CA Report: Top New Cigars (March 31, 2025)
Jake Wyatt takes over Top New!
Let’s talk about an exciting boutique brand.
This time, I just want to put the stop on our usual Top New routine to bring attention to a brand you may not have heard of just yet. Founded by former MLB player Neil Garcia, Jake Wyatt Cigars offer two collections: the Gourmet collection filled with all their signature blends, and the Connoisseur collection, filled with the most distinctive smoking experiences that they have to offer.
While they’ve been running the circuit of brick-and-mortar stores since their debut, Jake Wyatt’s finally landed on the Famous Smoke Shop website—exclusively through summer—and it has all of us excited.
If you walk away from this with Jake Wyatt fever like everyone else over here has caught, check out their brand page as there are 3 more smokes I’ll leave you to discover on your own. And as always, you know where to find all the fresh and new sticks we’ve got to offer!
Jake Wyatt Icarus
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican, Tennessee Fire-Cured, PA Broadleaf
You may have already heard us talk your ear off about Icarus, the latest high-flyer out of Jake Wyatt. Their most recent production has really blown me away. Now, I’ll warn you ahead of time - this is a fire-cured cigar, so, this smoke might not be for everyone. I think Jared put it best when he described this as “for the black coffee crowd.” And to his point, I think I’d agree. However, I’d also just want to bring forth that this is a good entry point to the world of fire-cured tobacco.
Like any fire-cured tobacco smoke, you’re going to run into that classic campfire profile that you’ve come to expect. There is still a really interesting profile going on here, with some wood and mineral notes to go along with it. Nothing about it is very overpowering like fire-cured can often be to some. Outside of some minor consistency problems, we all walked out of it singing its praises. If you’re looking to get into fire-cured blends, then definitely put Icarus into your humidor as soon as you can.
Jake Wyatt Appendix II
Wrapper: Connecticut
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
This one’s a Connecticut, so I knew going in this blend would be right up my alley. An Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper with Dominican binders and fillers, the Appendix II offers an almost effortless experience. Smooth and creamy the whole way through, you can expect to find some good hints of vanilla, honey, and oak. I’d like to use this opportunity to compliment the look of this cigar, as well.
Now, looks aren’t everything - but when you’re shopping for cigars and going blind looking at blends, sometimes the aesthetics are all you have to go on. I know there’s been a few times in my life where I’ve been superficial, and chosen based purely on how pretty I find the wrapper. So, for the superficial few like me, I really need to shout out the unique construction and gorgeous packaging that Jake Wyatt’s cigars always have. The unique barber pole aesthetic really looks pleasing to the eye and pops out among the crowd.
Jake Wyatt Lithium
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Another cigar that really pops right off the shelf, and another testament to the gorgeous construction that has been seen in nearly all of Jake Wyatt’s blends so far. While I may have less to say about this premium, that’s not because there is a lack of quality here. This is a really good everyday smoke, one that you could enjoy any time of day. I’m no genius when it comes to cigar pairings, but when I had this one, I enjoyed it while sitting in my backyard drinking my morning cup o’ joe. Now that’s an experience that’s hard to screw up, but I really can’t attest enough to just how much this blend added to it.
Jake Wyatt USIR
Wrapper: Dominican
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
The Jake Wyatt USIR is a Dominican puro, and seeing as how much Jake Wyatt has utilized Dominican tobaccos in its production across all their blends. I think it’s easy to view this as their OG flavor, released during their initial launch I think there’s something of a story told in this smoke. But I’ll let you experience that for yourself and save you from any reminiscing to be had. The profile you’ve likely come to expect from a Dominican smoke is all here and it’s at its best here. There’s a prominent vanilla flavor at the frontlines here, and it’s backed up with some citrus, spice, and leather that dance across the tastebuds. Do yourself a favor and pick up a couple of these!