2018 Cigar of the Year Countdown: #3: VegaFina Añejado 7 Años Robusto Extra Pigtail

Note: The Cigar of the Year Countdown will not publish on Sunday January 6, 2019. There will still be regular daily content to enjoy on that day. The countdown resumes on Monday January 7th 2019 with the announcements of the #1 and #2 Cigar of the Year selections.

“This cigar is a home run for Altadis U.S.A. It was the perfect storm of great flavor, a nice amount of complexity, and excellent construction.”

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Indonesian
Filler: Colombian, Nicaraguan, Dominican
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera de Garcia
Robusto Extra Pigtail: 6 x 50
Price: $5.95
Review: VegaFina Añejado 7 Años Robusto Extra Pigtail (4/1/18)
Appearances on Countdown (By Year/Company): 3 (2012, 2016, 2018)

Coming in at #3 is the VegaFina Añejado 7 Años Robusto Extra Pigtail by Altadis U.S.A. This is a limited production cigar released in the U.S. market back in 2017.

When it comes to the VegaFina brand, while it is seen in the U.S. market, it has been one that has been more successful in Europe – particularly in Spain. In addition to the VegaFina brand being known for its popularity in Europe, it is also one that has positioned as a value-priced brand. The blend for the VegaFina was originally released in 2016 with the VegaFina Edición Limitada Conde Pigtail. This was a 5 1/2 x 48 vitola that was a limited release for Europe only. Earlier in 2017 came word that a second size of the blend known as the VegaFina Añejado 7 Años Robusto Extra Pigtail was being released – again for the European market only. By the time of the 2017 IPCPR Trade Show, Altadis U.S.A. decided to bring the Robusto Extra Pigtail to the U.S. market

The VegaFina Añejado 7 Años Robusto Extra Pigtail is a five-country multinational blend featuring an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Indonesian binder, and a combination of Colombian, Nicaraguan, and Dominican fillers. While it has the name “Robusto” in it, the VegaFina Añejado 7 Años Robusto Extra Pigtail is actually Toro-size measuring 6 x 50. The cap is finished with a spiral pig-tail.

Flavor-wise, the VegaFina Añejado 7 Años Robusto Extra Pigtail delivers a very unique profile featuring natural tobacco, cedar, pepper, earth, wheat and more exotic notes of apple and caramel. This cigar is going to be slightly bolder than most VegaFinas. The flavors are medium-bodied and countered by medium strength.

Not only is this cigar a home run, but at $5.95 it’s one of the best values out there. While price doesn’t factor into this ranking, it’s a cigar that might have been one of the most overlooked in the past 18 months – and it earns a spot on the podium for the top three in 2018.