CA Report: Top New Cigars (May 10 2021)

Are you ready to enjoy some summer smokes? We sure as hell are. Especially after five feet of snow in less than a month at the Cigar Advisor HQ here in Easton, Pa. But more than kicking winter to the curb, we’re looking forward to long days spent smoking with our friends, vacations, and of course, discovering some of the best new cigars to add to our humidors. 
 
In this edition of TNC, we’ve got limited edition sticks from Crowned Heads and AVO, along with the triumphant return of a cult favorite, Room 101 series by Matt Booth. 
 
If you’re new around here, follow along below and we’ll give you a brief summary of what you can expect as far as flavor and strength from each – so you can decide if one (or even all) is the right cigar for you. 

Have you puffed on a new cigar we missed? Tell us all about it in the comments below! 

 
Crowned Heads Juarez Shots Limited Edition 2021 

Wrapper: Mexican San Andres Maduro 
Binder: Ecuador Sumatra 
Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua 

Crowned Heads has returned with their annual limited-edition release of Juarez Shots for 2021. They made the cigar originally to give smokers a smaller format cigar to enjoy during winter months, but an exceptionally severe season coupled with COVID delays means that we’re seeing them later than expected. A win if you ask us, because this blend smokes exceptionally well once the sun goes down, making it an epic back porch companion on these warm summer evenings. Expect bold flavors of popcorn, wood, nuts, and even caramelized sugar among warm spices that stop short of burning. They won’t be around long, though…and next year is a long time to wait if you miss out. 

AVO Improvisation Limited Edition 2021

Wrapper: Ecuador Sun Grown 
Binder: Ecuador 
Filler: Dominican Republic 

AVO Improvisation Limited Edition 2021 is the latest in an annual series released on the late Avo Uvezian’s birthday – a celebration of his life, his music, and the cigars he always kept by his piano. This year’s blend hosts a diverse recipe of diverse tobaccos and is limited to a single 7 ½” x 50 Double Corona size and 2500 boxes of 20. And if previous years are any barometer…you can expect these to get scooped up fast. We discovered nuances of wood, baking spices, and cinnamon, with some earthy citrus on its peppery finish. Avo’s legacy is of a man beloved by all who knew him. His life touched so many others. We can’t think of a better tribute than to smoke an AVO Improvisation in his honor. 
 

Room 101 Farce Original 

Wrapper: Ecuador Habano 
Binder: Indonesian 
Filler: U.S., Dominican Republic, & Nicaragua 

While Room 101 Farce isn’t new, it has returned from hiatus to Famous Smoke Shop…kind of like the hiatus its creator, Matt Booth, took from the industry six years ago. The blend is a five-country medley of premium tobaccos that wraps you in a blanket of oak, citrus, molasses, and warm spices. But if these flavor notes aren’t up your alley, there’s an entire lineup to enjoy: 
 
Room 101 Farce Maduro – Notes of cocoa, caramel, and earthy spices 
Room 101 Connecticut – Gives off flavors like cedar, leather, nuts, and light spices 
Room 101 Big Payback – Bold Nicaraguan puro with dark spices, pepper, citrus, and sweetness 
Room 101 Doomsayer – Cocoa, nuts, earth, pepper, and spices 
 
Watch our complete review of Room 101 Farce to get a more in-depth look.