DAVIDOFF 702 SERIES SPECIAL R
Dominican Republic
Size 4 7/8 X 50
Wrapper Ecuadorian 702
Binder Dominican Republic
Filler Dominican Republic
Why So Special? One-of-a-kind hybrid wrapper
Davidoff is known for sophistication and balance. They employ expert craftspeople who uphold the consistency of the brand’s quality at every turn. But even this well-oiled machine isn’t resting on its laurels. In 2009, the company released a special edition wearing a brand-new wrapper simply titled 702. This zesty outer leaf didn’t grace humidor shelves again until 2017 when Davidoff released the 702 line globally as a member of its regular production blends. Aficionados understand the importance of wrapper leaves and the sheer amount of flavors they contribute to a cigar’s flavor profile—and the 702 is a welcome addition. The unique wrapper is a proprietary hybrid of three Cuban seeds and was tirelessly tested until just right. In this rendition of the blend, the 702 sits atop the smooth binder and filler leaves of the fan-favorite Aniversario Special R. The combination of spicy, sweet, and savory makes the 702 a three-course meal all on its own.
ARTURO FUENTE HEMINGWAY SIGNATURE
Dominican Republic
Size 6 X 46
Wrapper Cameroon
Binder Dominican Republic
Filler Dominican Republic
Why So Special? The brand-new Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia factory
Arturo Fuente is one of the world’s largest and most respected cigar brands; we are constantly recommending their blends for their consistent, dazzling flavor profiles and international appeal. Despite decades of excellence, the Fuente family still recognizes the need to stay modern and the newly redesigned Fuente factory reflects that perfectly. It’s a museum-quality workspace where tobaccos are aged and rolled into some of the best cigars on the planet. The company’s leader, Carlos Fuente Jr. (Carlito), worked tirelessly on building a new space that kept their traditions strong. The fabled Opus X aging room? Untouched. The room where 2017’s cigar of the year, the Don Carlos Eye of the Shark, is rolled? Untouched. The magic of Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia was not to be tampered with, just taken to the next level. The Hemingway line is one of those classic Fuente blends that has remained a staple in humidors for decades; it’s both a testament to the company’s past and the foundation for its bright future.
RAMON ALLONES by AJ Fernandez Toro
Nicaragua
Size 6 X 52
Wrapper Nicaraguan Medio Tiempo
Binder Nicaragua
Filler Nicaragua
Why So Special? The reimagining of a classic brand
AJ Fernandez is currently the choice blender of the big brands. They’ve turned to his expertise time and again to breathe new life into old-school lines, and he has yet to disappoint. This time around, Fernandez was entrusted by General Cigar Company with one of its heritage brands, Ramon Allones. In the Cuban cigar portfolio, Ramon Allones is a niche but well-respected brand known for its full-bodied flavors, but in the United States the non-Cuban rendition was largely seen only in mail-order magazines. That is, until last year’s spring launch party in New York of Fernandez’s take on the brand—and this blend is a triumph. It’s strong like any good Ramon Allones should be, but it’s loaded with pleasant flavors of cocoa, nuts, and sweetness. Fernandez chose the rare medio tiempo leaf as the blend’s wrapper (remember last issue’s Cohiba Behike? And that was just filler leaf!). Once again, Fernandez has made what was old new again and invites cigar lovers to rediscover what made certain brands classics in the first place.
MONTECRISTO ESPADA GUARD
Nicaragua
Size 6 X 50
Wrapper Nicaragua
Binder Nicaragua
Filler Nicaragua
Why So Special? Ometepe tobacco
One of Nicaragua’s many environmental wonders is the grand lake bearing its name: Lake Nicaragua. The largest lake in Central America, it features many ecological wonders … including sharks. Sharks. In a lake. While I may avoid it for swimming, I would definitely charter Quint’s Orca and set course for Ometepe Island. This island’s rich volcanic soil is producing some of the most unique tobacco in the world. Due to the land’s phenomenal drainage, the sweet, earthy tobacco it grows can be produced all year round. Montecristo called upon the Plasencia family, one of Nicaragua’s foremost tobacco growers and early experimenters on Ometepe, to create this fine cigar for the company’s first major foray into Nicaraguan leaves. The result is a hearty, woodsy dream with that wonderful Ometepe sweetness to keep you longing for the next puff.
