As always, before y’all start clutching your pearls, we’re not saying these are the best cigars on the market by any means. We are simply stating that out of the cigars we smoked on the podcast and for our web reviews this year, these ten were our favorites by a long shot and we think our listeners, viewers, and readers should all go out and grab as many of them as possible because there’s not a cigar on this list that isn’t special. They’re all outstanding smokes, just click on the link for each cigar and it will take you directly to the review page so you can read our thoughts on it*. And, yes, we realize there are thousands of other cigars out there that deserve recognition as well but we can only review so many AND we can only afford to buy so many cigars. If you’re pissed off that your cigar didn’t make the list, we’re sure it’s a great cigar, but it’s our money and we spend it how we see fit not how you see fit. Make sense? Of course it does, so obviously there’s no need to message us again this year. NOW LET’S PARTY!
1. ORTHODOX by BLACK LABEL TRADING COMPANY
“The pepper increases again around the fifty yard line, I appreciate how the Orthodox gives you a reprieve from its signature spice occasionally before it chooses to release the hounds once again. Despite the uptick in spice, the combination of oak and dark coffee are refusing to be overshadowed now. Interestingly, the muted mineral that was found earlier on the backend of the draw is now surfacing more prominently behind the black pepper through the retrohale. While I always fight the urge to drink booze while reviewing cigars, and quite an internal struggle that is, I would love to pair the Orthodox with a top notch glass of Cabernet. Or even a lower notch glass of Cabernet…”
2. SOBREMESA BRÛLÉE BLUE WAGASHI by DUNBARTON TOBACCO & TRUST
“The cedar is now presenting itself solely through the retrohale and it’s dampening the spice’s presence significantly. There’s a slightly sweet, bready note developing underneath the draw’s cream-heavy profile and it reminds me somewhat of a Honey Maid graham cracker. I suddenly feel the urge to pair the Wagashi with a cold glass of milk but that’d be fucking crazy. Maybe a Guinness Milk Stout? Would that be manly enough for you?”
3. LAS CALAVERAS EDICIÓN LIMITADA 2024 by CROWNED HEADS
“I finally feel compelled to thump off the impressively strong ash of the Las Calaveras right before the fifty yard line. The woodsiness is currently buried underneath the draw’s primary coffee flavor but the heavy whipping cream is now present downstairs as well (that’s a positive). A winning combination of Nesquik vanilla milk and toasted marshmallow suddenly appears on the retro and these notes complement the cream and spice nicely.”
4. ROSE OF SHARON SALOMON by SOUTHERN DRAW
“A rich vanilla buttercream frosting note comes out of nowhere right before the burn line hits the cigar’s secondary band. It first arrives through the nose and a few puffs later it begins to develop on the backend of the draw as well. Construction has remained stellar on all fronts, I’d complain about something if I could but I just can’t…”
5. SIN COMPROMISO SELECCIÓN NO. 4 by DUNBARTON TOBACCO & TRUST
“The Sin Compromiso Selección No. 4 featured prelight aromas of both cedar (yes, smartass, I took the cedar sleeve off the cigar) and a leather couch. After experiencing a cold draw comprised of a combination of floral and dry hay, it was time to light up. Dark chocolate, medium roast coffee, and heavy whipping cream all present themselves immediately via the draw. The cigar features very little in the way of peppery spice through the nose which is refreshing, although a mild white pepper accompanied by dried flowers and green tea does drops into the No. 4’s profile around the halfway mark.”
6. JOYA CABINETTA LANCERO by JOYA DE NICARAGUA
“Upon torching the foot of the Joya Cabinetta, a warm pepper spice with little if any bite presents itself on the retrohale. The draw’s profile here early on is cedar and light coffee, both backed by a subtle honey note. At the one inch mark, a mustiness begins to arise beneath the retro’s pepper…”
7. INTERGALACTIC EVENT HORIZON by BLACK WORKS STUDIO
“That black pepper zing has not lessened as we approach the fifty yard line and the addition of a pencil shavings note combined with the preexisting leather and mineral makes retrohaling the Intergalactic an absolute must. The nose knows!”
8. FAMOUS 80th ANNIVERSARY by DUNBARTON TOBACCO & TRUST
“Everything is working in harmony at the beginning of the Famous 80th Anniversary’s second half. While the peppery spice refuses to be denied, the overall smoking experience is very smooth so far. There’s a delicate balance at play between the zing of the retrohale and the sweeter, smoother flavors of dark chocolate and toffee nut coming through via the draw. To clarify, this is not a sweet cigar in a manufactured, artificial sense in any way shape or form. But you can bet your sweet ass I’m enjoying the hell outta this stick.”
9. CROMAGNON (2024) by ROMA CRAFT TOBAC
“After experiencing a cold draw comprised of woodsiness and a hint of mint, it’s time to light this sucker on fire. First impressions are of a crisp black pepper through the nose while the draw is delivering a bold, rich earthy flavor in droves. The CroMagnon Pestera Muierilor is full strength, full bodied, full everything here early on…”
10. BLACKENED S84 SHADE TO BLACK by DREW ESTATE
“The aroma emitting off of the Connecticut Ecuadorian wrapper is hay-heavy and there’s equal parts earthiness and sweetness on the cold draw. There’s a gentle touch of spice delivered through the nose upon toasting the foot . And that white pepper zing is complimented by, wait for it, a “chicken fried steak gravy” note on the draw. According to Tut, that is. Nobody else, NOBODY ELSE, picked up on the chicken fried steak gravy note whatsoever or any Salisbury steak gravy or au jus…”
*If you purchase some of these or other fine premium cigars from Famous Smoke Shop, use promo code TNCC20 for $20 off your order of $100 or more!
