CAO LX2
Toro

On the heels of the MX2 and the CX2 comes the third and most awesome of the X2 trilogy. LX2 stands for “ligero times two” and once again illustrates just how adept CAO is at pushing the envelope in cigar creativity.

Ligero is the strongest type of tobacco currently available, making this cigar as full-bodied as one could expect. Located at the top of the plant, ligero leaves receive the most sunlight and absorbs the most nutrients from the plant, providing for much higher potency. Beneath the superbly constructed oily sungrown Nicaraguan wrapper and Honduran binder, lay three more ligero fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.

The cigar hints of chocolate and cherry wood flavors, exhibiting pepper and paprika notes. Body and strength builds towards the end. High five to the people at CAO for consistently producing exceptionally sophisticated cigars.

Don Pepin Garcia, My Father
El Rey de Los Habanos

Currently one of the busiest and most sought after blenders, Don Pepin Garcia is a true master. The García’s are responsible for many of the finest cigars on the market, with a handful named as the fifty best.

The story goes that this blend was conducted secretly by the son, Jaime. When the cat was out of the bag, the father asked Jaime for samples. Praised by the father, and with true devotion, the son named the creation “My Father”. The wrapper is a stunning Ecuadorian hybrid Habana-Criollo from the renowned Oliva farms. The García’s use their own filler and binder leaf for this blend. Only 50,000 will be made available, so this is by no means a large-production cigar. In typical Cuban fashion, the cigar is bunched “Entubado” fashion (like an accordion) and triple capped.

Granted the cigar has tremendous pedigree, but the flavors are simply amazing. The composition delivers a harmony of taste and smoothness. The draw is effortless, releasing a heady aroma that fills the room. Complex flavors of cocoa and caramel, with earthy, leathery profiles, and the subdued yet evident trademark pepper. While not a morning smoke, its medium-full body will never steamroll the smoker into submission. Conversely, this cigar will finesse you all the way. Very satisfying indeed.

Hoyo de Monterrey
Epicure Especial

Hoyo de Monterrey was established in 1865 by Jose Gener, and is named after the fertile valley in the Vuelta Abajo which has been farmed by Gener since at least 1860.

The Epicure Especial is widely considered the crème de la crème of the Hoyo de Monterrey line. The Especial is extremely well constructed, exhibiting superior quality throughout. Great looking with its lovely dark brown wrapper and attractive double band, this medium-bodied cigar shows wonderful depth upon lighting, evolving as it burns. The ash is solid, and not flaky at all.

As in most Hoyo de Monterrey cigars, the Epicure Especial gently flows over the tongue with light, rich and aromatic sensations. Cocoa spice and chili pepper flavors swirl about the palate. Woody undertones resultant from a very earthy base is apparent in the mix. This is one complex stogie.

The Epicure Especial will benefit from aging, so stock up on these— smoking some now and savoring some later.

La Perla Habana
Black Pearl Morado
Torpedo

Created by Doug Wood, this cigar has taken on the industry by storm. Paired with coffee and wine selections, the Morado is featured in the Black Pearl “Lifestyle Collection”. Imagine the concept of smoking a cigar with coffee in the morning and again with wine in the evening. For now, let’s focus on the smoke.

The very delicate African Cameroon wrapper is coveted for its unique flavor profile that cannot be duplicated. The concept for this cigar was birthed in 2005, and conceived to mark the 10th anniversary of La Perla Habana. But the scarcity of this wrapper had us wait . . . until now. Finally available and most welcomed as a fifty best nomination.

Superior construction as evidenced in the fine tooth on the wrapper and pleasant pre-light aroma. A nutty honey-like taste springs forth upon lighting. This cigar will accompany you through a multitude of sweet and herbal flavor essences, with rich cherry and citrus orange notes. The novice will also appreciate the medium-body and creamy smoothness of this fine smoke. Morado, we like your style.

Drew Estate
Liga Privada T52
Toro

The Drew Estate Rebirth of Cigars took the cigar world by storm in 1998. Now enter Liga Privada. Translated it means "private blend", since it was created for Steven Saka, the President of Drew Estate.

The Liga Privada T52 cigar is an amazing cigar. Extremely limited, its unique concept and format harkens back to a bygone time. The secret is in the stalk-cut wrapper— a much more costly method to produce, seldom, if ever, employed these days. It’s a process where the entire tobacco stalk is cut and removed to dry, as opposed to picking each leaf one at a time. The advantage is a richer, fuller, more oily and flavorful leaf, reminiscent of the “Old World” Cubans.

This cigar is sheer beauty to behold. Oils are just about oozing from the wrapper and the flawless construction is evident. The filler comes from seven different countries, including Nicaragua, Dominican and Honduran.

Pleasant notes of cocoa and coffee abound, balanced with touches of a peppery presence. As so many of the best cigars, this is not for beginners. Complex, but not overpowering. This is a cigar for the connoisseur, asserting its fuller body beautifully.

The T52 has set the bar very high. Although hard to find, these cigars are truly the best of the best, and deserve your efforts to locate them. It is a pleasure to smoke what the boss is smoking.

Padilla Signature 1932
Robusto

The Padilla Signature 1932 is named after the year Ernesto Padillo’s father was born. Heberto Padillo was a friend of Ernest Hemingway, and a noted Cuban poet whose poetic style was like a great cigar: balanced, full flavored, and serene. Aptly named, since the cigar is as fascinating as Heberto.

For starters, the pedigree is a Cuban-seed Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper, lovingly aged for five years, imparting a unique taste experience. This vintage jewel also contains Cuban-seed Nicaraguan Criollo binder and filler.

The cigar possesses a stunning, satin-like sheen with very small tooth on the wrapper. Some would say its a work of art. The burn is razor-sharp, inspiring the smoker’s quiet fascination. A graceful smoke albeit full-bodied yet not overpowering, creamy with toasted nuts and spice. The harmonized flavors are deliciously complex . . . you simply cannot put this treasure down. Most assuredly a fifty best, available in extremely limited quantities.