Last week I started a list of cigars priced under $7 that I thought everyone should try. You have already been given cigars 10 through 6 and this week I will give you the remaining top five.

#5 Rocky Patel Gladiator Robusto ($5.99)

This week we start off with a very special cigar. It is so special in fact that you can only get it at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits. I reviewed this cigar back in December and was very happy with the flavor profile. It boasts lists of peppery spice in the beginning then transitions into some nice coffee notes. This cigars’ easy draw and even burn is everything you would expect out of a premium stick.

#4 Macanudo 1968 Gigante ($6.99)

Another big boy cracks the top ten. No matter what side of the fence you stand on concerning all the 6x60 cigars that are flooding the market, I promise you are certain to enjoy this one. It is not your average Macanudo. This is definitely not the starter cigar that most associate with the Macanudo name. Its rich and bold smoke will certainly surprise those with preconceived notions about another Macanudo release. Dark, rich espresso flavors will flood your palate as you smoke this creamy cigar. It is perfectly constructed, as you would expect from this General Cigar monster brand. Of every Macanudo cigar I have ever smoked, I can't recall ever having a bad stick. There is something to be said for
consistency. The Macanudo 1968 gives you the consistency you expect, along with a medium to full-bodied cigar you may be searching for.

#3 CAO OSA Sol Lot 54 ($5.49)

This is a great cigar made by a gentleman who started off in the cigar business calling on ABC for General Cigar. Rick Rodriguez, an original member of the famed group "Team LaGloria" now applies his
talents to the CAO brand as their Master Blender. Rick has really produced some great cigars, including this years' new release, "The Concert Series". His OSA Sol Lot 54 makes this list at number 3 and for good reason. The heart and soul of this cigar is its unique wrapper from the San Augustin Valley in Olancho, Honduras. The sun grown wrapper is complemented by a Connecticut Broadleaf binder and a
filler blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan tobacco. This earthy, woodsy smoke will provide the smoker with hints of spice and mild cocoa notes on the finish. The CAO OSA Sol Lot 54 is a medium-bodied
cigar.

#2 Liga Undercrown Gran Toro ($6.99)

I like to refer to the Liga Undercrown cigar as Liga Privada's little brother. It may lack some of the Privada's bravado along with its Connecticut Broadleaf Ligero Oscuro wrapper, but the substitution of the Otapan Negro Ultimo Corte wrapper serves the Undercrown well. This medium-bodied cigar will provide lots of creamy smoke, with coffee, spice and some nutty flavors. This is one you can smoke ‘till it burns your fingers. A well-blended, perfectly constructed cigar from Drew Estate. If you don't have a few of these in your humidor, then you are missing out.

#1 Oliva V Series Torpedo ($6.99)

So, it is time for number one in the top ten countdown of cigars under $7 that are worth buying. It's hard to do a list like this because we have so many great cigars in our humidors, but decisions had to be made and the winner has been decided. The Oliva V Series Torpedo is a truly remarkable cigar and is sold at an amazing price. The awards for this cigar are almost too many to mention. It has received consistent ratings of 90+ along with being named Nicaraguan Cigar of the Year by Cigar Aficionado. The V Torpedo has received a 94 rating by Cigar Aficionado and I have smoked many of these cigars in all sizes and shapes. The Torpedo is my favorite vitola in this great line of Ligero dominated cigars. All components come from Nicaragua from its Jalapa Valley Ligero blend to the Habano sun grown wrapper. This cigar will provide large volumes of rich flavorful smoke packed with coffee and dark chocolate notes.

It was fun putting this list together and getting to revisit all of these fabulous cigars. As with most things in life, high price doesn't necessarily mean higher quality. Next time you are in ABC, pick up a few of these cigars and tell me what you think. I promise no matter what order you rate them, I am certain that you will enjoy doing your research.

Long Ashes,

Chris Gwaltney

ABC Fine Wine & Spirits regional manager in Jacksonville. Follow him on Twitter @chrisgnole