The Expert Review Library
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Bella - CAO Nicaragua01/06/2023
CAO has consistently been one of my favorite brands for a long time now. But one cigar in their portfolio that always seems to be overlooked is the ‘91’ rated CAO Nicaragua. Made with long-fillers from three of Nicaragua’s prime growing regions and covered with a dark Jamastran wrapper, this premium possesses a beautiful balance of strength and flavor. A complex profile offers notes of dark chocolate, black pepper, roasted nuts, and a dried fruit sweetness.
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Kelly - La Gloria Cubana Spanish Press01/06/2023
I simply can’t resist La Gloria Cubana Spanish Press. These Dominican-made premiums are chock full of tobaccos from Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico’s San Andrés Valley capped off with a redolent Nicaraguan Jalapa wrapper. Savor every moment as this medium-bodied cigar is rich with notes of earth, red licorice, black pepper, raisin, and baking spice. Fire up a steak and pair this with a nice bourbon…you’ll thank me.
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Quinn - La Gran Llave Connecticut by AJ Fernandez01/06/2023
I love a good morning cigar, and Connecticut-wrapped blends are perfect with a cup of coffee. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that this gem was blended by the legendary AJ Fernandez. Hailing from AJ’s factory in Nicaragua, La Gran Llave Connecticut is draped in an Ecuador Connecticut Shade wrapper concealing top-notch Nicaraguan long-fillers. This mellow to medium-bodied blend delivers creamy notes of cashew, hazelnut, and coffee.
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Quinn - Ave Maria Divinia11/11/2022
Ave Maria’s portfolio is always in my rotation. And that should be no surprise, with every cigar being produced under the watchful eye of AJ Fernandez. But the one that stands out to me is Ave Maria Divinia. One of the brand’s top-shelf o¬fferings, Divinia is packed with Nicaraguan tobaccos and finished with a Sun Grown Nicaraguan wrapper. Notes of earth, coffee, cocoa, and almonds round out this perfectly-balanced beauty.
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Michael - Rocky Patel Vintage '99 Connecticut11/11/2022
The Rocky Patel Vintage 1999 Connecticut is another outstanding cigar in the Vintage series and an excellent any-time-of-day cigar. This mild to medium-bodied smoke features a seven-year-aged Connecticut Shade wrapper, encasing a Nicaraguan binder and a complex blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican Ligero fillers, giving this cigar rich notes of cream, nuts, and toast. It’s the perfect pre-dinner cigar to pair with an Apple Spiced Martini.
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Lindsay - Montecristo Nicaragua11/11/2022
When AJ Fernandez was asked to blend a Nicaraguan puro for Montecristo, it resulted in this ‘93’-rated, #10 of 2018. Notes of earth, hay, red pepper, red berries, cedar, and sweet hickory in this medium-bodied blend provide a new take on that classic Monte experience. Construction is flawless, with the right amount of pull on the draw.
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Bella - Gurkha Yakuza11/11/2022
One of Gurkha’s most limited releases, Yakuza never fails to impress. A hefty helping of Ligero tobaccos makes for a potent base that gets finished with dark, oily Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. This full-bodied treat definitely hits the spot after a stressful day. But even with Yakuza’s power, there’s a subtle balance that makes for a smooth, rich finish. Pour yourself a glass of single malt and kick back with this limited release!
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Kelly - Oliva Serie 'G'11/11/2022
Oliva’s catalog of blends is legendary. And personally, I love a good Cameroon-wrapped cigar, so this one was a no-brainer for me. A hearty but balanced handmade, Serie ‘G’ is packed with Nicaraguan tobaccos and gives off notes of leather, cedar, and coffee. To top it off, the genuine Cameroon wrapper offers hints of sweetness throughout. Pair this gem with some bourbon and you have a match made in heaven.
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Bella - Graycliff G2 Habano09/23/2022
Here’s your everyday Habano! This medium to full-bodied treat delivers a plethora of flavor without being over-powering. Starting with a blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos, this beauty is finished with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper that supplies ample notes of cedar, pepper, and hints of cream on the finish. Pair it with a spiced rum and cola cocktail and never look back.
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Quinn - Man O’ War Ruination 10th Anniversary09/23/2022
Man O’ War is typically known for their full-flavored, Nicaraguan blends and this gem does nothing to dispel that. This hefty 6.0”x60 box-pressed treat comes packed with a bevy of Nicaraguan and Honduran Ligero tobaccos and is finished with thick, dark Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. Expect notes of leather and earth with hints of dark chocolate and spice on the finish.
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