Worthy heirs to the Cuban tradition, Dominican cigars are now recognized the world over for the quality of their manufacture and their unique flavours. Thanks to a rich, fertile terroir and top-of-the-range craftsmanship, they are now among the most sought-after cigars among aficionados. We've selected 10 nuggets for you to try at least once in your life!
1. Opus X Fuente Fuente
Opus X by Arturo Fuente is more than just a cigar, it's a work of art. Made entirely from tobacco leaves grown in the Dominican Republic, it is the 1st Dominican puro in the world to be marketed, and also the most sought-after by aficionados. After many years of research, Carlito Fuente has succeeded in developing a high-quality wrapper leaf on Dominican soil. Opus X Fuente Fuente is wrapped in a thick, silky, perfectly uniform wrapper grown at Château de la Fuente. It offers a unique taste, both rich and complex, revealing nuances of spices, cedar and figs. Produced in limited quantities, this is a rare cigar that will appeal to discerning smokers and collectors alike.
2. Ashton ESG
The Ashton ESG cigars (Estate Sun Grown) is a limited edition made from extremely rare tobaccos grown in the Dominican Republic. The fruit of a collaboration between Robert Levin and Carlos Fuente Jr. these puros are hand-rolled in a Sun Grown wrapper leaf produced at "Château de la Fuente". These are bold cigars with spicy flavors that deliver notes of cedar, graham crackers, black pepper and molasses. Winner of numerous awards from Cigar Aficionado magazine in the "best cigars of the year" category, the Ashton ESG line is available in 5 classic sizes.
3. Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature
The Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature is an exceptional cigar. Hand-rolled by master torcedors, it features a rare Cameroon wrapper and a mild-to-medium blend of Dominican tripe tobaccos. This blend offers aromas of pepper, leather, earth and spices, with hints of cedar, roasted coffee and chocolate. Thanks to its excellent Perfecto rolling, it offers a perfect burn and ensures a tasting session lasting between 45 and 90 minutes. A magnificent tribute to the American novelist known for his taste in cigars!
4. La Flor Dominicana Andalusian Bull
Voted "Cigar of the Year 2016" by the magazine Cigar AficionadoThe Andalusian Bull offers a unique blend of tobaccos from Lito Gomez's special reserves on the La Canela plantation. This extremely rare cigar boasts a beautifully finished Ecuadorian Corojo wrapper and uses a blend of Criollo 98, hybrid tobacco and Pelo de Oro. On lighting, it seduces us with full-bodied aromas of leather and hickory. This figurado then gradually evolves towards notes of saffron, cumin and citrus, all of which are perfectly matched. With a tasting that continues to improve from start to finish, La Flor Dominicana Andalusian Bull fascinates as much as it amazes.
5. Davidoff Aniversario
A benchmark in the premium cigar industry, the Davidoff delights us once again with this top-quality Dominican cigar. Made from an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper leaf and a precious blend of Dominican filler tobaccos, the Davidoff Aniversario offers a complex, balanced aromatic palette. Its aromas of cedar, spices, pepper and roasted hazelnuts combine perfectly to create sweet, musky profiles that are similar to those of the Davidoff Double R. Comprising 6 modules ( Double Corona, Toro, Short Corona, Short Perfecto, Robusto and Torpedo), this line of cigars is characterized by a surprising lightness and aromatic intensity that will satisfy the most demanding cigar aficionados.
6. La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero
Made at the factory La Flor Dominicana in the Dominican Republic, La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero is an exceptional cigar reserved for experienced connoisseurs. A blend of reserve Dominican tobaccos and a Sumatra wrapper leaf from Ecuador, this blend contains twice as much ligero as a classic cigar, for tenfold power. In fact, it's one of the most full-bodied cigars on the market. Despite this exceptional strength, La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero offers perfectly balanced aromas. The first puffs intoxicate us with woody, spicy flavors that evolve into notes of cream, coffee and chocolate.
7. Gurkha Cellar Reserve 15 Years Prisoner
Presented in a superb wooden box in the style of a fine wine crate, Le Cellar Reserve 15 years Limited Edition is an extremely rare cigar that should not be placed in just any hands. Rolled from Dominican tobaccos aged for 15 years and a 1998 Criollo wrapper leaf from Nicaragua, this blend offers medium to full strength and a rich tasting experience. From the outset, it releases subtle aromas of pepper, cedar and earth, gradually evolving towards notes of chocolate and hazelnut. A great success that goes perfectly with an old scotch.
8. Flores Y Rodriguez Reserva Limitada 10th Anniversary
The cigar Flores Y Rodriguez Reserva Limitada 10th Anniversary is a remarkable blend created by P.D.R. Cigars to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their Dominican factory in Tamboril. It uses a Piloto Cubano long grain aged for 7 years, an Olor wrapper and an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. With medium strength and an ideal burn, this blend surprises us with its rich yet subtle aromatic palette. From the very first puff, it reveals a gentle blend of cedar and white pepper, as well as earthy and herbaceous notes. There are also hints of citrus, dark chocolate and clove throughout.
9. Arturo Fuente Anejo No. 77 Shark
The third Arturo Fuente cigar in our selection, the Anejo No. 77 Shark module brilliantly embodies the expertise of this great Dominican house. As rare as it is magnificent, this Torpedo uses a selection of the finest tobaccos from "Château de la Fuente", perfectly wrapped in a superb Connecticut Maduro wrapper previously aged for 5 years in cognac casks. Flagship of Anejo rangeThis cigar is produced only 2 times a year. Right from the start, it offers creamy flavors that evolve into notes of walnut, vanilla, espresso and cedar. With its progressive strength and perfect aromatic balance, the Anejo No. 77 Shark is a particularly accomplished cigar that deserves its reputation as an exceptional cigar.
10. VegaFina 1998 La Romana
Manufactured at the Garcia tabacalera in the Dominican Republic, the range of VegaFina La Romana 1998 pays tribute to the year the brand was created. Unlike its predecessors, this cigar offers a much more complex aromatic profile and nuanced flavors. Created from a blend of Dominican, Colombian and Nicaraguan tobaccos aged for a minimum of 3 years, this blend features a superb "Shade Grown" wrapper from Ecuador and a Java sub-wrapper from Indonesia. Medium-bodied, it offers nuances of spice, molasses, almonds and coffee. A great success for this anniversary range.
