Cigar Buying Guides

CA Report: Top New Cigars (April 18, 2022)

The Best and Freshest New Cigars in the Famous Humidor…

…and a side of Random Cigar Thoughts.

I’ve written about my love of pizza previously. And NY/Naples style especially. But here’s my midnight confession—I like Hawaiian pizza from time to time. You know, with the ham and pineapple.

Now, there are pizza purists who will claim that putting pineapple on pizza is a travesty and an afront to the pizza gods—but they’re missing the point. I think it’s delicious—see, the sweetness of the pineapple balances the savory, saltiness of the other toppings. Although Hawaiian isn’t my first choice when I order a pizza, it’s an option when I’m in the mood for pizza but want something a little different. Kind of like an infused cigar.

I’ll admit that I looked at Acid and the other infused cigars with skepticism for a long time. I’m a traditionalist after all. But once I joined the cigar industry, I had to give them a try. And like ham and pineapple, I found a few blends I enjoy and will smoke on occasion. But, like with NY style, most times when I’m going for a cigar, it’ll be a traditional blend like the new Caldwell, Aganorsa Leaf, and Stolen Throne in this edition of Top New Cigars.

Have you enjoyed a new cigar that you think should be on our must-smoke list? We’d love to hear from you! Please give us the details in the comments below!

Caldwell The King is Dead Escape Plan

Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Peru

Robert Caldwell’s cigars have gained a cult following over the past 5 or so years. Try one and you’ll understand the devotion. Caldwell scours Central and South America, and the Dominican Republic in search of cigar tobaccos of distinction—like the leaves in The King is Dead Escape Plan. Featuring a dark and oily Mexican San Andres wrapper over a blend of Dominican, Nicaraguan, and Peruvian long-fillers, this medium-full box-pressed beauty delivers on all fronts. You’ll find doses of black pepper, strong coffee, leather, earth, wood, baking spices, and chocolate that remain in perfect balance. Try The King is Dead Escape Plan to get away from the ordinary.

Guardian of the Farm Cerberus

Wrapper: Nicaragua Corojo 2012
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

Cerberus is the third release in the Guardian of the Farm lineup and is produced and blended by Aganorsa Leaf. Keeping with the canine theme—Cerberus is the mythological 3 headed guardian of hell—the blend uses Nicaraguan tobaccos grown on Aganorsa’s prized tobacco estates and is the first cigar to use the Corojo 2012 wrapper. Expect to be greeted with a flash of black pepper before cedar comes to the forefront. The flavors progress to include cocoa, earth, nuts, vanilla, fruit sweetness, and some cream. Cerberus stays medium bodied and engaging down to the nub—a perfect choice for those that love well-made Nicaraguan cigars.

Stolen Throne 3 Kingdoms

Wrapper: Habano Oscuro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

Remember where you heard about Stolen Throne cigars. I was conflicted about letting you in on the secret because once word gets out these will be harder to find than affordable gas prices. 3 Kingdoms is the newest release from the ultra-boutique, small batch company and is blended by Noel Rojas (who made one of our cigars of the year). Featuring a feisty Oscuro wrapper over a Nicaraguan core, 3 Kingdoms blasts off with heavy notes of red pepper before vanilla comes in to provide some balance. Other notes you’ll find in this medium plus to full-bodied flavor bomb are earth, cream, fruit, leather, and some wood. 3 Kingdoms stays balanced and continues to deliver wave after wave until you’re in finger burning territory.