The 5 best cigars that I smoked in July, out of over 50 opportunities:

[Question for you all - what was your favorite smoke(s) for last month?]

5. Tatuaje La Verite 2013: a very complex and flavorful cigar. One review I read suggested you should fight Chuck Norris for them. I may not go that far, but I did go back to the shop to buy every one they had left. 

4. La Palina Mr. Sam: this particular stock had been aged for almost 10 years according to my B&M shop, and it was all worth the wait. Maybe my favorite La Palina (although I had an Alison today that might take that top spot for the brand).

3. Alec Bradley Post Embargo, original blend: discontinued in 2021. I like the newer one (blend code B15) but this one was incredible. Rich, sweet, baking spices, etc. Just outstanding. I went back to pick up a few more of this one as well. 

2. Don Carlos Edicion de Aniversario: pretty much my favorite cigar. It is hard for me to imagine a top 5 where it isn't on the list somehow. This month paired with a pure of Nashville Barrel 20- year Bourbon, which was a sublime match. 

1. Tatuaje 7th Corojo: a very recent release, and contender for my favorite sub $10 cigar. Just a fabulous cigar, with a superb balance of sweetness, spice, a little woodiness, and more. I enjoyed it so much that I not only stockpiled a bunch of them, I am building a Tatuaje exclusive tupperdore to hold some of my favorites from them. 

Honorable mentions:
- Cohiba Red Dot - highly affordable Cameroon sticks (online pricing) and great for the golf course. 
- Lure Big Lou - tasty stick.
- Partagas Classic - aged in the humidor fur a few years, and still holds on to classic Cameroon flavors.
- Tatuaje Escasos - another favorite from Tatuaje, and a great pairing with a morning or afternoon coffee.
- Tatuaje Pork Tenderloin - I'm guessing most of us have tried it by now and know how good this one is as well.
- Diamond Crown Natural #1 - beautiful and flavorful Connecticut Shade wrapper, excellent for a slow morning with a rich coffee. I'm trying to grab a few more of the original label sticks before they are replaced by the new label (although I think they are essentially the same cigar).
- Espinosa Wooden Indian 60th Anniversary - surprised me how good this one was. I'm not as big fan of Espinosa, but this was a balanced and quite enjoyable cigar. Much better than expected.  

Best cigars for July 2025