Crowned Heads added three releases to its initial Four Kicks in 2012—two regular production extensions and one limited edition. The latter made our list for pretty obvious reasons: a stronger Four Kicks is something we like. Much time was spent surrounding the initial release focusing on the concept of balance and none of that was lost with Mule Kick. — CM.

Unlike some of the other cigars on the list, the Small Batch No.4 Oscuro was a quiet release shortly before IPCPR. But it's not one to ignore. This Dominican puro weighs in at 7 x 52 taking easily over two hours to smoke, but an enjoyable two hours at that. The darker wrapper brings a sweet fruity profile to the table along with a meaty and slightly peppery bite. The full flavor profile with an underlying strength that isn’t in your face creates an enjoyable full-bodied and full strength cigar. The price and limited availability creates the potential for a lot of people not to be able to try it but if you run across them it would be a mistake not to pick up at least one. — Brian Burt.

La Palina had has its fair share of criticism surrounding higher-priced releases. While El Diario and its two new lines introduced at IPCPR help to alleviate the criticism by avoiding it, the $15 Petit Lancero that was Goldie challenged the notion the cigars weren't worth the price of admission. The Miami-made cigars were rolled by a single roller and despite the price tag some scoffed at, are long sold out nationally. Complexity is the key word here. — CM.

Another anticipated release this year was the Herrera Esteli brand blended by Willy Herrera. There are lots of things to like about this cigar. The packaging—from the box to the band and all the way down to the ribbon holding the bundle of cigars together—screams classic Cuban. Even the blend itself has tendencies to draw your mind to a good Cuban cigar. Creamy and sweet with a bit of nuttiness and a touch of pepper though little to no spiciness, the cigar’s flavor profile is a definite winner. With its debut at IPCPR and wide release to shops early this year, the Herrera Esteli brand will be a sought after cigar in 2013. — BB.

The Danno returned in 2012 and the monster in the Miami Cigar & Co. portfolio delivered. While the regular line is known as more of a medium cigar, the Danno's San Andrés profile delivered in the full department with a bit of a kick that Miami likes to promote with its Grand Reserve line. The proof: three small ring gauge lovers endorsed the 7 x 56 monster. — CM.

After over a year in the making, Drew Estate unleashed its collaboration with Tim Podwika for BOTL.org. While the original Pinar del Río BOTL.org release went relatively undercelebrated, the Drew Estate edition had the hype that comes with an average release from the company. And it delivered. Smoke production, balance, complexity—all there. The problem with the BOTL.org Lancero—no one has enough. — CM.

It was a year for the second in a variety of Pete Johnson releases. The second year of Avion, the Old Man and the C and TAA. While all made our list, it's hard to argue that there was a more anticipated release from the trio than Pete Johnson's special edition for the Tobacconists Association of America. Big Broadleaf, classic Tatuaje; winner. — CM.

The Undercrown line made a big splash in the market when they were released in 2011 with a reasonable price and it’s similarities to the Liga Privada line. The ¡Viva! did much the same when it was released in 2012. With a slightly tweaked blend it takes it a notch above the rest of the Undercrown line. The cedar, cocoa, and pepper are more dense and richer than the rest of the line, making it not the most complex experience but a very enjoyable flavor profile and cigar. — BB.

The Serie V Maduro has its lovers, but the general consensus heading into the fifth year of the release was hit or miss. Amongst that was best described as the latter, or at the very least not the former. And yet, despite the fact that the 2012 release is allegedly the same blend as the 2011 release, the reaction was completely different. It was another win for San Andrés and yet another Serie V for the Oliva faithful to use as evidence for the line's brilliance. — CM.

Has any cigar in recent memory had as many detractors before it was even released? From the price to the fact that it is a short filler cigar—the Papas Fritas was maligned from its initial debut at IPCPR. However, most of the negative comments come from those who have not tried it, as the cigar itself easily stands up to any and all criticisms. While not the most complex of blends, the Papas Fritas is full flavored and is the absolutely perfect size for winter, or when you don't have a lot of time. The packaging is also a work of art in itself. Is it expensive? Yes. But it is also an extremely good cigar with excellent construction, and well worth the money. — Brooks Whittington.

Back in 2010, the Quesada España made SmokingStogie's Cigar of the Year, and for good reason. Since the Ecuadorian Arapiraca wrapper used on that release is so limited, Quesada decided to use the same filler and binder, but wrap it in aged Nicaraguan Jalapa instead. The differences in the profiles between the two releases with just the wrapper change were dramatic. The Quesada Jalapa Belicoso has a unique and balanced combination of buttery and creamy cedar, orange peel, leather, coffee and sweet earth, along with the perfect spice to pull everything together. Throw in the excellent construction and you have a winner no matter how you slice it. — BW.

Even the lovers of the original Domus Magnus were taken back by how good the newest vitolas were. The Robusto-sized cigar is a flavor bomb, with notes of earth, red and black pepper, cedar, nuts, coffee and chocolate all vying for dominance at different points in the cigar. The Domus Magus is easily one of SAG Imports best brands so far and is only made better by the close to perfect construction and the consistency that the blend has throughout the five different vitolas in the line. A very good cigar that people should try at least once. — BW.

The Daruma is the latest in what is a growing list of popular Ltd releases from Matt Booth's Room101. Camacho's Rancho Jamastran hasn't been known as a source for Lanceros, but it wasn't show in the Daruma. Construction and balance, the two things that normally get lost when making Lanceros, are the two brightest assets of the Daruma Mutante. Factor in the $8.25 price point and Room101's phenomenal packaging and the Daruma is a cigar that shouldn't be overlooked. — CM.

Two out of the three cigars released for the W. Curtis Draper 125th Anniversary this year are on our Top 25 list, and for good reason. However, the Fuente and the Cabaiguan could not be any more different: where the Cabaiguan is nutty and creamy, the Fuente is spicy and fruity. I was surprised at how good this cigar was, even knowing it was a Fuente, especially considering the unlikely price point of $7.50 each. In fact, the price was so low, if we had a list for best value, the modified Senior Blend would be on it. Sadly, the 125ths sold out quite quickly, but if you run across one, it is definitely one that should be experienced. — BW.

After announcing that the vast majority of the releases planned for its 100th Anniversary were being delayed, we were able to get a few samples of the Arturo Fuente Don Arturo Aniversario Destino al Siglo Double Robusto to review. As Charlie said from the floor of the IPCPR show, one of—if not the best—releases of the show was not being sampled, let alone sold, at the show. The Arturo Fuente Don Arturo Aniversario Destino al Siglo Double Robusto is an amazing cigar, even for a Fuente, and has just about everything going for it. Flavors, complexity, construction, balance, you name it, and the Destino al Siglo has it covered. In fact, just about the only problem I have with it is getting ahold one of. Along with the FFOX Angel Share, Fuente is going to release some amazing cigars in 2013, but I find it hard to believe that any will match this one on every level. — BW.

The Velvet Rat has been described as a more creamy and balanced version of the Dirty Rat—and having smoked my share—I would have to agree. While I love the Dirty Rat, it can be a bit overwhelming sometimes, but what it lacks in finesse, the Velvet Rat has in spades. Nuanced and balanced, the Velvet Rat lives up to the expectations that people have for it. Extremely rare at the moment with only 400 released, it will be a regular production Único Serie in 2013. While it is expensive at $14.00, it is quite a bit more cigar than the Dirty Rat. While I still prefer the Dirty Rat over the Velvet Rat, it is a closer race then I thought it would be before I smoked it. An excellent cigar at a great size that I can't wait to smoke more of. — BW.

The Cuenca y Blanco can easily be named one of the most anticipated releases this year. Released at IPCPR it was definitely one of the bigger hits at the show. It’s not really a surprise when you look at the cigar—from the beautiful band to the complex and flavorful profile this cigar is a winner. Since the release the cigar has been renamed to CyB by Joya de Nicaragua due to a trademark conflict, however with the blend remaining unchanged I can see the CyB becoming a staple of many people’s humidors. — BB

The Tatuaje Old Man and the C was an anticipated release. The second edition of Pete Johnson's Culebra + Lancero combination was to feature Tatuaje's most popular blend, the Private Cellar Reserve, i.e. Black Label. While the Black Label Lancero may not have lived up to people's expectations after the popular Petite Lancero—the Culebra version delivered. The complexity and fullness were back to create the balance that the Tatuaje faithful have come to expect with Black Label. — CM.

Only in their second year of releases, RoMa Craft Tobac has already seen success last year with its CroMagnon line. Expanding their portfolio in 2012, Intemperance was one of two new lines RoMa Craft released with four vitolas in two different wrappers: a Brazlian Ariparaca and Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. The Brazlian wrapper on the Intrigue, the company's smallest size gives this wonderful short little flavor bomb a sweet and creamy profile with chocolate and nuts dominating the bouquet of flavors. — BB.

Before the Melanio, the last time Oliva introduced a new line of cigars was in 2007. Named after Gilberto Oliva’s grandfather, the price range of $8-$13 shocked quite a few people, yours truly included. Complex flavors, full-bodied and near perfect construction are par for the course with this blend, no matter which of the five different vitolas you choose. While I am partcial to the Figurado and the Robusto, you really can't go wrong with any of the sizes, and since they are regular production, they are quite easy to find whenever I get the urge. Yes, the price is on the high side, especially for the Figurado, but the Melanio may well be the most consistent blend released this year. Well worth the money and well worth the five year wait for the introduction of the line. — BW.

The Actors Series has long been confused to be part of the Monster Series and with the release of the Little Monsters only a month before the release of the Little Boris one might confuse it even further. This was available only at Corona Cigar Company as a single store release in fulfillment of a deal Pete made to be able to use the name “Boris” for the original The Boris. Limited to 500 boxes of 10 there were rumors of a second round release however with hesitation over the use of the aforementioned limited Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper among other reasons, this never came to pass. With the Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper we again see the sweet and creamy overtone to a full flavor profile that in the end creates a desired and delicious limited release from Tatuaje. — BB.

The original Tatuaje Bombazo was one of the first three single store releases that Pete Johnson did. Six years later the Tatuaje Bombazo was again released at the FUMARE store in Reno, Nevada, but with an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper instead of the original Corojo ‘99. The release was kept under wraps even to the point of packaging the cigar in a plain cab of 50 cigars — the only information being the “Capa Especial” seal across the top of the box and the tax label. The cigar itself touted the spicy kick that you’d expect from a Tatuaje, but also the creamy sweetness from the limited and coveted Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. Along with excellent construction and a fantastic flavor profile the only real downside to this cigar was its ultra limited availability. — BB.

The Cabaiguan WCD 120 REDUX was the first new release cigar to get a 93 on halfwheel and there was a reason for it. While the profile is lighter than most of Pete Johnson's other blends, it makes up for it in complexity and balance. Creamy, nutty and sweet all at once with the perfect amount of spice and pepper to compliment the profile in the perfect-sized vitola for a shorter cigar. The price was right on these, but with only about 3,000 made, the WCD 120 REDUXs were gone in a hurry and the price quickly rose on the secondary market to over double MSRP. Even at that admittedly inflated price, they are worth it and anyone who smoked them when they were released could tell you they were something special. Pete Johnson released a multitude of great smokes this year, but the Cabaiguan WCD 120 REDUX stands toe-to-toe with the best of them. — BW.

When you look back over the list of 25 very good cigars and ask which ones will be classic, you can't help but think the La Escepción is the leading candidate. Even young, it was sublime. In a fashion only capable in this industry, our cigar of the year for 2012 was supposed to be a 2011 release. Habanos S.A. and the Italian distributor Diadema brought back what was once the strongest cigar out of Cuba and created a masterpiece. The packaging is excellent, the size is classic and the flavor is sublime. If Cuba could make every Edición Regional half as good as the La Escepción Selectos Finos, there would be little to complain about regarding the program. It is at the top of our list now and the belief amongst our editorial staff is it will only get better. — CM.