2024
My Father The Judge Grand Robusto (Nicaragua, 98 points): There have been plenty of spinoff brands from the core My Father line—La Gran Oferta, La Opulencia and Le Bijou 1922 (the 2015 Cigar of the Year)—but in 2016, the Garcia family released The Judge, a bold, full-bodied cigar packaged in boxes with vintage lithographic art. With the exception of the dark, Sumatra-seed Ecuadoran wrapper, all the tobacco comes from farms across Nicaragua owned by the Garcias. The thick Grand Robusto is loaded with tobacco from at least three regions: Jalapa, Estelí and Namanji, making the cigar a thorough exploration of Nicaragua’s fertile appellations.
2020
E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel (Dom. Rep., 98 Points): While it may look like just another dark, box-pressed cigar at first glance, the Pledge Prequel delivers flavor in bold, zesty parcels of spicy oak, licorice, black cherry and black pepper. The highest-scoring Cigar of the Year to date, the Prequel is Ernesto Perez-Carrillo’s masterpiece and second Cigar of the Year in a three-year span—following 2018’s Encore Majestic.
2016
La Flor Dominicana Andalusian Bull (Dom. Rep., 96 Points): Born in Spain with no family ties to the cigar industry, Litto Gomez initially made mild cigars before producing stronger blends, many of them rolled in unusual shapes. This Andalusian Bull—a large figurado with beautiful curves—doesn’t stray from this premise, bringing bold and savory notes of hickory and leather from its Corojo-seed Ecuador Habano wrapper and primarily Dominican Criollo ’98 tobacco. It’s a fine smoke that beautifully meshes strength and spice.
2016
Oliva Serie V Melanio Figurado (Nicaragua, 96 Points): Made by a small group of rollers and blended for strength and style, Oliva’s Serie V line was an immediate hit. When the Melanio line was added, introducing a Sumatra-seed wrapper from Ecuador to the otherwise all-Nicaraguan blend, it was an even larger success and is Oliva’s top-tier product. This figurado in particular has rich, big notes of leather framed by a range of coffee, caramel and woody intonations—a classic smoke.
2012
Flor de Las Antillas Toro (Nicaragua, 96 Points): The “Flower of the Antilles Islands” is a symbol of appreciation for Cuba, the island home of the Garcia family. And the tasty cigar lives up to the significance the country has had on the industry. The smokes are delicious from the first puff, with notes of nutmeg, white pepper and just enough strength without being overpowering. It’s also one of the most reasonably priced cigars ever to be named No. 1.
