Habana Port’s Top 15 Cigars of 2016

Saludos,

Greetings, aficionados de la hoja! For the 7th annual time the staff at Habana Port has compiled a list of what we think were the best cigars for the past year. Our Top 15 Cigar Rankings for 2016 was a challenge to choose because of the high standards the industry has set for itself. We smoked over 1,000 fine cigars and finally ranked the top 15 fine cigars that are available in our humidor (with the exception of a few which are small-batch occurrences or were one-time runs).

For the fourth year in a row, instead of an Honorables Mention List (we used to award this to cigars that would have ranked 16 to 20), we list our Top 5 Sellers according to both gross dollar sales and units sold. Take a look at 2016's Rankings and see what you think. We hope you agree with our choices. If you are interested in buying these cigars, visit any of our locations or shop online at CigarEarth.com.

No. 1 - Las Calaveras 2016 LC54 (Double Robusto)

Dimensions:  5 1/2 x 54rg
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Dark

From Crowned Heads, Las Calaveras is an annual release that pays homage to those who have passed away. The first vintage was released in 2014. The 2016 blend is very complex with its dark-grade Connecticut broadleaf wrapper.

No. 2 - Maestro del Tiempo 6102R

Dimensions:  5 1/4 x 48rg
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua

It should come as no surprise to our regulars that Warped Cigars is one of our favorite cigar companies. The small batch brand owner blends according to the old school Cuban philosophies and Maestro Del Tempo is no exception. The 6102R vitola was a limited run and tasted creamier than its normal counterparts. Unfortunately they sold out fast and we do not know if or when they will return to market. But if they do,  you should do yourself a favor and grab a few quickly.

No. 3 - Davidoff Yamasa Piramides

Dimensions:  6 1/8  x 52rg
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Yamasa  (Dominican Republic)

The Yamasa is the latest from the world's most luxurious cigar company, Davidoff. The cigar line is named after the relatively new growing region that is in the Dominican Republic. The blend itself is about medium-plus in strength and has a woody and mineral profile to it that is rather pleasant and smooth.

No. 4 - Padron Serie 1926 No. 90 Maduro

Dimensions:  5 1/2 x 52rg
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Maduro

In honor of the 90th birthday of the company's founder and patriarch, the Padron Number 90 is the first tubed cigar from the 50-plus year old company. In between a traditional robusto and toro size, this format will satisfy most cigar smokers. The maduro wrapper has a more complex profile with notes of evoking coffee, cocoa and almonds.

No. 5 - Casa Cuba Divine Inspiration

Dimensions: 6 1/8 x 47rg
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: N/A

Supposedly this was the last blend created by Carlos Fuente who headed Arturo Fuente Premium Cigars before passing away. The Casa Cuba line is a small batch production created to satisfy Opus X retailers in between droughts of the much sought-after line. The regular Casa Cuba sizes use an Ecuador Havana wrapper. This vitola smokes with a slight sweet and woody profile that is clean.

No. 6 - Guardian of the Farm Apollo

Dimensions: 6 x 44rg
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua Corojo 99

For the second year in a row Warped Cigars has placed two different brands in our Top 15 list. Their second one is called Guardian of the Farm which is supposedly named after the dogs that guard The Aganorsa farms that produce their Nicaraguan leaf. The Apollo much like the 6102R's have a different blend from the regular sizes and has a very balanced profile of cream, coffee and nuts. Get these before they are gone as this was a limited run.

No. 7 - Mi Querida Mas Sucia

Dimensions:  7 x 64rg
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf

Steve Saka's sophomore cigar is a Spanish word that translates to "my dearest." The term is sometimes used in the Latin world for a secret mistress. Most Liga Privada fans have been waiting for this kind of blend from the former president of Drew Estate. The large format has bold dark espresso and chocolate notes.

No. 8 - Tabaquero by Hamlet Paredes Toro (Rocky Patel)

Dimensions: 6 x 52rg
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres

No. 9 - Perdomo Special Craft Series Stout Epicure

Dimensions: 6 1/2 x 54rg
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Jalapa, Nicaragua Maduro

No. 10 - Illusione Original Documents ~2~

Dimensions: 5 1/4 x 52rg
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua

No. 11 - Alpha Dawg by Espinosa Short Churchill

Dimensions: 6 x 48rg
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua Habano Rosado Oscuro

No. 12 - Neanderthal HN

Dimensions: 5 x 52/58rg
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres

No. 13 - Aganorsa Leaf Tabsa Habano Aficion No. 2 (Short Churchill)

Dimensions: 6 1/2 x 48rg
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Habano Nicaragua

No. 14 - Flor de D'Crossier Seleccion 512 Corona Gorda

Dimensions: 5 1/2 x 46
Country of Origin: Costa Rica
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano

No. 15 - Alec Bradley Sanctum Toro

Dimensions: 6 x 52rg
Country of Origin: Honduras
Wrapper: Honduras Corojo

Habana Port Cigar Merchants' Top Sellers for 2016

Top Sellers by Gross Revenue, 2016
1. Alec Bradley Fresh Toro Sampler Pack (Alec Bradley)
2. AJ Fernandez Green Sampler Pack (AJ Fernandez)
3. Padron 1964 Anniversary Series Natural Exclusivos (Piloto)
4. A. Fuente Hemingway Natural Classic (Fuente Newman Premium)
5. A. Fuente Gran Reserva Maduro Rothschild (Fuente Newman Premium)

Top Sellers by Units Sold, 2016
1. A. Fuente Exquisitos Natural (Fuente Newman Premium)
2. Parodi King (Avanti)
3. Factory Throwouts #59 Natural (J.C. Newman Cigar Co.)
4. Griffin's Griffiños (Davidoff of Geneva USA)
5. A. Fuente Gran Reserva Maduro Rothschild (Fuente Newman Premium)

Until the next post, siempre fumando,

Habana Port