Top 5 of 2022
It's that time again, a new year, time to look back on the year that was 2022 and give you a rundown of my picks for the top 5 cigars smoked!
In the number 5 spot we have the Oktoberfest 10th Anniversary
This stick scored a solid 92 points on review
Brand: Quesada
Size: Dan Boot (Torpedo)
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Quesada Oktoberfest is a small-batch seasonal cigar from Manuel Quesada - maker of Casa Magna and Fonseca.
Oktoberfest was specifically manufactured to pair with beer, which while a common drink to have with a Cigar, it's never really the first thing that comes to mind for pairing.
It's been 10 years since the first release and Quesada is celebrating with Quesada Oktoberfest 10th Anniversary.
4th place is none other than the
This little but impressive stick took away 92 points
Brand: Plasencia
Size: 6 1/4 x 54 (Toro)
Wrapper: Nicaragua Maduro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
The Plesencia 'Year of the Tiger' is the second release form the company to celebrate Chinese new year following on from last years 'Year of the Ox'.
It is a 'Limited Release' however not quite as limited as some lines with 6,250 Boxes of 8 Cigars (50,000 Total Cigars) being release this year.
This is an outstanding cigar. I feel it might not be everyones cup of tea as the ageing and blend give it a subtlety in its flavours and strength that some cigar fans may not appreciate, but if you are smoking in the piece and quiet and focusing on the cigar it will delight you.
In the 3rd spot its the Three Kingdoms by Stolen Throne Cigar Co.
Brand: Stolen Throne
Size: Toro
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Oscuro Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua & Undisclosed
This cigar is blended by Noel Rojas of Rojas Cigar Factory and owner Lee Marsh has said “It’s an Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper over Nica binder and mostly Nica fillers. We are keeping some info undisclosed.
The name comes from being the third regular production and the fact that we sourced tobacco from three different countries.
This is also a special cigar because it’s utilising the first tobaccos that we processed from raw ourselves.”
Holy sh*t.. there are some flavours going on here! Espresso, cocoa, cream, cedar... as well as pepper, and cinnamon. even a hint of vanilla & nuts as we progress into the 3rd! All that and a good whack of spice too... So yes, safe to say its a rather complex cigar!
A first time for the brand in my top 5 this year is the Baptiste Torpedo Maduro by Oliva.
Brand: Oliva
Size: 6 1/2" by 52 Torpedo
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf maduro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Flavours are delicious and they weave and grow throughout the stick, opening with caramel, natural tobacco and some sweetness and building in strength and spice as it progresses. Some hints of cocoa and black pepper as well as cedar and earth.
Scoring a huge 93 points on review, this stick is one that has stayed in the memory bank all year.
So.. at this point its starting to feel like a bit of a trend.. but it is what it is! For the 5th time in 9 years, Steve Saka has taken the top spot. And what's even more exciting about this for me, is that I have one of these massive 7.25 x 54 beasts, set aside for Christmas day!
The SakaKahn aka Mi Querida Black by DT&T scored a huge 94 points on review this year, the highest scoring of the year and in the top 10 of all time.
Brand: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust
Size: 7.25 x 54
Nicaraguan American Cigars S.A. (NACSA)
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf No. 1
Binder: San Andres Negro
Filler: Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua
The SakaKahn is the 3rd release in the Mi Querida line, It was only just released in August and is officially from "Very limited" stock.
As all Mi Querida are, the SakaKahn is wrapped in a Connecticut Broadleaf, what is different from the previous releases however is that this release features fillers from Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua and a San Andres binder!
Next year, this blend is expected to be offered in multiple sizes, but for 2022 it’s just the single size.
Like Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust’s regular Mi Querida line, it is made at Nicaragua American Cigars S.A. in Estelí, Nicaragua.
An outstanding cigar and IMO the best of the Mi Querida line to date. As common in Saka blends there is a solid punch to this stick, so might not be for everyone, but if you like bold cigars or are a fan of Saka blends like me, then you will want to get your hands on one of these. That said however, they are not currently available to purchase in New Zealand
So there you have it! my top 5 for 2022. Did I miss something? What are you picks?
