The 5 Must-Try Cigars Chosen by Tim from Cigars Daily
A deep dive into flavour, craftsmanship, and where to buy them
If you follow premium cigar reviews on YouTube, chances are you already know Tim from Cigars Daily. Over the years, Tim has built a loyal following by doing something deceptively simple: smoking cigars properly, analysing them honestly, and explaining why they deserve attention.
In his video highlighting five standout cigars every enthusiast should try, Tim doesn’t chase hype or price tags. Instead, he focuses on construction, blend integrity, flavour development, and overall smoking experience. The result is a list that spans powerhouse maduros, elegant Connecticut shades, and some of the most respected modern blends ever produced.
In this article, we’ll break down each cigar Tim selected:
- Perdomo 20th Anniversary Maduro
- EPC Pledge (98-rated, Cigar of the Year 2020)
- Dunbarton Sin Compromiso
- American Viking Filthy Viking
- Padrón Damaso (Connecticut Shade)
For each cigar, you’ll find detailed tasting notes, background on the blend, and where to buy it in the United States, along with internal resources from CigarsNearMe.co.uk to help you explore retailers, reviews, and alternatives.
1. Perdomo 20th Anniversary Maduro
A benchmark for rich, affordable excellence
Tim opens his list with a cigar that has become almost legendary for delivering luxury-level flavour at a sensible price point: the Perdomo 20th Anniversary Maduro.
Blend & Construction
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Wrapper: Nicaraguan Maduro (14-month bourbon barrel-aged)
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Binder: Nicaraguan
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Filler: Nicaraguan
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Strength: Medium-Full
Nick Perdomo’s use of bourbon barrel ageing is not a gimmick here. The process rounds off the edges of the maduro wrapper, reducing bitterness while enhancing sweetness and depth.
Tasting Notes
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First third: Dark cocoa, espresso, black cherry
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Mid-palate: Molasses sweetness, roasted nuts, cedar
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Final third: Leather, baking spice, lingering dark chocolate
The smoke is thick, creamy, and remarkably consistent. As Tim points out in the video, this is a cigar that never falls apart — burn, draw, and ash are textbook from start to finish.
Why Tim Rates It So Highly
The Perdomo 20th Anniversary Maduro punches far above its weight. It offers the richness maduro lovers crave without becoming harsh or overwhelming, making it suitable for both seasoned smokers and confident intermediates.
Where to Buy (USA)
This cigar is widely available through major US retailers such as:
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Famous Smoke Shop
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JR Cigars
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Cigars International
Where to Buy (UK)
To explore reviews, comparable blends, and retailer listings, see: Cigar Reviews on CigarsNearMe.co.uk
2. EPC Pledge – 98 Rated & Cigar of the Year 2020
Modern perfection from Ernesto Perez-Carrillo
Few cigars arrive with more credibility than the EPC Pledge. When it earned a 98 rating and Cigar of the Year in 2020, it wasn’t a surprise to anyone paying attention — but it did cement its place in cigar history.
Blend & Construction
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Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
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Binder: Nicaraguan
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Filler: Nicaraguan
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Strength: Medium-Full
This is a cigar built for balance. Nothing screams for attention; instead, every component works in harmony.
Tasting Notes
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Opening: Toasted bread, sweet cedar, white pepper
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Middle: Creamy almond, coffee bean, subtle caramel
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Finish: Earth, spice, and a refined mineral note
The flavour transitions are seamless. As Tim notes, the Pledge doesn’t overwhelm — it invites you to pay attention.
Why It Earned Cigar of the Year
The EPC Pledge represents the modern pinnacle of cigar blending: complexity without chaos, strength without aggression, and flawless construction throughout.
Where to Buy (USA)
Available at premium US retailers including:
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Neptune Cigar
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Cigars International
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Corona Cigar Company
Where to Buy (UK)
You can research EPC blends, reviews, and stockist information via: Cigar Reviews on CigarsNearMe.co.uk
3. Dunbarton Sin Compromiso
Steve Saka’s uncompromising masterpiece
If there’s one thing cigar fans know about Steve Saka, it’s that he does nothing halfway. The Sin Compromiso (literally “without compromise”) is the purest expression of that philosophy.
Blend & Construction
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Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés (cultivated exclusively for Dunbarton)
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Binder: Nicaraguan
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Filler: Nicaraguan
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Strength: Medium-Full to Full
Every leaf in this cigar was grown, fermented, and aged to Saka’s exact specifications.
Tasting Notes
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Early: Cocoa nibs, black coffee, damp earth
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Mid: Sweet baking spice, toasted oak, dark fruit
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Late: Leather, espresso crema, savoury umami
The texture of the smoke is luxurious — dense, oily, and mouth-coating.
Tim’s Take
Tim highlights Sin Compromiso as a cigar you smoke slowly and intentionally. This is not a background cigar. It rewards focus and patience.
Where to Buy (USA)
Look for Sin Compromiso at:
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Small Batch Cigar
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Cigars International
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Smokingpipes
Where to Buy (UK)
For deeper research and alternatives, visit: Cigar Reviews on CigarsNearMe.co.uk
4. American Viking “Filthy Viking”
A bold, unconventional crowd-pleaser
The Filthy Viking stands out on Tim’s list as the wildcard — a cigar that doesn’t pretend to be traditional, but absolutely delivers.
Blend & Construction
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Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
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Binder: Indonesian
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Filler: Nicaraguan
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Strength: Medium-Full
This cigar is about attitude and flavour density, not subtlety.
Tasting Notes
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Light-up: Black pepper, smoked meat
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Core: Charred oak, espresso, dark spice
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Finish: Campfire smoke, earthy sweetness
The Filthy Viking is rugged, flavour-forward, and unapologetically bold.
Why Tim Included It
Tim praises this cigar for being honest. It knows what it is and executes perfectly within that lane — a modern American blend with personality.
Where to Buy (USA)
Often available through:
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Boutique cigar retailers
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Limited online drops via US cigar shops
Discover similar boutique brands and stockists at: Cigar Reviews on CigarsNearMe.co.uk
5. Padrón Damaso (Connecticut Shade)
Proof that Connecticut doesn’t mean boring
Rounding out the list is the Padrón Damaso, a cigar that surprises many smokers who associate Padrón exclusively with powerful maduros.
Blend & Construction
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Wrapper: Connecticut Shade
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Binder: Nicaraguan
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Filler: Nicaraguan
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Strength: Mild-Medium
True to Padrón form, even their mildest cigar is impeccably constructed.
Tasting Notes
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Start: Cream, toasted nuts, hay
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Mid: Buttered pastry, light pepper
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End: Clean cedar, subtle sweetness
This is refinement, not intensity.
Tim’s Perspective
Tim highlights the Damaso as a reminder that strength is not quality. This cigar excels through balance, nuance, and flawless execution.
Where to Buy (USA)
Widely stocked by:
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Famous Smoke Shop
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JR Cigars
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Cigars International
Where to Buy (UK)
Learn more about Padrón lines via: Cigar Reviews on CigarsNearMe.co.uk
Final Thoughts: Why this is a great list of cigars to try
What makes Tim from Cigars Daily such a trusted voice is not only his many years of experience in the industry, but that he values experience over hype. This list reflects that philosophy perfectly:
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One elite maduro value cigar
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One modern Cigar of the Year
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One uncompromising boutique blend
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One bold American wildcard
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One elegant Connecticut shade
Together, these five cigars form a complete education in premium cigar craftsmanship.
Whether you’re buying in the US or visiting a local shop in the UK you’re bound to love at least one of these cigars.