Kaplowitz Media. Top 5 Cigars Halfway Thru 2026

Kaplowitz Media.
Top Five Cigars
Halfway Thru 2026

This is quietly becoming a tradition, this midway romp. Here's what I wrote in the 2025 version (& here is a LINK to that list)

"People love lists. Let's pretend for a brief moment that people also love rules and disclaimers. The five (5) cigars listed below (in alphabetical order only) are in no way guaranteed an appearance in the 2025 Kaplowitz Media. best of list due out at the very end of this December.

"Back to lists. This one is not only alphabetized, but each on the list is a link to their full review. My hope is this serves as a brief yet worthwhile answer to 'what should I smoke?' or 'what have you liked recently?' Without any further ado, adon't or amaybe..."

Bariay 1492 Black Label
Room101 The Big Payback Extra Fuerte
HDA Cataclysm
La Gloria Cubana Intencion
Powstanie San Andres Corona Gorda

::: very ::: 

Kaplowitz Media. Cigars of the Month for June 2026

Kaplowitz Media.
Cigars of the Month
for June 2026

(listed in alphabetical order)
(names are links to full reviews)

HDA Cataclysm (Robusto Redux Review)

Honorary mentions:

Powstanie Sumatra
Room101 Big Payback Extra Fuerte

::: very ::: 

HDA (Hermanos de Armas) Cigars Robusto Redux Reviews of Cataclysm, Descending Shadows, & Veiled Mutiny

BRAND: HDA
BLEND: Cataclysm

WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Habano
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan

FORMAT: Robusto (548)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Medium-full/Full
SPICE: 4/5

NOTES:
Black pepper & anise | Mocha Latte | Almond Extract

TASTE: A-
DRAW: A-
BURN: B+
BUILD: A-

FINAL GRADE: A-
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79

The previous KM. review of this blend in Toro can be found at this LINK.

::: | :::

BRAND: HDA
BLEND: Descending Shadows

WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Sun Grown
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan

FORMAT: Robusto (548)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Medium-full
SPICE: 3.5/5

NOTES:
Black Pepper | Burnt coffee | Beef Jerky

TASTE: B
DRAW: B
BURN: B
BUILD: B

FINAL GRADE: B
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79

The previous KM. review of this blend in Toro can be found at this LINK.

::: | :::

BRAND: HDA
BLEND: Veiled Mutiny

WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Maduro
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan

FORMAT: Robusto (548)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Medium
SPICE: 2.5/5

NOTES:
Zagnut | White Chocolate | Berries

TASTE: A-
DRAW: B+
BURN: B+
BUILD: A-

FINAL GRADE: B+
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79

The previous KM. review of this blend in Toro can be found at this LINK.

::: very ::: 

Gearing Up for 250: American Cigar Offerings

Gearing Up for 250: American Cigar Offerings

This is gonna be a bigger 250th birthday bash than was Abe Vigoda's and it is ongoing. America's upcoming semiquincentennial blast is gonna be and is rightfully BIG. There's the usual fireworks, naturally, also more music, some good ol' fisticuffs (as I write this), and no small about of adult beverages and red meat. 

Wow.

But how, I hear you asking, is it best to pair my cigar(s) to this illustrious string of proud Americanism? Broadleaf & burgers? Connie & corn dogs? Habano & hooch? Sure, go ahead. I'm a fan of sentiments littered with alliteration. Or, maybe light something up with a connection to the good ol' US of A.

In alphabetical order below, is an index of recommendations which all share varying links to amber waves of grain. Be it wrapper, binder, filler, or factory--Uncle Sam's stamping grounds factor in somehow. So grab one of these, or one of those already in your humidor, and God Bless the USA.

Drew Estate Blackened M81
Dunbarton Red Meat Lovers Fritanga
My Father Blue
Partagas Y Nada Mas Cibao
Powstanie Sumatra

That'll do. One handful of possibilities and the other hand wrapped around a flagstaff. Happy Birthday, America. E Pluribus Unum.

::: very :::