For our packaging awards, the top contenders are usually nominated for stunning woodworking, beautiful pieces of art, impressive humidors, or on the slightly more rare side, something unique. The Yagua certainly falls into the “something unique” category in our number four spot. 
When I first read our review for the Yagua, the bundling technique used in the cigar-making process stood out to me enough that I knew it had to be considered for our packaging awards, and apparently, we were all in agreement.
Instead of using traditional cigar molds to give the cigar a uniform shape after being rolled, the cigars are rolled, banded and then bundled in a tightly wrapped royal palm leaf. They are left in that bundle throughout whatever aging process J.C. Newman implements, and then are boxed still wrapped in the palm leaf to be sold.
What you end up with are 20 uniquely shaped cigars, in an appropriately matched rustic looking box, and finished with a fairly traditional looking red, gold and white band. The overall presentation is definitely one that will catch your eye on the shelf of your local store. — Brian Burt.
