PCA 2026 is behind us and we were able to get a lot of new cigars – a few were smoked at the show, but a lot more came home with me and I am still organizing them, getting them ready to be photographed,  reviewed and put on the website.  It’s hard not to light them up right away, but like everything else with cigars – patience is a must.  Out of the new cigars I’ve smoked all of them have been impressive.

What’s left an impression so far:

La Flor Dominicana’s Carbon Flower (LFD Carbon Flower), La Aurora’s Family Creed Perserverancia (Fajily Creed Perseverancia), Espinosa Cigars Las 6 Provinicias Miami, Tatuaje’s Black 20^th Anniversary, Black Label’s Boondock 2026 and Davidoff’s Puro Dominicano all struck a chord and I already want more of each.  That’s only six cigars out of more than 50 new cigars that we have lined up.  So far 2026 has been an impressive year and there is a lot more to get through.

While all of the other new cigars wait their turn for review I can’t help but go back to old favorites when I just want something to enjoy.  I am constantly reminded of how many outstanding cigars are out there.  All the buzz naturally leans towards new cigars – but so many others deserve continuous recognition, some a couple years old and others that have been around for decades.  It’s easy to overlook or even forget about cigars while trying so many new releases.  Trying new cigars is a part of the fun and exploring new blends never gets old.

I have my favorites that will always be in rotation.  I have never replaced any with new cigars.  The biggest problem I find is that my rotation just gets bigger and bigger.  There are a lot of options for different situations, occasions, or mood.  That’s one of the reasons we came up with our Essential 30 list (30 Essential Cigars).  Every year the Top Cigar lists usually feature cigars that are new.  Our Top-20 list features only new cigars that were released each year, so we had to do something to remind people of classic cigars and ones released from previous years that no one should forget about.

What Surprised me:

I am pretty traditional when it comes to cigars.  A lot of people like their liquor neat and I am that way with cigars.  I like to taste the tobaccos used without the influence of outside “flavors.”  But at this year’s PCA, I lit up one of Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust’s Stillwell Star Aromatic No. 1 cigars.  To be honest, I wasn’t very familiar with the brand when I lit it  – so it definitely took me by surprise.  It had a sweet tip and Black Cavendish, Golden Virginia and Burley pipe tobaccos along with Nicaraguan tobaccos.

At first I didn’t know what to think – but the more I smoked it, the more I enjoyed it.  Normally I wouldn’t have lit up a cigar like this just because it’s not in my wheelhouse – but it was a good reminder that sometimes it’s good to try things you normally wouldn’t.  You may be pleasantly surprised.

Bad Cigars?

Honestly in today’s market it really is hard to find a “bad” premium cigar.  Everything seems to be made with care, is constructed extremely well and is unique.  It all comes down to what flavor and strength profiles one likes.  There is such a wide range of cigars that is suitable for any palate.

With unlimited possibilities for blending cigars, it’s no wonder that so many new cigars are released year after year.  We will do our best to discover as many new cigars as possible and bring them to our readers, but we will always continue to remind people of all of the outstanding cigars there already are.