Cigar Coop Prime Time Show

Episode 363 brings two first time guests to Prime Time, Brandon Oveson & Kendrick Woolstenhulme of Apostate Cigars. Apostate Cigars is one of the more unique brands we have seen hit the cigar industry. Last year the company made headlines by joining the family of Oveja Negra Brands. We will talk with Brandon and Kendrick on the story of their brand and this new partnership. Plus, we will have our FSG Beef Question of the Night, Tabacalera USA Ties That Bind, Alec Bradley Live True, Espinosa Today in Sports History, and the Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Deliberation segments.

Episode 363 brings two first time guests to Prime Time, Brandon Oveson & Kendrick Woolstenhulme of Apostate Cigars. Apostate Cigars is one of the more unique brands we have seen hit the cigar industry. Last year the company made headlines by joining the family of Oveja Negra Brands. We will talk with Brandon and Kendrick on the story of their brand and this new partnership. Plus, we will have our FSG Beef Question of the Night, Tabacalera USA Ties That Bind, Alec Bradley Live True, Espinosa Today in Sports History, and the Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Deliberation segments.

For Prime Time Special Edition 185, we kick off the year as we have most year's by reviewing Bear and Coop's top cigars of the year. In the past, Bear and Coop have critiqued the selections, but this year is a little different as they will assign S-Tier grading to the assessments. Plus, we have our Artesano del Tobacco Under the Sea, Tabacalera USA Great Things are Happening Here, and Espinosa This Day in Sports History segments.

For Prime Time Special Edition 185, we kick off the year as we have most year's by reviewing Bear and Coop's top cigars of the year. In the past, Bear and Coop have critiqued the selections, but this year is a little different as they will assign S-Tier grading to the assessments. Plus, we have our Artesano del Tobacco Under the Sea, Tabacalera USA Great Things are Happening Here, and Espinosa This Day in Sports History segments.

On Prime Time Jukebox Episode 178, it's our annual year in review. In Jukebox style we look back at both music and cigars for the year 2025. This includes Jukebox classic segments such as Now or Never and Crystal Ball. On this show, Dave smokes the Viaje Vampire Dust while Coop smokes the Perdomo 30th Anniversary Maduro Robusto. As always you can follow along with our Spotify Playlists: Episode 178 Playlist Dave's Top 50 for 2025

On Prime Time Jukebox Episode 178, it's our annual year in review. In Jukebox style we look back at both music and cigars for the year 2025. This includes Jukebox classic segments such as Now or Never and Crystal Ball. On this show, Dave smokes the Viaje Vampire Dust while Coop smokes the Perdomo 30th Anniversary Maduro Robusto. As always you can follow along with our Spotify Playlists: Episode 178 Playlist Dave's Top 50 for 2025

The #1 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Perdomo Legacy Shade-Grown Epicure. This gives Perdomo back-to-back #1s, as last year the Perdomo 30th Anniversary Maduro Epicure captured the top spot. Legacy is a project spearheaded by Nicholas Perdomo III, the son of Nick Perdomo Jr. Nicholas aimed to craft a cigar in tribute to his father's 60th birthday. This endeavor would lead him to embark on one of the most ambitious projects in the history of Perdomo Cigars. At the core of this project is shade-grown tobacco cultivated from a proprietary hybrid seed. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-ywv

The #1 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Perdomo Legacy Shade-Grown Epicure. This gives Perdomo back-to-back #1s, as last year the Perdomo 30th Anniversary Maduro Epicure captured the top spot. Legacy is a project spearheaded by Nicholas Perdomo III, the son of Nick Perdomo Jr. Nicholas aimed to craft a cigar in tribute to his father's 60th birthday. This endeavor would lead him to embark on one of the most ambitious projects in the history of Perdomo Cigars. At the core of this project is shade-grown tobacco cultivated from a proprietary hybrid seed. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-ywv

Coming in at #2 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is The Tabernacle Knight Commander by Foundation Cigar Co. The Knight Commander is a limited-edition cigar measuring 6 3/4 x 52 in a perfecto shape, belonging to the Foundation's Tabernacle brand. The name “Tabernacle” refers to a biblical resting place for the Ark of the Covenant. According to legend, the Ark is said to be located in Ethiopia, which adds a rich narrative connection to The Knight Commander's story. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-yws

Coming in at #2 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is The Tabernacle Knight Commander by Foundation Cigar Co. The Knight Commander is a limited-edition cigar measuring 6 3/4 x 52 in a perfecto shape, belonging to the Foundation's Tabernacle brand. The name “Tabernacle” refers to a biblical resting place for the Ark of the Covenant. According to legend, the Ark is said to be located in Ethiopia, which adds a rich narrative connection to The Knight Commander's story. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-yws  

Coming in at #3 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Aladino Cameroon Reserva by JRE Tobacco Co.. The Aladino Cameroon Reserva is one of the more unique blends to hit the market. The cigar features 100% Honduran-grown Cameroon tobacco from the JRE Tobacco farm. One type of blend I don't recall seeing anywhere is a 100% puro of Cameroon seed tobacco. JRE, and its owners, Julio and Justo Eiroa, have definitely not been afraid to push the envelope when it comes to innovation on their farm. The concept of a cigar made entirely from Cameroon seed is undoubtedly innovative. It's also a project that JRE has been working on for nearly seven years. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-yvL

Coming in at #3 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Aladino Cameroon Reserva by JRE Tobacco Co.. The Aladino Cameroon Reserva is one of the more unique blends to hit the market. The cigar features 100% Honduran-grown Cameroon tobacco from the JRE Tobacco farm. One type of blend I don't recall seeing anywhere is a 100% puro of Cameroon seed tobacco. JRE, and its owners, Julio and Justo Eiroa, have definitely not been afraid to push the envelope when it comes to innovation on their farm. The concept of a cigar made entirely from Cameroon seed is undoubtedly innovative. It's also a project that JRE has been working on for nearly seven years. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-yvL

Coming in at #4 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the H. Upmann 180th Anniversary Churchill. In 2024, the H. Upmann brand celebrated its 180th anniversary. To mark the occasion, Altadis U.S.A. would release a special cigar line in honor of that milestone.  Rafael Nodal, Vice President of Product Capability at Altadis, and cigar master AJ Fernandez developed this cigar. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-yvb  

Coming in at #4 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the H. Upmann 180th Anniversary Churchill. In 2024, the H. Upmann brand celebrated its 180th anniversary. To mark the occasion, Altadis U.S.A. would release a special cigar line in honor of that milestone.  Rafael Nodal, Vice President of Product Capability at Altadis, and cigar master AJ Fernandez developed this cigar. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-yvb  

Episode 362 kicks off 2026 for Prime Time and tonight we welcome back the one and only Tim Ozgener of Oz Family Cigars to the show. Tim has a long history in the cigar business, but he came back twofold in 2022 – joining Crowned Heads and starting a new company, Oz Family Cigars. We will talk to Tim on the road he is making back in the cigar industry as well as the happenings in the companies. Plus, we will have our FSG Beef Question of the Night, Tabacalera USA Ties That Bind, Alec Bradley Live True, Espinosa Today in Sports History, and the Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Deliberation segments.

Episode 362 kicks off 2026 for Prime Time and tonight we welcome back the one and only Tim Ozgener of Oz Family Cigars to the show. Tim has a long history in the cigar business, but he came back twofold in 2022 – joining Crowned Heads and starting a new company, Oz Family Cigars. We will talk to Tim on the road he is making back in the cigar industry as well as the happenings in the companies. Plus, we will have our FSG Beef Question of the Night, Tabacalera USA Ties That Bind, Alec Bradley Live True, Espinosa Today in Sports History, and the Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Deliberation segments.

Coming in at #5 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Domain Entropy Robusto Gordo. Domain Cigars is a new company that launched in March 2024. The company is part of a partnership between Esteban Disla and Daniel Lance. One thing that is quite interesting about Domain Cigars is that they are not just entering the market as a brand, but as a full-service tobacco company. This includes agriculture, tobacco processing, tobacco brokering, and cigar making under its own factory, Tabacalera Familia Disla. Domain Entropy is the third regular production line under the brand. This cigar follows Domain's path of naming cigars after concepts in physics, as the brand's first two lines were Neutron and Negentropy. The concept of Entropy is most commonly associated with states of disorder, randomness, or uncertainty. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-yuu

Coming in at #5 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Domain Entropy Robusto Gordo. Domain Cigars is a new company that launched in March 2024. The company is part of a partnership between Esteban Disla and Daniel Lance. One thing that is quite interesting about Domain Cigars is that they are not just entering the market as a brand, but as a full-service tobacco company. This includes agriculture, tobacco processing, tobacco brokering, and cigar making under its own factory, Tabacalera Familia Disla. Domain Entropy is the third regular production line under the brand. This cigar follows Domain's path of naming cigars after concepts in physics, as the brand's first two lines were Neutron and Negentropy. The concept of Entropy is most commonly associated with states of disorder, randomness, or uncertainty. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-yuu

Coming in at #6 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Perdomo Legacy Maduro Robusto. This Maduro is part of Perdomo's Legacy line. Legacy is a project spearheaded by Nicholas Perdomo III, the son of Nick Perdomo Jr. Nicholas aimed to craft a cigar in tribute to his father's 60th birthday. This endeavor would lead him to embark on one of the most ambitious projects in the history of Perdomo Cigars. At the core of this project is shade-grown tobacco cultivated from a proprietary hybrid seed. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-ytI

Coming in at #6 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Perdomo Legacy Maduro Robusto. This Maduro is part of Perdomo's Legacy line. Legacy is a project spearheaded by Nicholas Perdomo III, the son of Nick Perdomo Jr. Nicholas aimed to craft a cigar in tribute to his father's 60th birthday. This endeavor would lead him to embark on one of the most ambitious projects in the history of Perdomo Cigars. At the core of this project is shade-grown tobacco cultivated from a proprietary hybrid seed. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-ytI

Coming in at #7 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Fuente Fuente OpusX La Familia 25 Years. As the name suggests, this line commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Fuente Fuente OpusX brand. OpusX holds significant importance for its creator, Carlos “Carlito” Fuente Jr. In late 1995, Carlito introduced the Fuente Fuente OpusX, a revolutionary cigar that demonstrated to the world that an ultra-premium Dominican puro could be crafted using a Dominican-grown wrapper. The OpusX 25 Years line was first introduced at the 2021 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show as part of an offering in an Elie Bleu humidor. That vitola for that release was a Churchill known as El Tributo. Fast forward to the 2024 PCA Trade Show, and Arturo Fuente showcased a perfecto size known as La Familia. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-yt1

Coming in at #7 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Fuente Fuente OpusX La Familia 25 Years. As the name suggests, this line commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Fuente Fuente OpusX brand. OpusX holds significant importance for its creator, Carlos “Carlito” Fuente Jr. In late 1995, Carlito introduced the Fuente Fuente OpusX, a revolutionary cigar that demonstrated to the world that an ultra-premium Dominican puro could be crafted using a Dominican-grown wrapper. The OpusX 25 Years line was first introduced at the 2021 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show as part of an offering in an Elie Bleu humidor. That vitola for that release was a Churchill known as El Tributo. Fast forward to the 2024 PCA Trade Show, and Arturo Fuente showcased a perfecto size known as La Familia. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-yt1

For Prime Time Jukebox Episode 177, it's our 21st installment of the Album Archaeology Series. Tonight, we go back to the landmark 1987 album, Kick by INXS. Much like an archaeologist digs and hunts for gems, on Album Archaeology we dig deep into an album. We examine each of the tracks of this album looking at the music, lyrics, and stories behind this album. For this show, Dave smokes the My Father Blue Petit Robusto and Coop smokes a pre-release of the Micallef White Robusto. As always you can follow along with our Spotify Playlists: Episode 177 Playlist References 2025 Top 50 2025 New Oldies Brigitte Bardot: The blonde bombshell who revolutionised French cinema Perry Bamonte, guitarist and keyboardist for The Cure, dies at 65 Dolly Parton tells Zac Brown time off helped her heal and grieve Kennedy Center Honors Highlights 2025 Cigar of the Year Countdown

For Prime Time Jukebox Episode 177, it's our 21st installment of the Album Archaeology Series. Tonight, we go back to the landmark 1987 album, Kick by INXS. Much like an archaeologist digs and hunts for gems, on Album Archaeology we dig deep into an album. We examine each of the tracks of this album looking at the music, lyrics, and stories behind this album. For this show, Dave smokes the My Father Blue Petit Robusto and Coop smokes a pre-release of the Micallef White Robusto. As always you can follow along with our Spotify Playlists: Episode 177 Playlist References 2025 Top 50 2025 New Oldies Brigitte Bardot: The blonde bombshell who revolutionised French cinema Perry Bamonte, guitarist and keyboardist for The Cure, dies at 65 Dolly Parton tells Zac Brown time off helped her heal and grieve Kennedy Center Honors Highlights 2025 Cigar of the Year Countdown

Coming in at #8 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Kristoff Veinte Twentieth Anniversary Toro. Kristoff Veinte Twentieth Anniversary made its debut in 2024. The year 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of owner Glen Case's entry into the cigar industry. Until now, there hasn't been an anniversary cigar in Kristoff's lineup, but the Veinte has taken on that role. It is a regular production cigar within the Kristoff brand. The name “Veinte” means “twenty” in Spanish. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-ysP  

Coming in at #8 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Kristoff Veinte Twentieth Anniversary Toro. Kristoff Veinte Twentieth Anniversary made its debut in 2024. The year 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of owner Glen Case's entry into the cigar industry. Until now, there hasn't been an anniversary cigar in Kristoff's lineup, but the Veinte has taken on that role. It is a regular production cigar within the Kristoff brand. The name “Veinte” means “twenty” in Spanish. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-ysP

Coming in at #9 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Aging Room La Bohème Poeta. La Bohème was initially released in 2014 by Rafael Nodal under his Boutique Blends Cigars portfolio. La Bohème is the name of an opera composed by Giacomo Puccini, a favorite of Nodal's. It was a brand that was intended to bring together three passions of Nodal's: music, Cuban Culture, and, of course, his love of cigars. In 2017, things changed for Nodal. He would move distribution over to Altadis U.S.A. and join the Altadis team as Director of Product Capability (and later, Vice President). At the time this happened, some streamlining and reorganizing of the brands under Boutique Blends Cigars took place, and one line that was put on hold was La Bohème. Late in 2024 word came that La Bohème would indeed be making a comeback. This time branded as the Aging Room La Bohème, featuring a brand-new blend. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-yso

Coming in at #9 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Aging Room La Bohème Poeta. La Bohème was initially released in 2014 by Rafael Nodal under his Boutique Blends Cigars portfolio. La Bohème is the name of an opera composed by Giacomo Puccini, a favorite of Nodal's. It was a brand that was intended to bring together three passions of Nodal's: music, Cuban Culture, and, of course, his love of cigars. In 2017, things changed for Nodal. He would move distribution over to Altadis U.S.A. and join the Altadis team as Director of Product Capability (and later, Vice President). At the time this happened, some streamlining and reorganizing of the brands under Boutique Blends Cigars took place, and one line that was put on hold was La Bohème. Late in 2024 word came that La Bohème would indeed be making a comeback. This time branded as the Aging Room La Bohème, featuring a brand-new blend. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-yso  

Coming in at #10 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Las 6 Provincias ORT by Espinosa Cigars. It was at the 2024 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show that Espinosa Cigars unveiled the ORT. The ORT is the sixth installment of its limited-edition Las 6 Provincias series. This annual, limited-edition series pays homage to the pre-Castro era of Cuba. The name Las 6 Provincias translates to “six provinces,” referring to the six provinces that existed prior to Cuba's takeover by Fidel Castro. It is also Espinosa Cigars' most premium limited edition series to date. The company had six planned Las 6 Provincias series releases, each with a unique blend, size, and associated artwork. The name ORT represents Oriente, the easternmost province in Cuba. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-ysc

Coming in at #10 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Las 6 Provincias ORT by Espinosa Cigars. It was at the 2024 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show that Espinosa Cigars unveiled the ORT. The ORT is the sixth installment of its limited-edition Las 6 Provincias series. This annual, limited-edition series pays homage to the pre-Castro era of Cuba. The name Las 6 Provincias translates to “six provinces,” referring to the six provinces that existed prior to Cuba's takeover by Fidel Castro. It is also Espinosa Cigars' most premium limited edition series to date. The company had six planned Las 6 Provincias series releases, each with a unique blend, size, and associated artwork. The name ORT represents Oriente, the easternmost province in Cuba. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-ysc

Coming in at #11 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Tatuaje 10th Anniversary Belle Encre Tuxtla. Tuxtla is a series of limited-edition cigars that Tatuaje has released over the past two years. It involves applying a Mexican San Andres wrapper to existing Tatuaje offerings. In 2013, Tatuaje released the Belle Encre and Bon Chasseur as special vitola offerings in its Brown Label line to commemorate its tenth anniversary. With Tatuaje celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2023, Tatuaje opted to revisit these sizes—but this time under the Tuxtla line with the Mexican wrapper. It's the Belle Encre Tuxtla that lands on this year's Countdown. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-yrM

Coming in at #11 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Tatuaje 10th Anniversary Belle Encre Tuxtla. Tuxtla is a series of limited-edition cigars that Tatuaje has released over the past two years. It involves applying a Mexican San Andres wrapper to existing Tatuaje offerings. In 2013, Tatuaje released the Belle Encre and Bon Chasseur as special vitola offerings in its Brown Label line to commemorate its tenth anniversary. With Tatuaje celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2023, Tatuaje opted to revisit these sizes—but this time under the Tuxtla line with the Mexican wrapper. It's the Belle Encre Tuxtla that lands on this year's Countdown. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-yrM  

Coming in at #12 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Romeo Y Julieta 150th Anniversary Balconet by Altadis U.S.A. In 2025, Altadis U.S.A. had a lot to celebrate, marking 90 years of Montecristo and 150 years of Romeo y Julieta. To honor these significant milestones, the company planned to release special cigars, with the 150th Anniversary edition among the most notable Romeo y Julieta launches in over a decade. While Altadis U.S.A. itself isn't quite 150 years old, the Romeo y Julieta brand dates back to 1875 in Cuba. Altadis collaborates with various partners, and what makes the 150th Anniversary release particularly special is its tobacco. The selected tobaccos come from some of Altadis' key agricultural partners, including AJ Fernandez, José Mendez & Co., Plasencia S.A., and the Turrent family. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-yrt

Coming in at #12 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Romeo Y Julieta 150th Anniversary Balconet by Altadis U.S.A. In 2025, Altadis U.S.A. had a lot to celebrate, marking 90 years of Montecristo and 150 years of Romeo y Julieta. To honor these significant milestones, the company planned to release special cigars, with the 150th Anniversary edition among the most notable Romeo y Julieta launches in over a decade. While Altadis U.S.A. itself isn't quite 150 years old, the Romeo y Julieta brand dates back to 1875 in Cuba. Altadis collaborates with various partners, and what makes the 150th Anniversary release particularly special is its tobacco. The selected tobaccos come from some of Altadis' key agricultural partners, including AJ Fernandez, José Mendez & Co., Plasencia S.A., and the Turrent family. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-yrt  

Coming in at #13 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Aladino Fuma Noche Super Toro by JRE Tobacco Co. This was a bit of a change of pace project for JRE Tobacco. The Aladino Fuma Noche made its debut at 2024 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show. Fuma Noche was presented as a bold, rich, and dense cigar. The cigar itself has a dark wrapper. Fuma Noche is also a cigar that was designed to be smoked at the end of the day. This concept combined with the dark wrapper led to the name Fuma Noche which means “night smoke”. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-yqC

Coming in at #13 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Aladino Fuma Noche Super Toro by JRE Tobacco Co. This was a bit of a change of pace project for JRE Tobacco. The Aladino Fuma Noche made its debut at 2024 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show. Fuma Noche was presented as a bold, rich, and dense cigar. The cigar itself has a dark wrapper. Fuma Noche is also a cigar that was designed to be smoked at the end of the day. This concept combined with the dark wrapper led to the name Fuma Noche which means “night smoke”. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-yqC

Coming in at #14 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Black Works Studio Intergalactic Event Horizon Toro. In 2022, Black Works Studio released a limited batch of cigars known as the Intergalactic. The cigar was quite eye-catching, featuring a skeleton in an astronaut suit. From a tobacco standpoint, the Intergalactic featured a Sumatra wrapper.  The cigar quickly became a favorite among Oveja Negra fans. In 2024, Black Works Studio announced the release of another cigar from the Intergalactic line, called the Intergalactic Event Horizon. This cigar features a unique blend, highlighted by a Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-yqa

Coming in at #14 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Black Works Studio Intergalactic Event Horizon Toro. In 2022, Black Works Studio released a limited batch of cigars known as the Intergalactic. The cigar was quite eye-catching, featuring a skeleton in an astronaut suit. From a tobacco standpoint, the Intergalactic featured a Sumatra wrapper.  The cigar quickly became a favorite among Oveja Negra fans. In 2024, Black Works Studio announced the release of another cigar from the Intergalactic line, called the Intergalactic Event Horizon. This cigar features a unique blend, highlighted by a Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-yqa

Coming in at #15 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Year of the Duque 2025. The story of this cigar is a play on the many Chinese Zodiac “Year of the” limited edition cigars that have flooded the cigar market over the past few years. Instead of releasing a Chinese Zodiac cigar that pays homage to an animal representing a year, master ligador Steve Saka decided to use the series to pay tribute to the supporters of his brand. This year, the Year of the Duque pays homage to a gentleman by the name of Chris Duque. Duque is a long-time loyal fan of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust. If you have visited the Dunbarton booth at the PCA Trade Show, chances are you have run into Chris. Chris volunteers his time to work exclusively at the Dunbarton booth. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-ypH

Coming in at #15 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Year of the Duque 2025. The story of this cigar is a play on the many Chinese Zodiac “Year of the” limited edition cigars that have flooded the cigar market over the past few years. Instead of releasing a Chinese Zodiac cigar that pays homage to an animal representing a year, master ligador Steve Saka decided to use the series to pay tribute to the supporters of his brand. This year, the Year of the Duque pays homage to a gentleman by the name of Chris Duque. Duque is a long-time loyal fan of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust. If you have visited the Dunbarton booth at the PCA Trade Show, chances are you have run into Chris. Chris volunteers his time to work exclusively at the Dunbarton booth. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-ypH

Coming in at #16 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Joya de Nicaragua Cinco de Cinco Robusto Gordo. The Cinco de Cinco is a line that was first introduced in 2023. It's a line that commemorates the 55th anniversary of the company. As the oldest factory in Nicaragua, Joya de Nicaragua connects its history with that of its home country. Over the years, Joya de Nicaragua's factory has had many visitors who have had an opportunity to create their own blends. Joya de Nicaragua derived the final blend for Cinco de Cinco based on many of the unique blends created by visitors to the factory, thus paying homage to its history again. Cinco de Cinco is part of Joya de Nicaragua's top tier Obras Maestras line. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-ypv

Coming in at #16 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Joya de Nicaragua Cinco de Cinco Robusto Gordo. The Cinco de Cinco is a line that was first introduced in 2023. It's a line that commemorates the 55th anniversary of the company. As the oldest factory in Nicaragua, Joya de Nicaragua connects its history with that of its home country. Over the years, Joya de Nicaragua's factory has had many visitors who have had an opportunity to create their own blends. Joya de Nicaragua derived the final blend for Cinco de Cinco based on many of the unique blends created by visitors to the factory, thus paying homage to its history again. Cinco de Cinco is part of Joya de Nicaragua's top tier Obras Maestras line. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-ypv

Coming in at #17 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Perdomo Legacy Connecticut Robusto. This Connecticut Shade offering is one of three blends under Perdomo's Legacy line. Legacy is a project spearheaded by Nicholas Perdomo III, the son of Nick Perdomo Jr. Nicholas sought to create a cigar to honor his father's 60th birthday. In the process, Nicholas would undertake one of the most ambitious projects in Perdomo Cigars' history. At the core of this project is a shade-grown tobacco that is cultivated from a proprietary hybrid seed. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-yp2

Coming in at #17 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Perdomo Legacy Connecticut Robusto. This Connecticut Shade offering is one of three blends under Perdomo's Legacy line. Legacy is a project spearheaded by Nicholas Perdomo III, the son of Nick Perdomo Jr. Nicholas sought to create a cigar to honor his father's 60th birthday. In the process, Nicholas would undertake one of the most ambitious projects in Perdomo Cigars' history. At the core of this project is a shade-grown tobacco that is cultivated from a proprietary hybrid seed. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-yp2

Coming in at #18 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the La Flor Dominicana 30 Years. The La Flor Dominicana 30 Years commemorates the 30th anniversary of when Litto and Ines Gomez entered the cigar industry and founded a company called Los Libertadores, which eventually became rebranded as La Flor Dominicana. The LFD 30 years is a limited edition cigar that made its debut at the 2024 Premium Cigar Association Trade Show. The cigars were packaged in exquisite humidors that were built at Tony Gomez' box factory. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-yok

Coming in at #18 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the La Flor Dominicana 30 Years. The La Flor Dominicana 30 Years commemorates the 30th anniversary of when Litto and Ines Gomez entered the cigar industry and founded a company called Los Libertadores, which eventually became rebranded as La Flor Dominicana. The LFD 30 years is a limited edition cigar that made its debut at the 2024 Premium Cigar Association Trade Show. The cigars were packaged in exquisite humidors that were built at Tony Gomez' box factory. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-yok

Coming in at #19 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Fuente Fuente OpusX La Edición De La Sociedad from the OpusX Society. The OpusX Society is a venture started by Manny Iriarte Enterprises. The founder of the company, Manny Iriarte, has long collaborated with Arturo Fuente on packaging, box, and accessory design. Iriarte would launch The OpusX Society as another outlet to cater to OpusX's rabid fan base. This is a separate company from Arturo Fuente, but it nonetheless receives the company's support. The OpusX Society offers accessories and exclusive products featuring original art inspired by the OpusX brand. In 2023, the first OpusX Society Cigar was announced, OpusX La Edición De La Sociedad. This cigar was released to the market late last year. Today's cigar is the debut cigar, and a follow-up is in the works. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-ynY

Coming in at #19 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Fuente Fuente OpusX La Edición De La Sociedad from the OpusX Society. The OpusX Society is a venture started by Manny Iriarte Enterprises. The founder of the company, Manny Iriarte, has long collaborated with Arturo Fuente on packaging, box, and accessory design. Iriarte would launch The OpusX Society as another outlet to cater to OpusX's rabid fan base. This is a separate company from Arturo Fuente, but it nonetheless receives the company's support. The OpusX Society offers accessories and exclusive products featuring original art inspired by the OpusX brand. In 2023, the first OpusX Society Cigar was announced, OpusX La Edición De La Sociedad. This cigar was released to the market late last year. Today's cigar is the debut cigar, and a follow-up is in the works. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-ynY

Coming in at #20 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Viva La Vida Connecticut Toro by Artesano Del Tobacco. The Viva La Vida Connecticut has been on Artesano Del Tobacco's radar for several years now. One thing the company prides itself on is engaging with customers to find out what they want. One recurring piece of feedback the company received was a request for a Viva La Vida with a Connecticut wrapper. Artesano Del Tobacco then went to work with AJ Fernandez, and the result was Viva La Vida Connecticut. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-ynr

Coming in at #20 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Viva La Vida Connecticut Toro by Artesano Del Tobacco. The Viva La Vida Connecticut has been on Artesano Del Tobacco's radar for several years now. One thing the company prides itself on is engaging with customers to find out what they want. One recurring piece of feedback the company received was a request for a Viva La Vida with a Connecticut wrapper. Artesano Del Tobacco then went to work with AJ Fernandez, and the result was Viva La Vida Connecticut. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-ynr

Coming in at #21 Cigar of the Year for 2025 is the Charter Oak Pasquale by Foundation Cigar Company. Charter Oak is one of the core premium brands in the Foundation Cigar portfolio. It's a line that pays homage to owner and founder Nicholas Melillo's Connecticut roots. The Charter Oak CT Shade, CT Broadleaf, and Habano are popular blends have very approachable price points. In 2023, Melillo created a couple of limited production offerings that round out the story. These would be more premium offerings, and each would extend the story of Melillo's Connecticut heritage even more. Known collectively as Charter Oak Especiales, two blends were created. They are named after Melillo's grandfathers. There is a Connecticut Shade offering known as Pegnaturo and the Connecticut Broadleaf known as Pasquale. It's Pasquale that lands on this year's Countdown. Full Details: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-ymT