Despite some opposition from the FDA, 2017 was a phenomenal year for cigar enthusiasts. We’re talking about a year in which small batch, boutique factories and the well-established Titans of the industry both continually released fantastic smokes.
2017 was also a great year for price conscious smokers, with cigars like the ones below that smoke well above their MSRP. If you’re looking to get more bang for your buck, these cigars deliver like Karl Malone on a JV budget.
Herrera Esteli Inktome Exception
While sampling cigars for what we expected to be the 2017 release of the original Inktome project with Willie Herrera, we found an interesting sample that stopped us in our tracks. It’s like walking into the grocery store for one thing and walking out with something else that seized your attention.
For this blend, Willie chose a flat box-press that accentuates the flavors in a way that you can only experience for yourself. The Inktome Exception is bold, charming, and as unique as they come.
Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate
MSRP: $7.99
Serino Wayfarer Corona Gorda
Wayfarer pays homage to Carson Serino’s travels to Iceland where he spent a great deal of time strictly smoking Cuban cigars. During his time abroad, Carson developed an appreciation and fascination for what could be achieved using Nicaraguan tobacco to blend a medium-bodied, Cubanesque cigar.
Each vitola sports a different Cuban-style cap signifying some of his favorites from the trip. Wayfarer carefully balances the body and strength to provide an intoxicating experience with a low price of admission.
Factory: La Corona
MSRP: $7.70
Edition One Cloud Hopper No. 53
Edition One comes to us from Devin Gellis, the brother of Kyle Gellis of Warped Cigars. Cloud Hopper is named from the time that they’ve both spent in airplanes or as Kyle told Devin, “Devin, we cloud hop, we don’t do well behind desks… it’s not normal for us.”
Cloud Hopper is both an AGANORSA and therefore Nicaraguan puro, combining the talent of both Devin and Kyle. Coming in at roughly $6, Cloud Hopper has plenty to appreciate while the flavor profile gets creamier as you go. You can also read our Blind Review of the Cloud Hopper No. 88.
Factory: TABSA
MSRP: $6.30
HVC La Rosa 520 Encantos
La Rosa 520 is a tribute to Reinier Lorenzo’s home town in Havana City and for the third year in a row HVC has produced a new, limited edition size in the Encantos. And through Reinier’s excellent selection of Jalapa-only tobaccos for La Rosa, he’s given us a cigar that’s very reminiscent of the Cuban profile.
HVC is quickly becoming The People’s brand, releasing several hit cigars in recent years while maintaining a no-nonsense approach to MSRP. If you’re looking for a great cigar at a great price, you can always count on HVC to over deliver.
Factory: TABSA
MSRP: $7.90
Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Umbagog Short and Fat
Steve Saka is known for being uncompromising, meticulous, and more than a little picky when it comes to tobacco. That means that only a small percentage of the acquired Connecticut Broadleaf will ever make it to dress his beautiful Mi Querida line, translating into a loss for his bottom line and our humidors.
Until the Umbagog, that is. Named after his favorite fishing lake, Umbagog uses the blemished Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper to create a win for cigar enthusiasts that want Saka’s famed Broadleaf profile with impeccable NACSA construction for less than a ticket to the movies.
Factory: NACSA
MSRP: $8.45
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