CA Report: Top New Cigars (April 4, 2022)
The Best and Freshest New Cigars in the Famous Humidor…
…and a side of Random Cigar Thoughts.
Who ya got tonight? Or are you like me, left with your alma mater a non-factor and your bracket busted, rooting for the best Cinderella remaining. I don’t watch college basketball (or any) in general, but there’s some magic in March Madness with underdogs and sleeper teams always catching my attention. Even if they don’t make it to the Final Four or Championship Game, it’s the unheralded squads who make a run and perform like champions that make a lasting impression on me.
Or think of it this way—if the bluebloods are Oliva’s, Padron’s, Montecristo’s, etc., then the bracket busters are more like scarce, limited runs from both larger brands and small batch boutiques. And I do love finding a diamond in the rough when cigar hunting. And the question remains, is there a Saint Peter’s among the latest selection of premium cigar releases? Maybe the answer is in this edition of Top New Cigars, featuring the latest from Protocol, VegaFina, and possibly one of the best cutters I’ve ever tested.
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!
Protocol Bass Reeves
Wrapper: Sumatra or Habano maduro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
The third release in the Lawmen Series pays tribute to Bass Reeves, the country’s first black Deputy US Marshal whose success in the West was said to be the inspiration behind the Lone Ranger. And like the 2 that came before it in Protocol’s Lawmen posse, Bass Reeves is offered with a choice between two wrappers and is crafted at AJ Fernandez’s San Lotano factory in Nicaragua.
The Natural wrapped version (above) features a Sumatra wrapper draped over long fillers from Nicaragua and will remind you of cedar, sundry spices, and burned caramel.
The Bass Reeves Maduro has a Nicaraguan long filler core under a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper. This blend is closer to full bodied and brings with it hints of pepper, earth, and coffee. Both cigars are offered in a 6” x 52 box pressed Toro to deliver maximum enjoyment. Saddle up and enjoy a taste of justice, delivered the Bass Reeves way.
VegaFina Year of the Tiger
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
I’ll forgive you if you haven’t heard about VegaFina’s annual Lunar Year special cigar releases. I’ll forgive you if you haven’t smoked a VegaFina—I hadn’t either. But the extremely limited-edition VegaFina is where forgiveness ends—as is there is no longer an excuse. Vega Fina Year of the Tiger is the first release (but the 5th overall) to be offered in the United States and is an exquisite example blended by the famed Grupo de Maestros. Only made in one size, a 6 1/8 x 52 Toro, the Year of the Tiger is adorned with a gorgeous Ecuador Habano wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and super-premium long filler tobaccos from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. VegaFina Year of the Tiger isn’t overpowering, but a pleasant medium bodied with notes of espresso and exotic nuts. There are only 500 boxes available in the entire US, so don’t miss your chance to try this treat.
Famous Lotus Meteor Cutter
What’s this cutter doing here? Well, it’s not an ordinary cigar cutter. For one, it’s a shout-out to the best cigar shop on earth. Also, it’s an ergonomic round—another way for saying it feels good in the mitt. With razor sharp, dual guillotine blades and a backstop to make sure you don’t shave precious inches from your premium (now, if only my Mohel had the same consideration), the Famous Lotus Meteor cutter will be your indispensable cigar cutting companion.