Christopher's Picks

Christopher
CHRISTOPHER
FOLLOW
TASTE:Vanilla, Creamy, Coffee, Cedar, Spice
HOBBIES:Gaming, Running, Playing Guitar, Writing.
STRENGTH:Medium-Full
FAVORITE BRANDS

Arturo Fuente

Tabak Especial Negra

Deadwood Baby Jane

Foundation Olmec Claro

Tatuaje Nuevitas Esteli 5" * 52

Tatuaje Nuevitas Esteli 5 * 52
Appearance
Draw
Burn
Aroma
Taste
The Tatuaje Nuevitas Estelí is a cigar that builds momentum, rewarding patient smokers with a steady evolution of flavor rather than overwhelming strength. It opens with a creamy combination of coffee, cedar, and sweet baking spices, while a touch of white pepper on the retrohale adds just enough brightness to keep the profile lively. Medium-bodied from the start, it strikes an excellent balance. As the cigar enters the second third, the profile becomes more layered. Charred oak and earth settle in as the foundation while leather, mineral notes, and a growing pepper presence add depth. A subtle sweetness keeps everything in harmony, with hints of dark fruit that give the blend an unexpected complexity. The final third is where the Nuevitas Estelí really shines. Toasted nuts, semi-sweet chocolate, and deeper wood notes emerge alongside a more assertive black pepper, creating a richer, fuller smoke than the cigar initially suggests. Construction is exactly what you'd expect from a Tatuaje: an effortless draw, razor-sharp burn, and excellent smoke production from beginning to end. If you enjoy classic Nicaraguan profiles built around cedar, earth, spice, and evolving sweetness, the Nuevitas Estelí is an easy recommendation. It's the kind of cigar that gets better with every third, and at a price point that’s hard to turn down, it’s no wonder this is a staff favorite at our Little Havana store. Picked on 07/27/2026

Hiram & Solomon Chabal Toro 6" * 52

Hiram & Solomon Chabal Toro 6 * 52
Appearance
Draw
Burn
Aroma
Taste
The Hiram & Solomon Chabal Toro delivers a mellow-to-medium-bodied experience built around roasted-nut and earthy flavors. Right from the start, notes of roasted cashews, cedar, and a touch of sweetness lead the profile, and some understated mineral qualities and a unique doughy character on the retrohale. As the cigar settles in, roasted cashews remain at the center of the experience, joined by sweet hints of buttery toast, caramel, and occasional citrus. The strength is firmly in the medium-bodied range, though it gradually builds through the middle portion. The final third brings added depth with leather, salted caramel, and lingering roasted nut flavors. Some of the earlier mineral and yeasty notes fade, making room for a touch of black pepper on the retrohale. Construction is solid overall, with an easy draw, even burn, and no relights required during the smoking experience. For smokers who enjoy nutty, toasted flavors with subtle sweetness and a mild-to-medium profile, the Chabal offers an enjoyable and approachable smoking experience from a truly boutique brand. Picked on 06/18/2026

Tatuaje Cabaiguan Guapos Natural Toro Grande 5"5/8 * 54

Tatuaje Cabaiguan Guapos Natural Toro Grande 55/8 * 54
Appearance
Draw
Burn
Aroma
Taste
The Cabaiguan Guapos Natural is an incredibly underrated cigar from Tatuaje. This is one that definitely flies under a lot of people’s radar, but it's a creamy, satisfyingly smooth smoke from a brand not typically known for that. Featuring an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper over Nicaraguan tobaccos, a combination sure to give an approachable and satisfying smoking experience for novice or seasoned smoker. From the first third, the cigar offered a mellow profile with notes of wood, cream, and cashew, all presented in a remarkably layered manner. An earthy character remained at the forefront throughout the smoke, while the retrohale introduced a touch of pepper in the second third, adding some complexity without overpowering the overall profile. The final third brought a slight increase in strength and spice, nudging the cigar toward medium-bodied territory while maintaining its balanced nature. Overall, this is an easygoing and flavorful smoke that stands apart from some of Tatuaje's bolder offerings, making it an excellent choice for newer smokers or anyone who enjoys a smooth, earthy cigar. Picked on 05/30/2026

HVC Edicion Especial 2015 Box Press Toro 6" * 54

HVC Edicion Especial 2015 Box Press Toro 6 * 54
Appearance
Draw
Burn
Aroma
Taste
The HVC Edición Especial 2015 Box Press Toro makes a strong impression right off the bat with a dry draw of dark chocolate, faint cinnamon sweetness, and earthy notes. Once lit, it delivers a bold profile dominated by earth and wood, with an intense, salty-tinged retrohale that asserts itself immediately. Moving into the second third, leather joins the profile while hints of cinnamon linger in the background, though the cigar remains firmly rooted in its earthy, woody character. By the final third, it intensifies further, with a peppery retrohale and fading sweetness, closing out strong and unapologetic. This is a smoke for those who appreciate a bold, grounded cigar with some great flavor changes. Transitioning from a medium to a full-bodied profile throughout the experience, I believe a stiff stick like this to be best paired with something sweet like bourbon or a Coke. Picked on 04/17/2026

Herrera Esteli Miami Toro Especial 6" * 52

93
Herrera Esteli Miami Toro Especial 6 * 52
Appearance
Draw
Burn
Aroma
Taste
Handcrafted at El Titan de Bronze in the heart of Little Havana, the Herrera Estelí Miami stands as a tribute to the city’s deep cigar roots. The dry pull offered inviting chocolate notes, promising great flavor before even lighting it up. Once lit, it opened with cocoa, earth, and a solid kick of pepper. The retro-hale was very spicy early on, bringing bold intensity through the first third. In the second third, the profile settled down. Leather and a light almond-like sweetness emerged, balancing the earthiness. The spice pulled back slightly but remained noticeable on the retro-hale. Construction was very solid; the cigar only had to be corrected a few times, likely because I was smoking it too quickly. The final third carried the mineral core forward with a faint touch of sweetness that keeps the profile complex and nuanced. At about an hour and a half of smoke time, it delivered a steady, medium-to-medium-plus experience; a solid, flavorful smoke with a spicy edge that keeps things interesting. I would pair this cigar with a cafe con leche or something similarly sweet to cut through the earthiness. Picked on 03/02/2026
Christopher

You like what I smoke? Follow me to get notified of my upcoming picks.

FOLLOW