Top 5 Special Occasion or Expensive Cigars of 2009

Today, I’m back to present another list in our lineup of The Weekly Cigar “Top” Lists of 2009. This time, I’ll be giving you my list of Top 5 Special Occasion or Expensive Cigars of 2009. To qualify as a special occasion or expensive cigar, the cigar has to be exceedingly rare or cost over $15.00 MSRP. I don’t smoke many of these cigars, but there are occasions when I want to fire up a particularly special cigar. Anyway, on with the list.

1. Drew Estate “Dirty Rat” – What a cigar! Take the normal Liga Privada No. 9 line, roll it into a corona shape, and amp up the flavors and you’ll have the “Dirty Rat”. This is definitely the rarest cigar on this list, as it is still a personal blend from Drew Estate President Steve Saka. I was lucky enough to acquire a few of them when I interviewed Jonathan Drew a few weeks ago.
2. Padron Family Reserve 45th Maduro – This was another one of my favorite cigars of the year, but the limited availability and high price tag keep me from smoking more of them. The Padron Family Reserve 45th Maduro was Cigar Aficionado’s Number One Cigar of the Year, and it’s tough to argue with them.
3. Fuente Fuente Opus X xXx a.k.a. Opus X Power Ranger – The Opus X line can be very elusive depending on your local shop’s cigar selection. Luckily, a few of my local shops carry most of the Opus X line, year round, at MSRP. The xXx or Power Ranger is by far my favorite of the Opus X line, mainly because I think the small size really concentrates the flavors.
4. La Flor Dominicana Mysterio – This La Flor Dominicana Mysterio is a fairly rare cigar from Litto Gomez at La Flor Dominicana. This uniquely wrapped perfecto has amazing construction and delicious flavors. One of my local shops actually keeps these in stock fairly regularly, and I try to pick one up every time I can afford it.
5. Arturo Fuente Anejo No. 77 a.k.a. Anejo Shark – The Arturo Fuente Anejo No. 77 or Anejo Shark is another rare cigar from the folks at Arturo Fuente. This cigar is great, especially with a few years of age on it. If you can find a few, pick them up. They seem to have been released to a good number of stores this year, so good luck.