2022 was a great year for new cigar releases—from big brand releases like Los Statos all the way up to releases from iconic premium brands like Davidoff and heavyweights in tobacco like Plasencia. But it’s a new year, and that mean’s there’s a lot of people wondering what the best new cigars are to smoke in 2023. Well, you’ve come to the right place – we’re a team of blind reviews and seasoned cigar smokers who are always on the lookout for the next great smoke. Below are our recommendations for the best cigars to smoke in 2023. We’ll be continually updating this list as new releases in 2023 come out and are reviewed.
The Best New Cigars to Smoke in 2023
Los Statos Deluxe
Ah, the Los Statos Deluxe. While it may look like a brand new player on the scene, it’s actually a relaunch of the Los Statos brand by Forged Cigar Co under the supervision of Matt Booth. The cigar utilizes a seriously rich Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper and presents sweet and spicy notes of coffee, dark chocolate, and leather.
- Release Year: 2022
- Strength: Medium-Full
- Box Price: from $150
- Buy the Los Statos Deluxe from Famous Smoke Shop here.
West Tampa Tobacco Co. Black
A true newcomer to the cigar scene, the West Tampa Cigar Co. Black came out of nowhere to become one of those most popular new releases of 2022. The West Tampa Black features a dark Ecuardorian Habano wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and fillers, and presents a highly focused flavor profile cocoa, toasted bread, and a healthy dose of black pepper. Absolutely a blend worth exploring.
- Release Year: 2022
- Strength: Full
- Box Price: from $180
- Buy the West Tampa Black from Famous Smoke Shop here.
Romeo y Julieta Reserve Real Nicaragua
The original Reserva Real from Romeo y Julieta has long been a classic. The team at Altadis worked tirelessly to create a Nicaraguan follow up that delivers a classic Romeo y Julieta experience while adding a bit more body than the Dominican original. An elegant smoke, ideally suited for new cigar smokers. Read our full review here.
- Release Year: 2020
- Strength: Medium
- Box Price: from $197
- Buy the Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua from Famous Smoke Shop here.
Joya de Nicaragua Antano Connecticut
Don’t let the Connecticut wrapper fool you: the Joya de Nicaragua Antano Connecticut is a flavor bomb, albeit slightly milder than many on the market. In our blind review, we were impressed with the creaminess, oak, leather and wood that gave this cigar so much flavor.
- Release Year: 2019
- Strength: Mild-Medium
- Box Price: from $150
- Buy the Joya de Nicaragua Antano Connecticut from Famous Smoke Shop here.
Herman’s Batch The Banker by H.Upmann
Released in 2020 and blended by AJ Fernandez, H. Upmann Herman’s Batch impressed us with its spicy, strong start that morphs into a delicious combo of toast, coffee, leather and honeyed notes.
- Release Year: 2020
- Strength: Medium-Full
- Box Price: from $160
- Buy the H. Upmann Herman’s Batch from Famous Smoke Shop here.
Fonseca by My Father
One of the true break-out blends of 2020, receiving a whopping 93 rating in our blind review. My Father Fonseca is expertly constructed and features notes of sweet spice, milk chocolate, tea and floral notes that develop nicely throughout the blend. A must smoke, especially for the veteran cigar smoker.
- Release Year: 2020
- Strength: Medium-Full
- Box Price: from $155
- Buy the My Father Fonseca from Famous Smoke Shop here.
Joya de Nicaragua Cinco Decadas
The Joya de Nicaragua Cinco Décadas presents a flavor profile that no JdN fan could miss: dark oak and charcoal, creamy cocoa, leather, and light spiciness. What Cinco Décadas achieves is to take the JdN flavor profile that we know and love and elevate it into the realm of art. We know that is high praise, but it is true, particularly given the cigar’s sheer complexity and balance. Highly recommended.
- Release Year: 2018
- Strength: Full
- Box Price: from $152
- Buy the Joya de Nicaragua Cinco Decadas from Famous Smoke Shop here.
Aging Room Pura Cepa
Once again, Rafael Nodal of Aging Room has hit the ball out of the park. The Aging Room Pura Cepa makes the list of best cigars to smoke in 2021 with notes of smoky wood that’s augmented by light chocolate, cream, floral, and leather notes. Impeccably constructed, this cigar achieved a score of 90 and we highly recommend it.
- Release Year: 2018
- Strength: Medium
- Box Price: from $234
- Buy the Aging Room Pura Cepa from Famous Smoke Shop here.
And there you have it, our initial recommendations for the top cigars to smoke in 2023. We’ll continue adding to this list as stellar blends from our 2023 blind reviews come in.
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