Nicaragua

Yes, it comes wrapped in gold foil. No, it doesn’t cost $100, or even $15.

It took the Artesano del Tobacco team five years to develop the line, premiering it in 2023. A year later, the brand has given the line its fourth size, one quite a bit smaller than the first three in which it debuted.

The Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Edición Doble Diamante is priced at $150 per cigar. No, we don’t factor price into scores.

The newest release in Drew Estate’s Liga Privada H99 Connecticut Corojo line is the largest yet, a 6 x 60 gordo with a price tag of $21.14 each. It is only being sold at Drew Diplomat Program retail partner events, and each of those retailers are limited to just three boxes per event, or 75 total cigars.

Illusione is once again embracing the idea of secrecy and mystery for its newest line, the Group of Five. As the band says, whispering tongues are treachery.

Los Tejanos is a collaboration between Edgar Hoill and Noel Rojas. Four years after the original review, it’s time to revisit the Toro vitola.

When Sin Compromiso debuted in 2019, it was missing a robusto, one of the most common sizes in the cigar industry. Five years later, the line added one after Steve Saka found just the right tweaks to make so he could release one without compromising on the line’s name.

For the 11th release of Las Calaveras, Crowned Heads created a blend made entirely of Nicaraguan tobacco. Jon Huber, co-founder of Crowned Heads, says it reminds him of the 2015 release.

After a 12-year absence, the Nestor Miranda Grand Reserve returned earlier this year. The newest version of the limited edition line was released to commemorate Miami Cigar & Co.’s 35th anniversary.

Not only did Scandinavian Tobacco Group acquire the existing Alec Bradley brands, but seemingly the blend book of Alan Rubin, founder of Alec Bradley. That book became the source for the company’s newest cigar.

While the Padrón Black is still one of the company’s most secretive lines, this year saw what is likely the most widespread release for the series to date. Retailers that placed orders during the 2023 PCA Convention & Trade Show were given the chance to purchase the Padrón Black PB-97.