My top nine best cigars of 2021

It’s that time of year when it is traditional to compile a list. Some people do a list of the best gift ideas, others compile a list of their best moments from the last year month by month. Often these are a top ten list, but always being a bit of a black sheep, I’ve decided to go with a top nine of my best cigars of 2021. Why nine rather than the usual 10? Because it fits neatly into a carousel post on Instagram with a title card.

Keeping extensive records of every cigar that I smoke you’d think that this would have been a very simple task, and it was up to a point. Having been left with a list of about 50, I decided I needed to be a bit more ruthless and decided that in order to be included on the list, there must be a full review here on my website and I must remember smoking them without referring back to my notes.

9. Principle Cigars Aviator Series Cochon Volant

The first cigar on my top nine best cigars of 2021 is the Principle Cigars Aviator Series Cochon Volant. This was another cigar from early in the year. The closed foot with its cute little pigtail and the piramide vitola both added to the delicious look of cigar. Since smoking it, I haven’t got around to laying my hand on any more, but I will be getting a box of both this and the Night Flight cigars.

8. Epic San Andres Project E

I first smoked and reviewed the Epic San Andres Project E back in 2020. Smoking it again a couple more times this year has cemented its place in my humidor year. The single issue I have with this cigar is that there is no band to keep with my notes. This cigar also made it to my Best Budget Cigars Under £12 list that published earlier this year, but alas, the UK government have seen to it that it no longer qualifies as a budget smoke. It is still none the less a great value smoke.

7. Oliva Serie V Maduro Especial Double Toro

The first Oliva to make it onto my list is the Oliva Serie V Maduro Especial Double Toro. As a new vitola to the UK market, I was privileged to be able to smoke and review it on my Rumble channel prior to its release over here. If you enjoy the Serie V cigars, then this gives you all the joy and flavour of one of the smaller vitolas but for so much longer. For me, the glistening maduro wrapper was the added icing on the cake to a beautiful cigar.

6. Epic Ten (Tenth Anniversary) Limited Edition

This limited edition cigar seems almost a cheat making it to my best cigars of 2021. The Epic Ten was released on the tenth anniversary of Dean Parsons’ Epic cigars, and this box pressed toro not only looked enticing to light up, but was also exquisite to smoke. With its limited run, I was lucky enough to get a second one a year after it was originally released so I’m going to be saving that for a special anniversary of my own.

5. Arturo Fuente Opus X Love Affair

This Dominican puro was a gift from a friend and if I could, I would get a box of the Arturo Fuente Opus X Love Affair. Maybe it’s position in my top nine best cigars of 2021 has something to do with its perfecto vitola being one of my favourites, but it was so smooth and creamy. It is an example of a cigar that can just stop time and sweep you away from the world. Whilst I might not remember the exact flavours, I do remember the sensation of smoking it and how it made me feel.

4. Oliva Serie V Melanio Natural

Having smoked a good number of Oliva cigars over the year, the one that I hadn’t got around to was the landmark and highly lauded Oliva Serie V Melanio Robusto. This was another cigar that made it onto my Rumble channel. With it making so many “Best cigars” lists in various publications, I was a little sceptical as I’ve had various cigars from these Top 25 lists over the years and been rather disappointed. I would be the first to admit that reviewing cigars is very subjective and we all have our own preferences but I have to be honest and say that the hype really is true.

3. Hiram & Solomon Curamus Toro

Although not available in the UK, I was lucky enough to be gifted a couple of Hiram & Solomon Curamus Toros. Having been warned that this was a full on, no-hold-barred cigar, I decided to smoke it one afternoon after a very substantial lunch of burger and all the trimmings and what an afternoon that was. The construction was flawless and I can still remember the flavours to this day.

2. El Viejo Continente Classic Robustom

The El Viejo Continente Classic Robustom was probably the first cigar I smoked this year that made it onto my top nine best cigars list, and I remember saying at the time I’d be very surprised if it missed out. I have savoured this amazing cigar several times this year and it now has a permanent home in my humidor.

1. Partagas Serie D No. 4

The Partagas Serie D No. 4 has been one of my favourite cigars since I first smoked one. This year I’ve had the pleasure of smoking several very memorable ones. When I turned 40 back in April, I smoked my final D4 from a box dated 2014 and what an amazing treat that was. Is it any wonder then that this cigar has made the number one slot on my top nine best cigars of 2021?

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