Cigar Aficionado

An attractive cigar whose sweet, floral notes become more complex, with layers of sugared almonds, cedar and leather intonations that lead to a toasted marshmallow finish.

A dark wrapper and flat head make this a very attractive double corona. Notes of semisweet chocolate harmonize with bitter orange peel, leather and freshly cut pine.

A big cigar with an oily, veiny wrapper and full draw. Initial coffee and wood notes turn nutty and sweet after a dusty start.

A big cigar with an oily, veiny wrapper and full draw. Initial coffee and wood notes turn nutty and sweet after a dusty start.

A medium-bodied double corona whose initial notes of pencil lead and sweet cocoa become more savory and balanced with leathery flavors that resound on the palate.

Between the gleaming wrapper, slight box pressing and flat head, this gorgeous cigar tastes as good as it looks. The leathery flavor profile becomes more pronounced with roasted coffee bean notes and rich, creamy undertones.

You don't truly know how great a large Cuban cigar can be until you have smoked a Partagas Lusitania at its best. Long a mainstay of Cuban cigar aficionados who know a good smoke when they see one (they are the favorite of Mexico's Max Gutmann, one of the most experienced cigar aficionados in the world), recent-production releases of Lusitanias are balanced and harmonious smokes with rich and complex flavors of nuts and orange peel. When you have the time that such a double corona demands, perhaps in front of a crackling fire with a glass of single-malt Scotch or a well-aged Cognac or Port, this is your cigar to enjoy, savor and reflect upon.

What this cigar lacks in appearance, it makes up for with a rich, complex flavor profile of leather, coffee, nuts and orange peel. Balanced and harmonious.

Big and box pressed with an open draw and even burn. Every puff shows woody, toasty flavors that intensify and resonate with coffee bean and vanilla intonations. Balanced and complex.

An attractive cigar with a fine draw. It’s extremely flavorful, with notes of nuts, cocoa beans and black cherry. A medium to full bodied smoke with a finish smacking of red wine.

A good performer, this cigar has wood and coconut notes and some toastiness. Some harsh flavors were also noted.

A cigar with lovely texture, and exquisite construction. The draw and burn are fine. It's complex and exceptionally flavorful, showing leather, sweet cocoa and toast flavors, with a hint of eucalyptus. Medium to full bodied, rich and flavorful.

Beautiful, silky and dark. The flavor is surprisingly mild, with hints of toast and some leather notes. Medium bodied.

This is a beautiful cigar with a perfect cap and a very oily wrapper. The cigar had a firm draw. The smoke is rich and chewy, with a hint of nougat. Medium bodied.

An incredibly smooth tasting cigar. It is filled with leathery qualities, and a strong core of cocoa beans. Great performance. Medium to full bodied.

A medium to full bodied cigar. Well-made. It has a woody and earthy character, with a pepper note, and some coffee grounds on the finish.

This cigar had a core of strong leathery flavors, and a rich finish. Some tasters noted a tight draw. Some inconsistency.

A powerhouse of flavors. This cigar is filled with a earthy, spiciness and strong pepper flavors. There is a hint of cocoa bean. Complex, and will age well.

Solid as a rock, this oily, dark cigar has a firm draw. It burns unevenly, but it's loaded with pungent flavors, including leather. A full-bodied cigar.

This legendary cigar became slightly soft while we smoked it. Otherwise, it shows finesse and delicacy with creamy flavors and a silky texture.