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For the premium cigar industry, 2010 was a good year. Despite a few large mergers that rocked the industry, the quality of cigars the American consumer smokes was at an all-time high. Many began to usher in phrases such as “golden era” when describing the marketplace in its current form. So it should come to no surprise that 2011 has quickly shaped up to be another great year in the world of cigars.

In the middle of summer, the premium cigar industry will dawn upon the Las Vegas sun to show off some of its latest and greatest at the annual IPCPR convention. Amongst the hundreds of cigars featured on the tradeshow floor will be a few that are worth noting, five cigars that are great additions to any humidor.

While few know of Ernesto Perez-Carillo Jr., it’s near impossible to set foot in a cigar shop without recognizing the brand he helped reestablish in the United States. After the Cuban Revolution in 1959, nationalization of private industry and embargo by the United States, many of the Cuban brands were re-established outside of Havana with cigars made in various Latin American countries. Some however took a different approach choosing to reestablish their companies in Miami, particularly in the Calle Ocho, or Little Havana.

In 1968, Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Sr. reestablished La Gloria Cubana in Little Havana and his son, Ernesto Jr., continued to build the brand throughout the 20th century before selling it to General Cigar Co. in 1999. After a 10-year contract with General ended, Carrillo Jr., with the help of his children, created a new brand, E.P. Carrillo. The first full year of existence saw hit after hit, most notably the Short Run (2010) and Core line. Given the first release of 2011, the second full year is looking even better.

The E.P. Carrillo New Wave Connecticut (NWC) is Perez-Carrillo’s take on the popular Connecticut shade wrapper (not to be confused with Connecticut Broadleaf). Often considered the lightest wrapper both in strength and flavor, Ernesto found a way to make it perhaps the most flavorful Connecticut shade wrapper cigar, ever. Sweetness, woods, nuts, leather, earth, cream and spice make up a flavor profile that is not found in any other Connecticut cigar to date. While the cigar is still mild in strength, the full flavor and medium-plus body make it a truly revolutionary Connecticut.

Made at Perez-Carrillo’s Tabacalera La Alianza S.A., the New Wave Connecticut is offered in four vitolas: the Stellas is a Corona measuring in at 5 1/8 x 42; Brillantes, a 5 x 50 Robusto; Divinos, a Toro at 6 x 52; and a Churchill, known as Gran, measuring in at 7 x 49. All four sizes come in boxes of 20 with extremely reasonable pricing. The Stellas (Corona) is $4.50, Brillantes (Robusto) has a MSRP of $5.25, Divinos (Toro) is priced at $6.25 and the Gran (Toro) is $7. All prices are before local taxes, but the entire line is offered at incredible price points.

The New Wave Connecticut is one of few mild cigars scheduled for 2011, fortunately it’s one of the best ever made. New smokers will be better able to understand why Ernesto Perez-Carrillo is a living legend, whereas seasoned cigar lovers will be shocked at the flavor, complexity and value in E.P. Carrillo’s newest line.

Los Angeles-based Pete Johnson of Tatuaje/Havana Cellars has long promoted 2011 to be a year where he returns to his “core” line. To achieve this, Johnson has two major regular production lines slated for summer: Fausto and La Casita Criolla. Whereas Fausto is based off of a cigar that he previously made in a specific size for a Hawaii retailer, La Casita Criolla is based off an older style of cigar no longer made.

La Casita Criolla, like many of Tatuaje’s other brands (Ambos Mundos and El Triunfador), was an old Cuban brand that Johnson discovered and decided to resurrect. Much like in the past, he has tried to keep the packaging and artwork as close to the original cigar as possible, while giving consumers a top-quality modern era cigar.

While the cigar is made in José “Don Pepin” Garcia’s My Father Cigars S.A. in Estelí, Nicaragua, the tobacco is 100 percent American. That’s right, a cigar entirely made up of dark Connecticut Broadleaf tobacco, rolled by hand in Nicaragua. Johnson hasn’t shied away from the fact that using all American Broadleaf has been done before, reminding smokers that many years ago it was quite popular to have an entirely American cigar. Still, given the experience and expertise Garcia and Johnson have of working with Broadleaf for the nearly past decade, the cigar’s profile is something that has never been common.

La Casita Criolla will be offered in three sizes for 2011: HCB, a 5 1/8 x 42 Corona; HCBC, a 5 5/8 x 46 Corona Gorda; and HCBF, a 6 1/2 x 48 Double Corona. Like most cigars made by Pepin Garcia, each one will be topped off with a traditional Cuban triple cap. Pricing is still not finalized, but Johnson has stated that the largest size will retail for under $7 before local taxes.

A few details are still unknown, but the cigar itself is already a winner. Janny Garcia, director of finance for My Father Cigars, has already set high expectations for sales, believing it will be one of the most successful cigars her family has made. Don’t let the dark wrapper deceive you, La Casita Criolla is actually a lighter cigar in strength and body than most would think given that it is entirely Broadleaf. Expect rich earth, sweet leathers, nuts, coffee and creaminess.

La Casita Criolla’s medium nature makes it a great buy for all sorts of smokers. Experienced aficionados will appreciate the uniqueness, delicacy and details that are employed, while novice smokers will be able to enjoy the flavors without an immense amount of strength.

This year marks the 10th year that General Cigar Co.’s Punch (not to be confused with the Cuban Punch brand) has released an annual release of the Punch Rare Corojo. In honor of the 10th anniversary, the cigar received a new size, a box-pressed 5 x 50 Robusto, and a secondary band that indicates the 10th Anniversary.

Corojo is a wrapper loved by a lot of seasoned smokers due to its bold spicy and cedar characteristics, although it usually doesn’t originate from Connecticut. However, given the recent success that General Cigar Co. has had with Connecticut tobaccos, there’s a lot of reason to believe the hype of the 10th Anniversary. Rich Chandler, director of marketing for Punch, described the 2011 approach: “For 10 years, cigar enthusiasts have looked forward to the annual return of Rare Corojo, a brand that features a unique reddish-brown wrapper and epitomizes the best of what Punch cigars offer — a spicy no-nonsense blend at a reasonable price. This year, we’re pleased to have upped the ante by offering the classic Punch Rare Corojo along with the standout new taste of the 10th Anniversary front mark.”

The reddish brown wrapper is adorned with a great looking main band of reds outlining the unique shape of the pastel background. The second features gold lettering to indicate the special occasion. Overall presentation is one of the best that General Cigar Co. has had extending to the red boxes, which have details reminiscent of classic cars.

Flavor is classic Corojo with spice and cedar dominating a full flavor profile and earth, cocoa and natural tobacco giving the cigar depth. This is not for the faint of heart, as it is one of the fullest bodied and strength cigars that has come from the modern Punch brand.

While it was originally released in spring, shops are likely to have a few Punch Rare Corojo 10th Anniversary Robustos during summer, before the supply is completely gone. At the $6.50 price point, this is one of General Cigar Co.’s more memorable releases.

Cuban cigars have been illegal in the United States since Feb. 7, 1962, when President Kennedy signed the embargo, so it seems a bit ironic that when the Quesada family decided to make a cigar that really tasted like a Cuban, they planned on releasing it only in Spain. A lot of people have tried to replicate the unique taste profile that is a great Havana cigar and most fail, miserably. However, when Manuel “Manolo” Quesada, head of MATASA, attempted the task of competing with Havana’s finest in the cigar crazy country of Spain, he ended up creating a non-Cuban cigar that really embodies a great Cuban cigar.

“The entire thing was intended to the Spanish taste and profile that the Spanish prefer, they are not really into the big ring gauges,” says Terence Reilly of Quesada/MATASA. However, when a few American retailers had the opportunity to sample the cigar in February, they immediately requested that it be brought to the U.S. market. “Most of the production going to Spain, but if you look really hard you can find it,” Reilly says. There are only a handful of retailers that have the España and their supply is limited, but there are plans to continue the monthly shipments through the end of the year.

Quesada makes three formats of the España: a 4 x 50 Petit Robusto priced at $7.95, a 5 x 52 Robusto retailing for $8.50 and a 5.5 x 42 Corona that sells for $7.25. All three sizes are relatively smaller, one of the many changes Quesada made to suite the Spanish market. The España features an Ecuadorian Arapiraca wrapper, a tobacco mainly grown in Brazil, with Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers and a Dominican binder. Each cigar features two modern black bands with gold and silver details that present a very new age feel.

Flavors are delicacies that really don’t shine very often out of Havana: refined sweetness, spices, raisins, nuts, coffee, earth, citrus notes and leather. The España is rich, complex, refined and ever-changing — an absolute masterpiece. While it has full flavor and body, the cigar is particularly light on strength, much like a Cuban.

While the Queada España is going to be difficult to find given there are less than 100 boxes released to the U.S. market each month, if you have access to one, it’s a must try. Reilly describes the cigar best: “(It’s) supposed to taste like a Cuban cigar, but be able to stand on its own as well.” For those who remember when Cubans were still legal, you’ll be reminded of just why they are so mystical. Most will be able to experience a flavor profile that is rarely found outside of contraband cigars. For those who have tried the España, most agree, this cigar is the frontrunner for the best cigar of 2011. Fortunately, the mild strength is accompanied by a detailed body and flavor, so anyone is able to enjoy this highly coveted cigar.

Swiss brand Davidoff has more than just its popular “White Label” under its wings. AVO, the brand of Avo Uvezian, and Zino, named after company founder Zino Davidoff, are also part of the fairly large Davidoff family, which recently added Honduran brand Camacho to its portfolio. Following the success of prior Zino releases and the 2010 release of the Avo Heritage, Davidoff created yet another stronger cigar to add to its line-up, the Zino Z-Class.

Like the Avo Heritage, the Z-Class is significantly stronger than the cigars that made Davidoff famous, which are generally mild in strength. Also like the Avo, the Zino Platinum Z-Class is less expensive than your typical Davidoff, which usually sits at the top of the market in terms of price.

This year marks the 20th year that Davidoff has been making cigars in the Dominican Republic since leaving Cuba in the late 1980s. Cigar maestro Hedrick “Henke” Kelner and his son head up the team at TABADOM that is responsible for producing all Davidoff, AVO, Zino and a few other brands. Never to be shy with a diversity of tobaccos, Kelner uses a Dominican Yamasa Rojza wrapper with a binder from Peru and filler tobaccos mostly from Nicaragua with a bit of Honduran tobacco as well.

Four sizes of the Z-Class are offered: a 5 7/8 x 54 Toro is known as the 654 T and priced at $12, the $10 550 R is a 4 7/8 x 50 Robusto, the 546 P is a 5 1/4 x 46 Piramide retailing for $9, and the 643 C is the least expensive vitola with a $8 price tag for the 5 5/8 x 43 Corona. All feature black bands and are packaged in some incredible streamline tins that hold 20 cigars inside.

While Estelí and Jalapa Ligeros, both from Nicaragua, are not rare tobaccos at all, the Peruvian binder is something extremely unique. The binder for the Zino Z-Class is Pelo de Oro (also known as Habano Oscuro), a tobacco almost never used in the modern cigar world. The tobacco, which translates into “golden hair” in Spanish, is known to be susceptible to a unique blue mold that makes it difficult grow successfully. Cuba banned the use of the tobacco due to this problem, and while few even dare try to grow it, there have been attempts in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. However, the Peruvian soils have had great early results with the old Cuban seed and the Zino Platinum Z-Class, like the AVO 85th, released earlier this year has utilized the unique tobacco anomaly.

Expect a delicate sweetness from honey, molasses and brown sugar to dominate the flavor of the cigar with nuts, spices, cedar and chocolate finding their way into the profile. The more seasoned smoker might be able to get orange peel, barnyard and oaky notes. For those that aren’t fans of the typical Davidoff profile, known as a distinct complex barnyard, the Zino Platinum Z-Class will be at the other end, while still retaining the complexity and smoothness that is Davidoff.

While Davidoff and Zino Platinum brand manager Richard Krutick claims “(The Zino Platinum Z-Class is) the fullest bodied Zino Platinum to date,” it’s nowhere over medium-plus in strength. Body and flavor are both close to the full range, with an overall profile slightly below some of the recent Zino Limited Editions of late.

For the occasional smoker, the Zino Platinum Z-Class is probably a bit much. Fortunately, Davidoff has a host of offerings in the Zino line as well as its other brands. However, experienced smokers are going to enjoy the fuller nature and lighter price tag of the Zino Platinum Z-Class.

While there are plenty of great new cigars on the market, particularly the five aforementioned, 2011 still has plenty of great releases left for the remaining part of the year.

Oliva Cigar Co.’s new outfit Studio Tobac (parent of their popular Cain and NUb brands) is partnering with Ernesto Padilla to create the Padilla Studio Tobac Figurado. The limited-edition cigar is likely to bring a high price tag, but will surely be popular during August, the scheduled release date. Janny Garcia will be the third member of the Garcia family (joining father Jose “Pepin” and brother Jaime Garcia) to have a cigar made for her, the La Dueña (the owner), scheduled for August.

Padrón, the highly-respect Nicaraguan company, will show off its Padrón Family Reserve 47th on Sept. 8, 2011. Given the excellence found in the other Family Reserve releases, the 47th is easily one of the most anticipated cigars of the year.

October is likely to bring two of the more notable releases of the year. Pete Johnson’s annual Monster Series is the unanimous winner for “Most Buzz” each and every year, and the 2011 iteration should be no different. Pete has said this year’s Monster Series, a different limited release each year named for a vintage horror movie character, will be “The Wolf.” Like last year’s “The Face,” French luxury accessory maker S.T. Dupont will be making limited-edition accessories to accompany the Tatuaje. In addition, Ernesto Perez-Carillo has said the E.P. Carrillo Limited Edition 2011 is scheduled for either October of November.

Closing out the year is December, a month where the Fuente family brings out all of the goodies just in time for the holiday season. The popular Fuente Fuente Opus X line, as well as the Añejo and special editions of the Hemingway series of Figurados, are a December tradition that every cigar smoker patiently awaits.

Most of the cigars mentioned are only available at a local cigar shop, as opposed to the popular cigar catalogs. Your local tobacconist can assist you in all of your cigar purchases including lighters, cutters and humidors, as well as of course, cigars. For a year like 2011, a good tobacconist is a priceless asset given the amount of new cigars that will land on shelves. No matter the size, price or origin of your favorite cigars, 2011 will be a memorable occasion.

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