2006 was another banner year for many of the leading imported premium cigar manufacturers, including some of the “young guns.” Of the four new cigars reviewed in this article, three are from cigar companies owned and operated by men in their 30s and 40s: Jonathan Drew of Drew Estate Cigars, Rocky Patel of Rocky Patel Cigars, and Alan Rubin of Alec Bradley Cigars.

All of these cigars were introduced in July 2006 at the Retail Tobacco Dealers Association Convention in Las Vegas. There were many other new cigars that made my “Best New Cigars” list, but since space is limited, here are four that impressed me right out of the gate. Moreover, I have listed the cigars alphabetically, not in order of preference.
   
I’ll have reviews of more new cigars later this year. For now, I hope you soon have the chance to smoke some of these fine new cigars yourself and compare notes.

Château Real by Drew Estate (Nicaragua)
Strength: Mild - Medium
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
Filler: Nicaraguan, Dominican
Binder: San Andrean Negro Oscuro
   
Château Real by Drew Estate is an attractive and flavorful new up-market cigar handmade in the Cuban tradition with a well-balanced blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican long-filler tobaccos, surrounded by a golden, silky Ecuadorian Connecticut-seed wrapper with a beautiful cap. The cigars are well-packed with a nice heft to them, so it feels like you’ve really got something solid in your hands. The cigars burn clean exposing a moderately firm ash. Mild and creamy smoke draws easily through the head with a well-balanced mosaic of earthy and woody tobacco flavors with an appealing sweetness throughout. The finish is short and somewhat dry. As a mild cigar,  I found Château Real right in the pocket; maybe even more medium-bodied as the cigar nears the end. It has great potential for those who
enjoy a Macanudo-like smoke, but want a cigar with more flavor.


MAXX by Alec Bradley (Honduras)
Strength: Full
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Filler: Colombian, Nicaraguan, Mexican, Honduran
Binder: Costa Rican

A “maximum smoke” in every sense of the word, and one of the most talked-about cigars at last year’s RTDA. Handcrafted under the direction of Nestor Plasencia in Honduras, MAXX is a muscular mix of Colombian, Nicaraguan, Honduran, and Mexican Ligero & Viso long-filler tobaccos bound in a zesty Costa Rican leaf. A very flavorful Nicaraguan Habano wrapper leaf completes the blend. The wrappers have a mouthwatering, dark-chocolate color and glisten with oil. Robust, yet not overpowering, the cigar draws easily with a thick, creamy head of smoke. Each puff is rife with a perfectly-balanced tapestry of earthy, caramelized flavors laced with notes of sweet cedar and spice on a short, clean finish.  I also enjoyed the aroma of this cigar - a big plus with me. What’s even more surprising is MAXX is a luxury class cigar that’s priced within the means of every cigar smoker. Designed for the more experienced smoker who has developed a palate for more full-flavored cigars, I predict you’re going to hear a lot of positive things about MAXX.


Partagas Cifuentes Limited Edition Winter Blend (Dominican Republic)
Strength: Medium - Full
Wrapper: 1994 Mao Dominican Habano
Filler:  Dominican Piloto Cubano La Vega & Mao
Binder:  Dominican Piloto Cubano Jima
   
Another amazing example of great teamwork by master blender Daniel Núñez and the gifted Benji Menendez. Created to honor Ramon Cifuentes, who originated the Partagas brand,  Partagas Cifuentes are exquisitely handcrafted in box-pressed shapes using an all-Dominican-grown tobacco blend - a feat only a few cigar makers have done successfully. The Piloto Cubano tobaccos were grown in three different regions of the country starting with La Vega and Mao long-fillers, a Jima binder and an outstanding 1994-vintage Mao Habano wrapper. Medium to full in body, the smoke is an ultra-smooth, perfectly-balanced symphony of rich tobacco flavors enhanced by notes of sweet cedar and spice on a long, creamy finish. A puro among puros designed for the ultimate cigar epicurean.


Rocky Patel Vintage 1999 Connecticut (Honduras)
Strength: Mild - Medium
Wrapper: 1999 U.S. Connecticut
Filler:  Dominican, Nicaraguan (aged 7 years)
Binder:  Mexican
   
This new cigar from Rocky Patel is the perfect complement to his immensely popular Vintage 1990 and 1992 selections with two major differences: First, they’re not box-pressed, and secondly, they sport a silky, sweet-smelling 1999-vintage U.S. Connecticut wrapper. The filler consists of seven-year-aged Dominican & Nicaraguan tobaccos with a Mexican binder. The smoke is mild to medium in body, mellow and toasty in flavor with notes of cedar, nutmeg and a wisp of caramel in the aroma. I found the cigars burned well exposing a firm ash, and were  consistently flavorful throughout. A marvelous cigar that’s perfect for any situation or occasion.