Happy New Year to all. 2023 is upon us and I hope every has excellent and prosperous year.

Today I would like to present to you the Stogie Press Top Cigars for 2022. As mentioned in previous articles, there are 3 categories (Large, Medium, Small Companies). Each category has 15 cigars in it and of course a top cigar in each category. From the three top cigars, 1 is selected as the overall top cigar for 2022 on Stogie Press.

Before we get into the winners, let me say that there were 100’s of cigars to sample and rate through the year. Not all cigars I sampled got a review because they just were not that deserving of a review and the time it takes to publish one; besides – I am not in the business to slam cigar brands.

It is also noteworthy that the majority of the top cigars, on Stogie Press this year, originated from Nicaragua by about a 3-1 majority with those from the Dominican coming in second in number. The best cigar in each category also hailed from Nicaragua and the overall top cigar cost only $10.00 with the other two between $13.00 and $14.00.

So without further ado, here is the 2022 Top Cigars, starting with the overall #1 Cigar of the Year on Stogie Press.

Medium Size Company

Crux Du Connoisseur No. 4

Overall #1 Cigar of the Year 2022

Wrapper – Nicaraguan Habano
Binder – Nicaraguan
Filler – Honduran

I have been writing about Crux Cigars since their debut in 2014 and have enjoyed their craft since the first cigar I smoked from them. Having enjoyed the original Crux Du Connoisseur way back in the day, I had high expectations for the No. 4 and once again the brothers Haugen (actually they are cousins and great BOTL’s) did not disappoint. In fact I think this is an awesome expression of the blend. It offered an complex and extremely well balanced array of flavors along with an inviting sweet nut aroma.

The burn is one I don’t get to rave about much but this was spot on razor sharp and never missed a beat. I especially enjoyed the dark chocolate and cinnamon notes early in the burn and the sweetness and cedar later. This is most certainly the most discerning enthusiasts should have in their humidor and with the smooth medium strength even a new enthusiast would enjoy the palate pleasing notes this had to offer. Buy a box of these for sure. Scoring a solid 98 it beat out the toughest competition to be the Stogie Press 2022 Cigar of the Year. They don’t get much better than this!

Read the Review Here

The Rest Of The Field

Small Size Company

West Tampa Tobacco Co. Attic Series – The Attic Toro

Wrapper – Mexican San Andrés
Binder – Nicaraguan (Condega)
Filler – Nicaraguan (Condega and Estelí)

West Tampa Tobacco Co. Attic Series – The Attic was a well constructed cigar that offered a delicious array of flavors and an enticing sweet aroma. The burn was error free and the draw was smooth and offered a full volume of smoke on every puff.

The flavors were very well balanced throughout the journey and I especially enjoyed the mouth watering citrus notes and the sweet caramel and dark chocolate. This medium to full strength cigar may be the best offering yet from Ricky Rodriquez and should be enjoyed by any seasoned cigar enthusiast. Even if you are relatively new to the cigar world, I strongly recommend you pick up some of these to expand your smoking experience . This is most certainly worth a box buy. I rate this a solid 97.

Read the Review Here

The Rest Of The Field

Large Size Company

Espinosa Cigars – Knuckle Sandwich Maduro

Wrapper – Ecuadorian Sumatra Maduro
Binder – Nicaraguan
Filler – Nicaraguan

The Knuckle Sandwich Maduro is one of the best Espinosa cigars to grace my palate. It lives up to its name with a solid flavor punch to the mouth. From pre-light to nub it offered a balanced array of flavors and aromas that never failed to please the palate puff after puff.

A fine core of natural sweetness developed throughout the burn wrapping notes of cocoa, floral, pepper, savory spice and even some orange zest and hint of mint. The construction was spot on with a solid ash and an ever present, even burn line. What more can I say other tan go buy a box of these and enjoy every inch of burn. I guess having a cigar smoking chef working on the blend for 18 months to get it perfect worked out. Looking forward to trying the habano blend next. I rate this a solid 97

Read the Review Here

The Rest Of The Field

Best Wishes for 2023

I look forward to seeing many of you throughout the new year at cigar events and trade shows. I am sure we will have plenty to talk about. My year is packed with lots of cigar related activity for sure. Stay tuned to Season 4 of Taking It To The Nub and keep an eye out for those special Stogie Press Subscriber Giveaways.

The big event for me, is my July Climb for Autism, up Mt. Fuji with my son Dr. Dominic Vita. We will be announcing a fund raising campaign in February where you can donate to our selected Autism charity. Keep tuned for that and let’s see how much we can raise, as a community, to help those on the Autism Spectrum. Dr. Vita received his PhD from Vanderbilt University, in Biological Research, studying the neural impacts of Autism.

With That Said – Have a Happy New Year and Congratulation to the winners of this years Stogie Press Top Cigars of 2022. ~Boston Jimmie