Mr. Punch Toro by Punch Cigars (6 x 54)

Video review HERE.

(Description provided by General Cigar)

Punch Cigars is honoring its iconic (and “devastatingly handsome”) mascot, Mr. Punch, with a new cigar that bears his name. Mr. Punch by Punch Cigars is a full-time blend that delivers a signature Punch smoking experience with a flavor profile tailored to the modern smoker.  

Mr. Punch by Punch features an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, a Nicaraguan Jalapa Seco binder, and fillers from Nicaragua. The cigar was produced at the Scandinavian Tobacco Group Factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, and it offers tasting notes of wood, cream, and spice. 

Mr. Punch by Punch is available in three sizes: Toro (6 X 54) (REVIEWED TODAY), Gigante (6 X 60), and the largest Punch Cigar ever released, The Big Slapper (7 X 70). SRPs (suggested retail price) for the respective cigars are $7.89, $8.99, and $10.09. Each size is packaged in boxes of 20. 

Scott Abney, Brand Manager for Punch Cigars, said, “Mr. Punch is a true icon not just in the cigar industry, but in pop culture. So it only made sense to create a cigar that captures his spirit. This new blend delivers a classic Punch smoking experience with a flavor profile tailored to the modern consumer. We know it’s going to be a hit.” 

The cigar is dark and has an average to nice feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were a lemony orange citrus, brown sugar, and a lot of earthy black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. Nice start.

At the first third (23 minutes) I had the exact same notes. Nothing changed. For me, this has the feel of an every day cigar. Something you could have any time, any place. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is a light lemony orange citrus with very good lingering black pepper. I rated the first third 93.

Moving through the second third (48 minutes) the earthiness is up. The sweetness is down and there is more of a citrus peel note instead of the lemony orange citrus. The cigar is medium bodied and moving up. The finish is still the lemony orange citrus but there is some black coffee with it and very good lingering black pepper. The cigar lost some appeal. I rated the second third 90.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 20 minutes. It bounced back nicely. The lemony orange citrus is back with nice sweetness of brown sugar. The earthy black coffee pulled back. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is also back to the lemony orange citrus and it's more pronounced with very good lingering black pepper. I rated the final third 93. I repeat my previous statement that this is a good every day cigar. For the price it's well worth trying and it may be your every day cigar too.

Overall Score: 92

Room101 17th Anniversary (6 x 52)

Video review HERE.

(Description provided by Forged Cigar Co.)

Room101 Cigars is marking another milestone with the release of Room101 17th Anniversary, the latest installment in the brand's evolving annual Anniversary series.

Crafted in collaboration with AJ Fernandez, the limited-edition 17th Anniversary continues Room101's tradition of marking each milestone with an entirely new blend. Rather than revisiting the same cigar year after year, every Anniversary release is designed as its own expression, reflecting where the brand is at that moment in time.

The 17th Anniversary is a full-bodied Nicaraguan puro that opens with notes of pepper and spice before settling into layers of dark chocolate, roasted espresso, and rich earth. Powerful yet balanced, the cigar delivers the depth and complexity that have become hallmarks of the Anniversary series.

Matt Booth, Founder and Creative Director of Room101 Cigars, said, "Every Anniversary cigar is a snapshot of where we are at that moment. They aren't meant to repeat themselves because neither do we. That's the whole point. Seventeen years in, we're still finding new places to go."

Room101 17th Anniversary will begin shipping to retailers in August 2026. Produced in a single 6 x 52 Toro, the limited-edition release is packaged in 20-count boxes and has an SRP of $15.89 per cigar.

The cigar is dark and well made. It has a nice feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were lemon, apple, brown sugar, tanned leather, and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2+. Pretty good start.

At the first third (24 minutes) I had the same notes with a little dark chocolate which is noticed right before the black coffee. The leather is more noticeable. The cigar is fairly balanced. I have about the same amount of sweet notes as I do the dark notes. The finish is a leathery black coffee with a little dark chocolate and very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is full bodied. I rated the first third 94.

As I moved through the second third (51 minutes) there was a big move by the black coffee. It's up a lot. There's still some dark chocolate with the black coffee but there's much more black coffee. I'm not getting the leather notes at this point. The sweet notes are greatly reduced. The cigar is full bodied. The finish is unchanged with very heavy black coffee. I rated the second third 91.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 24 minutes. It improved somewhat. The sweet notes came out a little more. There's still a lot of black coffee. I'd say there is more black coffee than sweet notes. The cigar is full bodied. The finish is unchanged. I rated the final third 93. This is a pretty good dark noted cigar.

Overall Score: 92.67

Sans Pareil Debuts the Club Humidor Exclusive Blue Belicoso

Sans Pareil announces the debut of the Club Humidor Exclusive Blue Belicoso, a limited release created in collaboration with legendary San Antonio tobacco retailer Club Humidor and its owner, Keith Rumbo. Marking only the second retail collaboration since Sans Pareil’s inception, the release brings together a shared appreciation for exceptional tobacco, enduring craftsmanship, and the luxury of time.

Rolled in 2020 and aged ahead of its debut, the Blue Belicoso reflects the patience at the heart of Sans Pareil. Its original release is available in very limited quantities, offering collectors and discerning enthusiasts a rare opportunity to experience this long-rested expression of the brand’s Dominican heritage.

Measuring 6¼ inches with a 52-ring gauge, the Dominican puro features a Criollo 98 wrapper over Dominican Elite Selection binder and filler tobaccos. The cigar is crafted at Tabacalera Palma in the Dominican Republic, drawing on a tobacco-growing legacy spanning five generations and four farms. Presented in boxes of 15, the Blue Belicoso unites a classic tapered silhouette with the quiet distinction of an extensively aged cigar.

“Club Humidor has always been about sharing exceptional cigars and the stories behind them,” says Keith Rumbo, owner of Club Humidor. “What makes this collaboration special is the care and patience it represents. A cigar rolled in 2020 carries years of anticipation into the moment it is finally enjoyed. We are proud to put the Club Humidor name on this release and share it with the community that makes our three San Antonio locations so special.”

The collaboration follows Sans Pareil’s Ariston Exclusive Purple Toro, created with The Ariston in Nashville, Tennessee. For its second retail partnership, Sans Pareil brings that same personal approach to Club Humidor, honoring the retailer’s place in San Antonio’s cigar culture through a distinctive expression of its Blue line.

“True luxury begins long before a cigar reaches the humidor,” says David Swinburne, CEO and Co-Founder of Sans Pareil. “It begins with the tobacco, the hands that shape it, and the patience to give it the time it deserves, and this release reflects our commitment to that philosophy. Keith and Club Humidor share our respect for the craft, making this a meaningful partnership and a fitting home for a cigar we have waited years to present.”

The Sans Pareil Club Humidor Exclusive Blue Belicoso will be available at all three Club Humidor locations in San Antonio, Texas, with a very limited allocation to select appointed retailers across the United States, including The Ariston in Nashville, Tennessee. Quantities from the original 2020 production are very limited.

The unveiling

The cigar will be unveiled on September 27, from 6–9 p.m. Central Time, at Club Humidor’s San Pedro lounge in San Antonio. This intimate, private setting offers a fitting occasion to introduce a vintage cigar that embodies the Sans Pareil promise: “without equal.”

Release details

Cigar

Sans Pareil Club Humidor Exclusive Blue Belicoso

Size

6¼″ × 52

Origin

Dominican Republic

Wrapper

Criollo 98

Binder

Dominican Elite Selection

Filler

Dominican Elite Selection

Factory

Tabacalera Palma

Year Rolled

2020

Packaging

15 cigars per box

Availability

Very limited initial release

ALEC BRADLEY GOES BIG WITH CHUNK SUMATRA

Alec Bradley is adding even more weight to the acclaimed Chunk series with a new offering this fall. Chunk Sumatra — the third dedicated Chunk cigar — is a full-time release that will ship to retailers starting in October.

While Chunk began as a frontmark for various Alec Bradley cigars, it has since become a line all its own with three full-time products: Maduro, Shade, and now Sumatra.

As its name suggests, Chunk Sumatra features an Ecuadorian Shade wrapper. It also has a USA Broadleaf binder and fillers from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Honduras. It was produced in Honduras.

Tasting notes include dried fruit, spices, and cedar. It is a medium-bodied cigar.

Bradley Rubin, Alec Bradley Brand Ambassador, said, “Chunk has been one of our favorite recurring traditions, and we’re excited to release the third dedicated Chunk cigar. Chunk Sumatra delivers the same big and bold smoking experience fans have come to love, but its smooth and nuanced profile offers remarkable quality — particularly at this approachable price point.”

Alec Bradley Chunk Sumatra is available in three sizes:

● XL (4 X 60); SRP per cigar $6.49

● 3XL (4 X 66); SRP per cigar $8.49

● 4XL (4 X 80); SRP per cigar $9.49

It will be sold in boxes of 20 except for the 4XL size, which will be sold in boxes of 18. It will ship to retailers starting in October 2026.

CAO AMAZON BASIN EXTRA AÑEJO RETURNS FOR 2026

CAO is bringing back Amazon Basin Extra Añejo, an extremely limited release of the sought-after Amazon Basin blend aged for two years to allow its distinctive tobaccos to fully mature.

The cigars were rolled in 2024 using the same blend that has made Amazon Basin a fan favorite since its introduction in 2014. At the heart of the blend is Brazilian Bragança, an indigenous tobacco grown in the Amazon. Rather than releasing the cigars immediately after production, CAO placed them in its aging rooms, where they rested for two years before their 2026 return.

“Amazon Basin has always been a special blend because of the unique profile of Bragança tobacco from the Amazon rainforest,” said Cory Beardsley, Brand Manager for CAO. “With Extra Añejo, we gave that blend an extra year to rest and fully mature. It’s the Amazon Basin experience people know, with time bringing even more depth to the blend.”

An Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper surrounds a Nicaraguan binder and a filler blend of Dominican, Colombian and Brazilian Bragança tobaccos. The resulting medium-to-full-bodied cigar delivers notes of earth and fruit.

CAO Amazon Basin Extra Añejo will begin shipping to retailers in October 2026. The limited-edition release is available exclusively in a 6 x 52 Toro, packaged in boxes of 18 cigars, with a suggested retail price of $15.89 per cigar.

Discover the Tobacco Heritage of the Connecticut River Valley

For centuries, the Connecticut River Valley has been home to one of America’s most remarkable agricultural traditions. Its fertile soil and distinct climate have made the region renowned for growing premium cigar tobacco prized around the world. Today, farmers are harvesting the end of this year’s historic crop.

In our latest video, we travel to Dunn & Foster Farms in Ellington, Connecticut, to explore the rich history of this celebrated tobacco-growing region and the generations of knowledge, innovation and hard work behind its enduring legacy.

Fourteenth-generation farmer Jonathan Foster takes us from the fields to the curing barns, sharing the unique growing conditions of the Connecticut River Valley and the careful process of planting, cultivating, harvesting and curing premium cigar tobacco. It is a process shaped not only by the land, but by generations of experience and the skilled hands of the people who continue this work today.

We invite you to discover the story behind this enduring American agricultural tradition and the communities working to preserve the tobacco heritage of the Connecticut River Valley for generations to come.

Moonflower Toro (6 x 54)

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Halfwheel.com website)

For its newest regular production line, Crowned Heads is once again turning to the My Father Cigars S.A. factory.

While the two companies have worked together for more than a decade, most notably on Las Calaveras, it’s been more than 10 years since Crowned Heads introduced a new regular production line from the García family’s factory. Moonflower is made entirely of Nicaraguan tobaccos, including a corojo-seed wrapper, binders from Estelí and Jalapa, and fillers from Condega, Estelí and Jalapa. A press release describes the blend as “medium-plus bodied.”

It will be offered in three vitolas:

Moonflower Robusto (5 x 52) — $12.95 (Box of 21, $271.95)

Moonflower Corona Gorda (6 x 46) — $11.95 (Box of 21, $250.95)

Moonflower Toro (6 x 54) — $13.50 (Box of 21, $283.50) REVIEWED TODAY

“(Moonflower is) a celebration of partnership, tradition, and holds a deeply personal symbolic meaning to me, as well,” said Jon Huber, co-founder of Crowned Heads, in a press release. “We’ve poured everything into creating something truly special: a cigar that delivers complexity, balance, beauty, and that unmistakable ‘wow factor our supporters expect from Crowned Heads.”

The cigar is dark and well made. It has an average to nice feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were unripened apricot, brown sugar, cinnamon, earthiness, and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. I'm hoping the unripened apricot notes improve. 

At the first third (25 minutes) I had basically the same notes. One thing I noticed is the black pepper is directly connected to the unripened apricot. As soon as you get them you get black pepper before you get any brown sugar or other notes. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is unripened apricot with average to good lingering black pepper. The cigar is not grabbing me with those unripened apricot notes but it's ok. I rated the first third 92. It's ok but needs to improve.

Moving through the second third (58 minutes) there was a lot of black coffee with very little sweetness. There's more of a citrus peel note. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is black coffee with hints of citrus peel and very good lingering black pepper. I rated the second third 87.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 27 minutes. The sweet notes moderately improved while the citrus peel notes went away. I rated the final third 90. The cigar is hovering around the "ok" range. I expected much more from this release.

Overall Score: 89.67

San Cristobal Golden Hour Angelico (7 x 49)

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Halfwheel.com)

As with the rest of the San Cristobal line-up, the new San Cristobal Golden Hour is made by the García family at their My Father Cigars S.A. factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. Blend-wise, Golden Hour uses a Cuban-seed wrapper from Ecuador over a variety of Nicaraguan tobaccos from Condega, Estelí, Jalapa and Namanji. All of the Nicaraguan tobaccos come from the García family farms. A press release described the blend as medium-full with flavors of “cedar, cinnamon, coffee bean, molasses, and spice.”

The new regular production line is debuting in six vitolas

San Cristobal Golden Hour Magico (5 1/2 x 50) — $11.40 (Box of 25, $285)

San Cristobal Golden Hour Bonito (6 x 52) — $12 (Box of 25, $300)

San Cristobal Golden Hour Angelico (7 x 49) — $12.15 (Box of 25, $303.75) REVIEWED TODAY

San Cristobal Golden Hour Dorado (6 1/8 x 52 pirámides) — $12.45 (Box of 25, $311.25)

San Cristobal Golden Hour Ocaso (6 x 60) — $12.75 (Box of 25, $318.75)

San Cristobal Golden Hour Pacifico (6 1/2 x 64) — $13 (Box of 25, $325)

Four of the vitolas are box-pressed; the two thickest—The Ocaso and Pacifico—are round.

The cigar is well made and has an average to nice feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were a lemony citrus, brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon peel, light leather, and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2 to 8. Nice start.

At the first third (26 minutes) I had lemon, brown sugar, cinnamon, light leather, and earthy black coffee. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is hints of lemon peel and black coffee with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is quite good. The lemon notes are nice and the black coffee somehow contributes to the cigars appeal. I rated the first third 95.

As I moved through the second third (53 minutes) the cigar is burning evenly. The cigar is not changing. I don't think anything has changed enough to change the score. So, I held 95. I had the same notes, same strength, and same finish. The cigar continues to be very good.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 17 minutes. The black coffee rose a little and the sweet notes dipped a little. There wasn't a huge change but enough. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is basically the same but there is a little more black coffee. I rated the final third 94. This is a good cigar and worthy of a try.

Overall Score: 94.67

Ferdinand Piet Leaves LOFB Cigars, Launches New Asia-Pacific Focus

Ferdinand Piet has left LOFB Cigars after more than two years with the company, where he served as Head of Europe, Asia & the Middle East.

Piet joined LOFB in August 2024 and was instrumental in developing the brand’s international distribution network. During his tenure, LOFB established distribution and market presence across Europe, the Middle East, South Africa, Oceania and a number of Asian markets.

“It has been an interesting two years, and we made significant progress in bringing LOFB into new markets,” Piet says. “We secured distribution across a large part of the international market, and I am proud of what we achieved together.”

“However, I feel the time is right for someone else to take the brand forward and to the next level. The mission behind LOFB still speaks to me, and I would like to thank Adam and everyone at LOFB, both past and present, for the last two years.”

Focus shifts to The Straits Cigar Company

Following his departure from LOFB, Piet will concentrate on The Straits Cigar Company, the Singapore-based cigar business he operates with two partners.

The company imports premium cigars into Singapore and supplies licensed private clubs and F&B establishments. It is also preparing to open its own retail operation, allowing Piet to devote more time to the company’s expansion.

In addition, Piet plans to work as an independent broker and brand representative for a limited number of premium cigar companies looking to establish or expand their presence in Asian markets.

“I want to keep the number of brands deliberately limited,” Piet says. “The idea is to work closely with brands where I can genuinely add value, rather than simply taking on a large portfolio.”

Piet held discussions with several companies interested in Asian representation during InterTabac in Dortmund. He will now evaluate those opportunities and select the brands that best fit his plans for the region.

Exploring an Asia-Pacific distributor alliance

Piet is also exploring the formation of an Asia-Pacific Cigar Alliance, an initiative designed to address some of the logistical and commercial challenges faced by distributors operating in smaller markets.

The concept emerged during a conversation with Grant Ovenden of New Zealand-based Long White Cloud Distributors.

Many South-East Asian markets are relatively small individually. As a result, distributors can struggle to meet minimum order quantities for cigars, while the same applies to items such as regulatory-compliant packaging and other market-specific requirements.

A regional alliance could allow distributors to cooperate on selected purchasing and operational requirements while maintaining brand exclusivity and established distribution relationships in their respective territories.

“The idea came up during a conversation with Grant, and the more I thought about it, the more interesting it became,” Piet says.

“Asia-Pacific has a number of relatively small but potentially attractive cigar markets. Individually, they can be difficult to service efficiently. By working together where it makes sense, distributors may be able to overcome some of those barriers without compromising their individual businesses or brand relationships.”

The project remains at an exploratory stage. Piet plans to speak with distributors and other industry stakeholders over the coming months to determine whether the concept is commercially viable and what structure would work for participating companies.

A new chapter in Asia

Piet has almost two decades of experience in the premium cigar business, including roles in sales, distribution, brand development, international market expansion and cigar media across Europe and Asia.

His departure from LOFB marks a return to an independent role within the cigar industry, combining his work with The Straits Cigar Company with selected brand representation and the development of new opportunities for cooperation within the Asia-Pacific market.

“I have always enjoyed the international side of the cigar business,” Piet says. “This next step gives me the opportunity to focus on the areas where I believe I can make the biggest difference — building our own business, helping the right brands enter Asia, and potentially bringing distributors together to make the region easier to do business in.”

J.C. Newman Celebrates Cigar Trophy Win

Yesterday, the cigar industry gathered for Cigar Journal Magazine's annual Cigar Trophy award ceremony at the Intertabac Trade Show in Dortmund, Germany. Each year, cigar enthusiasts from around the world cast their votes in recognition of outstanding cigars, brands and companies across the industry.

We are proud to announce that J.C. Newman’s The American cigar was named Best Brand – Other Countries. This prestigious honor marks the fifth Cigar Trophy awarded to The American.

Best Brand, Other Countries:

The American

The American was the first cigar brand rolled in the historic El Reloj factory when it opened in Tampa, Florida in 1910. In 2016, The American was reintroduced by J.C. Newman Cigar Co. as a 100% American cigar, once again hand rolled at El Reloj. From the cigar molds to the heirloom tobacco inside, every part of this cigar is proudly grown and sourced in the United States.

Thank you to everyone who cast a vote for us and continues to support our four-generation, family-owned business. We are incredibly grateful to have you as part of our story.

To learn more about The American and the people behind this award-winning cigar, we invite you to watch The American Story documentary.

Black Works Studio (BLK WKS) releases CULTURE VULTURE

Black Works Studio (BLK WKS) is pleased to announce the release of CULTURE VULTURE; handcrafted at Fabrica Oveja Negra in Esteli, Nicaragua.

CULTURE VULTURE is a new Limited Edition that will begin shipping to select retailers next week.

“The Culture Vulture represents a whole new level for Black Works Studio. It’s unlike anything we’ve created before, from the artwork and overall concept to the construction of the cigar itself. From the first look, the dual wrapper grabs your attention with an ‘Ombré’-style fade that moves from green to yellow and back to green, highlighting the contrast between the Candela and Habano wrappers.

The artwork was created alongside the cigar, with both designed to capture the same bold, unconventional energy. For me, the visual identity and the cigar itself must work together—they’re both part of telling the story.

But the real story is in the profile. This is, without question, the boldest profile we’ve ever created for Black Works. There’s an intensity and depth to it that feels completely unique and pushes the boundaries of what we’ve done before. Culture Vulture isn’t just another cigar for us; it’s a statement," says James Brown, creator of BLTC and partner at Fabrica Oveja Negra.

CULTURE VULTURE

Origin and Blend:

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Ecuador Maduro, Connecticut & Candela

Binder: Ecuador Habano

Filler: Nicaragua

Vitolas:

Toro – 6x48 (20 count) MSRP $14.50

Robusto – 5.25x50 (20 count) MSRP $14.00

Panatela – 6x42 (20 count) MSRP $13.50

New England Cigar Expo Fires Up 2026 Limited Edition Pizza Cigar

The New England Cigar Expo taking place Friday and Saturday, September 25–26, 2026, will once again commemorate the event with its own extremely limited cigar. And in true Expo fashion, this year’s release turns up the fun with custom pizza box packaging that makes the cigar just as memorable before you even light it.

Why pizza? Because the 2026 Expo will feature a pizza-eating competition, and the special-edition packaging was designed to bring some of that fun directly to the cigar release. But don’t let the playful packaging fool you. Inside that pizza box is a seriously premium cigar.

Crafted by Perdomo Cigars at Tabacalera Perdomo in Estelí, Nicaragua, the 2026 New England Cigar Expo cigar features an exclusive blend created specifically for the event, delivering a bold, rich smoking experience worthy of the occasion.

“These are fun packages,” said David Garofalo, owner of the New England Cigar Expo, “but that takes nothing away from the cigar itself. The packaging is fun, but inside you’re getting a top-notch cigar with a one-of-a-kind blend. We take the cigar just as seriously as we always do.”

Production of the 2026 New England Cigar Expo cigar will be limited to just 300 boxes of 14 slices cigars each.Ticket holders will have an exclusive opportunity to purchase the cigars on Day 2 of the Expo at the Two Guys Cigars Pop-Up Store.

The New England Cigar Expo 2026 Limited-Edition Cigar is available for $159.99 per 14-count box, or two boxes for $300—just $10.71 per cigar with the two-box deal. If any boxes remain, limited inventory will be made available through 2GuysCigars.com on the Monday September 28th following the event.

With only 300 boxes being produced, custom collectible packaging, an exclusive Perdomo-made blend and hundreds of cigar enthusiasts expected to celebrate another year of the New England Cigar Expo, and this year’s release has all the ingredients for another sellout.

Limited Day 2 tickets are still available. To purchase tickets or learn more, visit www.2guyscigars.com/new-england-cigar-expo

Joya Red, White, and Blue (6 x 52)

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Halfwheel.com)

This year, many companies are introducing new cigars that are made to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of America.

Joya de Nicaragua’s entry will be the Joya Red White & Blue, a new 6 x 52 toro that uses an Ecuadorian habano wrapper over binders and fillers from Estelí and Jalapa, Nicaragua.

Each cigar will have an MSRP of $13.50 and production is limited to 500 boxes of 10 cigars. While the cigar will be shown off to retailers during the 2026 PCA Convention & Trade Show, which takes place April 18-20 in New Orleans, it is not expected to ship until June.

“The packaging reflects the spirit of the celebration,” said Cristhian Lanzas, marketing director of SAG Imports, in a press release. SAG Imports is the joint American distribution company operated by Joya de Nicaragua and Quesada. “It gently references American aviation, a symbol of freedom, ambition, and the pursuit of new horizons. The cigar band is also complemented by fifty stars encircling the design, representing the 50 states that form a nation that has long inspired the world.”

The cigar is part of the company’s JOYA Series, which includes regular production lines like the JOYA Black and JOYA Red.

The cigar has an average feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were orange citrus, brown sugar, cinnamon, tanned leather, and light black coffee. The citrus notes remind me of a baby aspirin or the Pez orange candy. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. Nice start.

At the first third (19 minutes) the ash was still intact but rather precariously. By and large I had the same notes. The orange citrus is nice and it just sticks out enough from the other flavors to give you a nice sweet note. The leather and black coffee are closely behind and there's a little earthiness now. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is a light citrus with good to very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is tasty. I rated the first third 94.

As I moved through the second third (49 minutes) I had the same notes but different percentages. The black coffee is up. It's up enough that it slightly surpasses those sweet citrus notes. The other notes are about where they were. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is a little of the citrus with black coffee and very good lingering black pepper. The elevated black coffee caused me to lower the score to 93.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 16 minutes. The sweet notes made a little surge while the black coffee pulled back. The cigar improved but it did not get back to the exact first third notes. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is unchanged. The cigar improved enough to raise the score to 94. This is a good cigar and I could have it quite often.

Overall Score: 93.67