A common question in the last week has been asking me which cigars were my favorite from the PCA tradeshow in Las Vegas. I didn’t want to form an opinion about a lot of these cigars on the show floor, so I brought them back with me to allow for more time to reflect. Here are my personal favorites so far, even though I still have many brands to go through in the coming weeks.

Dunbarton Umbagog Bronzeback

I really wasn’t prepared to like this cigar as much as I did, even though the Mi Querida PapaSaka and Muestra de Saka Krakatoa topped my personal Top 5 list for 2023. In a single word, this cigar is lush. It’s so rich, decadent, and balanced without ever crossing the line into overwhelming territory. Particularly, I couldn’t get enough of the caramel sensations along with a latte creaminess and tasting notes. I have a feeling that I will need to dedicate a significant amount of personal humidor space to these bundles.

RoMa Craft Cromagnon

When I heard that the new re-imagined Cromagnon was featuring a Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper, I got very excited. PA Broadleaf is a wrapper that has always been used sparingly but to great effect, and I could visualize the RoMa Craft spin on it. This cigar still has the essence of the original Cromagnon, but it has definitely evolved into a layered experience. I love that the 2024 version highlights everything that Skip and Mike have learned over the years and that they were unafraid to go back to the drawing board on one of their flagship brands.

The reinvented Cromagnon is available now.

Patina Oro de Nicaragua

I am just now burning the Oro de Nicaragua today because I had really high hopes for it – and it doesn’t disappoint! Early on I experienced a subtle cherry undertone, but in the second half it gets much more pronounced. There’s also a chocolate Teddy Graham’s background that develops after the first 20 minutes that has me living on cloud nine. It’s been exciting to watch Mo’s rise over the last several years, and I can’t be happier telling people that he knocked it out of the park yet again.  

Oro de Nicaragua is available now.