The Best new cigars of 2022 (Top 25)

 

Video year end review HERE.

No agenda, no rules.

That's my new moto; no agenda, no rules. I'm not your typical reviewer. I don't answer to anyone but myself. I post reviews that are true and honest. Sometimes  honesty hurts. I've lost some manufacturers who can't take my honesty. My answer is always the same; make better cigars. Below are what I think are the best 25 new cigars to hit the market. Did I review every cigar that was released? No. But I got to quite a few of them.

2022 saw 152 cigars reviewed. 35 scored 93.67 or above and from these I compiled my Best Of list. Of note were the El Pulpo (Pre-release) by Artesano del Tobacco (5 x 50) (95-94-93) reviewed on 8/14, which will not have their full release until 2023. So I will push it back and include the actual release in the 2023 year end compilation. Also, the Fair Warning BP Rabito by Caravan Cigar Co. (6 x 50 box pressed) (94-94-94) reviewed on 5/29, was a house cigar for Caravan Cigar Co. and the highest rated house cigar. But house cigars are not eligible for year in Best Of ratings. But this is a great cigar that you should definitely try.

Also, there were 39 cigars scoring below 90 so it wasn't all roses. 

Overall, I'd say it was a good year. The year end ratings are based on a play-off type format where I take the best cigars I've had all year and smoke them head to head to see which are the best. Of the top 35 I arranged 1-25 for this year's list. Not all of the 35 make it to the Top 25 but they are all very good cigars.

So, here is my list. The best new releases from this year and late 2021.

NUMBER 1

(CIGAR OF THE YEAR 2022)

BLTC Morphine 2022 Lancero

(7 1/4 x 42) (96-95-96) 11/26

2

LCA Reserva Vintage 2021

(6 x 44 Lonsdale) (95-94-95) 1/30

3

Foundation Olmec Maduro Robusto

(5 x 50) (95-93-93) 10/11

4

Plasencia Cosecha 149 La Vega

(5 x 52) (94-94-94) 1/2/22

5

BLTC MEMENTO MORI Lonsdale

(6 1/2 x 46) (95-95-95) 4/3

6

Mi Querida Triqui Traca No. 448

(4 x 48) (94-94-94) 2/8

7

H. Upmann Nicaragua AJ Fernandez Heritage Toro

(6 x 54) (94-95-95) 7/3

8

Crowned Heads Le Pâtissier

(6 1/4 x 44) (94-94-94) 2/19

9

K by Karen Berger 25th Anniversary

(6 x 52) (94-93-94) 11/20

10

1502 Aniversario 10

(6 x 50) (94-93-94) 11/12

11

Espinosa 10 Years Anniversary

(6 x 52) (93-95-94) 10/29

12

Lost & Found 15 Minutes of Fame

(7 x 38 Lancero) (95-94-94) 5/24

13

Rojas KSG Lonsdale

(6 1/4 x 42) (94-94-94) 9/5

14

Warped Nicotina

(5 1/2 x 52 Belicoso) (95-94-94) 3/4/22

15

Rare Pink Vintage 1960’s Queen of Hearts

(3 3/4 x 54 Perfecto) (95-94-95) 11/8

16

Stolen Throne 3 Kingdoms Prensado

(6 x 52) (95-94-95) 1/22

17

Warped Cigars Eagles Descent

(5 5/8 x 52) (94-94-93) 7/4

18

Killer Bee Shaolin

(5 1/2 x 46 Belicoso) (94-93-95) 10/8

19

Isabela Mammoth 660 PepperHead 2022

(6 x 60) (95-94-94) 7/9

20

Casdagli Daughters of the Wind Robusto

(5 x 50) (94-94-94) 4/26

21

Killer Bee Connecticut Petit Corona

(4 1/2 x 46 Petit Corona) (94-93-94) 8/23

22

Room101 Farce Nicaragua Robusto

(5 1/2 x 50) (94-94-94) 11/29

23

Aganorsa Leaf Supreme Leaf Robusto 2022

(5 x 54) (94-94-93) 4/1

24

Blackened M81 Toro

(6 x 52) (95-93-94) 9/24

25

Room 101 13th Anniversary

(6 x 52) (94-93-94) 11/5

The entire list of every cigar reviewed this year is shown below with score, name, size, 1/3 ratings, and date of review.

2022 Cigar Scores (the big list)

95.67

BLTC Morphine 2022 Lancero (7 1/4 x 42) (96-95-96) 11/26

95

Black Label Trading Company (BLTC) MEMENTO MORI Lonsdale (6 1/2 x 46) (95-95-95) 4/3

94.67

LCA Reserva Vintage 2021 (6 x 44 Lonsdale) (95-94-95) 1/30

H. Upmann Nicaragua AJ Fernandez Heritage Toro (6 x 54) (94-95-95) 7/3

Rare Pink Vintage 1960’s Queen of Hearts (3 3/4 x 54 Perfecto) (95-94-95) 11/8

Stolen Throne 3 Kingdoms Prensado (6 x 52) (95-94-95) 1/22

94.33

Warped Nicotina (5 1/2 x 52 Belicoso) (95-94-94) 3/4/22

Isabela Mammoth 660 PepperHead 2022 (6 x 60) (95-94-94) 7/9

Lost & Found 15 Minutes of Fame (7 x 38 Lancero) (95-94-94) 5/24

94

Plasencia Cosecha 149 La Vega (robusto) (5 x 52) (94-94-94) 1/2/22

Killer Bee Shaolin (5 1/2 x 46 Belicoso) (94-93-95) 10/8

Emilio Cigars Limited Edition LJZ 2021 Lonsdale (6 1/2 x 42) (94-93-95) 1/18

Crowned Heads Le Pâtissier (6 1/4 x 44) (94-94-94) 2/19

El Pulpo (Pre-release) by Artesano del Tobacco (5 x 50) (95-94-93) 8/14

Rojas KSG Lonsdale (6 1/4 x 42) (94-94-94) 9/5

Freestyle Live Mystery Cigar (Blackened M81 toro); 9/28/22 (6 x 52) (95-93-94) 9/24

Room101 Farce Nicaragua Robusto (5 1/2 x 50) (94-94-94) 11/29

Casdagli Daughters of the Wind Robusto (5 x 50) (94-94-94) 4/26

Mi Querida Triqui Traca No. 448 (4 x 48) (94-94-94) 2/8

Fair Warning BP Rabito by Caravan Cigar Co. (6 x 50 box pressed) (94-94-94) 5/29*

Isabela Mammoth (7 x 70) (94-94-94) 1/21

Intergalactic Corona Larga by Black Works Studio (6 1/4 x 46) (95-92-95) 2/11

Espinosa 10 Years Anniversary (6 x 52) (93-95-94) 10/29

93.67

Foundation Olmec Maduro Robusto (5 x 50) (95-93-93) 10/11

Aganorsa Leaf Supreme Leaf Robusto 2022 (5 x 54) (94-94-93) 4/1

Sin Compromiso Paladin de Saka (7 x 52 Box Pressed) (94-93-94) 1/29

1502 Aniversario 10 (6 x 50) (94-93-94) 11/12

Warped Cigars Eagles Descent (5 5/8 x 52 Toro Especial) (94-94-93) 7/4

Viaje Birthday Blend Gold 2022 (6 x 52 torpedo) (94-93-94) 7/31

Room 101 13th Anniversary (6 x 52) (94-93-94) 11/5

K by Karen Berger 25th Anniversary (6 x 52) (94-93-94) 11/20

Killer Bee Connecticut Petit Corona (4 1/2 x 46 Petit Corona) (94-93-94) 8/23

Villiger La Libertad Robusto (5 x 52) (94-93-94) 3/1

Crowned Heads Mil Días Marranitos EL 2022 (5 3/4 x 52) (93-94-94) 6/18

Cuesta-Rey No. 95 Cameroon (6 1/4 x 42) (94-93-94) 5/17

(cigars eligible for Top 25 shown above)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

93.33

Protocol Bass Reeves Maduro (6 x 52 Box Pressed) (94-93-93) 2/27

Villiger TAA Exclusive 2022 (6 x 52) (94-93-93) 7/2

Foundation Olmec Claro Robusto (5 x 50) (94-92-94) 10/4

HVC Black Friday 2022 (5 1/2 x 50) (94-93-93) 11/22

Bishops Blend 2022 Corona Larga (6 1/4 x 46) (93-93-94) 9/11

Padilla For Whom The Bell Tolls (5 5/8 x 46 Box Pressed Corona Gorda) (94-92-94) 5/14

ATL Cigars Black Toro (6 x 52 Torpedo) (94-92-94) 5/21

Dissident Molotov (5 x 50) (94-92-94) 11/1

93

Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario Maduro Toro 2021 (6 x 54) (94-93-92) 1/4/22

Maria Lucia by Luciano Cigars (5 1/4 x 54 box-pressed robusto) (94-94-91) 10/16

Drew Estate Nica Rustica Adobe (6x54) (94-93-92) 5/7 

Liga Privada Unico Year of the Tiger by Drew Estate (6 x 48) (94-93-92) 9/17

Stillwell Star Navy no. 1056 (6 x 52) (94-92-93) 1/16

Viaje MOAB 2022 (Mother of all bombs) (4 1/2 x 52 Robusto) (93-93-93) 3/15

Espinosa Knuckle Sandwich Maduro Corona Gorda (5 5/8 x 46) (93-94-92) 3/29

92.67

Villiger Miami 2022 Laguito No.1 (7 1/2 x 38) (94-93-91) 9/27

Mas Igneus Toro by Luciano Cigars (6 x 52) (95-91-92) 10/15

Viaje Summerfest 2022 (6 1/2 x 54 Toro Extra) (93-92-93) 7/23

Ano Viejo by Kafie Cigars (7 x 38 Lancero) (94-91-93) 2/1

War Witch Lancero by Black Star Line (7 1/2 x 40) (93-93-92) 2/6

Warped Flor del Valle Sky Flower 2021 (5 5/8 x 48) (93-93-92) 2/15

Knuckle Sandwich Chef’s Special (6 1/2 x 52 box-pressed Figurado) (93-93-92) 8/28

Viaje Piña Nohea (5 x 54) (93-92-93) 10/18

Serino Royale Maduro XX Robusto (5 1/8 x 48) (94-92-92) 2/22

Padilla Finest Hour Oscuro Robusto by AJ Fernandez (5 x 52) (94-91-93) 1/11

Bolivar Cofradia Lost & Found EMS Robusto (5 x 54) (92-94-92) 3/8

92.33

CAO BX3 Robusto (5 x 52) (94-91-92) 7/12

Partagas Decadas 2021 (6 x 52) (92-94-91) 1/23

Protocol Bass Reeves Natural (6 x 52 Box Pressed) (93-92-92) 2/26

Protocol Cigars Hard Coal Detective (6 x 52 Toro) (93-92-92) 4/24

Crowned Heads Las Calaveras Edición Limitada (EL) 2022 (5 3/4 x 46) (93-93-91) 8/7

El Rey del Mundo by AJ (6 x 52 box pressed) (93-92-92) 6/5

Tatuaje T110 Tuxtla Petit Robusto (4 3/8 x 52) (92-92-93) 7/19

92

Don Doroteo Cigars El Legado Robusto (5 x 50) (92-92-92) 8/16

CAO Vision 2022 (6 x 52 Toro) (92-92-92) 11/25

Warped Cigars Upper Realm (5 x 48) (92-94-93) 12/11

ATL Magic (6 x 54) (93-93-90) 1/1

Lalibela Toro by Black Star Line (6 x 52) (93-92-91) 2/12

Serino Taino The 44 (5 1/2 x 44) (93-92-91) 2/25

Aganorsa Leaf Cerberus Robusto (5 x 54) (93-91-92) 3/27

Diesel Sunday Gravy Grappa (5 x 56 Robusto Gordo) (93-91-92) 7/26

Jas Sum Kral Twisted Buc (5 x 50) (93-92-91) 4/5

Las 6 Provincias Las Villas (5 1/2 x 54) (94-91-91) 2/18

91.67

Bricktoberfest 2022 (6 x 52 Toro) (94-92-89) 10/22

Studio Serino Elenor Rose Eagle (5 5/8 x 50 Figurado) (92-93-90) 1/25/22

Espinosa Knuckle Sandwich Habano Corona Gorda (5 5/8 x 46) (93-90-92) 3/22

Crowned Heads Four Kicks Mule Kick LE 2022 (5 7/8 x 52) (92-93-90) 6/7

West Tampa Tobacco Co. Black Toro (6 x 52) (92-91-92) 7/16

Serino Taino Heritage Yocahú (6 x 47) (93-91-91) 3/26

Sancho Panza Extra Fuerte Robusto (5 x 50) (93-91-91) 9/13

91.33

Dark War Witch by Black Star Line (6 x 46 Corona, Box Pressed) (93-91-90) 2/20

Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust The Bewitched (6 5/8 x 48 Prensado) (93-91-90) 7/24

Rojas Street Tacos Carnitas Short Corona (5 1/2 x 46) (93-92-89) 9/3

Luciano The Dreamer Toro de Lux (6 7/8 x 50) (93-90-91) 5/8

ATL Libertad Robusto (5 x 50) (95-92-87) 1/1

HVC Selección No. 1 Poderosos (6 x 54) (94-92-88) 10/2

Privada Watch Series Rose Gold AP (6 x 50) (93-90-91) 4/16

Cuba Aliados Toro by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo (6 x 52) (93-90-91) 8/27

Bolivar Cofradia Lost & Found Oscuro Robusto (5 x 54) (91-92-91) 3/13

Perla del Mar Maduro Toro (6 1/4 x 54) (92-92-90) 6/25

91

Stillwell Star English no. 27 (6 x 52) (91-91-91) 1/9

20 Acre Farm Toro by Drew Estate (6 x 52) (92-90-91) 2/5

AVO Improvisation 2022 White (5 1/2 x 55 Robusto Extra) (94-89-90) 8/20

90.67

West Tampa Tobacco Co. White Toro (6 x 52) (92-89-91) 7/16

Partagas Añejo Petit Robusto (4 1/2 x 49) (91-90-91) 4/19

90.33

LCA cigar for March, 2022; Cuban Daiquiri (6 x 54 Toro) (92-89-90) 4/10

CAO Pilon Añejo Robusto (5 1/2 x 54) (92-89-90) 4/23

Dorado Toro by AJ Fernandez (6 x 54) (93-90-88) 11/13

Padilla 88 Aniversario Toro (6 x 52 box pressed) (93-90-88) 6/26

Tatjuaje The Drac Redux 2 (6 3/4 x 52 belicoso) (93-90-88) 11/1

Viaje Hamaki Omakase 2022 (5 x 52 Box Pressed) (93-90-88) 8/2

Punch The People's Champ (5 x 50) (93-90-88) 6/21

90

Bohekio Robusto by Supreme Tobacco (5 x 50) (91-90-89) 1/3

Perla del Mar Shade Toro (6 x 54) (92-90-88) 4/2

Viaje Friends and Family Merci (5 1/4 x 54) (92-89-89) 10/25

Privada Watch Series; Silver AP (6 x 46) (92-92-86) 5/22

Serino Cigars Expat Sublime (6 1/2 x 54) (91-90-89) 8/6

CAO Arcana Series Firewalker (6 1/2 x 56) (90-91-89) 3/11

89.67

Viaje Skull & Bones FOAB 2022 (Father of all bombs) (4 1/2 x 56) (92-90-87) 3/18

89.33

Protocol Blue Gordo (6 x 60) (91-90-87) 3/19

Padilla Finest Hour Sungrown Habano Robusto by AJ Fernandez (5 x 52) (92-90-86) 1/5

Stillwell Star Bayou no. 32 (6 x 52) (92-88-88) 1/15

Inner Circle Figurado by Cavalier Genève (6x52) (90-88-90) 11/6

89

Rojas Unfinished Business Corona Gorda (6 x 46) (92-89-86) 10/9

Tatuaje 7th Tuxtla Corona (5 5/8 x 46) (91-89-87) 7/19

Tatuaje La Riqueza SE 2022 (5 5/8 x 54) (90-88-89) 6/19

Espada by Montecristo Signature (6 x 55) (90-91-86) 3/5

88.67

Diesel Sunday Gravy Rosamarino (6 x 50) (88-88-90) 5/1

Punch Knuckle Buster Maduro Toro (6 x 50) (92-88-86) 4/15

Viaje The Geisha Maduro (6 3/4 x 52 Perfecto) (90-87-89) 7/30

Cavalier Genève Prospektor (6 x 54) (91-89-86) 10/30

ADVentura Barbarroja’s Invasion Corona (6 x 44) (92-89-85) 11/15

88.33

Reinado Grand Apex Reserve Robusto Extra (5 1/2 x 52) (92-88-85) 8/13

LCA Watch Series; Red and Blue, or Pepsi (6 x 54) (91-89-85) 4/9

Mi Querida Black SakaKhan (7 1/4 x 54) (91-88-86) 10/1

88

El Rey Del Mundo Naturals Robusto en Vidrio (5 x 50) (90-88-86) 5/3

Viaje Private Keep Lemon (6 x 52 Toro) (90-88-86) 7/17

ATL Good Trouble (6 1/2 x 56) (89-87-88) 1/1

Viaje The Geisha Natural (6 3/4 x 52 Perfecto) (91-88-85) 7/30

AVO Improvisation 2022 Black (5 1/2 x 55 Robusto Extra) (89-91-84) 8/21

87.67

Warped Companion (4 1/2 x 48) (89-87-87) 2/4

Privada Watch Series Root Beer (6 x 54) (91-86-86) 5/15

87.33

Punch Rare Corojo 2022 (6.125” x 40/54) (88-86-88) 4/30

Cohiba Serie M Corona Gorda (6.5” x 48) (87-87-88) 6/11

87

Stillwell Star Aromatic No. 1 (6 x 52) (89-85-87) 1/8

Sancho Panza Double Maduro Robusto (5 x 50) (94-87-80) 9/20

Dapper Desvalido – Disla Toro (6 1/8 x 52) (88-89-84) 11/27

86.67

Despot Piramides (6 x 52) (87-86-87) 6/12

Viaje Birthday Blend 2022 (6 x 52 torpedo) (91-87-82) 7/10

86.33

Diesel Fool's Errand Stubborn Fool (5 x 58 perfecto) (87-85-87) 4/16

Davidoff Winston Churchill Limited Edition 2022 (5 7/8 x 61 perfecto) (88-85-86) 3/12

86

CAO Borealis Robusto (5” x 52) (92-86-80) 6/28

85.33

Macanudo Inspirado Jamao Toro (5.75” x 52) (90-86-80) 9/18

Cavalier Genève Limited Edition 2022 (6 x 54) (89-85-82) 10/23

85

Viaje Skull & Bones Cloudmaker 2022 (5 x 60) (88-85-82) 3/20

84

Sancho Panza Original Robusto (5 1/2 x 50) (86-83-83) 9/25

79.33

LCA Oddjob (6 x 52 Toro) [February, 2022 release] (82-80-76) 3/6

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I very much appreciate your patronage this past year and look forward to reviews in 2023.