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The year 2007, like any year, will receive a mixed review from historians. War, genocide, epidemic and environmental destruction continued apace, as did public apathy and political ineffectiveness. In America, infrastructure deterioration hit the headlines in August with the Minneapolis bridge collapse, while social deterioration was well-attested by the Virginia Tech shootings, the continued erosion of habeas corpus, and the continued popularity of Britney Spears. In sports, we saw Michael Vick and Larry Craig disgrace themselves and their games.

In the world of arts, culture, and leisure, meanwhile, things weren’t so bad. The year closed with some much-anticipated masterpieces - new albums by veterans Radiohead and Kanye West, movies like No Country For Old Men and There Will Be Blood, acclaimed novels by Denis Johnson and Junot Diaz - but it wasn’t such an auspicious year for passionate smokers. In July, the UK became the final country in the UK to impose a smoking ban on its pubs and restaurants. Still, the news for cigar aficionados wasn’t all bad - 2007 cigar-company trade-show circuit saw a number of exciting, successful debuts. As we wind down the year in which the Retail Tobacco Dealers of America changed their name to the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association, here is a look back at some of the most successful new cigars of 2007.

From Don Jose Pepin Garcia, also known among cigar fans as “Mr. Popularity,” we got 601 Green Label, described by Cigar Advisor’s Gary Korb as “a juicy well-balanced, and very robust cigar.” This new cigar blends Nicaraguan longfiller leaves with a Habano Obscuro wrapper leaf.

CAO America wrapped together fillers from Nicauraga, the Dominican Republic and Italy in a Double Connecticut wrapper to bring you the CAO America cigar. This slightly leathery, nutty cigar (according to Cigar Review) debuted at the Retail Tobacco Dealers of America trade show with great hype and, for the most part, great reviews.

2007 also saw the debut of Ashton’s version of the San Cristobal de la Habana cigar - a Cuban cigar long unavailable in the United States, but now remade by Jose “Don Pepin” Garcia using Nicaraguan tobacco and wrappers for those of us who must live in countries that have trade embargos against Cuba. Even some smokers who love the San Cristobal de la Habanas of Cuba were impressed with the quality of this made-for-America cigar.

The sweet Isla del Sol, by Drew Estate, features filler leaves infused with delicious Sumatran Mandheling Bean Coffee, making it a good choice for those cigar smokers who enjoy a cup of joe when they open their humidors. With its sweet aroma, it’s also a perfect choice for new smokers or those who don’t think they like cigars, but are willing to be proven wrong.

For experienced smokers who love a little spice, by contrast, there was La Aurora Preferidos Ecuador - hailed by Korb as “a bold, complex cigar,” with its “diverse blend” of aged Dominican, Brazilian and Cameroon long-fill tobacco, all wrapped up in an Edcuadorian wrapper. This cigar comes to you from all over the world, and finishes with just a flutter of cayenne pepper.

The Oliva Serie V won some almost-unprecedented raves from Cigar Insider - including a 94 for the Torpedo model. Using premium Nicaraguan longfillers, binder and wrapper, this cigar was hailed most of all for its balance of body, complexity and smoothness. These cigars may well be a must-try for dedicated smokers.
These are just a few of the cigars that figured prominently in trade-show and year-end wrap-ups from Cigar Advisor, the expert’s blog The Smoking Lounge, Cigars International, Cigar Aficionado, and other sources. Serious smokers, of course, will want to find their own way through the bold new tastes of this rewarding year for cigar smokers. Such smokers may well decide to create to create their own sampler package of 2007’s best smokes.

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