Staff Picks

Our hard-working staff is busy smoking dozens of cigars, so you don't have to! Each week, they choose their favorite stick from the bunch.
David Williams
TASTE:Anything and everything, I’ll try anything once.
HOBBIES:Collecting coins, basketball cards, cigars, cigar swag and playing video games
STRENGTH:Mild in the mornings and medium to full in the afternoons and nights, depending on my meals.

FAVORITE BRANDS
Liga Privada T52
Casa Fernandez Maduro
Foundation Charter Oak Maduro
Muestra de Saka
RoMa Craft Intemperance Whiskey Rebellion 1794

FOLLOW

Espinosa Wasabi 5" * 52

(21)
Espinosa Wasabi 5 * 52
Appearance
Draw
Burn
Aroma
Taste
In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I decided to go with something a little different. The Espinosa Wasabi is one cigar I like to bring out to change up my palate. Every time I remove it from the cellophane the cigar has a nice sweet earthy scent with some bits of cocoa. Snipping the cap and taking a cold draw gives off hints of hay and freshly cut grass, perhaps par for the course on a candela wrapper like this one. Upon lighting and taking my first puffs, I find smooth and sweet earth notes. The smoke is thick and slightly chewy and leaves a short after taste of green tea. These flavors stay for more than half of the cigar with subtle hints of ginger. The burn stays evenly for the most part but never needs correction and the smoke stays nice and cool. As I took the band off, I started getting more ginger and a hint of sweet black tea on the tongue and a peppery retro hale. I ended my experience with less than a quarter of an inch left, and boy was that smoke getting hot. Smoking time was about 50 minutes and had an open draw, so it depended on how hard my draws were. I highly recommend a light beer, sweet tea or try a flavored spring water to pair with it. Grab some and let's see what you think about it... it may surprise you, and there's no better day than St. Patrick's to set this one ablaze. Picked on 03/15/2023
Older Picks
Joe P.
TASTE:Nutty, creamy, woody, leathery
HOBBIES:Rap, making music, basketball, comedy
STRENGTH:Medium to full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Arturo Fuente Hemingway Natural
Padron 1964 Anniversary Maduro
Liga Privada Unicos
Davidoff Nicaragua

FOLLOW

Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown G660 6" * 60

(20)
Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown G660 6 * 60
Appearance
Draw
Burn
Aroma
Taste
Okay, no need for any filler or elaborate introduction on this one. Without further ado, here is a tried and true classic - the Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown! Let’s just begin with the fact that the wrapper is aged in bourbon barrels, giving this cigar an overall creamy and smooth consistency all the way through. When I sat down to light this one up last night, I was a little weary about it being a 60 gauge, seeing as how that is not normally my preferred size, but let me say, I was glad I stepped out of my comfort zone and ended up a bit surprised at how explosive the flavor was and how smooth and comfortable of a smoke it was. I was greeted with nutty and earthy notes to begin with, and then it slowly transitioned into more of a nutty/cocoa combination. Some slight spice accompanied this very tasty cigar, and let’s not forget to mention that this stick sells for under 10 dollars! Truly a great choice for buyers not looking to hurt your pocket too much. I also noticed that towards the end of the smoke, it held a very consistent burn, with very little issue. For those not familiar with the brand, I think it's time to discover one of the greats. And if you happen to be in South Florida, come and stop on by at our new Pinecrest location to pick one up and experience your own today! Picked on 03/14/2023
Older Picks
Rene L.
AGE:36
TASTE:Wood, Earth, Leather
HOBBIES:Guitar, Beer, Sarcasm
STRENGTH:Medium/Full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Liga Privada No. 9
Padron 1964 Anniversary Maduro
Tatuaje Miami Seleccion del Cazador
Kristoff GC Signature Series
Eiroa CBT Maduro

FOLLOW

Punch Spring Roll Robusto 4"1/2 * 50

(10)
Punch Spring Roll Robusto 41/2 * 50
Appearance
Draw
Burn
Aroma
Taste
If you're a keen smoker that's been paying attention, you may have noticed that Punch has released multiple cigars with an Asian theme in recent years. These blends honor the Chinese Lunar New Year! Egg Roll, Kung Pao, Chop Suey, Fu Manchu, and now... the SPRING Roll is here. Just in time for its namesake season, the Punch Spring Roll comes packaged in an endearing Chinese take-out presentation, signaling the return of an already beloved line of smokes by the respected brand. Sporting a shaggy foot, upon lighting the Spring Roll you will immediately indulge in the wonderful mix of Dominican, Mexican, USA, and even Colombian tobaccos. A Connecticut Broadleaf binder holds it all together and a somewhat rough-looking Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper tops it off, making this one extra scrumptious stick. So how's it taste, you ask? DELICIOUS, I say. The Spring Roll is exceptionally smooth, one of the smoothest experiences in recent memory, even. There is not one bit of spice in this blend, which was a pleasant surprise to someone like me that likes a potent but never spicy cigar. Notes of cedar and subtle graham cracker take over almost the entire duration, and the strength falls somewhere directly in the 'medium' category. Did I say this cigar is smooth?? At only 4 1/2 inches, this one is perfect for an after-dinner dessert or for chatting with a friend on your balcony like I did. Paired with a Reyka Screwdriver, I was in heaven and couldn't believe this stogie was only five bucks and change! Smooth as butter, and more flavorful than any buffet you could imagine. Smooth!! Pick up a box (carton?) today before they're gone for good. This one's special. #smooth Picked on 03/14/2023
Older Picks
Luz Holguin
TASTE:Earthy, Pepper
HOBBIES:Cooking, Reading, Traveling
STRENGTH:Medium

FAVORITE BRANDS
Arturo Fuente
La Aurora Preferidos Cameroon Platinum
Tatuaje Black Label
Montecristo Espada
Crowned Heads Headley Grange

FOLLOW

Kafie 1901 Serie L Natural Robusto 5" * 50

(1)
Kafie 1901 Serie L Natural Robusto 5 * 50
Appearance
Draw
Burn
Aroma
Taste
This is a new line for boutique-cigar maker Gaby Kafie, blended and rolled at the legendary La Aurora factory in Dominican Republic. The natural corojo wrapper is Dominican, making this stick an all-Dominican puro. From the moment that you light this cigar until the end, it is a sight to see: a beautiful medium brown color, great construction, with a uniform, nice gray/white ash. The cigar produces tons of smoke, and while there is no overpowering spice, there are notes of black pepper and cinnamon throughout which are very pleasant. Strength is a solid medium with the cigar becoming stronger in the last third, where cocoa, citrus, and cedar notes dominate. If you're looking for a delicious earthy smoke with just the right amount of spice, look no further. This line is a great introduction to the new era of Kafie cigars made with the collaboration of master blender Manuel Inoa from La Aurora, and in my book it is a success. Picked on 03/10/2023
Older Picks
Jose Alonso
TASTE:All
HOBBIES:Watching movies, listening to music, spending time with family, reading, writing, photography
STRENGTH:Any

FAVORITE BRANDS
Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real
Liga Privada Unicos
Davidoff 702 Series

FOLLOW

Alec Bradley Filthy Hooligan 6" * 50

(129)
86
Alec Bradley Filthy Hooligan 6 * 50
Appearance
Draw
Burn
Aroma
Taste
So, with St. Paddy’s day rapidly approaching, I figured I’d fire up the Alec Bradley Black Market Filthy Hooligan Shamrock. There’s nothing wrong with getting ahead of the curve. Am I right? Anyways, this bi-colored toro’s beautiful barber pole wrapper is made of a candela leaf entwined with a savory, dark Habano leaf. A preflight sniff revealed a very pleasant tobacco sweetness with some grassy notes. The construction was just right: firm with a little give. The cold draw was easy. In the first third, I got a nice creamy flavor with some subtle spicy notes. The retro hale had a peppery sting, and the finish was long and creamy. The tobacco sweetness revealed itself more as this cigar burned. The draw was a little tight. The ash started out dark, but it turned more salt and pepper as it approached the second third. Up to this point the smoke was wispy. Into the second third, the grassy aroma was more pronounced, and the draw loosened up. The tobacco flavor started to dominate. The second retro hale was very peppery. This is a nice slow burning stick. The pleasant tobacco sweetness took over in the final third. Overall, this is a good cigar despite some minor draw issue. Strength-wise it was medium with a little lean towards the full. I paired it with a La Croix Lime flavored sparkling water which was nice since it didn’t compete with the cigar’s flavor. Picked on 03/01/2023
Older Picks
Luis Novas
TASTE:Habano, Broadleaf, Mexican San Andres
HOBBIES:Cooking, writing, reading, cigars, cycling
STRENGTH:Medium to Full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Crowned Heads Four Kicks Maduro
Tatuaje Miami Seleccion del Cazador
Sin Compromiso

FOLLOW

Mi Querida Triqui Traca No. 652 6" * 52

(31)
Mi Querida Triqui Traca No. 652 6 * 52
Appearance
Draw
Burn
Aroma
Taste
My first impression of the Triqui Traca is that it is complex but full of spice, with a rich medium-full body. Upon light up it puts out wave after wave of a rich, muddy earth with a touch of cream to it. Pepper closes out the first third along with a bit of sweetness, but neither of them pulls focus away from the earth and leather that make up the core body of this stick. Although the burn was slightly uneven, the construction was good enough to build up an impressive ash before falling off; however, the draw was just slightly too tight-- perhaps because of the solid packing of tobacco. The flavor throughout the second third is a relatively consistent leather and pepper, switching between increased intensity in one or the other. The almost mineralish taste proposes an interesting aroma that keeps one coming back and forgetting about the clock on the wall. This is certainly a meaty stick, and if you’re looking for a potent after dinner cigar to settle down with for an hour or two, look no further than the Mi Querida Triqui Traca. I would pair it with a Negroni to offset the full body of the cigar with some more sweetness. Picked on 02/15/2023
Older Picks
Sam P.
TASTE:Natural tobacco / anything new
HOBBIES:Video games, dogs, documentaries, smoking new cigars
STRENGTH:Medium to full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Oliva Serie V Melanio
ADVentura the Navigator
Crowned Heads Mil Dias

FOLLOW

Kristoff San Andres Robusto 5"1/2 * 54

(22)
Kristoff San Andres Robusto 51/2 * 54
Appearance
Draw
Burn
Aroma
Taste
Kristoff's San Andres Robusto is a medium to full bodied cigar comprised of Nicaraguan and Ecuadorian Habano fillers and binders underneath a dark oily Mexican San Andres wrapper. I smoked two of these for this review and had a consistent experience across both tries. Burn time was about 45 to 50 minutes. It was front loaded with a good amount spice that mellowed out after the first inch or so as is normal for tobacco varietals that carry spice, as both Habano and San Andres tobaccos do. Coco and coffee notes were readily available as soon as the cigar warmed up and remained through the smoke. Burn lines on both cigars were almost perfect and required no touch ups. The shaggy foot on this guy seems to light up easily but make sure you really get this thing going before you get distracted. I let my first one go out a couple times and learned my lesson for the second. With a decently resistant draw, this cigar wants you to smoke it, its not one of these fast burners that smokes itself. If you like spice, coco, and coffee give this a try. Picked on 02/10/2023
Older Picks
Mari Mena
FOLLOW

Rocky Patel Sun Grown Maduro Toro 6" * 52

(41)
Rocky Patel Sun Grown Maduro Toro 6 * 52
Appearance
Draw
Burn
Aroma
Taste
In paper it sounds like a blend made in heaven; The Connecticut broadleaf giving the blend stability, sweetness and a sense of dept and Nicaraguan tobacco giving it flavor and excitement with some subtle spices and all the flavor of the Nicaraguan volcanic soil. I cannot stop thinking how smooth and easy to smoke was the Rocky Patel Maduro Sun Grown. This cigar is a lot more than a blend of dark, oily, spicy, flavorful tobacco leaves, it is a well balance, savory, gourmet creation. It started with a mix of coffee and white pepper and some cocoa that becomes the prominent note in the first third. The white pepper is in the background in a supporting role, leveling and balancing and a creaminess that is very surprising for me The cream notes play a big role in the entire smoking. Even when the pepper notes increase the cigar still smooth, and the cocoa and coffee notes become one flavor: Mocha. The second third is all about this velvety, creamy feeling in my palate. This last until the nub (yes, I enjoyed it that much) when the pepper is allowed to become predominant without losing the creaminess of the mocha flavor that is now in the background. The cigar is full flavor but medium in strength and this one only increased a bit on the very last third. Draw was on point, not tight but not overly loose. Straight burn line, solid grey ash and no relights needed. This cigar was a pleasure to smoke and the perfect pairing for my morning Cortadito. Picked on 02/08/2023
Older Picks
Adam Stewart
AGE:43
TASTE:All
HOBBIES:Music, Reading, Art, Nature, Craft Beer, Slacking
STRENGTH:All

FAVORITE BRANDS
Arturo Fuente
Liga Privada No. 9
Tatuaje Black Label
Joya de Nicaragua Antano 1970

FOLLOW

My Father Le Bijou 1922 Grand Robusto 5"5/8 * 55

(66)
My Father Le Bijou 1922 Grand Robusto 55/8 * 55
Appearance
Draw
Burn
Aroma
Taste
Le Bijou, or "the jewel" is somewhat of a powerhouse of a stick. The bright orange foot band wrapped around its dark Nicaraguan Oscuro wrapper can almost be perceived as a Jolly Roger announcing to all that there shall be no mercy / no quarter offered. Perhaps that is exactly what drew me in. Upon lighting, the most prominent notes that stood out were white pepper and leather. As it burned, the complexity increased, bringing espresso bean, earth, cocoa and fig into the mix. Though subtle, I detected black cherry and molasses throughout as well. The cigar is very well packed, the construction is excellent and I did not experience any serious issues with the burn, despite that fact that I enjoyed it most recently on a windy night. While good anytime once you've got some food in your belly, I find that it makes for an excellent late afternoon or evening smoke along side a glass of scotch or even port. Cheers! Picked on 02/03/2023
Older Picks
Shelly Kingsberg
FOLLOW

Fiat Lux by Luciano Intuition 5" * 50

(7)
90
Fiat Lux by Luciano Intuition 5 * 50
Appearance
Draw
Burn
Aroma
Taste
I chose to smoke something new and different -- hence the Fiat Lux by Luciano -- meaning "Let There Be Light". I am smoking the robusto size (Intuition) and this blend is made in 4 vitolas. These cigars are made with an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper (very high priming leaves), along with a Nicaraguan binder and filler. Upon first light, earthy notes were upfront, joined by cedar, spice and pepper notes. I was also tasting some natural sweet tobacco taste. Into the second third, the earthiness and pepper definitely increased. None of these notes were over powering, which makes for a very enjoyable smoke thus far! Into the final third, the notes were primarily the same to the final stretch. The construction was perfect -- the burn temperature was ideal, perfect draw, nice light ash. The cigar started out as a medium strength/medium body and basically stayed this way throughout. Although this was not an overly complex smoke, it was definitely very well balanced throughout. This is one I would highly recommend!! Enjoy. Picked on 01/27/2023
Older Picks
Martin Ruiz
TASTE:All
HOBBIES:Sports, video games, food, good beer
STRENGTH:All

FAVORITE BRANDS
Liga Privada No. 9
Padron 1926 Serie Natural
Arturo Fuente Fuente Opus X
Flor de las Antillas

FOLLOW

Liga Privada Unico Serie Nasty Fritas 4" * 52

(115)
Liga Privada Unico Serie Nasty Fritas 4 * 52
Appearance
Draw
Burn
Aroma
Taste
The Liga Privada Unico Series Nasty Fritas, what can I say other then what a nasty name! Drew Estate is by far my favorite for cigars. Seeing as its getting cold now, I wanted a quick smoke and this looked perfect! Pre-light, this cigar has a cold draw of cocoa, coffee, and leather. Once lit however, the smoke party started, I have got to say this smoke produces an insane amount of smoke for its size. The first third had notes of leather, chocolate, and pepper, which is quite common with most Ligas. The pepper seems to smooth down going into the second third and notes of hickory BBQ appear. The final third was nothing but the absolute sweetness of chocolate, coffee, and pepper. This cigar is by far one of the best for smoke output I've ever seen and the taste is absolutely phenomenal for the price as well. I definitely will be adding these to my daily smokes as this cigar is about a 30-40 minute smoke and is just perfect for not being out in the cold to long. I recommend pairing it with a glass of bourbon on the rocks. Definitely a Medium to Full bodied cigar but one of my new favorites! Picked on 12/27/2022
Older Picks
George P.
TASTE:All. Except soft
HOBBIES:Smoking good cigars, watching movies, Jazz music, spending time with family
STRENGTH:Medium , Medium to full, Full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Oliva Serie V
La Flor Dominicana Limited Edition
Espinosa Habano
CAO Flathead
New World
Asylum 13 Ogre
La Galera Habano
CLE Prieto

FOLLOW

601 Maduro Box Press Toro 6"1/4 * 54

(27)
91
601 Maduro Box Press Toro 61/4 * 54
Appearance
Draw
Burn
Aroma
Taste
Erik Espinosa is known for making great cigars. In my opinion, this 601 Maduro Box Press Toro is the one that put him on the map. In case you didn't know, 601 stands for the date when he first launched his line, June 1st. This cigar starts off with a medium-full body strength. A nice spicy note and nutty flavor are also present from the get-go. The draw and taste are awesome so far. The burn is perfect. At the halfway point, the strength picks up to a full body strength. The nutty notes are still present, and I am definitely not complaining. The spicy notes pick up a bit right around now as well. Upon retrohale, you can pick up a nice cedar note. The burn and draw are still going great. Towards the end of the cigar, all the notes mentioned, along with potent full body strength, is still present. The consistency is awesome, and I wouldn't be surprised if its partly due to this stick being a 100% Nicaraguan puro. This is one cigar you should try if you want to go old school. A nice oak whiskey like Johnnie Walker Double Black would pair nicely and hit the spot just right. Enjoy, my friends. Picked on 12/03/2022
Older Picks
William lazo
TASTE:Nutty, woody, pepper, cream
HOBBIES:Video games, watching football and MMA, movies
STRENGTH:Medium-Full
FOLLOW

Alec Bradley Magic Toast Gran Toro 6" * 54

(14)
88
Alec Bradley Magic Toast Gran Toro 6 * 54
Appearance
Draw
Burn
Aroma
Taste
The Alec Bradley Magic Toast Box Pressed Gran Toro starts off with an impressively rich flavor profile, mixing a bit of sweet earth, terroir, and black pepper. By the one-inch mark there is a bit of room temperature black coffee entering the profile, notably by way of a touch of acidity in the profile, which is just mild enough to be noticeable but not enough to be dominating. In the second half, it adds a bit of creaminess and softness to the profile but at the midway point the flavor dries out a bit and pick up a sharper wood flavor as the main accent. In the final, I got lots of chocolate with slight hints of black pepper that settles well with a great scotch and a late-night coffee, but I did love the draw and the aroma that the cigar was letting out. Picked on 11/17/2022
Older Picks
Jose Mauricio Gomez de Cordova
TASTE:Woody, spicy, peppery
HOBBIES:Archery, photography, cooking, reading
STRENGTH:Medium to Full
FOLLOW

Asylum 13 Connecticut Toro 6" * 52

(8)
Asylum 13 Connecticut Toro 6 * 52
Appearance
Draw
Burn
Aroma
Taste
The Asylum 13 Connecticut Toro is a smooth to medium body cigar with a golden Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper embracing a great blend of Honduran long-fillers. This cigar has mild, sweet, and spicy flavors when first smoked, and in the second third, the spice increases, but also the smoothness. By the last third, it had maintained its rich flavor, and I was surprised at how well the Connecticut wrapper blended into the taste. This could easily become a daily cigar for many people who like stogies more on the mild side. The blend is great for a relaxing cigar to smoke at the end of the day or with the first cup of coffee in the morning. Picked on 10/14/2022
Older Picks
Robert Vallee
TASTE:Coffee, dark chocolate, earth
HOBBIES:Smoking, making music, playing cards
STRENGTH:Medium to Full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Padron 1926 Serie Maduro
The Tabernacle
Punch Diablo

FOLLOW

Macanudo Inspirado Jamao Toro 5"3/4 * 52

(13)
Macanudo Inspirado Jamao Toro 53/4 * 52
Appearance
Draw
Burn
Aroma
Taste
The Macanudo Jamao (Hah-Mau) is the newest limited edition cigar from the popular Inspirado line that I have been itching to try since it was first announced back in June and landed here in our stores. This particular smoke is unique as they went a little experimental with the blend using a habano wrapper that is grown in the Mao region of D.R., while the seed that they used derives from Jamastran, Honduras. The cigar is named after a combination of the names of these two regions. To my surprise, this cigar is fairly mild and smooth, but packs enough flavor that even a full body smoker like myself will not be disappointed in the Jamao. Through the first 15 minutes of smoking this stick, it is somewhat spicy but as you go down the cigar gets richer and creamier to the point where the spice is very subtle. The aroma of this cigar is very pleasant, I couldn’t stop getting comments from people nearby clamoring to know what I was smoking cause it smelled so good! It gives off an aroma almost similar to freshly baked bread, one of the more prevalent flavors I was able to recognize while enjoying this smoke, along with powdered cocoa and cashews. If you are already a fan of the Inspirado White or the Inspirado Orange I can confidently recommend this cigar to someone looking to maybe experiment a bit and try something a little different. Grab this one while you can because only 2,300 boxes are being made! Picked on 07/28/2022
Older Picks
Curtis Yap
TASTE:Spice, Sweetness, Oak, Roasted nut, Coffee
HOBBIES:Smoking excellent cigars, Cooking, Going to new restaurants and bars, Playing badminton, Muay Thai, Always enjoy a good whiskey, scotch or tequila
STRENGTH:All

FAVORITE BRANDS
Arturo Fuente Fuente Opus X
Illusione "Original Documents"
Illusione Maduro
Davidoff Nicaragua
El Gueguense
Davidoff Winston Churchill Late Hour

FOLLOW

Warzone Toro 6" * 52

(12)
89
Warzone Toro 6 * 52
Appearance
Draw
Burn
Aroma
Taste
When I heard General Cigars and Espinosa were teaming up to create a cigar, utilizing their own unique styles, to say I was excited would be an understatement. I couldn't wait to get my hands on one. The cigar is constructed nicely, and I appreciate the thought process that went into designing the band, and the Warzone has a beautiful one. The cigar has a Cameroon wrapper, with a Honduran binder and a filler from Colombia and Nicaragua. The Warzone is a medium to full-bodied cigar with notes of white pepper, cedar and cocoa. On the cold draw you will pick up on the cocoa and cedar. As the cigar is toasted, you can smell the cedar. The first third lends itself to the cedar. As it transitions into the second third, the cocoa and white pepper become more prevalent especially on the retro hale. On the final third, the white pepper stands out a bit more but not to overwhelm your senses. The Warzone pairs well with a dark rum. It’s a good cigar to end your day. Picked on 01/03/2020
Older Picks