua
Working with the Godfather of tobacco himself, Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, Crowned Heads has blended yet another (mostly) Nicaraguan masterpiece. This one, they’ve dubbed La Vereda which means ‘the path.’ Truth be told, this is Crowned Heads first foray into true super premium territory with some of the MSRPs reaching north of $20. I still think it’s worth smoking despite its lofty price tag—not as a daily driver, but on special occasions. Like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve. Why? Because I dove into a savory bouquet of spices, dark wood, and caramel with a layer of earthy, peppery sweetness below. Give it a shot and tell me if it’s worth it in the comments below!
Alec Bradley Magic Toast 5th Anniversary
Wrapper: Honduras Trojes
Binder: Honduras & Nicaragua
Filler: Honduras & Nicaragua
5 years later, most people still don’t know that Alec Bradley’s Magic Toast is referencing a Honduran tradition of tobacco farmers sharing a spot of whisky in the fields. That said, an anniversary is an anniversary, and Magic Toast’s 5th birthday warranted something special.
Bradley Rubin has overseen the cigars rolled into what he calls a “candle-shaped 7” x 54 Perfecto.” The blend itself hasn’t changed, but its familiar flavors of cocoa, dried fruit, oak, and poignant spices offer a bit more complexity thanks to this new vitola.
Chillin’ Moose Bull Moose Maduro
Wrapper: Nicaragua Maduro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
If you’re looking for a cigar that doesn’t take itself seriously, and fancy yourself a budget smoker who likes darker-leaf treats, Bull Moose Maduro is for you. Full stop. The brand is decidedly goofy—a breath of fresh air among all these bourgie brands whose backstories are a little too conveniently incredible.
Chillin’ Moose has no backstory. It wouldn’t make sense if it did. Instead, they offer reasonable premiums at a reasonable price. Like any good summer blockbuster, try not to overanalyze it and you’ll be grinning when the credits roll.