Working for a cigar magazine certainly has its perks, and trying all the newest and greatest cigars is definitely at the top of the perk list. This section is one of our favorites to do because we enjoy telling, albeit briefly, about what we’ve been sampling so you know exactly what to be on the lookout for next time you visit your local cigar shop. Here are two that are next in line to be smoked and two we recently enjoyed.
IN THE HUMIDOR
General Cigars’ Partagas 1845 Extra Fuerte Robusto Gordo
This cigar was developed under the guidance of legendary cigar maker Benji Menendez, whose career spans more than 60 years in the industry. This cigar has some high ratings across the internet, with people describing it as earthy, nutty, and spicy. The other consensus is that it is full-flavored and brimming with strength (hence its name “fuerte,” meaning “strong” in Spanish). Count us intrigued. We also have the Partagas 1845 Clasico and the 1845 Extra Oscuro on hand. It was a ridiculously hard decision to decide which one to try first, but ultimately the 1845 Robusto won out because it’s just so damn beautiful with its dark Ecuadorean Habano wrapper.
Wrapper: Ecuadorean Habano ligero
Binder: Connecticut Habano
Filler: Dominican and Nicaraguan ligero
For more information, and to order this cigar, visit partagas.com or cigarworld.com.
Deadwood Tobacco Company’s Sweet Jane
Rolled exclusively for Deadwood Tobacco Company by Drew Estate, Sweet Jane is one of the cigars in the “Three Yummy Bitches” trilogy along with Crazy Alice and Fat Bottom Betty. The aroma, without even sampling it yet, is a lot like pipe tobacco, with hints of mocha. But despite its name, Sweet Jane is not flavored or infused.
Vaughn Boyd, owner of Deadwood Tobacco Company, describes this cigar best: “Sweet Jane was born in the brothels of this historic city [of Deadwood]. She is naughty and got her reputation for breaking hearts and bringing the strongest men to their knees.”
Excited to meet Sweet Jane yet?
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
For more information, and to order this cigar, visit deadwoodtobacco.com.
SMOKED
Fonseca Habanos KDT Cadetes
This relatively small cigar—only 4 1/2 inches in length—is the perfect way for new cigar smokers to get initiated into the world of Cuban cigars. Wrapped in silky rice paper, this cigar is light, approachable, and mildly sweet with woody notes. You can expect to take about 35–45 minutes to smoke it, which is perfect if you don’t have an hour or two. But one of the best parts is that this cigar is one of the cheapest Cubans on the market, and thankfully the quality isn’t compromised. We recommend trying one of these with your morning coffee.
Wrapper: Cuban
Binder: Cuban
Filler: Cuban
For more information, and to order this cigar, visit habanos.com.
Don Kiki “K” by Karen Berger Habano Toro
This cigar, whose name stands for both Karen and the late Enrique “Kiki” Berger, was such an enjoyable smoke. The flavor is nutty, creamy, and even a little spicy. But our favorite part was how rich, thick, and almost blueish the smoke was. There is nothing more frustrating than a tight draw, but no worries: This cigar has a perfect draw, and the retrohale is pleasant. We highly recommend this cigar.
Wrapper: Ecuadorean
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
For more information, and to order this cigar, visit donkikicigar.com.
For more of what’s been in our humidor, check out what we were smoking in the fall.
