Bored Absurdist’s Top 10 Cigars of 2021

When I started keeping a cigar journal, I didn’t know I’ll end up here. I’m no longer the occasional smoker I once was. I burn cigars all the time now. These days, I’m averaging 5 to 6 sticks per week. Sometimes more. I used to call myself a dilettante, but that’s clearly behind me. I’m an aficionado now.

So, as the end of 2022 is approaching, I’m planning to prepare a post that lists my top 10 cigars of the year. And I think that’s a good idea, especially when a lot of my friends already ask me for similar lists. What to smoke, what not to smoke, and so on. So, why not? I’ll call it “Bored Absurdist’s Top 10 Cigars of the Year.”

For now, however, I’ll start with the top 10 cigars of 2021. It may be a little late for it, I know. But as they say, “Better late than never.” Also, why not?

Here are my Top 10 cigars of 2021.

Paradiso Quintessence San Cristobal

10. Paradiso Quintessence Robusto

The Paradiso Quintessence Robusto is an excellent cigar, and it’s easy to fall in love with. It dispenses a truly pleasing aroma and produces abundant smoke. Its colorful band, moreover, makes it an attractive stick to look at. I like to pair it with stout or dark rum. I smoked a lot of them in 2021, and I still occasionally light one up. It’s a cigar that deserves to be in every top 10 list.

9. Casa Turrent Serie 1901 Robusto

In terms of quantity, I smoked more of these than any other cigar in 2021. The reason is straightforward: The Casa Turrent Serie 1901 Robusto is amazing and affordable. I like to pair it with blended Scotch whiskies.

Cigar Review of Davidoff Churchill The Late Hour

8. Davidoff Winston Churchill The Late Hour Toro

This was the best Davidoff cigar I had in 2021. When people ask me what Davidoff cigar they should try first, I usually advise them to go with the Late Hour.

7. Oliva Serie V Double Toro

A 6×60 party cigar. A cigar that has been in my smoking repertoire ever since I first tried one. Amazing stuff. Oliva is one of the best cigar brands I know, and I rarely meet aficionados who don’t appreciate their Serie V.

Cohiba Maduro 5 Genios paired with Lagavulin 16

6. Cohiba Maduro 5 Genios

Here’s a superb cigar paired with one of the best whiskies in the world. I will definitely repeat this experience whenever I get my hands on a Cohiba Maduro 5.

Chris Khatschadourian smoking a Paradiso San Cristobal Revelation Cigar in the Mountains

5. Paradiso Revelation Prophet

There always has to be at least one Paradiso Revelation cigar in my humidor. It’s a good-looking cigar with great construction and great taste. The Paradiso Revelation Prophet has helped me taste paradise more than once.

Chris Khatschadourian smoking a Padron 1964 Anniversary Series Belicoso Maduro

4. Padron 1964 Anniversary Series Belicoso Maduro

Although it’s not currently in my smoking repertoire, this cigar is nothing short of a masterpiece. It deserves its number 4 spot. Wonderful smoke.

Cuban Cigars: Partagas Serie D No 4 cigar review. Beirut, Lebanon.

3. Partagas Serie D No. 4

The Partagas Serie D No. 4 is a classic. Everyone loves it, and so do I. There’s nothing more I can say here. I’d light one up anytime.

Chris Khatschadourian having an El Septimo Cigar at Fidel in Antelias

2. El Septimo Excepcion Esmeralda

A cigar that stuns. I like to pair it with single malts like Glenfiddich and Macallan. The El Septimo Excepcion Esmeralda is truly a luxury cigar. Every draw is a pleasure. It tastes like success, and it burns like passion.

Avo Syncro Nicaragua Toro Tubo.
1. Avo Syncro Nicaragua Toro Tubo

This has to be my cigar of the year. Why? Because I smoked five amazing cigars on my wedding day, and the Avo Syncro Nicaragua Toro Tubo was the last of them and the one I enjoyed most.

Besides, a cigar that reminds me of the best the of my life has surely earned its number one spot on my list. No questions asked.

That covers the top 10 cigars of 2021. But before I end this post, let me remind you that smoking is bad for you. And I’m in no way encouraging you to pick up smoking.

Caldwell Long Live The King Marquis

Have a Cigar: Caldwell Long Live The King Marquis

Name: Caldwell Long Live The King Marquis

Country: Dominican Republic

Shape: Parejo

Size: Gordo (6 inches x 60)

Strength: Full

I smoked the Caldwell Long Live the King Marquis by the grill.

It was a lovely night. The steaks hissed at the gaping moon as my friend and I enjoyed our drinks. We smoked and talked about work and politics. And we planned a camping trip.

I paired the Long Live the King with Absolut vodka first, and then switched to lager when I got to the second third.

In general, it was a good smoke. Even burn, solid ash, easy draw.

I got hints of hazelnut, maple, and cedar, and a peppery aftertaste.

Chris Khatschadourian trying out the El Septimo Salvador Dali at Fidel in Antelias, Lebanon.

Have a Cigar: El Septimo Sacred Arts Salvador Dali

Name: El Septimo Sacred Arts Salvador Dali

Country: Costa Rica

Shape: Parejo

Size: Toro (6 1/2 inches x 54)

Strength: Medium to Full

Happy to have tried this wonderful cigar from El Septimo’s Sacred Arts Collection. It will definitely find its spot in the top 10 cigars I smoked in 2022.

The one I chose was named after Salvador Dali, the surrealist. It was the right vitola for the occasion. But I plan on smoking all of the others in the collection as well. For sure. The Sacred Arts Collection also includes the names of Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Botticelli, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Da Vinci. And all of the cigars look like works of art.

Full-bodied and medium-to-full in strength, the good-looking Salvador Dali was successfully paired with a glass of Havana Club Barrel Proof.

In the first few draws, I could detect subtle hints of dried peach, blackberry, and citrus fruits. The predominant notes throughout, however, were of dark chocolate, coffee, white pepper, and carob.

As I had a long conversation about life and cigars with my friend, the Salvador Dali burned softly between my fingers and gave out a lot of smoke.

An excellent cigar.

*****

Do you enjoy reading about cigars? Cigars also inspire me to write poems. Buy my book called A Poet’s Cigar Journal and Ten Poems.