Not all Inflation Busters were created equal. This one is a compilation of 92 and 93 rated cigars with an MSRP of $12 or below. The kicker is that all but 3 of these blends have appeared in our annual Top 25 list at one point or another in that exact vitola and one of them, the Espinosa Laranja Escuro, was Cigar of the Year.
Laranja Reserva Escuro
Nicaragua
MSRP: $11.45 Rating: 94
Wrapper: Brazil; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Toro; Length: 6; Ring: 52
Opens with a flavorful core of espresso, dark chocolate, and smooth pepper accompanied by notes of molasses, oak, and subtle vanilla. This impeccably box-pressed toro produces an excellent output of thick, aromatic smoke. Medium plus strength.
LFD Double Press
Dominican Republic
MSRP: $10.20 Rating: 93
Wrapper: Ecuador; Binder: Dominican Republic; Filler: Dominican Republic
Vitola: Toro; Length: 6; Ring: 52
Impeccably pressed and covered with an oily wrapper with a velvet feel. This medium bodied toro delivers a profile of nuts, cedar, and sweet cream balanced by notes of smooth pepper and a touch of baking spice. Draws and burns exceptionally well.
Arturo Fuente Don Carlos
Dominican Republic
MSRP: $10.80 Rating: 93
Wrapper: Cameroon; Binder: Dominican Republic; Filler: Dominican Republic
Vitola: Robusto; Length: 5; Ring: 50
Balanced and creamy with a profile of nuts, sweet cedar, and soft spice complemented by a touch of cinnamon. This medium strength robusto draws and burns beautifully while leaving behind a solid, compact ash.
Fonseca by My Father
Nicaragua
MSRP: $11.30 Rating: 93
Wrapper: Nicaragua; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Cedros; Length: 6 1/4; Ring: 52
An impeccably balanced blend covered with a clean, supple wrapper with excellent sheen. This smooth, medium strength robusto delivers a core of cedar, almond, cocoa, and smooth pepper accompanied by notes of caramel and cream on the finish.
Aganorsa – Rare Leaf Reserve
Nicaragua
MSRP: $11.50 Rating: 93
Wrapper: Nicaragua; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Robusto; Length: 5 1/4; Ring: 52
A powerful and flavorful robusto with a complex profile of cedar, roasted coffee, cashew, cocoa, and smooth pepper accompanied by a hint of honey on the finish. This slow burning, thick robusto leaves behind a solid, darkish gray ash.
Cavalier Genéve White Series
Honduras
MSRP: $9.25 Rating: 92
Wrapper: Honduras; Binder: USA/Connecticut; Filler: Paraguay, Nicaragua, & DR
Vitola: Elegantes; Length: 4 1/2; Ring: 52
A consistently well-constructed, short robusto covered with a clean, light brown wrapper and finished with a tight pigtail. Produces an excellent smoke output and leaves behind a solid, compact ash while delivering a medium bodied profile of nuts, spice, and cedar with a creamy finish.
Rocky Patel Number 6
Honduras
MSRP: $9.85 Rating: 92
Wrapper: Honduras; Binder: Honduras; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Corona; Length: 6; Ring: 44
Creamy and rich with a profile of cedar, cinnamon, roasted almonds, and a touch of smooth pepper. Delivers an excellent output of thick, aromatic smoke with a bright, clean finish. Medium strength.
Gurkha Nicaragua Series
Nicaragua
MSRP: $9.95 Rating: 92
Wrapper: Nicaragua; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Toro; Length: 6; Ring: 54
A flavorful blend that opens with smooth pepper and cedar accompanied by notes of cocoa, toasted oak, and a hint of salted nuts. This medium-plus strength toro is finished with a clean wrapper with a velvet feel
Herrera Esteli Norteño
Nicaragua
MSRP: $10.25 Rating: 92
Wrapper: Mexico; Binder: Honduras; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Toro Especial; Length: 6; Ring: 50
Finished with a soft box-press, this flavorful blend is covered with a dark brown wrapper with a slightly toothy feel. Medium bodied with a balanced profile of earth, soft pepper, and wood accompanied by notes of cocoa, roasted nuts, and a hint of coffee.
