That quick little intro aside, Cigar Page is currently offering some live deals on Nicaraguan boutique and name-brand smokes. While I wouldn’t personally shop everything available, there are some great finds in there and I wanted to call a few out. If you’re a cigar vet and don’t want my opinion head on over. I’m sure you’ll agree there are a lot of good options in there. Otherwise, head past the break for some call outs.

Which of the Cigar Page deals on Nicaraguan smokes are worth checking out?

Bear in mind, I highly recommend reading some of my other coverage here at The BS Lounge to get an idea for my palate. Every cigar smoker has different tastes, you included. You may not always agree with me and that’s fine. But it’s best to know what I like and don’t like before you take my advice.

Decent

• Crux 10 packs (any)
• Florida Man 10 packs (any)
• La Palina Number 2 10 packs
• Oliva Black Swan 10 packs
• Penn Standard 10 packs (any)
  • Broadleaf
  • Gold Standard

Excellent

Source: Warped Cigars

• AJ Fernandez Viva La Vida 10 packs (any)
• El Pulpo 10 packs (any)
• Illusione 10 packs (any)
• OZ Family Cigars OG Nicaragua 10 packs
• Warped KJG Seleccion Domain 4546 10 packs
• Warped La Hacienda 10 packs

Pure Insanity

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

• Black Label Trading Company 10 packs (any)
  • Last Rites
  • Royalty
  • Salvation
• Black Works Studio (10 packs)
  • Green Hornet
  • Killer Bee
• Crowned Heads 10 packs (any)
  • Juarez
  • Mil Dias
• Espinosa Mucielago 10 packs
• Warped Isla del Cocodrilo 10 packs

There may be more hidden gems in there that I didn’t spot or haven’t tried myself. As of the time of writing, you have about a day or so to shop these deals, so don’t waste time if you see something you like. Also, in case it matters to you, these aren’t affiliate links.

The post Cigar Page Deal: Top Nicaraguan smokes appeared first on The BS Lounge.

The new Corto Maduro will be in a single-size, a robusto-like in 4 and half inches by 46 — called x46. It features a Mexican San Andrés wrapper over the top of Nicaraguan tobacco. Like it’s predecessor, it’s full-bodied but even stronger. That’s thanks to the Medio Tiempo tobacco used inside, straight from Esteli Nicaragua. Media Tiempo, if you didn’t know, is a rare, top-primed part of the tobacco that tends to be extra powerful, yet doesn’t always grow. It’s estimated to appear in maybe 10% to 15% of all tobacco plants.

What is the Corto Maduro and when will it be available?

Source: Warped Cigars

Source: Warped Cigars

Both the original Corto and the new Corto Maduro launched in a single size. The core line was made by Aganorsa Leaf — hell yeah — but this new blend is being crafted at Nicaragua American Cigars S.A. (NACSA).

As previously stated, the wrapper is a beautiful, oily Mexican San Andrés with Nicaraguan tobacco making up the entirety of its insides. They’ll be sold in boxes of 20 for about $12.95 per cigar, which puts a box price around $259. Yes, they will demo at PCA, but they should be available in stores shortly after. Sometime around April.

Unsurprisingly, it sounds delicious and I’m hoping to get a chance to try one of these bad boys. I know I’m not the only one.

More sizes may be coming at a later date if you’re not into the robusto. Although, there’s no information on whether those sizes will be bigger or smaller.

The post Warped Corto Maduro headed to PCA 2025 appeared first on The BS Lounge.

With all of that out of the way, let’s get into it.

My top 10 favorite cigars

I have arranged this list in alphabetical order to appease my compulsions, but nothing more. So, don’t approach this list as if it’s best to worst or vice versa. All of these cigars are delicious and will provide you with an exceptional experience — that’s why I love them.

That doesn’t mean I won’t smoke anything else, in case it needs to be said. These are just my regulars.

Aganorsa Rare Leaf Reserve Corojo and Maduro

Source: Aganorsa

• Strength: Full-bodied
• Favorite Size: Toro (6×54)

I always say these cigars are like a dessert because they are. The Criollo 98 and 99 tobaccos add lots of sweetness, pepper, cinnamon, and beyond. You’ll also get baking spices, cocoa, leather, and a lot of incredibly creamy flavors. The Maduro version is very much the same, except with darker flavors like espresso, black cherry, black pepper, and dark chocolate. You can’t go wrong with either one. Hell, get them both if you can.

Boneshaker Full Body Cast

Source: Boneshaker

• Strength: Full-bodied
• Favorite Size: Maul (6×54)

I first tried these towards the end of last year and as soon as I did I bought a ton. They’re priced well normally, but in a deal they’re incredible. They smell amazing, like pure chocolate when lit. You’ll also get flavors like chocolate, spice, pepper, and leather. I legitimately smoke one of these almost every day, that’s how good they are.

E.P. Carrillo Pledge

Source: E.P. Carrillo

• Strength: Full-bodied
• Favorite Size: Sojourn (6×54)

I know, I know. E.P. Carrillo is a fan-favorite brand and a lot of cigar enthusiasts love talking about it, but it’s for good reason. The entire Carrillo lineup is fantastic, but one I keep coming back to is the Pledge. It was named the #1 Cigar of the Year in 2020 with a thick, creamy experience that offers tons of dark flavors, pepper, and spice. If I’m feeling like a stronger cigar but I don’t want to burn my face off, I reach for this one. It pairs remarkably well with coffee or any warm beverage, even hot cocoa.

HVC Hot Cake

Source: HVC

• Strength: Medium-Full
• Favorite Size: Laguito No. 4 (4×52)

Sometimes, a cigar has a name that just goes so well with the experience. If there’s only one on the market that serves as an excellent example, let it be HVC’s Hot Cake. It tastes like a doughy, delicious hot cake. It’s also a flavor bomb with chocolate, cream, pepper, wood, earth, and sugary pastry notes.

H. Upmann by AJ Fernandez

Source: H. Upmann

• Strength: Medium
• Favorite Size: Toro (6×54)

The citrus flavors in this cigar are something to behold. Dried apricots or dried fruit with lots of sweetness permeates with every puff. But you’ll also taste cedar, hazelnut, baking spices, cream, and coffee. AJ Fernandez rarely blends a bad cigar, if at all, and this one is one of his greats.

La Aurora 120th Anniversary

Source: La Aurora

• Strength: Medium-Full
• Favorite Size: Robusto (5×50)

This absolutely delicious and sweet cigar offers a mesh of graham-crackery and cocoa flavors. It is one of the best Dominican blends I’ve had in a long while. I tried it during a virtual tasting experience for the first time, guided by the brand’s Master Blender Manual Inoa. You’ll get cocoa, cinnamon, coffee, cream, and even a hint of fruit or citrus. It’s incredible. Every single cigar lover should try this one at least once. I mean it.

Plasencia Alma Fuerte Sixto II Hexagon

Source: Plasencia

• Strength: Full
• Favorite Size: Gordo (6×60)

Now, I’ve had this cigar in several sizes, but I keep coming back to the big, Gordo with a large ring gauge. It smooths out the experience and makes it super pleasant, not that this cigar isn’t pleasant either way. Plasencia is the master of dark, leathery flavors and this one does not disappoint. You’ll get lots of dark chocolate, earth, vanilla, and spices.

San Lotano Requiem Habano by AJ Fernandez

Source: AJ Fernandez

• Strength: Medium-Full
• Favorite Size: Toro (6×54)

The San Lotano Requiem has this incredible delicious, tropical-beachy flavor that I cannot get enough of. It kicks in about midway through — the flavor is also in the My Father Number 1 — but you’ll also pick up lots of wood, leather, spice, and a bit of pepper. The creamy afterfinish is also enjoyable.

Southern Draw Kudzu

Source: Southern Draw

• Strength: Medium
• Favorite Size: Toro (6×52)

While the flavors in the Kudzu are typical, with spice, cedar, chocolate, and earth, the experience is certainly unique. I haven’t been able to find a comparable cigar to this one, so I keep them stocked in my humidor at all times. It’s a solid medium to full-bodied experience, and the Habano Oscuro wrapper is nice and toasty. Pair it with something sweet and you’ll be in bliss.

Warped La Colmena

Source: Warped Cigars

• Strength: Medium
• Favorite Size: Amada No. 44 (5.5 x 44)

One of the best things about this cigar is it’s remarkably close to an authentic Cuban, without being one. You’ll definitely pick up a hint of that Cuban twang if you’re paying attention. The La Colmena has so much complexity and so much flavor, it’s unreal. You’ll taste lots of honey, cream, vanilla, white pepper, and wood notes like cedar. The name “La Colmena” quite literally translates to “the beehive.”

Some honorable mentions

Source: Boneshaker

Here are a few other cigars I smoke regularly that didn’t make it on my top 10 favorite cigars list.

• Boneshaker Lunatic
• Guardian of the Farm Cerberus by Aganorsa
• JFR Corojo
• La Aurora 107 Nicaragua
• Southern Draw Rose of Sharon
• Southern Draw Rose of Sharon Solomon (CDM Exclusive vitola)

The post My top 10 favorite cigars appeared first on The BS Lounge.

Why are these Warped cigars being discontinued?

No specific reason has been given. But while talking to Halfwheel, Gellis said that Warped “has been evolving its portfolio,” and this is likely another move to do that. It’s possible they might remaster these blends or re-release them later.

Interestingly enough, both lines were made by Aganorsa at its factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.

Warped Futuro

Source: Warped Cigars

Featuring a beautiful and oily Nicaraguan Corojo’99 wrapper, a Nicaraguan Criollo ’98 binder, and Nicaraguan Criollo’98 and Corojo 99 filler tobaccos, the Warped Futuro is a complex, medium to full-bodied smoke.

When you light up, you’ll get lots of toasty, dark flavors like black pepper, coffee, leather, nuts, cedar, and wood. That Corojo’99 wrapper really takes it away. It’s unfortunate they’re being discontinued for now; hopefully, we’ll see a new blend soon. If not, I recommend grabbing some while they’re still available.

• JR Cigars — Warped Futuro
• Cigars.com — Warped Futuro
• Famous Smoke Shop — Warped Futuro

Warped Maestro del Tiempo

Source: Warped Cigars

Also made by Aganorsa, the Maestro del Tiempo features a similar medium to full-bodied blend. The name means “Master of Time,” and the blend was originally created after years of research trying to find the right tobacco leaves.

The wrapper is a Nicaraguan Shade Grown Jalapa Corojo ‘99, with Nicaragua Corojo ’99 & Criollo ‘98 fillers and a Nicaraguan binder. This creamy puro will give you flavors like vanilla, nuts, lots of sweetness, cedar, earth, and beyond.

I’ve had several of these and they’re delicious every time.

• JR Cigars — Maestro del Tiempo
• Cigars.com — Maestro del Tiempo
• Famous Smoke Shop — Maestro del Tiempo

The post Warped to discontinue Futuro and Maestro del Tiempo labels appeared first on The BS Lounge.

Why is there a Cuban trade embargo?

Source: Yanik Flowers / Unsplash

The Cuban embargo came to pass because of political turmoil, poor relations, and a growing divide between leadership. The history between Cuba and the United States is messy with the Cuban communist government at the tip of the spear.

After the Cuban Revolution, in 1960, Fidel Castro and the Cuban government nationalized many properties and businesses. US-owned property at the time was also nationalized spurring the U.S. government to retaliate. They did so with strict trade and travel restrictions, via the Cuban goods embargo.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy announced a full-scale embargo on all imports from the region, including Cuban cigars. At the time, they were considered high-quality and some of the best made — many still believe that is the case today.

Obama eased restrictions in 2014

Source: Joris Visser / Unsplash

The embargo still exists. Many feel that it is unnecessary and some have even called for its abolishment. In 2014, the Obama administration did begin to ease restrictions, on Cuban cigars specifically. U.S. citizens were allowed to bring back up to $100 worth of cigars purchased during a visit.

That easement was eventually reversed by Donald Trump in 2017. Regardless of political standing, or how you feel about either of those administrations, the Cuban embargo still exists today.

It’s not just about the land grab

The embargo doesn’t just exist because the Cuban government nationalized some U.S.-owned land. It nationalized virtually everything, including the local Cuban industry, businesses notwithstanding. That means any money spent on these goods, including Cuban cigars, directly or indirectly contributes to the Cuban government. For obvious reasons, the U.S. government wants to minimize that happening as much as possible.

The good news is that, while you can’t get authentic Cubans, legally, there are many alternatives you can acquire. A great example is the Warped La Colmena.

The post Why are Cuban cigars illegal in the United States? appeared first on The BS Lounge.