CA Report: Top New Cigars (February 14, 2022)

The Best and Freshest New Cigars in the Famous Humidor…

…and a side of Random Cigar Thoughts

I view cigars in the same way I do pizza. With love. First, when I’m talking about pizza, it’s the Naples or Neapolitan variety that was adapted into NY Style. Don’t come at me with Chicago Deep Dish, Sicilian, or anything homemade or microwavable. That’s not the go-to that I love and eat 3 times a week. I prefer this little brick oven joint with slices the size of a tent flap, complete with a flawless crust—the kind with the bubbles—and an immaculate cheese blend. Oh, and their sauce is on-point as well. But I still get a hankering for Domino’s or a pie from any nondescript corner pizza joint. They’re all good to me. Just like cigars.

I’ll say it ‘til I’m blue in the face—there are no bad cigars. Change my mind.

Sure, I’ve had cigars I didn’t like—we all have—but it doesn’t mean they’re bad. They were just not for me. More often though, I’ve enjoyed cigars that surprised me. Brands and blends I’ve overlooked for one reason or another, or new ones, like you’ll find in this Valentine’s Day edition of  Top New Cigars. On tap, you’ll find the latest premium handmades from Drew Estate, Rocky Patel, and Fourth Prime.

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!

Drew Estate 20 Acre Farm

Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut
Binder: Honduran Sun Grown Habano
Filler: Nicaragua and Florida Sun Grown

This super-premium from Drew Estate draws its name from the small Florida farm where an exceptional tobacco leaf is grown. Master Blender Willy Herrera expertly incorporates the plucky Florida Sun Grown tobaccos with Nicaraguan long fillers from Esteli and Jalapa. A velvety Ecuador Connecticut wrapper and Honduran Sun Grown Habano binder complete the impressive offering. Medium bodied with complexity and nuance, the 20 Acre Farm delivers flavors of oak, cedar, earth, and bright cedar with some pepper at play in the background. Approachable for any enthusiast, this cigar can be enjoyed anytime.

Rocky Patel Factory Selects Edge Corojo

Wrapper: Honduras Corojo
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras

Remember above when I said some cigars will take you by surprise. Example no. 1 is right here—the Rocky Patel Factory Selects Edge Corojo. Let them overlook or even look down on this bundled cigar right here and they’ll be doing us—those in the know—a big favor. Do you love the Edge Corojo? These are the same cigar—only they didn’t pass Rocky’s strict quality control standards. And rather than letting something so good go to waste—Factory Selects were born. Expect a fuller bodied blend with notes of black pepper, cream, anise, cedar, and earth. A premium for peanuts, Factory Select Edge Corojo delivers all the quality you’d expect from a Rocky Patel.

Fable Fourth Prime

Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf
Binder: Ecuador Habano Ligero
Filler: Dominican Republic and Nicaragua

Fourth Prime is the debut blend from ultra-boutique Fable cigars. Blended at Fabrica de Tabacos Nica Sueno, Fourth Prime draws its name from the fourth prime number—seven—and each vitola draws inspiration from the number. Even the logo on the band draws on the theme—featuring seven lines (which form the letter ‘P’ when turn sideways). The medium to full bodied Fourth Prime kicks off with red pepper and chocolate with notes of nuts and creaminess settling in as well. This blend will surprise you with its character, balance, and an eye-opening depth of flavor.