Anthony's Cigar Emporium

Before I even lit it, My Father La Promesa made a strong impression. The box and band feel serious, classic, and meaningful. Nothing about it feels flashy just to be flashy. The presentation has that old-world My Father look, but with a darker, more emotional tone. It feels like a cigar built around a story. It feels like The Garcia Family wanted the name Promise to mean something before the cigar ever touched flame.

In the hand, the cigar looks beautiful. The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper is Dark, oily, and rich-looking, with just enough rustic character to remind you this is real tobacco with real soul. The band stands out, but the cigar itself does most of the talking. It looks refined. It looks bold. It looks like A Darker Side of My Father. Right away, I was expecting Old-World Passion. New-World Power.

Then I lit it up, and the cigar backed up the presentation. Right away, the smoke was Rich and Dark. There was pepper up front, but it did not take over. Then it opened into wood, leather, cocoa, earth, and a little sweetness. The wrapper brought depth, while the tobacco from Nicaragua gave it backbone. In other words, this was Ecuadorian Habano. Nicaraguan Heart.

As it burned, it stayed steady and smooth. It was bold, but not rough. Strong, but still refined. This is A My Father Classic With Soul. It has Pepper, Wood, Leather & Promise. It feels personal. It feels honest. And by the final draw, the message was clear: The Promise Was Kept.

Rating Grid

Pretty much everyone in this business knows Oliva Serie V as one of the benchmark cigars in the modern Nicaraguan category. It’s bold, dependable, and built around the kind of rich tobacco flavor that made Oliva such a respected name. The Serie V line is known for using high-priming Nicaraguan ligero, giving it that fuller body, deeper strength, and darker flavor profile.

Before I even light it, the cigar already gives off a serious impression — elegant band, dark gourmand colors, and that classic red-brown box that matches the richness of the wrapper. The cold draw has a little resistance, but it feels controlled, with notes of tonka bean, pistachio, and cinnamon coming through before the flame ever hits it.

Once lit, the first third opens with a bold woody profile. I get mahogany, coffee bean, and black pepper, with the pepper staying present without becoming harsh. As it moves into the second third, the wood note softens into something more fragrant — closer to rosewood — and a creamy molasses note shows up. It is not overly sweet, though. The black pepper keeps it grounded and gives the cigar its backbone.

The final third gets darker and deeper. The wood shifts again into oak, while cocoa nibs and toasted coffee bean come forward. The smoke has a smooth, velvety mouthfeel, leaning a little dry but still balanced. What I like most is the way the cigar develops without losing its identity. The wood, pepper, coffee, and cocoa stay connected from start to finish.

Construction is one of the big strengths here. The draw stays consistent, the burn is mostly straight, the smoke stays cool, and the ash holds firm. It is a cigar you can settle into for a long smoke — around 90 minutes — without constantly fighting touch-ups or uneven performance. That dependable burn is part of what makes Serie V feel so polished.

Overall, the Oliva Serie V is bold, reliable, and surprisingly versatile. It has enough power for experienced smokers, but it is smooth enough for someone stepping up from milder cigars into fuller-bodied territory. I would smoke this in the late afternoon, after dinner, or with something rich like espresso, dark chocolate, grilled steak, Cognac, or an Islay Scotch. It is not the most wildly complex cigar in the world, but it is balanced, strong, flavorful, and dependable — and that is exactly why it remains a modern classic.

Rating: 92/100
Strength: Medium-full to full
Flavor: 92
Construction: 93
Draw: 91
Burn: 92
Best Notes: Coffee bean, black pepper, mahogany, molasses, oak, cocoa nibs
Best Pairings: Dark espresso, rib-eye steak, dark chocolate, Cognac, Islay Scotch

I’ve smoked plenty of cigars that take their time warming up, but Oliva NUB is built around a completely different idea. This cigar is made to get straight to the good part. The short, thick shape is not just a gimmick. It helps the cigar deliver bold, concentrated flavor from the first draw instead of making you wait for the blend to open up.

What surprised me most is how long NUB smokes for its size. Even though most of these cigars are around 4 inches long, the large ring gauge and dense construction give it a slow, cool burn that feels much closer to a full-sized cigar experience. Reviews often praise the line for clean construction, easy draw, big smoke output, and reliable burn quality. Cigar Advisor notes strong construction, near-invisible seams, a good draw, and heavy smoke/flavor notes in its NUB review guide.

The flavor depends heavily on the wrapper, which is one of the best parts of the lineup. The Connecticut is the smoothest and easiestgoing, with cream, cedar, nuts, and a little spice. LM Cigars described the NUB Connecticut 354 as creamy, nutty, and balanced with cedar and subtle spice. The Cameroon brings more classic cigar character with earth, nuts, sweetness, and a little leather. The Habano is bolder, peppery, savory, and more intense. The Maduro is the richest of the bunch, with coffee, dark chocolate, wood, and sweetness; recent reviews of the Maduro 460 highlight creamy chocolate, pepper, coffee, good construction, and strong ash performance.

To be fair, NUB is not the most complex cigar in the world. Some smokers may find the large ring gauge a little awkward, and the flavor can stay fairly steady instead of developing dramatically from third to third. But that is also the point. NUB is not trying to be a long, slow, evolving cigar. It is trying to deliver the sweet spot right away and hold it. On that promise, it does a very good job.

For me, Oliva NUB is a dependable, flavorful, and fun cigar. It gives you a lot of smoke, a satisfying burn time, and enough wrapper variety to match different moods. The Connecticut is smooth, the Cameroon is balanced, the Habano has attitude, and the Maduro brings the darker flavor. It is a cigar that knows exactly what it wants to be: short, bold, and straight to the point.

Ratings

Wrapper Ratings

Final Verdict

Oliva NUB earns an 89 out of 100.

It is not perfect, and it is not trying to be overly fancy. But it is consistent, flavorful, well-built, and memorable. The whole concept works: big flavor, short format, no wasted time.

I’ve been wondering about the new My Father La Lealtad, and it did not take long to see why this cigar deserves attention. This feels like a fresh chapter from the García family, but it still carries that unmistakable My Father character: rich tobacco, steady construction, and a flavor profile with real backbone. From the first light, I picked up warm cedar, earth, pepper, and a touch of espresso, all wrapped into a smooth, confident smoke that feels refined without losing its edge.

As the cigar opened up, the balance really started to shine. The spice stayed present, but it did not overpower the blend. There was a creamy texture underneath the pepper, with notes of toasted nuts, wood, coffee, and a little natural sweetness that kept each draw interesting. It smokes like a medium-to-full bodied cigar, but the experience is more polished than aggressive. The draw was easy, the burn stayed consistent, and the smoke had that dense, satisfying feel you want from a premium release.

Overall, La Lealtad feels like a strong new addition to the My Father lineup. It has enough strength and flavor for seasoned smokers, but it is smooth enough to enjoy without feeling heavy. This is a cigar built on loyalty, tradition, and serious craftsmanship — and it lives up to that name. New blend, deep roots, and plenty of character. This one is absolutely worth making room for in the humidor.

I had been looking forward to trying the NEW Deadwood Tobacco portfoilio addition, Buenas Noches. because it sounded like a different direction for the line. A Connecticut wrapper, Dominican-focused filler, and that classic Deadwood sweetness felt like an interesting mix. After smoking it, I can honestly say it lived up to the hype and then some. It still has the signature sweetened cap, but underneath it is a cigar with far more tobacco character and complexity than I expected.

Right from the first light, the cigar delivered creamy notes of butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and soft vanilla. The smoke was thick and smooth with an easy draw. Underneath the sweetness, I started picking up leather, nuts, earth, and toasted oak. The Ecuador Connecticut wrapper kept everything mellow and silky while the Dominican tobacco slowly started taking over the profile. Around the middle, the cigar changed character completely. The sweetness backed off and richer notes of roasted peanuts, cocoa, coffee, cedar, and earthy tobacco moved forward. It almost felt like smoking two cigars in one, but the transition worked surprisingly well.

Construction on my cigar was excellent the entire way through. The burn stayed even, the ash held firm, and the draw had just enough resistance. What impressed me most was how approachable the cigar felt without becoming boring. It walks a line between traditional tobacco flavor and the sweeter Deadwood identity better than I expected. The sweet cap definitely will not be for everyone, especially purists, but once it settles down there is a genuinely enjoyable blend underneath. For me, this ended up being one of the more interesting Deadwood releases because it actually balances sweetness with real cigar depth instead of relying on sweetness alone.

Ratings

• Flavor: 88/100
• Construction: 91/100
• Draw: 90/100
• Burn: 89/100
• Complexity: 87/100
• Sweetness Balance: 85/100
• Overall Experience: 88/100

Flavor Notes

• Brown Sugar
• Buttered Toast
• Cinnamon
• Cocoa
• Roasted Peanuts
• Cedar
• Coffee
• Earth
• Creamy Vanilla

Strength

• Body: Mild-Medium
• Strength: Mild-Medium

Finish

Creamy, sweet early on, then more earthy and nutty toward the final third with lingering cocoa and oak.

I finally had the chance to sit down with the Don Pepín García Clásicos 20 Años 2026, and this cigar immediately reminded me why Pepín blends have such a legendary reputation. The presentation alone feels special. The dark wrapper is oily and smooth (my favorite), and the aroma before lighting gives off rich cedar, earth, and pepper. From the very first draw, the cigar delivers that classic Pepín spice blast, but it quickly settles into a balanced and refined smoke.

As the cigar developed, I picked up layers of roasted cocoa, leather, toasted nuts, espresso, and a deep earthy sweetness that stayed consistent all the way through. The smoke production was thick and creamy, and the construction was nearly flawless with an even burn and strong ash. What stood out most to me was how full-bodied the cigar felt without becoming harsh. It stayed rich, smooth, and complex from beginning to end.

This feels like a true anniversary cigar — bold, luxurious, and built for experienced smokers who enjoy classic Nicaraguan strength and flavor. The blend carries a lot of depth and character while still feeling polished and celebratory. If you enjoy traditional Don Pepín spice with a more refined and aged profile, this is absolutely worth experiencing. Stunning experience.

Construction: 97/100
Burn: 96/100
Draw: 98/100
Flavor: 95/100
Complexity: 96/100
Smoke Output: 98/100
Overall Experience: 96/100

Strength: Full
Body: Full
Finish: Long and layered

Bold, powerful, and brand new from Drew Estate’s Undercrown- El Tigre Dominicano.

I recently smoked the Undercrown El Tigre Dominicano from Drew Estate and the first thing I noticed was how dark and bold the cigar looked. The presentation alone gives off a powerful feel. Once I lit it, the smoke was thick, smooth, and full of flavor right from the beginning. I immediately picked up notes of earth, black pepper, espresso, charred oak, and a little sweetness underneath everything. The cigar had a rich aroma that stayed enjoyable the entire smoke.

The construction was excellent from start to finish. The draw was easy, the burn stayed even, and the cigar produced dense clouds of smoke with almost every puff. As the cigar opened up, the flavors became deeper and more layered. I started getting more dark coffee, cedar, leather, and warm spice as the smoke developed. Even with the strength building through the middle and final third, the cigar stayed smooth and balanced. Nothing tasted harsh or overpowering. It felt refined while still carrying that heavy Undercrown attitude.

What I liked most about El Tigre Dominicano was the overall experience. It feels like a late-night cigar made for relaxing, slowing down, and really paying attention to the flavors. The smoke feels rich and luxurious without losing its edge. Fans of darker cigars will appreciate the depth, body, and long finish. It has the kind of profile that makes you want to smoke it again while the flavor is still sitting on your palate. For me, this was a bold, satisfying cigar that delivered exactly what I hoped for from a powerful Drew Estate release. 🐅🔥

Ratings

• Appearance: 9.4 / 10
• Construction: 9.3 / 10
• Draw: 9.5 / 10
• Burn: 9.1 / 10
• Smoke Output: 9.7 / 10
• Flavor Complexity: 9.2 / 10
• Strength: Medium-Full to Full
• Overall Experience: 9.4 / 10

The E.P. Carrillo Encore Black is the darker follow-up to the original Encore line, the same blend family that earned Cigar Aficionado’s 2018 “Cigar of the Year” award with the Encore Majestic. Ernesto Perez-Carrillo created Encore Black to offer a richer and deeper smoking experience while keeping the balance and craftsmanship that made the original Encore so respected. Production is limited, with only around 5,000 boxes released annually, making it highly sought after by maduro and Broadleaf cigar smokers. The cigar has also received strong ratings from reviewers, including an 89 from Cigar Coop and praise from Halfwheel for its complexity, balance, and rich maduro character.

I smoked the E.P. Carrillo Encore Black and immediately noticed the dark Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. The cigar looked oily, rich, and perfectly box-pressed. Construction felt solid in the hand with a smooth draw and even burn from the start.

The first few puffs gave me espresso, black pepper, oak, and dark chocolate. The smoke was thick, creamy, and full of flavor. As the cigar opened up, I picked up leather, earth, toasted wood, and a subtle sweetness from the San Andrés binder. The retrohale had spice, but it stayed balanced and refined the entire time.

What I enjoyed most about the Encore Black was the experience. It felt rich without becoming overpowering. The blend stayed smooth, flavorful, and consistent all the way through the final third. If you enjoy Broadleaf wrappers, maduro cigars, EPC blends, and bold smoke with complexity, the Encore Black absolutely delivers.

RATING

After smoking the Encore Black myself, I would personally rate it a 91/100. It was very enjoyable, and I was thinking it would be too heavy for me, but it was incredibly smooth.

Construction — 93
Excellent box-press shape, dark oily Broadleaf wrapper, firm pack, and an even burn throughout most of the smoke.

Draw & Smoke Output — 92
The draw was smooth and effortless with thick, creamy smoke production from the first puff to the finish.

Flavor — 91
Rich notes of espresso, dark chocolate, black pepper, oak, leather, and earth layered together well. The San Andrés binder added depth and spice without overpowering the blend.

Complexity — 90
The cigar transitioned nicely between darker maduro flavors and sweeter wood tones while staying balanced the entire time.

Overall Experience — 91
Encore Black delivers a refined maduro experience with premium construction, rich smoke, and excellent balance. It feels luxurious without becoming too heavy or aggressive. A strong choice for smokers who enjoy Broadleaf wrappers, EPC blends, and darker premium cigars.