Top New Cigars (April, 17 2023)
New Cigar Arrivals for H. Upmann, E.P. Carrillo, and Caldwell—See Our Reviews!
A little more than a month ago, I was jonesing to be outside smoking in a t-shirt. Here I am doing it. Wishes do come true. Now, if I could only get that Shelby Cobra…
Anywho, I’m not just smoking any regular old stuff, no. To mark this inaugural alternate version of bearing arms for the season, I’m smoking the latest and greatest—new cigars from H. Upmann, Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, and Caldwell. Not too shabby, eh? With this who’s who selection of top brand name and boutique sticks laid out before me, I’m feeling an early vacation in the cards. At least I know what cigars I’m bringing along.
Which new cigars are you smoking right now? Let me know in the comments below.
INCH Nicaragua by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo
Wrapper: Proprietary Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Everyone remembers their first. If you’re a big-ring fan, chances are that Ernesto Perez-Carrillo made yours. He was on the fringe of fatter ring gauges far before they boarded the hype train. And his latest entry to the pioneering INCH brand on the country most synonymous with flavor: Nicaragua, even down to partnering with Plasencia to have them rolled there. Plumes of smoke, poignant spices, a nutty sweetness—it’s got it all. I don’t even particularly like these heavyweight cigars, but I wouldn’t complain about puffing on this all afternoon. Go for the No. 64. It’s precisely an inch wide!
Caldwell Long Live the Queen
Wrapper: African Cameroon
Binder: Indonesia Sumatra
Filler: Nicaragua & Dominican Republic
Is Caldwell Long Live the Queen “guaranteed to blow your mind?” Oh, sorry. Wrong Queen. Jokes aside, Queen is one of Caldwell’s best releases in recent memory. In fact, I said this very thing back in our January Newsletter. Following up again recently, all I can say is that it’s only improved with a few months of age in my humidor. Lots of woody notes like cedar, oak, and a hint of cream. Plus, a finish that’s equal parts savory and earthy. I won’t lie. The cigar is a bit pricey. But hell, everything is these days. In this case, the ends justify the means.
Shady Moose
Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut Shade
Binder: Mexico
Filler: Colombia, Nicaragua, & Dominican Republic
First he was Chillin’, now he’s Shady. This is my kind of Moose. Think about it like a fun summer action movie. If you’re looking to take it too seriously, you’re gonna have a bad time, but if you enjoy it for what it is—in this case, a mellow, easy-smoking cigar starting at $3.60 a pop—the good times will roll. What it won’t win in ratings and accolades will certainly be made up for in savings, especially when you drop it on the fairway. You don’t wanna put that back in your mouth, after that…trust me.