CA Report: Top New Cigars (June 10 2019)
If you’re like me and make it a point to procrastinate, I’ll kindly point out that there’s just this week of shopping left to get something for Dad on Father’s Day. You could play it safe and get him his trusty ol’ lawn cigars, or you could exalt yourself to best kid status by getting him something new and delicious. With this edition of Top New Cigars, we have a solid line-up of flavor beginning with Aganorsa, ending with Oscar Valladares, and chocked full of some delicious little numbers in between.
Aganorsa Famous 80th Anniversary
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
As Famous Smoke Shop continues its celebration of 80 years as the nation’s number one cigar retailer, it occurs to me that a number like that can almost seem arbitrary. To put it in perspective, Famous opened its doors in Manhattan a little more than two years before the United States entered WWII. With a lifetime of business and cigar expertise, we’re proud to be partnered with Aganorsa Leaf on one of our milestone blends, Aganorsa Leaf Famous 80th Anniversary. Its smooth yet spicy appeal is the stuff of cigar legend – a true connoisseur’s smoke. Only 250 boxes were made, and when they’re gone, they’re gone!
Flores y Rodriguez Connecticut Valley Reserve Azul/Maduro
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Rosado
Binder: Nicaragua Jalapa
Filler: Dominican Corojo, Nicaragua and Criollo Condega
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
Binder: Nicaragua Habano
Filler: Dominican Corojo, Criollo ’98, Nicaragua Condega
You run the numbers and no matter how you cut it, you just can’t swing that getaway vacation this year. You might not have an extra $2K sitting around, but that doesn’t mean you can’t splurge a smidge with Flores y Rodriguez Connecticut Valley Reserve Azul instead. Luxurious swaths of berries, dark cocoa, espresso, and sweetness all play their part to transport you to the full-bodied-flavor promised land.
Maybe you’d prefer a darker affair? Similar in blend to the Connecticut Valley Reserve Azul, Flores y Rodriguez Connecticut Valley Maduro undergoes a lengthier fermentation to adorn a near jet-black Connecticut Broadleaf in the wrapper position. This treatment makes for a more sweetly nuanced experienced that’s laced with chocolate, coffee, and roasted nuts. You don’t need to go on vacation when you can bring the vacation to your palate!
Leaf by James
Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf
Binder: Ecuador Habano
Filler: Nicaragua
Leaf by Omar
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Pennsylvania Broadleaf
Filler: Nicaragua
Leaf by Esteban
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
It seems that these days, Island Jim Robinson sure is getting around the block with his partnerships, but recent additions to his Leaf by Oscar line from James Brown of Black Label Trading Co., Omar Gonzalez who ran the Cuban Partagas factory, and Esteban Disla of the widely-popular RoMa Craft Tobac boutique blends, have really turned over a new… well… Leaf! From the chocolaty sweetness of Leaf by James, the zesty and peppery appeal of Leaf by Omar, or the savory nuttiness of Leaf by Esteban, you’re dialed in for a sure-fire treat no matter what kind of medium-bodied flavors you prefer. When you account for their friendly price point, you’ll have enough to give all three a shot!
Oscar Valladares Ciserón Toro
Wrapper: Ecuador Sun Grown
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
If you find yourself frequenting museums to scratch your itch for ine art, the folks who crafted Oscar Valladares Ciserón may have had you in mind. With hand-painted cubist cigar art by Elmer Ciserón Bautista on each box, these sticks are sure to become coveted collectibles. To add to its exclusivity, this popular Toro size is only available at Famous Smoke Shop. Don’t think that it’s merely a snazzy-looking gimmick, though. They’re every bit as flavorful as they are visually striking with hints of caramel, roasted nuts, and a spicy-sweet finish. Who needs to make a trek to the city when Ciserón can come to you for less than $10 a stick?
What recent cigars have hit the sweet spot for you as of late? What did you think of our list? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for the next edition of Top New Cigars!