Cigars
Cigar Information
You'll find information regarding Stu's personal recommendations for cigars and collecting cigars as well as information from around the web with top picks and ratings of various cigars.
Stu’s Favorite Cigars (for the moment)
I usually don’t place much stock in “Top 10 lists”, ratings, and the like since there is often a suspiciously strong statistical correlation between the rating a magazine / website gives a cigar and the amount of advertising the cigar brand places with the publication. Not saying that favorable ratings are purchased but…. Another reason recommendations should be suspect is that just like wines, one man’s nectar is another man’s swill. So even assuming the ratings are “objective”, what the editors think is great, may make you grimace – or ill. So, with that cautionary preamble, I am happy to share my current favorite cigars. I say “current favorites” because like most cigar enthusiasts, my palate is constantly evolving. But for now my favorites (in no particular order) include:
Caldwell - The T
This cigar is a collaborative blend from Robert Caldwell, Matt Booth, and AJ Fernandez (hence the three keys on the label). It is an awesome full-bodied cigar – but yet manages to have a sweet note as well. A Nicaraguan maduro wrapper holds perfectly aged Nicaraguan long-fillers. This Nicaraguan puro elicits boldness and spice with notes of dark chocolate and leather for a surprisingly smooth finish. All the innovation you'd expect from these three industry titans is on full display here — AJ finds the best Nicaraguan tobacco, Caldwell balances it all out, and Matt Booth lends his expertise on construction. It is the perfect late night porch cigar.
My Father - El Centurian
My father is an under-appreciated brand and, in my opinion, the Centurian is one of its best offerings. Blended by Jose ‘Pepin’ Garcia, it comes in two forms:
The Connecticut version has an H-2K-CT wrapper which is a sun grown Cuban-seed varietal. The unique wrapper covers an elegant pairing of Nicaraguan binder and
filler tobaccos grown by the Garcia family. A medium-bodied profile with notes of cedar, honey, nuts and creamy spices provides a luscious finish.
El Centurion H-2K-CT is handmade at the My Father Cigars factory in Estelí, Nicaragua.
The Maduro version consists of all Nicaraguan Tobacco with the filler composed of Criollo, Corojo Habano, and Sancti Spiritus; together they give this classic a
medium+ strength. The wrapper is a Sun Grown Criollo 98. This is the perfect after dinner cigar.
West Tampa Tobacco Co. - Red
Many of you have had the pleasure of experiencing the West Tampa Red blended formulated by Rick Rodreguez – A 3rd generation cigar pro who was the wizard behind CAO before launching West Tampa Tobacco Co. Prior to CAO he learned his craft by working with Ernesto Carrillo and Benji Menendez – two cigar LEGENDS. The West Tampa Red is a Nicaraguan stick that has a Mexican San Andreas wrapper, a Nicaraguan Condega Binder, and fillers of Condega Viso, Esteli Viso, and Esteli Ligero
J.C. Newman - The American
The J.C Newman American is distinctive in that it is made entirely of US grown tobacco. The:
- Wrapper: Florida Sun Grown, grown by Jeff Borysiewicz in Clermont, Florida
- Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf, grown by John Foster in South Windsor, Connecticut
- Filler: Pennsylvania Type 41, grown by Mennonite family farmers in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and Connecticut Havana, grown John Foster in South Windsor, Connecticut
