Cigar Insider provides the Diamond Crown brand with a 93 rating, a number that most other brands only dream of receiving. It is no surprise that J.C. Newman and Co. and the Fuente family are behind the Diamond Crown brand, as everything they touch seems to turn to gold. Or, in this case, a mild Dominican cigar that features the most excellent rich flavors. The Connecticut wrappers used for Diamond Crowns are double fermented, contributing bold flavor. This serves as the perfect complement to the mild blend of fillers from the Dominican Republic. Whether smokers select Figurado #6, Pyramid #7, or one of the Robustos, satisfaction will be the result. At a price take starting at $145 for a box of 15, we would hope so. If you buy cigars online, you … Read entire article »

El Creditos are handmade cigars, created in the Dominican Republic and the U.S. and packed into bundles. The Nicaraguan and Dominican filler leaves and Connecticut Ecuadorian seed wrappers are the same as those used by La Gloria Cubana, its sister label. These everyday smokes consistently receive excellent reviews from consumers, causing them to be one of the best-selling brands for many retailers. Whether you visit a cigar store or buy cigars online, you cannot miss the bright yellow bundles of El Creditos. The cigars feature a medium strength and come in multiple sizes, ranging from the 4.5-inch, 40 ring Small Corona to the very impressive nine-inch, 49 ring Gigante. Some sizes feature both natural and Maduro wrappers, providing smokers with additional variety. A single El Credito costs about $2.50 to $3.30, depending … Read entire article »

If you know Spanish, you know that El Rey Del Mundo translates as “The king of the world.” This is a bold claim but you really will feel like a king when smoking these high-quality cigars. Hailing from Honduras, they are medium to full-bodied and feature excellent construction, a nice level of complexity, and an excellent burn. Two brands use the name El Rey Del Mundo, one owned by the Villazon family of Honduras and the other produced on Cuba for the Cuban state-owned tobacco company Habanos SA. Since Cuban cigars are off-limits to Americans, we are focusing on the Honduran variety. However, we can say that the original brand was once considered the most prestigious and expensive on the planet. Honduras yields one of the best-selling and finest cigars in terms … Read entire article »

For 23 years, Evelio Oviedo was employed by the H. Upmann cigar company in Cuba. This served him well throughout his industry career, which included opening and running cigar factories in the Canary Islands and Brazil. A subsequent planned retirement in Miami was interrupted by Nestor Plascencia, who was experiencing production issues at one of his facilities in Honduras. The move proved very beneficial because it led Evelio to create the cigar that bore his name. Nestor had a desire to create a cigar that reflected Cuban workmanship and quality. Evelio agreed to help Nestor set up the facility that would produce the cigars. The resulting full-bodied brand is creamy and smooth. Smokers notice hints of leather and oak, followed by spice that is pleasant and far from overwhelming. Honduran and Nicaraguan … Read entire article »

Ernesto Perez Carrillo initially released his cigars in several limited runs. Eventually, he decided to create a regular production cigar, although limited editions carrying this brand name are still made. Whichever line you select, the experience should be pleasant because this industry veteran always has quality in mind. The baseline E.P. Carrillo features a blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers contained in an Ecuadorian wrapper with a Nicaraguan binder. An earthy core with hay and grass notes and a finish that is a bit creamy characterize these. Six sizes are offered, ranging from the 4.875-inch, 50 ring Encantos to the 7.125, 49 ring Churchill Especial. The E.P. Carrillo Edicion Inaugural 2009 commemorated Ernesto Carrillo’s 30 years in the industry. Like the baseline cigar it is medium-bodied and features Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers … Read entire article »

The Dutch Masters brand celebrates its 100-year anniversary in 2011. These machine-made cigars are consistent best-sellers due to their appealing aroma and combination of smooth and mellow flavors. They feature both homogenized and naturally-grown wrappers and come many varieties, often sold in boxes of 50 or 55 for under $50. Originally produced by G.H. Johnson Cigar Company, this brand became a flagship for the Consolidated Cigar Company that merged G.H. Johnson and six other companies in 1921. Since 1999, Altadis U.S.A., Inc. has manufactured and sold Dutch Masters. Included in the brand are full size cigars and small cigarellos affectionately called “mini-dutches.” In the 1950s, Dutch Masters became a household name due to sponsoring television projects for comedian Ernie Kovacs. Ironically, Kovacs never smoked the brand, preferring Havana cigars. In the early … Read entire article »

Those who prefer a flavorful Honduran cigar usually love the Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur brand. Excaliburs are medium to full-bodied and have a spicy and dry aroma. Fillers are made from Nicaraguan, Honduran, and Dominican tobacco and Connecticut binders and wrappers are used. Other lines in this brand are the 1066 and Legend. Hoyo de Monterrey has its roots in 19th century Cuba and is one of the most recognized names in the industry. When production relocated to Honduras in 1969, quality and flavor did not suffer. Excaliburs are currently rolled in the Villizon Factory under the watchful eye of master cigar maker Estello Padron. They are considered a fuller body blend from Hoyo de Monterrey. Only the top ten percent of Honduran and Nicaraguan tobacco crops are used in the Excalibur … Read entire article »

Finnegan’s Reserve is an Irish-themed cigar brand that makes smokers feel like they have found a pot of gold. These mild to medium smokes contain a Dominican filler and binder and an Ecuadorian wrapper. Finnegan was known for his wide range of useless knowledge but apparently that did not pertain to cigars. We can buy cigars online that carry his namesake and deliver an excellent smoking experience. This brand comes in one size only, the Churchill, which is seven inches long and has a 50 ring gauge. A box of 20 with Maduro wrappers costs less than $40, making these cigars inexpensive enough to share will all our friends and family. Finnegan’s Reserves are especially popular around St. Patrick’s Day so shoppers should place their orders early because these are bound … Read entire article »

Some cigars are not offered through many outlets and Doc Holliday is one of them. This new cigar is made exclusively for Holt’s Cigar Company by a top Dominican Republic boutique cigar maker. Each cigar is hand rolled and features a blend of aged Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos. A Dominican binder is used and the wrapper is a beautiful, oily, chocolate-brown Ecuadorian variety. Doc Hollidays have a medium to full body and feature a robust, spicy flavor. They are rich and earthy with a finish that is nutty and smooth. The five-inch Card Shark features a 50 ring and a chest of 20 sells for just under $50. Gun Slinger is a six-inch, 50 ring version featuring a price of about $55 for 20. Tombstones are 5.5 inches long, have a … Read entire article »

The Don Diego brand has been around for decades. These Dominican cigars feature a mild to medium strength, Dominican and Brazilian filler, a Dominican binder, and a silky Connecticut wrapper. They are always smooth, mellow, well-made, and offered at a decent price. Those who enjoy a daily smoke will appreciate the consistency and mild flavor. Ladies and new smokers in particular seem to appreciate Don Diegos. The brand is a nice introduction to the world of cigars. You can pick up a single cigar for just over $2 and a pack of five costs about $10. These also come in tins of ten and boxes of 27, depending on size. In general, you will not spend more than about $115 on a 27-count box when you buy cigars online. There are plenty … Read entire article »