Depending on who you ask, limited edition cigars are either a creative expression of an artist with rare materials or a marketing gimmick. It’s an all or nothing, love or hate sort of thing that pits cigar enthusiasts against each other to race towards the checkout before the next best thing is sold out.
Luckily, we have several limited edition cigars today that are still available for your consideration. These cigars range from varying years of age and production quantities, but there’s one constant: they’re all quality cigars that deserve your attention.
Partagas Benji Master Series 2011
Limited to 5,000 boxes of 12
Our first cigar has the most age as well as the highest cigar count and the largest following. Benji Menendez, cigar legend and then the Senior Vice President of General Cigars, blended these cigars to his own specifications. While they aren’t technically as small batch as our other picks, they are very small batch considering the large operational scale that General Cigars works with.
Today, this cigar tastes like a well-aged treat that delicately balances nuances of leather, earth, cocoa, exotic spices, and cedar. Paired with an aged rum or Root Beer, the Partagas Benji delivers an exceptional experience. And if you have a cigar enthusiast in your life that was around during this time, these hard-to-find smokes also make for intuitive gifts.
El Gueguense Lancero 2016
Limited to 250 boxes of 13
Do you remember where you were when Nicholas Melillo announced that he was launching Foundation Cigar Company and debuting El Gueguense? It was a big enough announcement that I still remember sitting on my front porch and getting the email. Then, a year later, he announced that 250 boxes of Lanceros would go out with custom art work. A friend of ours even one won of those boxes! Good times.
Today, this Nicaraguan puro tastes like the first day of spring. Vibrant AGANORSA flavors are tempered with approximately 18 months of rest to create an exquisite example of both TABSA and Nicholas Melillo’s skill. If you snag some of these up, I recommend a generous pour of Macallann 18 to complete the evening.
Herrera Esteli Lancero 2014
Limited to 2,000 boxes of 15
A year after Willie Herrera introduced Herrera Esteli into the market with Drew Estate, he released this limited edition lancero vitola. Much like the Lonsdale Deluxe vitola, this lancero marries just the right amount of flavor and strength together for a winning combo. I haven’t smoked one of these recently, but I bet they’re money when paired with a Cream Soda, Latte, or Irish Whiskey.
Crowned Heads Mason Dixon South 2014
Limited to 1,500 boxes of 20
In 2014, an amazing year for cigar releases, Jon Huber created the Mason Dixon project whereby a North and a South would be introduced each year until the project was eventually abandoned. The South featured an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper that was released a little before it’s time. In an interview, Jon once said that this release was one of his disappointments. It was a timeless, classic blend that just happened to be overshadowed by the Northern edition, a Broadleaf-wrapped counterpart.
Today, this cigar smokes like something that you picked up from a cigar shop without a band and, after falling in love with it, could never figure out what it was. It’s a very good example of a flavorful Connecticut that leaves an impression but won’t overwhelm your palate. I suggest you pair this creamy cigar with espresso and make a latte out of it!
Campesino Renacimiento
Limited to 40 boxes of 20 in the United States
Our last pick is noticeably different than all the others. Campesino was originally introduced to the U.S. in 2016 in very small quantities before retreating to the Dominican Republic for almost two years. They have since been awarded Cigar of the Year by popular vote on CigarNoise.com, and their factory (Manufactura Rivas) also earned the accolade of Factory of the Year.
Now they’re back on U.S. soil with Campesino Renacimiento, meaning renewal or rebirth. This limited edition promises to harness their signature Campesino style in a flavor-forward format. I haven’t smoked these yet myself since they just arrived this week, but this is my Dark Horse selection for the year. If you want my advice, I suggest you pair this stick with a glass of sparkling water to extract every last second of unadulterated flavor.
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