CA REPORT: TOP NEW CIGARS (JANUARY 3, 2022)
The best of new cigars on tap at Famous Smoke Shop!
How do you ring in the New Year? With a cigar? A resolution? Or glass of champagne? Maybe all three. I’ve tried real champagne (the French stuff) and let’s just say, I’m more of a Champagne of Beers guy. And resolutions never made much sense to me. Yet there I was—Padron in hand—resolving to continue to wage my campaign to get Road House and Die Hard added to the National Film Registry. I’m not holding out hope, so my backup resolution—the one I can accomplish—is to consume more good stuff (like Crunchwrap Supremes, ice cream, and premium cigars) and less bad stuff (like fruits, vegetables, and pretend meat).
Another great thing about a new year—especially for us enthusiasts—is anticipating a calendar filled with new cigar releases. So, kick off 2022 and check out this edition of Top New Cigars with latest blends from Oscar Valladares, Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust, and Don Lino.
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!
McFly by Oscar Valladares
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Dominican Republic, Honduran, Nicaraguan
Is Oscar Valladares the Doc Brown of the cigar world? First, he brought us back to the 70’s with his Superfly cigar, and now as a follow-up of sorts, he’s transporting us to the 1980’s with his latest film inspired release, McFly. DeLorean not included. With a large 80’s inspired cigar band and packaging, McFly makes a statement from the get-go. Featuring a shaggy foot, you’ll pick up some cedar and punchiness from the binder before the wrapper takes light. And once it does, notes of vanilla, almond sweetness, graham cracker, and mild baking spices join in. McFly is medium bodied and balanced with perfect construction and is an exciting new blend to try in 2022.
Stillwell Star English No. 27
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Mexican San Andres Negro “Cultivo Tonto”
Filler: Nicaraguan with Burley, Turkish Leaf, and Cypriot Latakia pipe tobaccos
For years, blenders have been trying to marry pipe and cigar tobacco in a premium handmade. Building on past efforts, Steve Saka takes both cigar and pipe tobacco in a new direction while managing to highlight the best of both worlds. Stillwell Star English No. 27 uses a silky Ecuadoran Habano wrapper, Mexican San Andres binder, and Nicaraguan long fillers blended with a variety of pipe tobaccos. This blend is an absolute homerun for Latakia lovers and pipe smokers who prefer English style tobaccos and holds its own as a medium to full bodied cigar loaded with complexity and flavor. The overall profile perfectly balances the subtly spicy introduction with notes of leather, ginger, cloves, citrus, dark chocolate, nuts, and black pepper. Stillwell Star opens up new frontiers in cigar blending and is a must-try for the adventurous enthusiast.
Don Lino Maduro
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres Maduro
Binder: Dominican Olor
Filler: African Cameroon, Dominican Criollo 98, Pennsylvania Broadleaf
If Christmas brings the joy, January brings the bills. Even if your cigar budget takes a hit, there are still plenty of affordable, premium options. Take the Don Lino Maduro as example number 1 on how to save without sacrificing. You’ll find this cigar full of flavors like cedar, brown sugar, earth, almonds, and baking spices. The overall profile remains smooth and balanced while the strength doesn’t venture much past medium bodied. If you’re looking for a trusty, everyday cigar that outperforms its price, add the Don Lino Maduro to your must-try list.