If you’re like me, you’re thrilled now that spring is here with beautiful weather for your favorite cigars! There’s also so much that’s been released since last spring that I haven’t had a chance to get to until recently. If you’re itching for a good maduro in great weather, these are some of my favorite picks for May.

Blind Man’s Bluff This is Trouble

One of my favorite cigars of last year was a limited-edition Blind Man’s Bluff from Caldwell called This is Trouble. Trouble went on to be highly regarded by our Blind Review Panel, and delicately balances big, bold flavors with sophistication and finesse. I’ve been enjoying last year’s Robusto with brandy to bring out the sweeter impressions, but my box is running dry. Thankfully, Caldwell just released two new vitolas to experience: Corona and Lonsdale Extra!

Crowned Heads Mil Dias Marranitos EL 2022

I’ve smoked more of these than anything else recently, and don’t see myself slowing down anytime soon! Just when you think the Mil Dias line can’t get any better, Crowned Heads swaps the wrapper for a gorgeous Ecuadorian Sumatra Maduro leaf to crank that flavor dial all the way up. This blend is simply superb, and is everything I never knew I needed from Crowned Heads and Tabacalera Pichardo. My favorite way to experience the limited edition Marranitos is with sparkling water and a shot of espresso.

Serino Royale Maduro XX

I’ve had an affinity of Ecuadorian Habano tobaccos for quite a while, but Serino and La Corona really underscored this for me years ago. Most of their Royale series is a masterclass in Ecuadorian Habano, and the Maduro XX tastes like pure luxury to my senses. The use of Jalapa medio tiempo is very flavorful, yet the blend never becomes too aggressive or overwhelming. Maduro XX might just be the closest we’ll get to natural tobaccos tasting like chocolate covered cherries in my lifetime! I tend to gravitate towards soft drink pairings with these, especially pure can sugar Coca Cola if you can find it.

Companion de Warped

I became intrigued with this cigar when I heard the words Hostos Quesada, Kyle Gellis, the Dominican Republic, and Mexican San Andres all in the same sentence. After the first inch, I knew my humidor needed a box like a toolbox needs an adjustable wrench. Companion is distinctly Warped, harmonizing sweet, spicy, and savory tasting notes in a fresh and exciting way. This blend’s peppery, savory introductions are the perfect companion (so to speak) to dark chocolate and dried fruit. I’ve been pairing these with everything from Cappuccinos to rye whiskey and have yet to find a bad duo!

Crowned Heads Headley Grange Black Lab (Vintage, 2018)

Black Lab is one of my favorite Crowned Heads releases in history, and we were very fortunate to be able to put a small amount online recently! Over time, some of the rowdier tasting notes have rounded their edges and this blend is an absolute treat for fans that smoked through them years ago. I enjoyed one with rum last night and was blown away by how well they’ve aged. It was so good, in fact, that I don’t see myself letting them survive another season – I’ll be enjoying as many of these as I can this spring while they taste like perfection.

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