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Tuesday Dec 28, 2021
Tuesday Dec 28, 2021
Coming in at #13 is the Sobremesa Brûlée Blue by Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust. Throughout his career, Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust owner Steve Saka has loved to take an existing blend and do some tweaks on it. In the case of the Sobremesa Brûlée Blue, it is a modification of the Sobremesa Brûlée, Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust's Connecticut Shade offering.
In addition to a top-grade Connecticut Shade wrapper, Sobremesa Brûlée Blue consists of a San Andres Mexican binder, and all-Nicaraguan fillers. The Blue comes in one size - a Corona Larga that measures 6 1/4 x 46. Production for the Sobremesa Brûlée Blue comes out of the Joya de Nicaragua factory. The Blue even has its own packaging - it uses the Sobremesa logo, but incorporates powder blue into the color scheme.
Saka blended the original Sobremesa Brûlée to be a milder old school Connecticut Shade cigar. The Sobremesa Brûlée Blue is on the bolder side, delivering a medium strength, medium-bodied experience. As for the flavors, the Brûlée Blue produced notes of sweetened cream, coffee, bread, pepper, butterscotch, and wood.
Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust has appeared on every Countdown since the company's inception in 2015. If you are keeping score at home that means it has appeared seven consecutive years on the Countdown - tied for second all time for consecutive years. This also gives the Joya de Nicaragua factory its third cigar on the Countdown, tying Drew Estate. Nicaragua's dominance continues. Of the eighteen cigars we have unveiled moving up the Countdown, this is the thirteenth one from Nicaragua.
For details of the 2021 Cigar of the Year Countdown, see our 2021 criteria:
Monday Dec 27, 2021
Monday Dec 27, 2021
Coming in at #14 is the Liga Privada Unico Serie Bauhaus by Drew Estate. Late in 2020, Drew Estate would introduce the fourteenth installment of its Liga Privada Unico Serie line known as Bauhaus. The Liga Privada Unico Serie is a series of cigars that feature a unique blend in a single size. What was different about the Bauhaus is that it would be a regional release that would be exclusive to the European market. It's the highest placing non-U.S. release to ever land on a Countdown.
On paper, when you look at things tobacco-wise, the profile of the Liga Privada Unico Serie Bauhaus looks similar to the Liga Privada No. 9. This consists of a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, a Brazilian binder, and a combination of Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos. Production of the Bauhaus comes from Drew Estate’s La Gran Fabrica in Estelí, Nicaragua. The Short Robusto measures 114mm x 50 - which translates to 4 1/2 inches x 50.
The flavors produced by the Liga Privada Unico Serie Bauhaus include chocolate, earth, baker's spice, mixed pepper, and what I consider the cigar's signature note - anise. These flavors open up medium-bodied in the first half before progressing to medium to full in the second half. This is countered by medium strength.
The Bauhaus gives Drew Estate two consecutive cigars in a row on the 2021 Countdown. If you have been following the Countdown thus far, Drew Estate joins Joya de Nicaragua as companies that have two entries on the Countdown. It has given La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate the third cigar on the Countdown this year. If you have been keeping score at home, this is the eighth year Drew Estate has landed on the Countdown, including the past four years in a row. Meanwhile, Nicaragua continues to dominate the 2021 Countdown. Of the sixteen cigars we have unveiled moving up the Countdown, this is the twelvth one from Nicaragua.
For details of the 2021 Cigar of the Year Countdown, see our 2021 criteria:
Monday Dec 27, 2021
Monday Dec 27, 2021
Coming in at #14 is the Liga Privada Unico Serie Bauhaus by Drew Estate. Late in 2020, Drew Estate would introduce the fourteenth installment of its Liga Privada Unico Serie line known as Bauhaus. The Liga Privada Unico Serie is a series of cigars that feature a unique blend in a single size. What was different about the Bauhaus is that it would be a regional release that would be exclusive to the European market. It's the highest placing non-U.S. release to ever land on a Countdown.
On paper, when you look at things tobacco-wise, the profile of the Liga Privada Unico Serie Bauhaus looks similar to the Liga Privada No. 9. This consists of a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, a Brazilian binder, and a combination of Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos. Production of the Bauhaus comes from Drew Estate’s La Gran Fabrica in Estelí, Nicaragua. The Short Robusto measures 114mm x 50 - which translates to 4 1/2 inches x 50.
The flavors produced by the Liga Privada Unico Serie Bauhaus include chocolate, earth, baker's spice, mixed pepper, and what I consider the cigar's signature note - anise. These flavors open up medium-bodied in the first half before progressing to medium to full in the second half. This is countered by medium strength.
The Bauhaus gives Drew Estate two consecutive cigars in a row on the 2021 Countdown. If you have been following the Countdown thus far, Drew Estate joins Joya de Nicaragua as companies that have two entries on the Countdown. It has given La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate the third cigar on the Countdown this year. If you have been keeping score at home, this is the eighth year Drew Estate has landed on the Countdown, including the past four years in a row. Meanwhile, Nicaragua continues to dominate the 2021 Countdown. Of the sixteen cigars we have unveiled moving up the Countdown, this is the twelvth one from Nicaragua.
For details of the 2021 Cigar of the Year Countdown, see our 2021 criteria: https://cigar-coop.com/2021/12/announcement-criteria-for-the-2021-cigar-of-the-year-countdown.html
Cigar Coop Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-lHH
Sunday Dec 26, 2021
Sunday Dec 26, 2021
Coming in at #15 is the Undercrown 10 Toro by Drew Estate. The Undercrown 10 was a line created to commemorate the tenth of the Undercrown brand. This was a release that was Drew Estate's most high-profile release in 2021. Undercrown 10 had a soft launch as an unbanded “Mystery Cigar” included in a Freestyle Live Limited Edition Event Kit that was made available to consumers prior to the company's Freestyle Live Broadcast. On the broadcast, it was revealed that the Mystery Cigar was the new Undercrown 10. Undercrown 10 would then be introduced to the market in late May joining Undercrown Maduro, Undercrown Shade, and Undercrown Sun Grown as the fourth pillar of the Undercrown brand.
Like the original the Undercrown Maduro, Undercrown 10 also uses a San Andres wrapper. The difference is the San Andres wrapper for the Undercrown 10 is a higher grade and priming. The remainder of the blend incorporates “the very finest Broadleaf binder from the Connecticut River Valley, and a tripa blend of select and rare Nicaraguan tobaccos.” Production is handled at La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate in Estelí, Nicaragua. The Toro measures 6 x 52.
One would be remiss is the theme “ALL DEKK’D OUT” is present on the packaging of the cigar. Perhaps the most unique packaging feature is a simple thin gold ribbon that is draped over the cap of the cigar and rests under the front and back of the band.
The Undercrown 10 Toro delivers flavors of coffee, cocoa, baker’s spice, red licorice, pepper, and cream. This is a much different cigar than the original Undercrown in that the Undercrown 10 is richer and spicier - particularly in the final third. The strength and body of this cigar started out medium and progressed to medium to full in the second half.
This is the eighth year Drew Estate has landed on the Countdown, including the past four years in a row.. Nicaragua continues to be the story of the 2021 Countdown. Of the 16 cigars we have unveiled moving up the Countdown, this is the 11th one from Nicaragua.
For details of the 2021 Cigar of the Year Countdown, see our 2021 criteria: https://cigar-coop.com/2021/12/announcement-criteria-for-the-2021-cigar-of-the-year-countdown.html
Cigar Coop Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-lHF
Sunday Dec 26, 2021
Sunday Dec 26, 2021
Coming in at #15 is the Undercrown 10 Toro by Drew Estate. The Undercrown 10 was a line created to commemorate the tenth of the Undercrown brand. This was a release that was Drew Estate's most high-profile release in 2021. Undercrown 10 had a soft launch as an unbanded “Mystery Cigar” included in a Freestyle Live Limited Edition Event Kit that was made available to consumers prior to the company's Freestyle Live Broadcast. On the broadcast, it was revealed that the Mystery Cigar was the new Undercrown 10. Undercrown 10 would then be introduced to the market in late May joining Undercrown Maduro, Undercrown Shade, and Undercrown Sun Grown as the fourth pillar of the Undercrown brand.
Like the original the Undercrown Maduro, Undercrown 10 also uses a San Andres wrapper. The difference is the San Andres wrapper for the Undercrown 10 is a higher grade and priming. The remainder of the blend incorporates “the very finest Broadleaf binder from the Connecticut River Valley, and a tripa blend of select and rare Nicaraguan tobaccos.” Production is handled at La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate in Estelí, Nicaragua. The Toro measures 6 x 52.
One would be remiss is the theme “ALL DEKK’D OUT” is present on the packaging of the cigar. Perhaps the most unique packaging feature is a simple thin gold ribbon that is draped over the cap of the cigar and rests under the front and back of the band.
The Undercrown 10 Toro delivers flavors of coffee, cocoa, baker’s spice, red licorice, pepper, and cream. This is a much different cigar than the original Undercrown in that the Undercrown 10 is richer and spicier - particularly in the final third. The strength and body of this cigar started out medium and progressed to medium to full in the second half.
This is the eighth year Drew Estate has landed on the Countdown, including the past four years in a row.. Nicaragua continues to be the story of the 2021 Countdown. Of the 16 cigars we have unveiled moving up the Countdown, this is the 11th one from Nicaragua.
For details of the 2021 Cigar of the Year Countdown, see our 2021 criteria: https://cigar-coop.com/2021/12/announcement-criteria-for-the-2021-cigar-of-the-year-countdown.html
Cigar Coop Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-lHF
Friday Dec 24, 2021
Friday Dec 24, 2021
Coming in at #16 is the E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel. The Pledge is the third installment of E.P. Carrillo's Family Series line. It's most famous because it was the second cigar on this line to capture Cigar Aficionado's #1 Cigar of the Year. The name Pledge is meant to be a homage to all cigar smokes. it was actually chosen from input from consumers who visited the E.P. Carrillo booth at Cigar Aficionado’s 2019 Big Smoke Las Vegas event.
The E.P. Carrillo Pledge is highlighted by a Connecticut Havana wrapper. Company founder Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr is known for working with Ecuadorian Sumatra and Connecticut Broadleaf, and in recent years we’ve seen him use this wrapper many times. It's been used on releases for Crowned Heads (Four Kicks Maduro, Mule Kick LE 2018 and on E.P. Carrillo’s Original Rebel Rebellious and TAA Exclusive 2018 cigars. As for the remainder of the blend, it features an Ecuadorian binder and all-Nicaraguan fillers. The Prequel is a classic 5 x 50 box-pressed Robusto. The cigar is produced at Perez-Carrillo's Tabacalera La Alianza in the Dominican Republic.
Flavor-wise, the E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel delivers notes of coffee, licorice, black cherry, wood, and pepper. This is a cigar where the flavors are in the medium/medium to full range throughout the smoking experience. These flavors are countered by medium strength.
This is the eighth year since the Countdown was launched in 2010 that E.P. Carrillo has secured a spot on one. This cigar also gives the Dominican Republic its second cigar on the 2021 Countdown.
For details of the 2021 Cigar of the Year Countdown, see our 2021 criteria:
Friday Dec 24, 2021
Friday Dec 24, 2021
Coming in at #16 is the E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel. The Pledge is the third installment of E.P. Carrillo's Family Series line. It's most famous because it was the second cigar on this line to capture Cigar Aficionado's #1 Cigar of the Year. The name Pledge is meant to be a homage to all cigar smokes. it was actually chosen from input from consumers who visited the E.P. Carrillo booth at Cigar Aficionado’s 2019 Big Smoke Las Vegas event.
The E.P. Carrillo Pledge is highlighted by a Connecticut Havana wrapper. Company founder Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr is known for working with Ecuadorian Sumatra and Connecticut Broadleaf, and in recent years we’ve seen him use this wrapper many times. It's been used on releases for Crowned Heads (Four Kicks Maduro, Mule Kick LE 2018 and on E.P. Carrillo’s Original Rebel Rebellious and TAA Exclusive 2018 cigars. As for the remainder of the blend, it features an Ecuadorian binder and all-Nicaraguan fillers. The Prequel is a classic 5 x 50 box-pressed Robusto. The cigar is produced at Perez-Carrillo's Tabacalera La Alianza in the Dominican Republic.
Flavor-wise, the E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel delivers notes of coffee, licorice, black cherry, wood, and pepper. This is a cigar where the flavors are in the medium/medium to full range throughout the smoking experience. These flavors are countered by medium strength.
This is the eighth year since the Countdown was launched in 2010 that E.P. Carrillo has secured a spot on one. This cigar also gives the Dominican Republic its second cigar on the 2021 Countdown.
For details of the 2021 Cigar of the Year Countdown, see our 2021 criteria:
Thursday Dec 23, 2021
Thursday Dec 23, 2021
Coming in at #17 is the Plasencia Alma del Fuego Concepcíon. First released in 2019, Alma del Fuego was the third installment of Plasencia's "Alma" series. In the case of Alma del Fuego, this translates to "Soul of Fire." The vitola name "Concepción" refers to a volcano on the island of Ometepe in Lake Nicaragua. The Alma del Fuego blend incorporates tobaccos from Ometepe into the filler.
In addition to the Ometepe tobaccos in the filler, the blend to the Plasencia Alma del Fuego Concepcíon consists of 100% Nicaraguan tobaccos. The cigar is finished with a dark sun-grown wrapper grown in the Jalapa region. The Concepción size is a 6 x 54 Toro. As for production, the Plasencias ae producing the Alma de Fuego at their factory in in Estelí, Nicaragua.
The Plasencia Alma del Fuego delivered notes of mocha, dried fruit, mineral, cream, and white pepper. For the most part ,the flavors delivered were in the medium to full range countered by medium strength.
This is the second consecutive year, Plasencia Cigars has landed on the Countdown. It's also the second consecutive year the Alma del Fuego lands on the Countdown. Last year, the Candente size came in at the #20 slot. Meanwhile, Nicaragua continues to be a dominant country of origin for cigars making the 2021 list. Of the fourteen cigars we have unveiled moving up the Countdown, this is the tenth one from Nicaragua.
For details of the 2021 Cigar of the Year Countdown, see our 2021 criteria: https://cigar-coop.com/2021/12/announcement-criteria-for-the-2021-cigar-of-the-year-countdown.html
Cigar Coop Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-lGF
Thursday Dec 23, 2021
Thursday Dec 23, 2021
Coming in at #17 is the Plasencia Alma del Fuego Concepcíon. First released in 2019, Alma del Fuego was the third installment of Plasencia's "Alma" series. In the case of Alma del Fuego, this translates to "Soul of Fire." The vitola name "Concepción" refers to a volcano on the island of Ometepe in Lake Nicaragua. The Alma del Fuego blend incorporates tobaccos from Ometepe into the filler.
In addition to the Ometepe tobaccos in the filler, the blend to the Plasencia Alma del Fuego Concepcíon consists of 100% Nicaraguan tobaccos. The cigar is finished with a dark sun-grown wrapper grown in the Jalapa region. The Concepción size is a 6 x 54 Toro. As for production, the Plasencias ae producing the Alma de Fuego at their factory in in Estelí, Nicaragua.
The Plasencia Alma del Fuego delivered notes of mocha, dried fruit, mineral, cream, and white pepper. For the most part ,the flavors delivered were in the medium to full range countered by medium strength.
This is the second consecutive year, Plasencia Cigars has landed on the Countdown. It's also the second consecutive year the Alma del Fuego lands on the Countdown. Last year, the Candente size came in at the #20 slot. Meanwhile, Nicaragua continues to be a dominant country of origin for cigars making the 2021 list. Of the fourteen cigars we have unveiled moving up the Countdown, this is the tenth one from Nicaragua.
For details of the 2021 Cigar of the Year Countdown, see our 2021 criteria: https://cigar-coop.com/2021/12/announcement-criteria-for-the-2021-cigar-of-the-year-countdown.html
Cigar Coop Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-lGF
Wednesday Dec 22, 2021
Wednesday Dec 22, 2021
Coming in at #18 is the Southern Draw Rose of Sharon Desert Rose Lonsdale. The Desert Rose was a cigar is an off-shoot of the company's popular Rose of Sharon line. Originally launched in a Belicoso Fino in 2019, that size landed on the 2020 Countdown at #13. 2020 also saw a couple of line extensions to the Desert Rose line, one of which is a 6 x 44 Lonsdale which lands on this year's Countdown.
Rose of Sharon is Southern Draw's premium Connecticut Shade line. Desert Rose utilizes a modified blend from the original Rose of Sharon and features a thicker, heartier Ecuadorian Claro wrapper the company calls “Cloud Grown.” The blend uses a Nicaraguan binder from the Condega region and a combination of Honduran Corojo and Dominican Piloto Cubano. As with all Southern Draw cigars, production comes from A.J. Fernandez's factory in Nicaragua.
The Southern Draw Rose of Sharon Desert Rose Lonsdale consists of notes of cream, berry, cedar, baker’s spice, and black pepper. This is a cigar that has plenty to offer in terms of flavor nuances and flavor transitions. The flavors delivered are medium-bodied. This cigar is not overpowering - delivering mild to medium strength in the first half before progressing to medium in the second third.
This is the fifth year Southern Draw Cigars has landed on the Countdown - all of those years have been consecutive since 2017. Nicaragua continues to be a dominant country of origin for cigars making the 2021 list. Of the 13 cigars we have unveiled moving up the Countdown, this is the ninth one from Nicaragua.
For details of the 2021 Cigar of the Year Countdown, see our 2021 criteria: https://cigar-coop.com/2021/12/announcement-criteria-for-the-2021-cigar-of-the-year-countdown.html
Cigar Coop Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-lET