Size: 6 inches x 54 ring gauge

Everybody loves an underdog story – the one where the little guy beats the odds and comes up a big winner. That's a classic American tale, and that's also the story of Crowned Heads. In 2011, John Huber and a few of his co-workers at CAO (in Nashville) decided to strike out on their own when the parent company was purchased and plans to move its headquarters were announced. Given the state of the economy at the time, it was a risky move. One can only imagine the difficulty of starting a cigar company from scratch. It's lucky for us they knew the business. Against the odds, and in less than four years, the little guys hit it big.

Size Reviewed: 6 1/4 inches x 52 ring gauge

It was with great fascination (and, I admit, a little trepidation) that I approached this latest cigar review. Señorial Cigars is a new brand for me, despite the fact that the man behind the brand, José Blanco, has been heavily involved with two other brands I am very familiar with – Joya de Nicaragua and La Aurora.

My experiences with Joya de Nicaragua have certainly changed over the years as my palate has evolved. And Señorial, like Joya de Nicaragua, is not a cigar I feel should be recommended for a novice to the cigar hobby. I always try to read the manufacturer's marketing and sales information on a cigar before trying it. This cigar is described as "a full-bodied and truly full-flavored cigar" for good reason. Because it is! This is definitely a cigar targeted at the seasoned cigar smoker.

Size: 5 inches x 54 ring gauge

I’ve smoked cigars since the late 90s. And one of the main brands I smoked starting out was Punch. That being said, I’ve always had a soft spot for Punch cigars.

Over the years, I’ve smoked a lot more brands and developed more favorites. But I do find myself going back occasionally to Punch and Excalibur cigars.

General Cigars isn’t known for stepping outside the box much. Most of its cigars are mild or, at most, medium bodied with a kind of standard, safe flavor profile. I’ve never been a really big fan of the Punch Rare Corojo, but I love the Punch Uppercut. So I was curious to see how I would like the new Signature.

Size: 5 inches x 60 ring gauge

What's in a name? What does the name on your cigar mean? What image does it evoke? The various cigar brands and themed names for assorted blends and sizes are often arbitrary, and sometimes comical. Take, for instance, Room 101 Limited's Namakubi line.

Size: 5.5 inches x 54 ring gauge

Every now and then, curiosity gets the better of me. I stumbled across Southern Draw Cigars somewhere on the internet, and was immediately intrigued. I'd never heard a word of hype, or really anything at all, about the company or its cigars. So, I investigated.

Southern Draw Cigars was started a little over a year ago in Austin, Texas by a group of cigar-loving U.S. Veterans. According to the website, the name Southern Draw is emblematic of the quintessential Southern gentleman, everything he represents, and a cigar that always has a perfect draw. The cigars are made by A.J. Fernandez in Esteli, Nicaragua.

Kings Cigars Kings Arapiraca Corona

Compiled by Doug McGuire (Mad Dawg)

This review marks the return of a tradition that stretches back several years. The purpose of the Cigar Weekly Blind Review series is to provide unbiased feedback to cigar manufacturers concerning their products. 

Kings Cigars is a new arrival on the international cigar scene. From early discussions in a bar in Santiago in the Dominican Republic, a business model was formed, and a new company begun with the intent “to create flawless cigars using the finest aged binder and filler tobacco, complimented with the ultimate wrapper to attain KINGS perfection.” 

Kings Cigars King of Kings Broadleaf Robusto

Compiled by Doug McGuire (Mad Dawg)

This is the second Kings Cigars cigar to be evaluated by our tasting panel.

Kings Cigars is a new arrival on the international cigar scene. From early discussions in a bar in Santiago, Dominican Republic, a business model was formed and a new company begun with the intent "…to create flawless cigars using the finest aged binder and filler tobacco, complimented with the ultimate wrapper to attain KINGS perfection."

Size: 6 inches by 52 ring gauge

There are numerous cigar brands in the world. Some, you'll find everywhere. Some are only available in a handful of shops. There are mass-produced labels that everyone knows, and then there are the boutique brands that can be nearly impossible to find. A few cigar makers ‘live’ in both neighborhoods.

Size: 7 inches x 58 ring gauge

Every so often, I like to revisit a cigar that’s been around for awhile. What the heck. Some of you may not have run across it. Even a cigar like the La Aroma de Cuba El Jefe, which is in most tobacconists’ shops, may have eluded a few cigar enthusiasts. I’m not sure exactly when this cigar hit the market. However, the one that I will be reviewing here has been in my humidor since December, 2012. Yes, I know the El Jefe has been written up almost too many times to count. But do you remember all of those reviews? No? Well, here’s mine.

Size: 6 inches x 60 ring gauge

The Toraño Family Cigars factory may be better known for the cigars it makes for other labels than for its own lines. CAO, Dunhill, Gurkha and many more have had their cigars produced in the Toraño factories in Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. Only in the last decade has the Toraño name itself become well known.