Awards 2018 – Top 2
Cigars in the AWARDS have been selected during the whole year 2018: the best products from blind tastings, reviews and smokes from the last 12 months have been tested once again, in a blind tasting. Only the best made it into the AWARDS.
As usual, our attention is focused on every single terroir: Cuba, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua and countries from the Rest of the World. For each one of them, we picked the best 5 cigars, that registered the highest scores. Following are the cigars, listed in alphabetical order by country, in place no.2.
MONTECRISTO LINEA 1935 MALTÉS
STRENGTH: ••••
SIZE: 53x153mm (6”)
PRICE: N/A $ – 19.5€
WRAPPER: Cuba
BINDER: Cuba
FILLER: Cuba
The Linea 1935 was created to commemorate the birth of the Montecristo brand. Dressed with three bands, the Maltés is enclosed in a 20-cigar lacquered box. Among the three cigars released, it is a cross between the small Dumas and the imposing Leyenda, and is the one that best represents Montecristo flavors.
It releases aromas of roasted coffee and earth, followed by seasoned wood, walnut and cocoa. In the middle section coffee become protagonist, along with hot spices. The finale is earthy, with balsamic herbs.
ASYLUM 13 MEDULLA OBLONGATA MADURO BOX PRESSED TORO
STRENGTH: ••••
SIZE: 52x152mm (6”)
PRICE: 8$ – N/A €
WRAPPER: Mexican San Andres
BINDER: Honduras
FILLER: Honduras
The name chosen for this line scientifically refers to the lower part of the brain stem. Packaging is uncommon: cigars come in a box of 50, containing two versions sharing the same blend, but one is box-pressed (called Oblongata) and the other round. In 2018 C.L.E. launched the Maduro version of the line.
It exhibits rich mineral notes, together with cocoa and leather, followed by earth. In the second half, the aromatic profile is enriched by wood and coffee beans.
JOYA DE NICARAGUA CINÇO DÉCADAS DIADEMA
STRENGTH: ••••
SIZE: 54x152mm (6”)
PRICE: 20$ – 23€
WRAPPER: N/A
BINDER: N/A
FILLER: N/A
The Cinço Décadas line is a very important line for Joya de Nicaragua, as it commemorates its fifty years. Only two are the sizes belonging to this line, including the Diadema, which is a double figurado, having both ends tapered. Sold in lacquered boxes of 10 pieces, it is nothing short of majestic.
It delivers cocoa beans, black pepper and earthy notes, enriched in the central part by aromas of walnut and wood resin. The second half is a blast of cocoa, supported by spicy nuances.
ADVENTURA THE CONQUEROR MARINERO
STRENGTH: ••••
SIZE: 52x127mm (5”)
PRICE: N/A $ – 13.5€
WRAPPER: Ecuador Habano
BINDER: Ecuador
FILLER: Dominican R., Nicaragua
The Conqueror is the latest release by Adventura. The tobaccos used for this line are aged for at least four years. The particularity is the box, containing 20 cigars, which is entirely handmade and lacquered, resembling the shapes of a ship.
It reveals notes of black pepper and balsamic herbs, followed by hazelnut, earth and coffee beans. The profile is then enriched with leather, gradually becoming more and more pronounced. Cocoa beans in the finish.
TATUAJE RESERVA SHORT SW
STRENGTH: ••••
SIZE: 47x120mm (4.75”)
PRICE: 12$ – 13€
WRAPPER: Ecuador Habano Rosado Claro
BINDER: Nicaragua
FILLER: Nicaragua
Introduced in 2018, the Short SW size is made in Miami, USA. and it shares the same blend of the regular production Reserva. It was born to offer one of the most popular cigars of the line, the SW (Churchill size), in a format requiring less time to be smoked.
The flavor profile revolves around notes of earth, seasoned wood and black pepper, joined by hints of nutmeg in the first half and by vegetable aromas and coffee in the second.