DAVIDOFF YEAR OF THE RAT
Nicaragua is a main destination for high-end cigar tobacco. The Davidoff Year of the Rat is blended from leaves cultivated from the Estelí, Condega, Piloto, and San Vicente regions of the country. The volcanic soil provides a unique concentration of minerals perfectly suited for tobacco and contributes to the refined power and complex, rich flavor of this cigar, one of Davidoff’s annual editions produced to represent the current year’s Chinese zodiac symbol.
$40; us.davidoffgeneva.com
COHIBA SPECTRE
The Jalapa region of Nicaragua features a red-colored clay soil similar to that of Cuba’s storied Vuelta Abajo region. The Jalapa tobacco used in the Cohiba Spectre is heavily fermented to bring out the richest elements of taste. Each leaf in this cigar has been aged from four to 16 years, and a portion is cured in sherry barrels, yielding notes of molasses and cedar. Only 180 boxes were produced worldwide and Lone Wolf is proud to be one of the exclusive dealers that can offer a box for sale.
$91; cohiba.com
LIGA PRIVADA NO. 9
Fly over the Connecticut River Valley and you’ll notice huge swaths of gauze below. This is the home of Connecticut Shade, a mild, high-end tobacco. Yet there’s another leaf produced here, which was previously seen as the shade’s ugly cousin. The Connecticut Broadleaf was considered undesirable because it was so difficult to work with and didn’t share its counterpart’s silky look and feel. But the one thing Broadleaf has going for it is intense flavor. Drew Estate took advantage of the chocolatey, nutty character to produce one of the most sought-after cigars in the industry. The famed No. 9 is a stunning cigar, packed with rich, complex flavors.
$21; drewestate.com
PARTAGÁS 150 RAMÓN Y RAMÓN
The wrapper for this rare smoke was grown in the African nation of Cameroon and is almost 45 years old. The territory’s soil elements produce a smooth, sweet flavor. The Ramón y Ramón draws on the aforementioned Connecticut Broadleaf tobacco as well, this time used in the binder along with Piloto Nicaraguan filler, each over 20 years old. The result is a rich blend that yields an extraordinary and rare smoking experience. The Ramón y Ramón is one of the rarest cigars, and the most expensive, we have on offer at Lone Wolf.
$150; partagas.com
ATABEY
Mystery leads to intrigue. The makers of Atabey have taken this concept to heart, only informing consumers that the filler and binder leaves of this rich, beautiful cigar come from an “undisclosed location.” The only secret they will yield is that the Habano wrapper is cultivated in Ecuador. The refined flavors of the Atabey line include notes of brown sugar, maple, and lemon. Smoking one of these cigars is truly mouthwatering experience. The flavor is juicy, sweet, and slightly tart.
$31; atabeycigars.com
