As usual,
the digital magazine Cigar Aficionado[1]
published its annual ranking for that year at the end of
December.
The first
place went to a cigar manufactured in the Dominican Republic, and the other two
to cigars from Nicaragua.
Rank 1:
The winning
cigar of the renowned Cigar of the Year award was a limited edition of the
famous Fuente Fuente OpusX Reserva d'Chateau, an excellent cigar released in
2017 to celebrate the brand's 22nd anniversary.
It is
crafted at the Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia factory in the Dominican Republic.
The tobacco leaves used for this cigar are grown on the Chateau de la Fuente
estate in Bonao, Dominican Republic. The particular soil of this region,
lighter and clayey, along with careful cultivation, is responsible for the
reddish Ecuador Connecticut Shade wrapper, with enviable elasticity and
exceptional flavor, that covers this delicious medium to full-bodied cigar with
a sophisticated flavor profile.
This
high-end cigar, measuring 7" by 48 ring gauge, is an excellent choice for
smokers seeking a complex and balanced cigar.
Rank 2:
With 96
points, the Padrón Serie 1926 No. 48 Maduro took second place in Cigar
Aficionado's 2023 annual awards. It was crafted by Padrón Cigars Inc. at its
factory in Nicaragua. It features a Nicaraguan wrapper, binder, and filler. It
has a strong body and a powerful, deep flavor with a hint of sweetness.
Although
the brand was launched in 2002 to celebrate founder José O. Padrón's 75th
birthday, the No. 48 size was released in 2016 to commemorate the 48th
anniversary of the Tobacconists' Association of America. This cigar, which for
some years was sold exclusively through select retailers, is now part of the
Serie 1926 line.
With
dimensions of 5 1/2" by 60 ring gauge and its rich smoke of cocoa, almond,
honey, and cinnamon, the Padrón Serie 1926 No. 48 Maduro proves that Padrón was
able to successfully expand the blend while retaining all the desirable
qualities that make this series so distinctive.
Rank 3:
The Oliva
Serie V Melanio Toro took third place in the 2023 Top 25.
Crafted by
Tabacalera Oliva S.A. (Tabolisa), based in Nicaragua, this excellent cigar
measuring 6" by 52 ring gauge is another example of Oliva's serious
commitment to quality and the high level achieved by Oliva's outstanding group
of masters.
With a
medium to full strength body, its Ecuadorian Sumatra seed wrapper and blend of
Nicaraguan tobacco produce smoke brimming with earth and spices, from cumin and
cardamom to ground cloves and Jamaican pepper. An underlying thread of cedar
brings balance and structure.
