#1 CIGAR OF 2022 LOS STATOS DELUXE
Let’s be real: the big companies in this industry release a lot of cigars—enough so that the average cigar enthusiast could be forgiven for getting a bit jaded. And so when Matt Booth and STG announced plans to ‘revamp’ Los Statos with new packaging and a new blend, many assumed the cigar would be just another uninspired blend among a field of 2022 releases.
When it comes to Los Statos Deluxe’s first new blend, the naysayers were wrong. With the only 93 rating among 2022 releases this year, Los Statos Deluxe is our 2022 Cigar of the Year.
On the market for under $8 at many retailers, this cigar is one of the best value releases in recent years. Produced at STG’s HATSA factory in Honduras, Los Statos Deluxe features an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder, and fillers of Nicaragua and the Domincan Republic. On lighting, the cigar releases full-bodied notes of wood and black coffee that is spicy and sweet before transitioning into lush notes of hot cocoa and tingling spice.
We’re happy to see a core line sit atop so many wonderful limited edition releases in 2022 via a blind review process. It goes to show that in a world of ever increasing cigar prices, there are still gems in the sub $10 range that can compete with higher priced alternatives.
Try this cigar for yourself today.
Strength: ■■■□□
Rating: 93
Read the full review here
Purchase Los Statos online here
Top Cigars of 2022: 2 - 10
Drew Estate Blackened Cigars M81
When we smoked Drew Estate’s Freestyle Live “Mystery Cigar” in September of 2022, we knew this was a special smoke. This collaboration cigar knocked our socks off with brazen flavors of sweet, dark cocoa, a unique chicory note, and plentiful spice.
Strength: ■■■■□
Rating: 92
Read the full review here
Plasencia Year of the Tiger
With Zodiac themed releases popularized and arguably perfected by Davidoff, Plasencia Cigars had a lot to prove with Year of the Tiger, and they succeeded. We loved the way the cigar enlivens the palate with notes of almond, spice, and rich cedar that develop into rich chocolate and cinnamon.
Strength: ■■■□□
Rating: 92
Read the full review here
Davidoff Limited Edition 2022 Year of the Tiger
The second Zodiac-themed limited edition cigar to reach our list, and one of Davidoff’s best yet. A full blast of dense earth and fresh tobacco, transitioning into leather, cherries, almond and espresso.
Strength: ■■■□□
Rating: 92
Read the full review here
J London Gold Series Piramides LCC Exclusive
Produced out of Tabacalera William Ventura, J London continues to impress with each new release. This incredible piramides offers impeccable construction and a solid medium bodied experience throughout with tasty notes of earth, maple, spice, and an underlying sweetness.
Strength: ■■■□□
Rating: 92
Read the full review here
AVO LE 2022 Black Label
AVO broke our hearts this year by releasing the final blends of their beloved Improvisation Series. The LE 2022 Black Label stole the show with rich, balanced notes of bitter dark chocolate, roasted nuts, and oak, with a satisfyingly spicy retrohale.
Strength: ■■■■□
Rating: 92
Read the full review here
Johnny Tobacconaught LCC Exclusive
If there was an award for sexiest branding, we’d probably give it to Matt Booth’s revival of Johnny Tobacconaught. Presented in a gorgeous 6×56 perfecto format, we loved the mix of dry hay and cedar that develops into sweet, buttery notes of peanuts, honey, and red pepper.
Strength: ■■■□□
Rating: 92
Ferio Tego Timeless TAA 2022
While Timeless TAA 2022 from Ferio Tego looked an awful lot like TAA 2020, it just hit different. Produced by Plasencia—those masters of tobacco—Timeless TAA 2022 offers a delicious combination of pine nuts, oak, dark roast coffee, and a healthy helping of black pepper along with a salty finish.
Strength: ■■■■□
Rating: 91
Read the full review here
Casa 1910 Cuchillo Parado
Casa 1910 raised a lot of eyebrows in the cigar community in 2022 and established a name for themselves with the Cuchillo Parado, a Mexican puro that is full of terroir and defies expectations. We were delighted by the mild but sophisticated smoke it creates, full of savory and tangy notes with a distinct citrus twist.
Strength: ■■□□□
Rating: 91
Read the full review here
LCA Reserva Vintage 2021
In a twist of irony, Privada Cigar Club’s best blend might be its most traditional looking cigar. Crafted by the skilled hands of Christian Eiroa, the LCA Reserva Vintage 2021 is a spectacularly presented lonsdale that wows with a balanced offering of toast, oak, cedar and just the right amounts of spice.
Strength: ■■■□□
Rating: 91
Read the full review here
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