[dropcap]A[/dropcap] new year is upon us, and that means the time has come to unveil Cigar & Spirits’ Top 20 Cigars of 2015. We saw a influx of exceptional cigars onto the marketplace this past year, marking 2015 as the most competitive class we have ever scored for our Top 20. While we may now be setting our sights on what 2016 will bring to the table; first, let’s take a look back at the very best that 2015 had to offer. All of the cigars listed were expertly tasted and scored by our tasting panel with over 100 years of combined cigar and industry experience. Enjoy!

1. The Romeo by Romeo y Julieta Aging Room Capriccio 6 X 54

 

 

Wrapper: Habano Dominicano

Binder: Habano Dominicano

Filler: Habano Dominicano

Tasting Notes: Medium to full-bodied, rich and savory with subtle and complex nuances of flavor.

 

2. Padrón 1926 Serie No. 2 5 1/2 x 52

 

 

Wrapper: Nicaraguan

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Tasting Notes: Exceptionally smooth, complex, balanced, and full-bodied.

 

3. Gurkha Cellar Reserve Hedonism

 

 

Wrapper: Corojo

Binder: 18-year aged Dominican

Filler: 18-year aged Dominican

Tasting Notes: Medium body, full flavor and smooth profile. 

 

 

4. Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature Lancero

 

 

Wrapper: African Cameroon

Binder: Dominican

Filler: Dominican

Tasting Notes: Rich cedar notes, sweetness and hints of soft pepper.

 

5. Liga Privada #9 Belicoso

 

 

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Ligero Oscuro

Binder: Brazilian Mata Fina

Filler: Nicaraguan & Honduran

Tasting Notes: Medium to full-bodied, lush, earthy and espresso-like flavors.

 

 

6. Rocky Patel Royale Toro

 

 

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Tasting Notes: Medium to full-bodied with loads of flavor and complexity. Initial flavors of sweet spice and espresso transition to roasted almonds, leather, and earthy undertones. 

7. La Boheme Pittore 5.125  X 52

 

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano

Binder: Habano Dominicano

Filler: Habano Dominicano

Tasting Notes: Subtle spices with smooth and creamy notes, finished with hints of oak and sweetness.

 

 

8. Diamond Crown Maximus Double Robusto #6

 

 

Wrapper: Sun-Grown Ecuadorian El Bajo

Binder: Dominican

Filler: Dominican

Tasting Notes: Full-bodied, yet smooth and sweet with notes of mocha surrounded by hints of oak and moderate spice. 

 

9. Nat Sherman Timeless 749

 

 

Wrapper: Nicaraguan

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Tasting Notes: Medium-bodied, creamy and rich, with flavors of coffee, cocoa and chocolate plus a touch of earthiness and a light spice.

 

10. AVO Heritage Special Toro

 

 

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown

Binder: Dominican Republic

Filler: Dominican Republic

Tasting Notes: Full bodied with rich and complex notes of chocolate, cinnamon, and pepper spice with an earthy finish.

 

11. Undercrown Corona Doble

 

 

Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés

Binder: Brazilian

Filler: Nicaraguan & Honduran

Tasting Notes: Full-bodied with notes of dark chocolate and oak.

 

 

12. Oliva Serie G Churchill

 

 

Wrapper: Connecticut

Binder: Nicaraguan Habano

Filler: Nicaragua

Tasting Notes: Full-bodied blend with notes of dark tobacco and spice with rich cedar.

 

13. Rocky Patel Prohibition San Andrés Maduro

 

Wrapper: San Andrés Maduro

Binder: Brazil

Filler: Nicaraguan

Tasting Notes: Medium to full-bodied, sweet earthy flavor dominates undertones of light spice, cedar, clove and citrus notes.

 

 

14. Espada by Montecristo Guard

Wrapper: Habano Jalapa Vintage 2010

Binder: Habano Jalapa Vintage 2009

Filler: Habano Jalapa Seco Vintage 2008, Habano Jalapa Viso Ometepe Vintage 2008, Habano Condega Ligero Vintage 2008

Tasting Notes: Rich, complex, majestic, deeply satisfying medium to full-bodied strength and flavor. 

 

 

15. San Lotano Bull Torpedo

 

 

Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragua

Tasting Notes: Medium to full-bodied with notes of oak, coffee, leather and spices. 

 

 

16. Perdomo Reserve 10th Anniversary Champagne Epicure

 

 

Wrapper: Connecticut

Binder: Cuban Seed Nicaraguan

Filler: Cuban Seed Nicaraguan

Tasting Notes: Creamy and smooth with notes of spice, espresso and nuts. 

 

 

17. Illusione Rothschildes

 

 

Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragua

Tasting Notes: Medium-Full in strength and body offering notes of cocoa, earth, nuts and pepper.

 

18. La Aurora Cien Años Lancero

 

 

Wrapper: Dominican Corojo

Binder: Dominican

Filler: Dominican

Tasting Notes: Espresso, earth, cedar, molasses and herbal notes.

 

19. PDR 1878 Capa Habana Reserva Dominicana

 

 

Wrapper: Dominican Habano

Binder: Dominican Habano

Filler: Dominican Criollo ’98, Dominican Corojo

Tasting Notes: Creamy, rich, subtle spice, and hints of sweet coffee and cedar

 

20. LFD Capitulo II

 

 

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Colorado

Binder: Ecuador Habano

Filler: Dominican Republic

Tasting Notes: Full body and full strength with flavors of red pepper, dark chocolate, coffee and roasted nuts.