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ROCKY PATEL
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ROCKY PATEL
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ON THE COVER
G-EAZY
DOES IT
by Randy Mastronicola | portraits by John Russo
G-EAZY IS A SUPERSTAR—AND HE KNOWS IT. THIS IS USUALLY NOT A GOOD THING FOR A YOUNG MUSICIAN. A CRASH AND BURN OFTEN SEEMS IMMINENT. BUT NOT IN THIS CASE.
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VICES
CIGAR & SPIRITS MAGAZINE'S
TOP 20 CIGARS 2018
RATINGS ARE THE AVERAGE BASED ON A BLIND TASTING OF EACH CIGAR BY OUR EXPERT PANEL OF EIGHT CIGAR CONNOISSEURS, WHO TOGETHER POSSESS MORE THAN 100 YEARS OF CIGAR-SMOKING EXPERIENCE.
#1
ROCKY PATEL SPECIAL EDITION TORO 6.5 x 52 Wrapper: Ecuador Habano Binder: Double Binder Filler: Nicaragua
RATED CIGAR OF 2018
Tasting Notes: A medium to full-bodied profile, that produces a rich well-balanced array of savory flavors, greeting the senses with hints of spice, pepper, nutmeg, coffee and a naturally sweet finish.
To provide feedback on any of the ratings, or to offer your own opinions on any of the cigars featured, write us at: feedback@cigarandspirits.com. Follow us on Facebook & Twitter and leave your comments: www.facebook.com/cigarandspiritsmagazine
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Medium to f rich chocol coffee, spic
tasting
FILLER
#6
RATED CIGAR OF 2018
LA AURORA 107 TORO
5 ½ x 54 Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sungrown Binder: Dominican Corojo Filler: Dominican & Nicaraguan
___________________________
Tasting Notes: A perfect medium plus cigar with loads of citrus sensations. Spices, cocoa and anise are evident about midway through the body of the cigar and it finishes robustly with hints dark chocolate and toasted nuts
Nicaraguan
WRAPPER: Natural,
RATED CIGAR OF 2018
6 1/12” x 50 Wrapper: Brazilian Cuba Binder: Mexican San Andres Filler: Dominican
PADRON FAMILY RESERVE 50 YEARS 5 x 54
#7
LA FLOR DOMINICANA LA NOX
PADRON
Tasting Notes: A natural medium cigar with wonderful construction and an elegant oily wrapper. Rich with spice and sweetness with a delicious finish.
Tasting Notes: Dark in appearance and in flavor, La Nox features a sweet Brazilian maduro wrapper, a San Andrés binder and a blend of Dominican Piloto and Pelo de Oro fillers. It’s smooth smoke and rich flavor were crafted for elegance and power.
#8
RATED CIGAR OF 2018
Nicaraguan
FILLER: Dominican and FILLER: Nicaraguan
Full-bodied yet smooth; sweet Nicaraguan with mocha,FILLER: hint of oak, some Criollo 98 spice
Olor
BINDER: Nicaraguan
6 ¼” x 54 Wrapper: Nicaraguan Shade Grown (Japapa) Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan
PDR CIGARS
PLASENCIA ALMA FUERTE NESTOR IV
BINDER: Dominican
5” x 56 Wrapper: Sun-grown Ecuadorian El Bajo Binder: Dominican Filler: Dominican
________________________ WRAPPER: Ecuadorean Maduro
JC NEWMAN DIAMOND CROWN MAXIMUS DOUBLE ROBUSTO #6
cigar ratings
RATED CIGAR OF 2018
Ecuadorean El Bajo
89
Tasting Notes: This medium-full dark cigar gets better and better every time you smoke one. It’s a wonderful combination of leather and oak offset by notes of raisins and cedar. Each easy draw of this dark cigar is rich with an oaky, cedar woodiness against notes of dried fruit. It finishes magnificently with red wine and sweet molasses tones.
Tasting Notes: Full-bodied yet smooth; sweet with mocha, hint of oat and some spice.
#5
5 XSun-grown 60 WRAPPER:
BOX WALDORF ______________________________
tasting notes:
DIAMOND CROWN ROOM 101 MAXIMUS DOUBLE ROBUSTO #6 ICHIBAN TINDER 5 x 56
Rich and creamy, medium to full-bodied, with hints of cocoa and hazelnut with earthy and leathery undertones
Ligero, Ligero Nicaragua, Criollo 98 Seco, Centro Fino Viso
7” x 54 Wrapper: USA-Conn. Habano Binder: Brazil Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua.
A CROP GORDO OSCURO 6 X 58
RATED CIGAR OF 2018
FILLER: Piloto Cubano
Maduro
#4
Ecuadorean
#3
RATED CIGAR OF 2018
BINDER: Habano
DREW ESTATE LIGA PRIVADA T52 CORONA DOBLE
WRAPPER: Mexican
______________________________
Tasting Notes: An attractive torpedo with a squarely pressed foot. Its lush draw delivers big notes of cedar, nuts and leather with a finish that smacks of cider. Tasty and complex.
FILLER:BINDER: Dominican Nicaraguan 98 tastingCriollo notes:
WRAPP
__________
___________________________ Arapiraca WRAPPER: Ecuadorean BINDER:Habano Dominican BINDE
jc newman
5 ¾ x 52 Wrapper: Cameroon Binder: Dominican Republic Filler: Dominican Republic.
BRICK MIGHT MADUR 6¼ x 6
90
Bold, mediu with rich spi flavors and s of dark choc
tasting
Ligero, Liger llo 98 Seco, C
FILLER:
BINDER:
Ecuadorean
Maduro
WRAPP
____________
GRAN TO 6½ X 56
RATED CIGAR OF 2018
ROBUSTO 5 X 52
head hunter
#2
ARTURO FUENTE DON CARLOS EYE OF THE SHARK
PADRÓN FAMILY RESERVE 50 YEARS 5” x 54 Wrapper: Natural Nicaraguan Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua
Tasting Notes: Medium to full-bodied; notes of chocolate, coffee, earth and hints of cinnamon on the finish.
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VICES
CIGAR & SPIRITS MAGAZINE'S
WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION 2018 VODKA
#1
#2
#3
#2
#3
INFUSED VODKA
#1
WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION OFFICIAL GLASS SPONSOR 82
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GIN
#1
#2
#3
#2
#3
BLANCO/SILVER TEQUILA
#1
REPOSADO TEQUILA
#1
#2
COMISARIO
#3
AÑEJO TEQUILA
#1
#2
#3
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KETEL YOUR SODA. BACK COVER KETEL ONE
PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY. KETEL ONE Vodka. Distilled from Grain. 40% Alc/Vol. © Double Eagle Brands, B.V. Imported by Ketel One USA, Aliso Viejo, CA.
B:12.125”
S:11.25”
T:11.875”
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