CA Report: Top New Cigars (May 13 2019)

With the sun riding higher in the sky, I think I may need to trade my wool flat cap for something a little less toasty. We’re nearly halfway through May now, and as my wife always proclaims, “It’s sandals weather!” But for me, it just means that conditions are perfect for outdoor smoking. With offerings from big name, big-flavor players like AJ Fernandez, Drew Estate and Aganorsa (and that last one’s a Famous exclusive, too), this latest Top New Cigars is packed to the ceiling with flavorful newcomers that are primed to grace your humidor.

Join me in the discovery of some new-to-you smokes, including a trio of C.L.E. cigars, that will have you second guessing your current staples…

Siboney Reserve

Wrapper: Nicaragua Habano
Binder: Nicaragua       
Filler: Nicaragua Corojo ’99 and Criollo ’98

As you tighten the last bolt on your project convertible, the sun breaks through the clouds to signal that it’s finally time to hit the road. You can’t celebrate this years-long project with just any old cigar, though. This one has to be special! Siboney Reserve from Aganorsa Leaf is ready to ride shotgun and with it, bring along the flavor! Its dark and woody appeal brings a touch of nuts, spice, and a sweet finish to keep you centered as you drive your dream down the serpentine back roads. With its sub $9 price tag, you can still cough up enough to land those vintage fuzzy dice you found on eBay!

New World Cameroon Selection by AJ Fernandez

Wrapper: Cameroon
Binder: Nicaragua       
Filler: Nicaragua

Your wife has just packed the kids into the car to catch a movie, and that means you have about two hours all to yourself. New World Cameroon Selection by AJ Fernandez is a picture-perfect medium-bodied cigar to help you make the best of it. Its meaty cast of wood, coffee, cedar, and cocoa impart sweet and spicy flavors that will squeeze the maximum enjoyment over these next few hours. Considering that the cigar is little more than $5 a stick, you can throw some extra dough your wife’s way to make it a double feature – for them – and you.

La Vieja Bomberitos

Wrapper: Nicaragua Corojo (also available in Nicaragua Connecticut and Brazilian Maduro)
Binder: Nicaragua                     
Filler: Nicaragua

You’re finally getting around to mowing the lawn. It’s gotta get done sometime, right? While not everything that comes with warmer weather is a plus, yard duties feel a whole lot less like work if you bring a few La Vieja Bomberitos by Drew Estate along for the ride. Well-balanced with a Cuban Sandwich-blend of Nicaraguan tobaccos, you can expect smooth and rich earthy flavors within its sweet and aromatic smoke. The small format of the cigars lends itself to a faster smoking experience, making it perfect for puffing one after the other. Considering that prices are as little as 94 cents a cigar, next time you can hire that kid down the street to do it instead.

Wynwood Hills Unhinged/Mayhem/Deranged

Wrapper: U.S. Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro (Unhinged), Honduras Corojo (Mayhem), Ecuador Sumatra (Deranged)
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras

When you see the names Unhinged, Mayhem, and Deranged from Wynwood Hills, C.L.E.’s latest three-part series, relaxation is probably the last thing that comes to mind, but relaxed is exactly how you’ll feel upon nubbing of any of these cigars. Whether it’s the cocoa sweetness of Unhinged, the sweet spiciness of Mayhem’s authentic Corojo, or the tangy zest from Deranged, you’re strapped in for an unparalleled ride of complexity and flavor. There are few better ways to triple your serenity, and pricing starting at less than $8 a stick makes it an easy three-fer.

Tabernacle Havana Seed CT No. 142

Wrapper: Havana Seed Connecticut #142
Binder: Mexican San Andres
Filler: Nicaragua

As reported by our friends at Cigar Journal last year, CRA (Cigar Rights of America) and CRE (Cigar Rights of Europe) dubbed May 31 as International Enjoy a Cigar Day. For such an occasion, you’ll want to indulge in something that epitomizes a celebratory cigar. Foundation Cigar’s Tabernacle CT No. 142 is such a treasure. Creamy layers of cedar, earth, and pepper combine with savory, exotic spices to imbue a full-bodied journey of flavor that will serve a lasting memory. Smoke it and you’ll realize that any day you light one turns into a cigar holiday.

Guaimaro

Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Brazilian Arapiraca    
Filler: Dominican Republic and Nicaragua

Your best bud is tying the knot in a few weeks and along with making you best man, he’s tasked you with bringing cigars for the boys. The only problem is, you’ve been given a restricted budget to get it done. Lucky you! Now that Guaimaro is available, your job just got significantly easier! These medium-bodied sticks are beautifully balanced with nuances of earth, leather, pepper, and a light sweetness, and they just happen to be one of my personal favorite new smokes to boot! Factoring that they’re under 10 bucks a piece, you can grab a few more for yourself to smoke afterward, too.

What’s your favorite new smoke? And are there some new cigars you’ve heard about, and want to see details? Let me know in the comments below – and keep posted for the next edition of Top New Cigars!