WOW!! What a year this has been. There has been quite a few good cigars that have released this year. But with the massive outbreak of the deadly virus and all the uncertainty of what would happen, it was very difficult to socialize and explore the industry. As the year went on, we as cigar smoker found ways to enjoy our smokes and didn’t let the pandemic slow us down. If anything, we had time to smoke more cigar than we normally do.

With the shortage of tobacco production and the lack of some of my favorite cigars, I had to be more open to tryiong newer blends from cigar manufactors that I normally would not have smoked. This really opened my palate and I began to enjoy and learn about more cigars.

With the closing of several cigar shops or with them having modified business hours for most of the year, it was very difficult to go into shops and pick some of my usual cigars.  For me, actually going into a humidor and shopping and seeing the variety is really an experience, as is for most cigar smokers.  Being able to actually feel and smell the cigar before purchasing it is all apart of the experience.  Making sure that the cigar is as perfect as possible without any cracks, soft spots, or other imperfections is a most before taking any cigar out of the humidor. 

So with not being able to enter an actual humidor, I had to rely on the online shops.  Now I enjoy purchasing online, but in my experience, I have had quite a few bad cigars that were not in the best condition once received.  When I purchase cigars, I generally purchase what I call “sample selections”.  I prefer not to buy packs or boxes, but rather two at a time.  I smoke the first cigar as an experiment to see if I enjoy it, then smoke the second a few weeks later; if I enjoyed it the first time.  If I didn’t enjoy it, it goes into the “give away” stash to give as a cigar bomb to someone elese who may enjoy it more than I did. 

Having to buy online, as you see was quite a challenge.  Searching multiple sites to find good deals on singles is not that easy.  And when I did, it typically was the cigars that shops discounted because they had some irregularities to them. 

Rather than waste time and money; and risking buying “shit cigars”, I waited until some of my favorite shops opened back up and purchased whatever they had available.  This made it very interesting and exciting.  I always ask the shop managers; “what’s new today”?  This gave them free range to sell me what they thought would be good to try.  Since I shop there on the regular, the shop managers know what my flavor profile is.  They know I like to try everything so this made it easy for them to select brands that I haven’t smoked before. 

Okay, okay….enough talking.  Let’s get into what I found to be my favorite cigars for this year of experimenting.

HENRY CLAY WAR HAWK REBELLIOUS LE

The Henry Clay War Hawk Rebellious is a new twist on an Old-Cuban heritage  blended by AJ Fernandez.  This cigar is a medium bodied smoke with very complex flavors of cocoa, cedar, spice, chocolate, and earth. It’s a very good cigar to enjoy in the afternoon when you want a flavorful cigar with just the right amount of strength to relax you.

Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.
Wrapper: Nicaragua Habana
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Toro
Strength: Medium
Price: $9.50

WARPED SERIE GRAN RESERVA 1988

Complexity is what this cigar offers.  From the looks it, you would think this cigar might be mellow.  But it is far from that.  Smooth to the touch, and the aromas of hay, leather, fresh soil; the Gran Reserva is surprisingly strong.  Offering flavors of leather, white pepper, coffee, and cocoa with creamy earthy notes.  This smoke is a delight and very pleasurable to the palate.

Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: TABSA (Nicaragua)
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo ’99
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua 
Vitola: Robusto
Strength: Medium
Price: $9.00

ROCKY PATEL NUMBER 6

Number 6 is a cigar that is very different from many of the Rocky Patel blends.  This cigar has quite a bit of sweetness but not overly sweet.  Flavors of honey and vanilla along with coffee, toast, and earth make this cigar enjoyable at anytime of the day.  

Origin: Honduras
Factory: TAVICUSA (Nicaragua)
Wrapper: Honduran Corojo
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Honduran, Nicaraguan
Vitola: Corona Gorda
Strength: Medium
Price: $9.50

BELLA ARTES MADURO

Looking for something bold and powerful, the Bella Artes Maduro is as strong as it looks.  This full-bodied cigar will punch your palate with rich notes of espresso and chocolate along with some sweet spices.  If you are looking for a boost in your day, this cigar will surely wake up your senses with a nicotine shock. 

Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.

Wrapper: Brazilian Mata Fina Maduro
Binder: Mexican San Andres
Filler: Nicaraguan Estili
Vitola: Robusto
Strength: Full
Price: $10.00

SAN LATANO DOMINICANO

A one of a kind San Latano.  Being the only blend in this line that was blended outside of Nicaragua.  The blending of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos have made this cigar a well balanced smoke.  This cigar offers notes of nut, roasted coffee, caramel and hints of spice.  The Dominica offers slow burn with a long finish and a easy draw.  Take time to enjoy to smoke. 

Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera Palma Santiago, Tamboril
Wrapper: Brazilian
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua
Vitola: Toro
Strength: Medium to Full
Price: $9.00

MY FATHER LE BIJOU 1922

“The Jewel” as this cigar has been crowned, has been my most enjoyable cigar this year.  The rich flavors and spice makes this cigar my #1 pick for the year.  Notes of chocolate, raisins, and leather combined with a sweet and salty finish.  The Le Bijou is one of the best blended cigars and most will agree.  Give your palate a treat and enjoy. 

Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: My Father Cigars, Inc
Wrapper: Habano Oscuro (Pelo de Oro)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filer: Nicaragua
Vitola: Toro
Strength: Full
Price: $11.00

These lady and gentleman are my selections of favorite cigars for year 2020. It has been a trying and stressful year, but with cigars and a fee shots of whiskey, I have made it to the end.

Looking forward to what 2021 bring in the cigar industry and what new cigars I will discover. As always, stay smoky and smoke whatever you like.

#knowwhatyousmoke