Cigar Journal's Top New Cigars of 2025. Any Surprises?

[JohnS]

Cigar Journal has just recently released their Top 25 list of new cigars for 2025. The No.1 cigar was the El Pulp The Eel Lancero (which has been mentioned positively here on FoH of late, in passing).

#1 | El Pulpo The Eel Lancero

Tasting notes:

This “eel” is robust, well-balanced, and well-constructed. Leather, cedar, and coffee beans constitute the triad; in addition, a raisin sweetness and bread aromas. Towards the end, it gets stronger, with cocoa and pepper notes.

Owner: Artesano Del Tobacco
Factory: Tabacalera A.J. Fernandez
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexiko
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: 7 (von 10)
Size: 178 x 15.1 | 7 x 38
Released: 2025

The list can be located at the link here. 

Don't expect to find any Habanos cigars, but if you have time to peruse the list, are their any surprises in your opinion?