Stogie Commentary: The Best New Cigars of 2010 (Part II)
18 Nov 2010
Yesterday, my colleague highlighted four excellent cigars that debuted at this year’s International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) Trade Show. Today I reveal the second half of our series on the best new cigars of 2010.
Narrowing our list proved difficult, so we’ve focused on new lines (excellent extensions, like the Tatuaje 7th don’t qualify). Below are four more of our favorites from the 2010 IPCPR, listed in no particular order.
Avo Heritage: Avo departed from its previous lines with the four-size Heritage. The brand may be known more for its mild and medium-bodied smokes, but Heritage is a full-bodied tour de force, with plenty of leather, cinnamon, pepper, cocoa, and cream. With excellent construction, it’s a welcome new addition to the Avo family.
E.P. Carrillo Core Line: Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, creator of La Gloria Cubana, burst back on the scene in 2009 with the Edición Inaugural, followed in 2010 by the Short Run. The highly anticipated, six-size “Core Line” was released at the trade show, utilizing an Ecuadorian wrapper around a Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. Its well-balanced, medium-bodied profile of cedar, cream, and earth earned positive reviews.
Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor: Made by Don Pepin Garcia at his My Father Cigars factory in Nicaragua, this new member of the Aroma de Cuba family features a dark, oily San Andreas wrapper around Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. With a sharp box press, the $5-8 cigars look like a bar of dark chocolate. And they sort of taste that way, too, with bittersweet chocolate, cream, and nutty notes.
Room 101 Conjura Ltd: Matt Booth, the man behind Room 101, may be known for his flashy style, but his new Conjura blend has plenty of substance. The box-pressed line features a rustic rosado wrapper, a Honduran binder, and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and the Dominican. It’s a savory smoke, with classic Honduran spice, leather, and a hint of graham sweetness. With excellent construction, fans of complex spice will want to seek out Conjura before the 50,000-cigar run sells out.
So there you have it: our favorite cigars from this year’s IPCPR. Keep in mind that while the StogieGuys.com team has sampled many of this year’s new releases, we haven’t yet had the time to thoroughly examine everything that debuted in 2010. But from what we’ve sampled so far these eight are the top standouts. If you think we’ve missed a new cigar, please let us know in the comments.
photo credit: Stogie Guys
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
The LaAroma De Cuba Mi Amor is my top smoke of the year…exceptionally delicious, impeccably constructed and a great addition to an already fantastic line!
love your reviews
I have smoked most on your list and agree they are good. I also recommend the Casa Fernandez Aganorsa Leaf — it's very good.
No Tatuaje or Liga Privada on the list???
Interesting! I loved the heritage, but the mi amor was terrible for me! First one just fell apart, and after shop replaced it I just thought no way was it anywhere near a $9 smoke! There is a new one out by AJ Fernandez that is the best $6 cigar I have ever tried, bar none! San Lotano habano rocks hard!
I really have liked the AVO Heritage. I have also heard conflicting reports on the Mi Amor, but have not yet had the chance to try one. All of the EP Carillo releases have been very nice.
La Aurora 107 (not sure when it was technically released) is also a great smoke.
mighty- I didn't consider the La Aurora 107 since it came out well before the show.
cj- Yes the San Lotano is an excellent smoke (the Habano especially). My colleague included it in his half of the list or I would have put it on mine.
Ryan- Tatuaje didn't have any new blends at the show, but as I noted I did enjoy some of their new sizes. Same with Liga Privada. Technically the Dirty Rat was new, but in reality samples had been out for over 6 months so it wasn't really in the running.