The fifth and final installment of this series brings us some cigars that you may not be familiar with.

If you have never tried today’s selections — or perhaps never even heard of them before — then you have been missing out on some true smoking pleasure. Both are quite worthy of being listed not only among the best USA-made cigars, but among the best cigars in the world.

In contrast to the heady prices of some of the earlier cigars in this series, the final two today are also rather modestly priced. Both brands would have to be considered “best buys” and true bargains.

For those coming late to this series, please take note of the fine print: The order in which cigars are presented in this series does not indicate relative quality or rating. It is not a top-to-bottom or bottom-to-top list. All cigars in this list are quite good, all are quite different, and each one is a #1 cigar in its own way.

Another thing that needs to be said in this look at some of the best cigars made in the United States currently is that it was not easy coming up with only ten. There are a lot of very fine cigars still being rolled in the U.S. of all strengths and bodies in some intriguing blends.

That was a pleasant surprise, since more and more brands are moving their manufacturing exclusively to Latin America. Old Powder Keg cigars, for example, from Connecticut Valley Tobacconist would have certainly been in this list…but they are now made in the Dominican Republic instead of in Connecticut.

In order to help me trim the list, I also arbitrarily eliminated a number of cigars that are made in the U.S.A., but in extremely limited numbers and/or do not have national distribution. I’m going to be highlighting some of these “micro-boutique” cigar lines in features over the next few weeks.

As I prepared the articles and ratings, I’ve had the pleasure of becoming reacquainted with some old favorites I haven’t sampled in a number of years, as well as finding some new favorites. None of the manufacturers listed here have paid or compensated me in any way in order to be included in this list — in fact, none of them even knew that their cigars were going to appear before they showed up in this Cigar Envy feature.

Now, on to today’s cigars. The reviews and ratings begin below the fold.

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The fourth installment in this series on the best cigars made in the USA showcases two more cigars made in Florida.

One is a cigar that has been around for a long time and is a trusted name.

The other cigar is a newcomer, but has built a solid reputation in a surprisingly short time.

Both of these cigars have very loyal followings — for very good reasons.

Again, take note of the fine print: The order in which cigars are presented in this series does not indicate relative quality or rating. It is not a top-to-bottom or bottom-to-top list. All cigars in this list are quite good, all are quite different, and each one is a #1 cigar in its own way.

The cigar reviews and ratings begin below the fold.

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The third installment in this series on the best cigars made in the USA brings us back to Florida. It also showcases two very different cigar lines.

One is very close to Cuba and has recently been called one of the best cigars made in the United States.

The second is closer to Cuba than the first, and it too has a claim on the title of best U.S.-made cigar.

If that makes sense to you, then you will have a good idea of where we are headed. If it doesn’t, just sit back and relax. It will all be explained in the cigar reviews below the fold.

The order in which cigars are presented in this series does not indicate relative quality or rating. It is not a top-to-bottom or bottom-to-top list. All cigars in this list are quite good, all are quite different, and each one is a #1 cigar in its own way.

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Today is Independence Day in the United States, and as part of a commemoration of that holiday I am doing a week-long series of the top ten “Made in the USA” cigars. The series continues today as we look at two cigars made outside of Florida.

One line is made in a city that in symbolizes in many way an America of times gone past. It has a unique culture produced by a unique coming-together of people from many countries and many different ethnic groups. It has produced a unique cigar.

The other is made in a city that has no past. Or at least, not a past that stretches back very far. Calling the culture of this second U.S. city “unique” really would not do justice to it.

But enough preamble. Today’s entries in these reviews of the best premium cigars made in the United States start below the fold.

The order in which cigars are presented in this series does not indicate relative quality or rating. It is not a top-to-bottom or bottom-to-top list. All cigars in this list are quite good, all are quite different, and each one is a #1 cigar in its own way.

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Via David Savona,, at Cigar Aficionado:

Tobacco growers in the Dominican Republic are reporting an outstanding year in terms of overall yield.

A consistently sunny climate, cool nights and perfectly timed rain have combined for what some are calling the best crop in recent history.

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CAO, one of the world’s foremost premium cigar manufacturers, today announced the Grand Prize Winner of its recent “CAO Cx2 Challenge” Promotion.

Florida resident, Anthony “TJ” Waicul, was selected at random from the thousands of names who participated in CAO’s Cx2 Challenge. The on-line promotion asked participants to answer a list of multiple-choice questions pertaining to Cameroon tobacco and the CAO Cx2 Cigar line in order to receive a complimentary CAO Cx2 Cigar and CAO Cx2 Cap.

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