That peppery blast at the beginning of a full bodied cigar wakes up the tastebuds and gets them ready for the complex flavors that follow. It is a hallmark of  a strong flavored cigar and reminescent of the best of the Cubans.  Here we have picked the ones we enjoyed the most, and we hope you will too. Click on the boxes for more information.

Don Pepin Garcia Blue Label

Joya de Nicaragua Antano 1970

El Rico Habano

One of the first blends made by legendary master Don Pepin Garcia, the Blue label is full bodied with a rich spicy flavor.

Made in the El Rey de Los Habanos factory in Little Havana, Miami, the robust cigar combines premium Nicaraguan long fillers with a rich corojo wrapper. This gives it that spicy and peaty aroma that is reminiscent of the best Cuban cigars.

Joya de Nicaragua was the first cigar brand ever made in Nicaragua, and this brand is a favorite of cigar aficionados.

The Antano is a tribute to the original blend rolled in 1970, with a full body and full flavor. Spicy and earthy flavors hit like a Mack truck, but a moderate finish tempers the strength and leaves one wanting more.

In 1970, Cigar Master Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Sr. created El Rico Habano, the first line of cigars rolled at his factory in Miami`s Little Havana section. The reaction to this full-bodied smoke was terrific, and El Rico Habano became a sought-after selection among seasoned smokers. Although a tobacco shortage in 1994 forced El Rico Habano to cease production, it was re-introduced by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr. in 2001 upon the return of Nicaragua's superb tobacco crop. Today, `The Rich One` is back in its original full-bodied taste and strength.

EO 601 Black

La Flor Dominicana Ligero

Partagas Black Label Maximo

The 601 Serie is the latest line from United Tobacco. These cigars are handmade in Nicaragua by Pepin Garcia exclusively for United Tobacco. The 601 is manufactured at Pepins new factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. The blend is a rich and complex blend of Nicaraguan tobaccos topped off with a beautiful dark and oily Nicaraguan Habano wrapper. 

These cigars are the latest from Litto Gomez and La Flor Dominicana.

They are named for the strain of leaf called "ligero," which is a strong and peppery type of tobacco coming from the top leaves. As you might imagine from the name, La Flor Dominicana’s Ligero series is a strong, spicy and full-bodied smoke. This is one of three different styles within the La Flor Dominicana Ligero brand.

Partagas Black Label cigars were created by Daniel Nunez for smokers who enjoy a rich full-bodied cigar with a larger ring gauge.

Since its Cuban seed leaves remain in the fertile fields of the Connecticut River Valley 50% longer than most harvested leaves, the Medio Tiempo ("half time") wrapper is richer, heavier, and darker, boasting a flavorful, woody taste. The Dominican sun-grown La Vega Especial binder, blended with Nicaraguan Ligero and Piloto Cubano Ligero filler leaves, enhances the cigar's big bold taste.

San Cristobal Monumento

San Cristobal cigars are a joint venture between Ashton and Jose "Pepin" Garcia and are one of the newest brand releases.  Blended entirely from rich and delicious Nicaraguan tobaccos, these puros feature dark oily wrappers. The flavor is rich and full-bodied with hearty notes of earth, cedar and spices. Lighter notes of walnuts, espresso and dark chocolate complement. Each cigar is impeccably constructed and finished with a traditional Cuban triple-cap.

* See each specific malt and cigar tasting note page for individual pairing recommendations.  Flavor bars on each page serve as a quick visual key to tasting.