Toasted Foot's Top Ten Cigars of 2016

Once again, it’s the time of the year when lists of all kinds appear, and amount them is our annual Top Ten Cigars list. It has been a very interesting year for the cigar industry. The FDA regulations seem to loom large over everything. Many new cigars were released this year, owing a lot to manufacturers trying to meet deadlines, and so there was an unusually high number of impressive releases this year. This made putting together this year’s Top Ten List harder to put together than in years past...

Toasted Foot's Top Ten Cigars of 2016 - Honorable Mention List

So many great cigars were released this year, and unfortunately not all of them can make our Top Ten List, but are nonetheless stand out enough to be acknowledged and shared with our readers. Our annual Honorable Mentions list serves as a place to tip our hat to the cigars that were in the running for the Top Ten, but did not quite make the cut for one reason or another.

Cigar Review: Viaje Exclusivo Nicaragua

The Viaje Exclusivo began life as a personal blend for brand owner Andre Farkas, but since 2009 has become a staple in the Viaje line, with all kind of various sizes being released over the years. Now the Viaje Exclusivo gets a new Nicaraguan puro, manufactured at Casa Fernandez’s TABSA factory in Nicaragua, which sets it apart from the original line which is made in Honduras. This new medium-full to full bodied addition to the Viaje Exclusivo line surpasses its original version, and sure to become a favorite of Viaje fans.

Cigar Review: Andalino by JRE Tobacco

Julio R. Eiroa (father of Christian) released several new cigars at this year’s IPCPR, but the one that really stands out is the Aladino. Julio is also a legend in the tobacco industry, having grown tobacco in Honduras since 1963 and being famous for his original Corojo tobacco that formed the basis for Camacho’s success. With JRE Tobacco, it is being called a “crop to shop” operation, with every step in the process from farming, production and distribution being controlled by JRE Tobacco.

Cigar Review: Caldwell Eastern Standard Midnight Express

Once again, the Caldwell Cigar Company booth was one of the busiest at the IPCPR. It’s a testament to Robert Caldwell and the following that his cigars have gained over the past few years. One of the new cigar from Caldwell that keeps coming up in conversation is the Eastern Standard Midnight Express. (Mostly because my friend Lauren won’t shut up about it.) While not a standard “maduro version” of the Eastern Standard, since it is it’s own unique blend...