Seven American-Made Cigars To Enjoy On The Fourth of July
The Fourth of July is almost upon us. After a day of barbecuing, swimming in the pool or a few cocktails, what better than a good smoke? As we approach the most iconic American holiday, we at Cigar Aficionado have combed through our ratings to bring you seven cigars, all of them rolled in the United States, for your smoking pleasure this Independence Day. And two of them are also members of recent Top 25 lists. Fire up any (or all) of these with pride on Independence Day.
Tatuaje Reserva K222 (93 points, $14)
Cigarmaker Pete Johnson has a beauty in this American-made cigar, which is Cigar Aficionado’s No. 13 Cigar of 2021. The 5 7/8 inch by 52 ring gauge K222 was made in tribute to his dog Kona. Most Tatuaje cigars are made in Nicaragua at My Father Cigars, but the Reserva line is made at the company’s tiny rolling gallery in Miami. It’s a hearty, medium-to-full-bodied smoke full of molasses, coffee bean and red pepper, all before a cappuccino finish. See full tasting note.
Herrera Esteli Miami Short Corona Gorda (92 points, $9.80)
The Herrera Esteli Miami line was launched in 2016 as a single-size limited edition available to select retailers before becoming a national release in 2019. The original size of the line, the Short Corona Gorda (back then called Corona) has the distinction of being our No. 24 cigar of 2020. Blended by Drew Estate’s Willy Herrera, this 92 pointer retails for a little less than $10, tough to do given the high prices of American labor. This is not only a fine cigar but also the most affordable smoke on this list. See full tasting note.
Cohiba Serie M Toro (91 points, $29.99)
Cohiba is probably one of the most recognizable cigar brands in the world and General Cigar Co., which owns the rights to the non-Cuban version, have given it an American counterpart for the first time ever. Made in Miami at the El Titan de Bronze factory, it consists of a Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper, two Nicaraguan binders and Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers. Medium-to-full in body, the smoke is leathery with impressions of caramel, dried cherry and cedar, all before a fresh tobacco finish. See full tasting note.
Don Pepin Garcia Original Exclusivos (91 points, $10.50)
Like the Tatuaje brand, most My Father cigars are made in Nicaragua at My Father Cigars S.A., but Don Pepin Garcia Original line (popularly known as “blue label”) is made where it was born, in Miami. It’s a massive smoke, an “A” size measuring an impressive 9 1/4 inches by 48 ring gauge. This cigar can be kept burning for hours, making it perfect to smoke from the afternoon barbecue all the way to the fireworks show in the evening. See full tasting note.
La Colmena Amado No. 44 (89 points, $16.59)
This thin cigar comes from the mind of Warped brand owner Kyle Gellis. La Colmena (which means “beehive” in Spanish) is what Gellis considers his most traditional “Cuban style” blend. Rolled by hand in Miami's El Titan de Bronze factory, this corona is the smallest cigar on the list. Made with a closed foot, the cigar swallows the flame well, and imparts a toasty, woody smoke with orange peel and white pepper before an earthy finish. See full tasting note.
The American Toro (89 points, $18.50)
If your motto is “Always buy American,” this is the cigar for you. Not only is it made at J.C. Newman’s El Reloj factory in Tampa, Florida, this is a true American puro, made entirely of tobaccos hailing from three different U.S. states (Florida, Connecticut and Pennsylvania). Everything about this cigar is American, from the box materials, the labels, even the cellophane. It’s medium-bodied with an earthy, woody character that hints of raisin with a tangy finish. See full tasting note.
La Palina Goldie Laguito No. 1 (88 points, $23)
The La Palina Goldie series is an annual release from the modest, but productive El Titan de Bronze factory in Miami, with a different size released each year. Made with an Ecuador Habano wrapper and flagtail cap, the Laguito No. 1 was one of two sizes released in 2021, with 1,000 boxes of the No. 1 produced. Measuring 7 inches by 38 ring gauge, it burns evenly and has a tannic, black tea quality accented by chili oil, honey and wood, all leading to an earthy finish. See full tasting note.
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