The Cigars Our Crew Keeps Thinking About in 2026

From Creekside Podcast Ep. 057: TOP 5 CIGARS OF 2026… SO FAR, aired Jun 26, 2026. Recorded at Creekside Cigar Co. in Maineville, Ohio.

On this Creekside Podcast, Dave, Conner, and Tyler look back at cigars they’ve smoked for the first time this year and share the ones that have stayed with them. Their picks range from an affordable, easy-to-recommend Corona to rich maduros and Connecticut blends with more body and complexity than expected. The conversation is a useful reminder that “best so far” is personal: a cigar’s format, timing, and how its flavors develop can all shape the experience.

What counts as a top cigar of the year?

The crew’s ground rule was that a cigar did not have to be released in 2026. It only needed to be new to the person naming it, ideally something they had not been smoking for years already. That gave the conversation room for both new arrivals and cigars the hosts had only recently discovered.

They also did not force the lists into a shared ranking. Some picks overlapped, while others reflected individual preferences. One host had six contenders before narrowing the selection, and another worked through photos on his phone to remember what he had smoked. That approach kept the episode focused on real smoking experiences rather than release calendars or hype.

Why did the Domain Entropy Captain Corona stand out?

The Domain Entropy Captain Corona drew especially strong praise. One host called it his favorite cigar of the year so far among those new to him, noting its clean performance, substantial flavor, and presentation. Its price was part of the appeal, too: he said he would buy a cabinet of 50, and the crew discussed how quickly the shop’s supply had sold through.

Another host said he bought more after trying one, describing it as a cigar that lived up to an enthusiastic recommendation. The conversation suggests why it made such an impression: the cigar was memorable enough to inspire repeat purchases, yet approachable enough for the crew to recommend to customers looking for something flavorful.

Which cigars brought sweetness, spice, and changing flavors?

Several picks were praised for developing as they burned. Tyler described the RoMa Craft Maestranza Toro as beginning with light pepper and espresso before moving toward toasted marshmallow. He had enjoyed a shorter version, but preferred the Toro for giving the experience more time to unfold.

The Principal Martinique CG also prompted discussion about balance and character. One host liked its distinctive Dominican character alongside other flavors, while another recalled a citrusy opening that gave way to buttercream sweetness and floral notes. During the blind tasting, a Martinique Corona Gorda surprised the group with more body than one taster expected. Their experience underscored how size and smoking conditions can affect what a familiar blend brings forward.

A Connecticut from Crowned Heads, whose exact C# name the speakers could not recall, also made a strong impression at PCA. It was described as sweet and fruity, with some spice and more body than the taster expected from a Connecticut. The Domain Attenuation earned another host’s praise for being creamy and sweet, with a progression that he felt built as he smoked.

What did the crew enjoy in richer cigars?

Tyler’s EGM Maduro Maximos was a standout despite its larger size. He remembered a satisfying smoking experience, good construction, and plenty of smoke. Another host described a combination of sea salt and dark chocolate, with a brightness that made the cigar feel distinctive rather than simply rich.

Tyler also named the Stolen Throne Crook of the Crown, recalling charred espresso, chocolate, and nuttiness. The dark appearance initially suggested a stronger cigar to one taster, but he found it more medium in character and enjoyed the experience. Elsewhere, Crowned Heads Moonflower in the CG format was praised for sweet leather and cinnamon, while HVC’s blue cigar—identified in the conversation by a name that is unclear in the transcript—was described with sweet leather, vanilla bean, and a peppery start that settled down.

The episode also touched on how recommendations depend on the person. The hosts revisited Tyler’s earlier beginner-cigar suggestions, including a Tatuaje cigar and the CTO X54. They disagreed about how approachable those picks might be, but the discussion stayed grounded in individual taste: one person’s bold or challenging cigar may be another person’s enjoyable first choice.

Key takeaways

• The crew’s “top cigars” were new discoveries, not necessarily new releases.
• The Domain Entropy Captain Corona stood out for flavor, performance, and repeat-buy appeal.
• Several picks changed noticeably from the first third to the finish.
• Format matters: the Maestranza Toro was preferred over a shorter version by one taster.
• Recommendations are personal, and a cigar’s strength or flavor can land differently for each smoker.

Cigars from this episode

• Domain Entropy Captain Corona: Praised for clean performance, flavor, presentation, and repeat-buy appeal; one host called it his favorite new-to-him cigar of the year so far.
• EGM Maduro Maximos: Tyler praised the large format, construction, and smoke; another host recalled sea salt, dark chocolate, and a bright edge.
• RoMa Craft Maestranza Toro: Described as developing from light pepper and espresso into toasted marshmallow; Tyler preferred it to a shorter size.
• Principal Martinique CG: The crew discussed its Dominican character, balance, and a profile that can move from citrus toward buttercream sweetness and floral notes.
• Principal Martinique Corona Gorda: A blind tasting surprised one host with more body than expected; he enjoyed its flavor and changing profile.
• Crowned Heads C# Connecticut: One host recalled sweetness, fruit, spice, and more body than he expected from a Connecticut; the exact C# name was unclear.
• Domain Attenuation: One host described it as creamy and sweet, with a progression that builds; another planned to revisit it.
• Stolen Throne Crook of the Crown: Tyler recalled charred espresso, chocolate, and nuttiness; another taster found it medium in character.
• Crowned Heads Moonflower CG: Praised for sweet leather and cinnamon, and described as a delicious, well-rounded cigar.
• HVC blue cigar: Described with sweet leather and vanilla bean; it began peppery before settling. The transcript’s cigar name is unclear.
• Pasta Connecticut Robusto: One host praised its creamy, cinnamon, and chocolate character and said the Robusto had become his preferred size.
• CTO X54 Maduro: Discussed as one of Tyler’s earlier beginner-cigar recommendations; another host described it as chocolate-forward.
• Tatuaje Noellas: Mentioned as a beginner-cigar recommendation that one host felt could be enjoyed by a new smoker.

Shop, smoke and listen with Creekside

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