Cigars Under $10

Aladino Classic

Honduras

MSRP: $7.50 Rating: 92

Wrapper: Honduras;  Binder: Honduras;  Filler: Honduras
Vitola: Corona; Length: 5; Ring: 44

Impeccably balanced with a combination of cedar, nuts, and sweet cream complemented by a touch of spice. This mild to medium strength short corona is covered with a thin, light brown wrapper showing slight veins.

La Aroma De Cuba Mi Amor

Nicaragua

MSRP: $9.50 Rating: 92

Wrapper: Mexico; Binder: Nicaragua;  Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Magnifico;  Length: 6; Ring: 52

An ultra-flavorful, box-pressed toro covered with a medium to dark brown wrapper with excellent oils. Delivers a medium strength core of pepper, oak, and earth accompanied by a hint of vanilla on the finish. Consistently draws and burns exceptionally well.

Plasencia Reserva Original

Honduras

MSRP: $9.60 Rating: 92

Wrapper: Nicaragua; Binder: Nicaragua;  Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Corona;  Length: 6 1/4; Ring: 44

Impeccably blended and consistently well-constructed, this medium strength corona delivers a profile of sweet cedar, pepper, and marzipan complemented by a touch of tanned leather and a floral note. Draws perfectly and leaves behind a solid, compact ash.

Cigars $10 to $13

Umbagog

Nicaragua

MSRP: $10.25 Rating: 92

Wrapper: USA; Binder: Nicaragua;  Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Robusto Plus; Length: 5; Ring: 52

Beautifully pressed and finished with a flawless, milk chocolate colored wrapper, this medium plus toro delivers a well-balanced core of roasted nuts, cinnamon, and smooth pepper accompanied by subtle touches of caramel and sweet cream.

Romeo y Julieta Res. Real Nica

Nicaragua

MSRP: $12.05 Rating: 92

Wrapper:Nicaragua; Binder: Nicaragua;  Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Magnum; Length: 6; Ring: 60

A beautifully balanced blend with notes of pepper, roasted almonds, cocoa powder, and cinnamon accompanied by hints of sweet spice and earth. Impeccably constructed and covered with a clean, medium brown wrapper. Draws and burns perfectly while leaving behind a solid, compact ash.

Black Label Trading Last Rites

Nicaragua

MSRP: $12.80 Rating: 92

Wrapper:Ecuador; Binder: Honduras;  Filler: Honduras & Nicaragua
Vitola: Robusto; Length: 5; Ring: 54

A neatly pressed robusto covered with a dark, oily wrapper with a velvet feel. This medium plus strength blend is smooth and flavorful with a core of roasted nuts, mocha, caramel, and soft pepper complemented by a subtle earth note in the background and a creamy textured finish.

Cigars $13 to $16

Aganorsa Leaf Rare Leaf Res. Mad

Nicaragua

MSRP: $14.75 Rating: 92

Wrapper:Mexico; Binder: Nicaragua;  Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Toro; Length: 6; Ring: 54

Firmly packed and covered with a dark, evenly colored, oily wrapper with a toothy feel. This balanced and complex blend builds to full strength along a firm draw and slow burn producing notes of sweet pepper, cedar, molasses, and mocha cream.

Rocky Patel A.L.R Second Edition

Nicaragua

Wrapper: Mexico; Binder: Nicaragua;  Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Robusto; Length: 5 1/2; Ring: 50

Flawlessly box-pressed and covered with a dark, reddish brown wrapper with minimal veins. This firmly packed robusto produces an excellent smoke output loaded with flavors of cocoa, deep pepper, and oak complemented by notes of roasted almonds, caramel, and a hint of cream.

Villiger Miami

Dominican Republic

Wrapper: Ecuador; Binder: Dominican Republic;  Filler: Dominican Republic
Vitola: Laguito No.1; Length: 7 1/2; Ring: 38

Click HERE to check out more cigars!

It has been a fantastic year for premium cigars, and we’ve had no shortage of top-notch smokes to choose from. We want to congratulate all the companies that made our list and a special recognition to the teams of artisans that have a hand in the production of these amazing blends.

We hope you enjoy our list and smoke your way through it. We’ll be on our social media channels after 4 PM to break down the top 5 and celebrate the #1 cigar of 2024.

1. Joya de Nicaragua Cinco de Cinco

Manufacturer: Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexico; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Toro; Physical size: 6 x 52
MSRP: $20.00
Rating: 93

Cinco de Cinco translates to Five of Five in English. It is not only a reference to the company’s 55th anniversary but also to the cigar’s quality, which the company says is a “five out of five.” We couldn’t agree more. The blend masterfully manages to be a flavorful San Andrés maduro with the nuanced profile of a much lighter cigar. There aren’t many cigars in the market that execute this balance so flawlessly. In the complexity department, the Cinco de Cinco scores off the charts, going through multiple transitions throughout the smoke.

The cigar is a part of the company’s Obras Maestras series along with the Número Uno, Cuatro Cinco, Cinco Decadas, and now Cinco de Cinco, which shipped to retailers at the end of 2023. We sat down with Juan Martinez, executive director of Joya de Nicaragua, as the Cinco de Cinco was hitting stores and he described the blending process for this cigar, which involved taking inspiration from the thousands of visitors to the factory who blended their own cigars. So if you’ve visited Joya de Nicaragua in the last decade and blended your own cigar, you somehow had a hand in this product. As Martinez says, “This cigar was made with the people, by the people and for the people.”

In spite of your involvement in this blend, we are compelled to congratulate the team at Joya de Nicaragua. They are a company with an incredible history, led by courageous and intelligent people, making world-class cigars day in and day out. 

Congratulations on being Cigar Snob Magazine’s Cigar of the Year for 2024!

Cigar Snob Podcast: One on One with Joya de Nicaragua’s Juan Martinez

2. Fonseca by My Father Edition MX

Manufacturer: My Father Cigars in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexico; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Robusto; Physical size: 5 x 50
MSRP: $11.00
Rating: 93

My Father Cigars finalized the acquisition of the Fonseca brand in December of 2019 and by September of 2020, the revamped Fonseca was hitting stores and being tasted by our panel. It was an instant hit, scoring 93 points and coming in as the No. 2 cigar of 2020. In March of 2024, My Father released the Fonseca Edition MX sporting an ultra flavorful Mexican San Andrés wrapper and again, hit it out of the park similarly climbing up to the No. 2 position in its first year. While price does not factor into our Top 25 rankings, it is worth noting that the Fonseca Edition MX is the only cigar in the top 10 that is under $12.

My Father Fonseca Edition MX Review – Cigar Snob Podcast E161

3. Padron 1964 Anniversary Series

Manufacturer: Tabacos Cubanica in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Torpedo; Physical size: 6 x 52
MSRP: $19.95
Rating: 93

The Padrón 1964 Anniversary Maduro, one of the more decorated premium cigars in the industry, makes its fourth appearance on our year-end list. We crowned this blend Cigar of the Year for 2019, in the 5 ½ X 50 Exclusivo format. The cigar celebrates the year that the late José Orlando Padrón founded Padrón Cigars in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood and is a model of consistency and excellence in cigar making. The line is available in  natural or maduro and features a whopping 16 sizes but this year, it was the maduro torpedo that grabbed the No. 3 position with 93 points.

In April of 2024, the passing of Rudy Padrón prompted us to publish a story from 2011 about the Padrón family to our website. Read that story here.

4. El Titan de Bronze Redemption

Manufacturer: El Titan De Bronze Cigar Factory in Miami
Wrapper: Ecuador; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Corona Extra; Physical size: 5 5/8 x 46
MSRP: $15.99
Rating: 93

The tiny, family-run cigar factory in Little Havana, known for its classic, Cuban-style cigars, partnered with General Cigar to distribute the El Titan de Bronze Redemption. Longtime fans of the factory may remember the older versions of the Redemption. The maduro appeared in this publication’s ratings section in the November 2010 issue with 91 points. This iteration is a completely different blend and in our opinion, a superior one. The cigar is available in three sizes – robusto, toro, and our favorite, a 5 ⅝ x 46 corona. It features an Ecuador habano wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and fillers and delivers a creamy and flavorful medium strength profile.

5. Aganorsa Leaf Arsenio

Manufacturer: Aganorsa Leaf Factory in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Corona; Physical size: 6 x 44
MSRP: $14.99
Rating: 93

We had our first look at the Aganorsa Leaf Arsenio just before the 2024 PCA trade show. It was the first batch of the blend and it certainly impressed our panel – it scored 91 points in the Jul/Aug 2024 issue. While that score qualified it as a candidate for this list, the samples we re-tasted at the end of the year significantly outperformed those early smokes. The brand is named after the late Arsenio Ramos, who was Aganorsa’s head of manufacturing until his passing in 2018. The Aganorsa Leaf Arsenio is the company’s rendition of his favorite blend using all Nicaraguan tobaccos grown on Aganorsa’s farms.

Get to know the history of Aganorsa and the man who made it all happen. 

Let us know at feedback@PeopleCigarsmag.com.

6. Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro

Manufacturer: TABOLISA 1 Factory in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexico; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Torpedo; Physical size: 6 ½  x 52
MSRP: $17.80 
Rating: 93

The Oliva Serie V Melanio is the only brand that has won Cigar of the Year in both wrapper variations. The original Melanio, wrapped in an Ecuadorian Sumatra, took home the No. 1 spot in 2012. But it is the Melanio Maduro, which won it all in 2021 in this exact shape, that caught our panel’s attention again in 2024.

7. AJ Fernandez Dias de Gloria Brazil

Manufacturer: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Brazil; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Toro; Physical size: 6 ½ x 54
MSRP: $15.00
Rating: 93

This soft-pressed toro is one of five AJ Fernandez-made blends to make this year’s Top 25 list, highlighting AJ’s continued dominance. The Brazil-wrapped extension to the Dias de Gloria showcases the factory’s trademark flawless construction, with a depth of flavor, strength, and complexity that secured it the No. 7 position.

8. Sobremesa Brulee

Manufacturer: Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador; Binder: Mexico; Filler: Nicaragua & USA
Vitola: Elegantes en Cedro; Physical size: 7 x 50
MSRP: $15.95
Rating: 92

Since its 2015 founding by Steve Saka, Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust has placed seven cigars on our Top 25, with six in the Top 10 and Sin Compromiso winning Cigar of the Year in 2018 with 94 points. While those were all maduros, the Sobremesa Brulee proves Saka’s mastery extends to shade wrappers as well.

9. Fuente Fuente OpusX

Manufacturer: Tabacalera A. Fuente in the Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Dominican Republic; Binder: Dominican Republic; Filler: Dominican Republic
Vitola: Double Corona; Physical size: 7 5/8 x 49
MSRP: $40.41
Rating: 92

For over 25 years, the Fuente Fuente Opus X has set the standard for luxury in premium cigars. While the brand now includes extensions like Angel’s Share, Forbidden X, 20th Anniversary, and Oro Oscuro, it was the original Opus X in classic double corona that scored 93 points in our July/August issue, earning this spot.

10. Rocky Patel Gold Label

Manufacturer: Tabacalera Villa Cuba (TAVICUSA) in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador; Binder: Mexico; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Robusto; Physical size: 5 ½ x 50
MSRP: $12.00
Rating: 92

For this 2024 release, Rocky Patel revisited the double binder technique employed in the DBS, this time combining Connecticut Shade and Connecticut Broadleaf tobaccos. The double-binder method adds complexity to the blend while aiding in combustion and demonstrates an evolution from Rocky Patel and TAVICUSA, his Nicaraguan factory.

11. Foundation Cigars Aksum Claro

Manufacturer: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador; Binder: USA; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Corona Gorda; Physical size: 5 ½ x 48
MSRP: $14.50
Rating: 92

Foundation’s founder Nick Melillo’s fascination with history and tobacco come together in the Aksum brand. Named for the ancient Ethiopian kingdom that once controlled vital trade routes between Africa and Asia, this release is another example of Foundation’s ability to create blends that tell a story while delighting smoker’s palates. 

12. Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua

Manufacturer: San Lotano Factory in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Churchill; Physical size: 7 x 52
MSRP: $20.45
Rating: 92

The Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua is another AJ Fernandez-made cigar that often punches above its weight. This is the second time that this blend makes our list, as in 2021 the torpedo reached the No. 3 spot with a score of 94. This blend manages to be ultra-flavorful and powerful while at the same time elegant and nuanced.

13. Espinosa Knuckle Sandwich Habano

Manufacturer: San Lotano Factory in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Corona Gorda R; Physical size: 5 5/8 x 46
MSRP: $12.30
Rating: 92

The collaboration between Guy Fieri and Erik Espinosa continues to impress our panel. The habano-wrapped Knuckle Sandwich, which scored 92 points in our May/June 2024 issue, matched that score in year-end tastings – showcasing the consistency and quality of manufacturing partner AJ Fernandez.

14. Illusione Epernay 10^th Anniversary D’Aosta

Manufacturer: Raices Cubanas Factory in Honduras
Wrapper: Nicaragua; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua
Vitola: Toro; Physical size: 6 x 50
MSRP: $13.00
Rating: 92

In a market pushing towards stronger blends, the Illusione Epernay stands apart with its nuanced flavors, rich aromas, but minimal strength. Brand owner Dion Giolito developed it to pair with Champagne – hence the name Epernay, a town in France’s Champagne region. The vitola references Valle d’Aosta in Italy, where Giolito has family.

15. Plasencia Cosecha 151

Manufacturer: Plasencia Cigars Nicaragua
Wrapper: Honduras; Binder: Honduras; Filler: Honduras
Vitola: La Musica; Physical size: 5 x 50
MSRP: $13.50
Rating: 92

The Plasencia Cosecha 151 stands as the only Honduran puro on our list – fitting for a family renowned for their tobacco growing expertise. The Cosecha (Spanish for ‘harvest’) brand showcases the Plasencia’s agricultural mastery, with the number 151 representing the specific harvest from which this blend’s tobacco was sourced.

At the risk of stating the obvious, premium cigars are a natural, handmade product, free of additives and adulteration. Tobacco seeds are planted mostly by hand, harvested and cured by men and women, fermented using a time-tested manual process, even the central vein running down the center of each leaf is removed by hand in most cigar factories. When we say a premium cigar is “handmade,” we tend to focus on the final step, the bunching and rolling of the cigar, forgetting that the farming part of the process is overwhelmingly handmade as well.

All of this, along with Mother Nature’s hand, results in natural variances in flavor, aroma, and strength that are present in every premium cigar. Certain cigars score well when we first rate them, and not as well when re-tasted. Others just barely make the cut at the initial tasting but climb up the list on the re-taste. Producing this list is easily the most difficult and time-consuming thing we do all year, and we do it with pleasure in the hope that it will help you find your next favorite cigar.

The following is the first part of the list, the cigars ranked from 16 to 25. This portion has a little bit of everything – there are offerings made in Nicaragua, Honduras, Dominican Republic, and even Little Havana. There are big, established brands as well as tiny startups making the list for the very first time.

Join us on our social media feeds for a conversation about the list with members of our panel.

16. Artesano del Tobacco El Pulpo

Manufacturer: San Lotano Factory in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexico; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Belicoso Grande; Physical size: 5 ¾ x 58
MSRP: $17.00
Rating: 92

A back to back appearance on our year-end list for El Pulpo. Last year, the 6 x 56 toro grande came in at No. 5 with a 93 rating. This year, it’s the 5 ¾ x 58 belicoso grande that caught our attention with a score of 92. The cigar is blended and manufactured by AJ Fernandez at his San Lotano Factory in Ocotal, Nicaragua.

17. E.P. Carrillo Encore

Manufacturer: Casa Carrillo in Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Nicaragua; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Celestial; Physical size: 6 ⅛ x 50
MSRP: $13.50
Rating: 92

Ernesto Perez-Carrillo’s Encore Celestial scored 92 points in our Mar/Apr 2024 issue and matched that score exactly in year-end tastings – a remarkable show of consistency. This impeccably pressed blend, released in 2018 as a follow-up to the successful La Historia, continues to demonstrate Perez-Carrillo’s blending virtuosity.

18. Oscar Valladares 2012 Sumatra

Manufacturer: Oscar Valladares Tobacco & Co. in Honduras
Wrapper: Ecuador; Binder: Honduras; Filler: Nicaragua & Honduras
Vitola: Toro; Physical size: 6 x 52
MSRP: $9.30
Rating: 91

Oscar Valladares’ story is as impressive today as when he first shared it with us and the 2012 line plays a key role in it. The company’s most popular brand, Leaf by Oscar was born out of the 2012. In its original inception, the 2012 box contained one cigar covered in a rustic leaf. That concept eventually became the Leaf by Oscar.

19. Warped Guardian of the Farm

Manufacturer: Aganorsa Leaf Factory in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Apollo; Physical size: 6 x 44
MSRP: $9.50
Rating: 91

Warped Guardian of the Farm is a collaboration between Aganorsa’s Max Fernandez and Warped Cigars’ Kyle Gellis. The brand celebrates the dogs that guard Aganorsa’s operations in Nicaragua and the vitolas are named for a different dog. This year, as in 2019 when it came in at No. 17, the 6 x 44 Apollo makes the cut.

20. Herrera Esteli Norteño

Manufacturer: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexico; Binder: Honduras; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Toro Especial; Physical size: 6 x 50
MSRP: $11.45
Rating: 91

Released in 2014 as a follow-up to the Herrera Esteli brand, the Norteño has been somewhat underappreciated despite consistently high scores. Making its third appearance on our Top 25, this blend first reached No. 5 in its launch year and continues to demonstrate why it deserves recognition.

21. La Aurora Preferidos Gold Corojo

Manufacturer: La Aurora Cigar Factory in Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Dominican Republic; Binder: Dominican Republic; Filler: Brazil, Nicaragua & Peru
Vitola: Gold No. 2 Tubos; Physical size: 5 x 54
MSRP: $27.25
Rating: 91

This classic perfecto from the Dominican Republic’s oldest cigar factory showcases a Dominican corojo wrapper that delivers rich cedar and leather notes. While this marks the Preferidos’ first appearance on our Top 25, the brand holds a special place in Cigar Snob history, having graced our inaugural cover in May 2006.

22. HVC Seleccion No. 1 Maduro

Manufacturer: Fábrica de Tabacos HVC in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexico; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Esenciales; Physical size: 5 ⅝ x 46
MSRP: $8.80
Rating: 91

Produced at Fábrica de Tabacos HVC in Estelí, Nicaragua, this flavorful and well-balanced corona has become a favorite at Cigar Snob HQ. Our panel does not consider value when compiling the Top 25, but if it did, the Seleccion No. 1 Maduro would likely rank higher than its current position.

23. Altezas Reales 1871

Manufacturer: El Titan De Bronze Cigar Factory in Miami
Wrapper: Ecuador; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Robusto; Physical size: 5 x 50
MSRP: $19.00
Rating: 91

This relatively new brand was started in 2023 by Rafael Cifuentes III, the great grandson of Ramón Cifuentes. You may recognize the name from the Partagás brand – the Cifuentes family owned the Partagás cigar factory and its associated brands before the operation was nationalized in the early 1960’s by Fidel Castro’s regime.

24. West Tampa Tobacco Company Red

Manufacturer: Garmendia Cigars Co. in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexico; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Toro; Physical size: 6 x 52
MSRP: $10.99
Rating: 91

When outsiders think of cigars and Tampa, they think of Ybor City, and that’s fair enough. But the neighborhood of West Tampa, founded in 1892, has its own cigar manufacturing history. It’s that tradition that cigar industry veteran and West Tampa-native, Rick Rodriguez, wanted to highlight when he founded West Tampa Tobacco.

25. Ashton VSG

Manufacturer: Tabacalera A. Fuente in the Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuador; Binder: Dominican Republic; Filler: Dominican Republic
Vitola: Torpedo; Physical size: 6 ½ x 55
MSRP: $17.80
Rating: 91

Since its debut in 1999, the Ashton VSG has seen the market go from mild to bold, Connecticut shade to maduro, and back again. It has seen the ebb and flow of consumer interest, and it has always found its place in the hearts of consumers. This brand is a testament to quality, longevity, and staying true to your identity.

Click to save the dates on your calendar!

January 8^th | Noon – Cigars 16 to 25
January 9^th | Noon – Cigars 6 to 15
January 10^th | Cigars 1 to 5 

Check out our Top 25 Cigars of 2023!

• Top 25 Cigars of 2023 (1-5)
• Top 25 Cigars of 2023 (6-15)
• Top 25 Cigars of 2023 (16-25)

Congratulations to everyone involved in producing the 25 cigars that make up this list, but especially these five. The blends in these specific sizes stood out among the over 300 cigars tasted throughout the year. It’s a testament to the vision, dedication, and passion of the brand owners, cigar factories, tobacco growers, and the armies of artisans that work to make these wonderful cigars.

Enjoy the list, smoke through it, discuss it in stores, share it on social media, and be sure to let us know your thoughts on the list. We always love to hear from you.

1. Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Sonata

Manufacturer: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez In Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Concerto; Physical size: 7 x 50
MSRP: $13.37
Rating: 93

The Aging Room line started back in 2011 to bring small batch cigars to market. The “small batch” designation referred to blends of select tobaccos only available in limited quantities. The blends were differentiated by a numbering scheme based on the day of the week and the Gregorian calendar. A cigar blended on a Monday on the 356^th day of the year, for example, would get M356. A Friday on the 55^th day of the year would get F55. While that numbering scheme was thankfully done away with, what has remained and become more prominent is the use of musical terms in the brands. Terms such as “concerto,” vibrato,” and “espressivo” were cleverly employed to denote the size and shape of the cigar. The 2023 release of the Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Sonata went with “sonata.” It’s a loaded name to be sure, but the cigar behind the label is far and away the star of the show.

This cigar is a shining example of how a blend can differ from one size to another. While our panel enjoyed the other sizes of the Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Sonata, they were blown away by the Churchill or “concerto” size. The complex and balanced combination of cocoa powder, caramel, roasted nuts, and hazelnut along with smooth pepper in the background make this masterpiece the 2023 Cigar of the Year.

Watch the call to inform Rafael Nodal of Aging Room Cigars that the Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Sonata had been crowned the Cigar of the Year for 2023.

2. Red Meat Lovers

Manufacturer: Nicaragua American Cigars S.A. in Nicaragua
Wrapper: USA / Connecticut; Binder: Mexico; Filler: Nicaragua & USA
Vitola: Filet Mignon; Physical size: 5 x 54
MSRP: $14.95
Rating: 93

It’s not often that a cigar that was originally created to support a charity as a store exclusive grows up to be a regular production line. It’s even more rare for that blend to make its way to a Top 25. And for it to reach #2 is downright legendary. The name Red Meat Lovers refers to the club, started by Evan Darnell, that regularly hosts dinners, which they call “Meatings” and always feature cigars. The cigar was blended by Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, manufactured at Nicaraguan American Cigars in Estelí, Nicaragua, and originally released as a store-exclusive for Smoke Inn’s Microblend Series. It was such a successful store exclusive that Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust decided to make it available to all its retailers. The cigar was blended for the purposes of being enjoyed alongside a steak but our panel’s praise for this cigar should be proof enough that you don’t need the steak to enjoy it.

Read our story on Red Meat Lover’s Club and their back-to-back “meatings”.

3. Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario Connecticut

Manufacturer: Agricola Ganadera Norteña (Aganorsa) in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Toro; Physical size: 6 x 54
MSRP: $13.75
Rating: 93

It’s difficult for a Connecticut shade covered cigar to climb into the Top 5. In fact, it has happened just twice in the history of our list and one of them was the predecessor to this blend, the Aganorsa Connecticut. That cigar took our panel by surprise in 2020 and scored 93 points, placing 4th in the Top 25. This year the Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario Connecticut matched that score but jumped to 3^rd with its impeccably balanced combination of sweet cedar, toasted cashews, smooth pepper, and cinnamon. The blend first made an impression on us when it was unveiled at the annual PCA trade show and it marched right into our ratings section in the September/October 2023 issue. Produced in a strikingly beautiful box-press, the cigar’s consistently flawless construction has undoubtedly contributed to its high scores.

Get to know the history of Aganorsa and the man who made it all happen. 

4. Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro

Manufacturer: Oliva Cigars in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexico; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Robusto; Physical size: 5 x 52
MSRP: $14.00
Rating: 93

No other brand has made more appearances in this magazine’s Top 5 list than the Oliva Serie V Melanio. It is the only brand to win Cigar of the Year twice, with the natural in 2012 and the maduro in 2021. This year, as in 2021, it was the Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro that caught our attention. This cigar has reached a mythical level of consistency in delivering its trademark combination of dark chocolate, roasted almonds, and smooth pepper complemented by a rich note of caramel. Such high-level consistency is rare in a cigar of this production quantity, and it only comes about as the result of wise leadership and a heartfelt passion for making the best cigars possible. These values are seen from Oliva Cigars’ tobacco growing operations to its tobacco processing and extending to the blenders and cigar makers tasked with executing the crucial last step of rolling the cigars.

Peek inside the Oliva Cigar factory’s technology transformation.

5. Artesano del Tobacco El Pulpo

Manufacturer: San Lotano Factory in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexico; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Toro Grande; Physical size: 6 x 56
MSRP: $16.00
Rating: 93

Artesano del Tobacco’s latest hit, El Pulpo, burst onto the scene in May 2023 after brand owners Billy and Gus Fakih reportedly spent five years developing the blend with AJ Fernandez. By the time the annual PCA trade show kicked off in July, there was already a buzz about the company’s second regular production release, the first being Viva La Vida. As for the name El Pulpo, which translates to “The Octopus,” Artesano del Tobacco stated, “We wanted a blend that fits people’s palate the way an octopus fits in different shapes, spaces, and becomes that shape, we wanted a blend that becomes hard for any smoker to put down once they light up, like an octopus that doesn’t let go of its prey.” The cigar seemed to get better as the year went along; our panel scored the Toro Grande a 92 in the July/August 2023 issue and an even loftier 93 in the tastings leading up to the Top 25 announcement.

Check out how we captured El Pulpo in all of its smoky glory.

At this point, it’s your turn to go out and try some of these and let us know what we got right and where you think we missed the boat.

6. Padrón 1964 Anniversary Maduro

Manufacturer: Tabacos Cubanica in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Torpedo; Physical size: 6 x 52
MSRP: $19.05
Rating: 93

Certain brands need no introduction in annual lists. Year after year, the Padrón family produces the Padrón 1964 Anniversary line with astounding consistency. The line commemorates the year that the late José Orlando Padrón started Padrón Cigars and delivers a balanced blend of dark chocolate, smooth pepper, cedar, and a touch of espresso.

7. Plasencia Alma Fuerte

Manufacturer: Plasencia Cigars in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Sixto II Hexagon; Physical size: 6 x 60
MSRP: $21.63
Rating: 93

The Cigar of the Year from 2017 returns to the Top 25 list in this most unique of shapes, the Sixto II Hexagon. The hexagon shaped, box-pressed vitola was initially introduced in the natural version of the Alma Fuerte in 2020 but it was the maduro version that blew our panel away in the May/June 2023 issue and qualified it for Top 25 consideration.

8. La Aroma de Cuba Reserva

Manufacturer: My Father Cigars in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexico; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Divino; Physical size: 6 1/4 x 52
MSRP: $11.85
Rating: 93

Fans of the brand won’t be surprised by this ranking but they may not recognize it. The cigar was previously known as the La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor Reserva but a 2022 rebranding dropped the “Mi Amor.” It’s now known as La Aroma de Cuba Reserva. No matter what it’s called, it is a fantastic blend worthy of the number eight position.

9. Ramon Allones by AJ Fernandez

Manufacturer: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Churchill; Physical size: 7 x 50
MSRP: $14.00
Rating: 93

AJ Fernandez’s dominance in the cigar world continues this year with no less than five of his creations making the cut. But while the others on this list are new brands, the Ramón Allones is a veteran of this list. The toro took the number four spot in the 2019 rankings. This year it was the Churchill that smoked like a dream every time our panel tasted it.

10. My Father Le Bijou 1922

Manufacturer: My Father Cigars in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Grand Robusto; Physical size: 5 5/8 x 55
MSRP: $11.90
Rating: 92

The ultra-flavorful My Father Le Bijou 1922 was an instant hit when it was released in 2009. The toro scored a 92 that year, a rating that would have qualified it for Top 25 consideration but sadly we were not compiling a list back then. This year, its 92 score in the July/August 2023 issue brings this masterpiece some well-deserved recognition.

11. Espinosa Laranja Reserva Azulejo

Manufacturer: AJ Fernandez San Lotano Factory in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador; Binder: Brazil; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Corona Gorda; Physical size: 6 x 46
MSRP: $11.00
Rating: 92

Espinosa’s stock was on the rise long before the Laranja Reserva Escuro was awarded Cigar of the Year for 2020, but taking the top spot certainly opened some eyes. The Azulejo, released on the heels of that award, didn’t initially live up to its predecessor, but has since begun to gain fans nationwide, including our panel.

12. Aladino Sumatra

Manufacturer: Fábrica de Puros Aladino in Honduras
Wrapper: Honduras; Binder: Honduras; Filler: Honduras
Vitola: Toro; Physical size: 6 x 52
MSRP: $16
Rating: 92

Honduran tobacco’s living legend Julio Eiroa has been growing Sumatra-seed tobacco on his farms near Danlí for the better part of a decade, but it wasn’t until 2023 that his company released the Aladino Sumatra. The cigar immediately grabbed the attention of our panel, and its lofty rating and spot on this list are well-deserved.

13. Rocky Patel DBS

Manufacturer: Tabacalera Villa Cuba (TAVICUSA) in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexico; Binder: Nicaragua & USA; Filler: Honduras & Nicaragua
Vitola: Robusto; Physical size: 5 1/2 x 50
MSRP: $20.00
Rating: 92

Rocky Patel increased the level of difficulty in this blend by employing a double broadleaf binder. Broadleaf tends to be a thicker, heartier tobacco that can cause burn problems if not selected carefully, and doubling down makes it even harder. The upshot, however, is a cigar jam-packed with flavor from start to finish and a #13 ranking.

14. EP Carrillo Allegiance

Manufacturer: TABOLISA Factory in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Confidant; Physical size: 6 x 52
MSRP: $13.10
Rating: 92

La Alianza, the Ernesto Perez-Carrillo-led factory, is known as one of the cigar world’s most esteemed manufacturing facilities, but for this release, EPC enlisted Oliva’s TABOLISA factory to produce their latest release, the EPC Allegiance. The blend consistently produces a beautifully balanced, medium-bodied smoke.

15. Blackened M81 by Drew Estate

Manufacturer: La Gran Fábrica Drew Estate in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexico; Binder: USA/Connecticut; Filler: Nicaragua & USA
Vitola: Toro; Physical size: 6 x 52
MSRP: $9.85
Rating: 92

When regular folks get together to enjoy whiskey and cigars, they fantasize about launching their own brand. But when Metallica’s James Hetfield and Blackened Whiskey’s master distiller Rob Dietrich did it, they partner with Drew Estate to produce a flavorful and balanced maduro that took the #15 spot.

Our list is made up of the best regular production cigars available nationwide throughout the year. Cigars that met the criteria throughout the year were re-purchased and re-smoked multiple times to arrive at a list that we are proud to present to our readers.

In rankings 16 to 25, you will find the following:

• Prices range from $9.20 to $23.99.
• Five different sizes make appearances (Churchill, Toro, Corona Gordo, Robusto, and Perfecto).
• Five wrapper countries represented in this portion of the list (Honduras, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Mexico, and Cameroon).
• There was also a good variety of intensities from “mild to medium” to “medium to full”.
• 10 different cigar factories ranging in size and production capacities appear in this section.

As for the industry, this past year brought about a leveling off as expected and sagely predicted in last year’s “Reading the Tobacco Leaves” editorial. However, sales figures were still quite strong across the board. Mergers and acquisitions rumors are swirling more than usual while new smokers are bringing energy to the industry along with different flavor profile and size preferences. It wasn’t all champagne and roses during the year as tobacco shortages – specifically high-quality wrapper shortages – forced cigar factories to make difficult decisions.

These shifts and trends will play out in 2024 in what looks to be a most exciting year in the premium cigar world.

Enjoy the list and don’t be afraid to let us know which cigars you think we nailed or missed at questions@PeopleCigarsmag.com!

16. Cuba Aliados Original Blend

Manufacturer: Fábrica de Puros Aladino in Honduras
Wrapper: Honduras; Binder: Honduras; Filler: Honduras
Vitola: Churchill; Physical size: 7 x 50
MSRP: $11.50
Rating: 92

The Cuba Aliados brand, originally owned by the late Rolando Reyes Sr., was purchased by Oliva Cigar Co. along with Puros Indios and Roly in mid-2021. Since then, the company has thoughtfully re-branded Cuba Aliados and distributed it worldwide. The Original Blend version brings a classic, Cubanesque profile that resonated with our panel.

17. Tatuaje Cojonú 2012 Sumatra

Manufacturer: My Father Cigars in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola:Toro; Physical size: 6 1/2 x 52
MSRP: $13.00
Rating: 92

Since its original release in 2003, the Tatuaje Cojonú line has represented some of Tatuaje’s most captivating recurring blends, but the 2012 version, which is available in three different wrappers, is certainly one our panel’s favorites. The Sumatra version was the highest rated cigars in the March/April 2023 issue, qualifying it for this list

18. Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Edición Diamante

Manufacturer: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Robusto; Physical size: 5 x 54
MSRP: $22.86
Rating: 92

The original Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua, a maduro released in late 2020, took the #3 spot with its flavors of bittersweet chocolate, espresso, and smooth pepper. The company followed up that homerun with the Edición Diamante, which was born of one of the finalist blends for the original.

19. A. Fuente Don Carlos

Manufacturer: Tabacalera A. Fuente in the Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Cameroon; Binder: Dominican Republic; Filler: Dominican Republic
Vitola: Presidente; Physical size: 6 1/2 x 50
MSRP: $13.50
Rating: 92

The Arturo Fuente Don Carlos has always scored well with our panel and has appeared on our year-end list more than a couple of times. It is considered by many to be the benchmark for Cameroon-wrapped cigars and with good reason. It delivers an impeccably balanced combination of cedar, nuts, and cream with a touch of spice.

20. Illusione Singularé Origen

Manufacturer: Agricola Ganadera Norteña (Aganorsa) in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Corona Gorda; Physical size: 5 5/8 x 46
MSRP: $12.35
Rating: 92

The Illusione Singularé, along with most other Illusione brands, underwent a branding overhaul in 2023. But unlike most of the rebranded Illusiones, the Singularé Origen was also re-blended and shifted from a limited, annual “vintaged” blend to regular production. The corona gorda scored a 92 in the May/June 2023 issue.

21. Gurkha Colección Especial

Manufacturer: PDR Cigars in Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuador; Binder: Mexico; Filler: Undisclosed
Vitola: Robusto; Physical size: 5 x 52
MSRP: $12.95
Rating: 92

The Gurkha Colección Especial took a slightly different path to market than most cigars on this list. The line started out with one shape, a double perfecto that was exclusive to TAA (Tobacconists Association of America) retailers in 2022. Later that year the company decided to roll out the robusto, toro, and lonsdale to all retailers.

22. The Oscar Connecticut

Manufacturer: Oscar Valladares Tobacco & Co. in Honduras
Wrapper: Honduras; Binder: Honduras; Filler: Honduras & Nicaragua
Vitola: Toro; Physical size: 6 x 52
MSRP: $12.90
Rating: 92

Brands built by Oscar Valladares and his team in Honduras have been appearing on our list for years, but this is the first time his company has produced a Connecticut shade wrapped cigar that scored this well. The Oscar Connecticut just barely qualified for consideration but made an impressive jump during the re-tasting sessions.

23. Cohiba Riviera

Manufacturer: Scandinavian Tobacco Group Estelí in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexico; Binder: Honduras; Filler: Honduras & Nicaragua
Vitola: Perfecto; Physical size: 6 x 60
MSRP: $23.99
Rating: 92

This beautifully produced Cohiba in this elegant shape started to appear in stores by mid-2023 and it didn’t take long for our panel to catch on to its quality. The impeccably constructed perfecto, which sports a flawless Mexican San Andrés wrapper, made the cut by scoring 92 points in our Jul/Aug 2023 issue.

24. Villiger 1888 Nicaragua

Manufacturer: Villiger de Nicaragua Cigar Factory in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua & USA
Vitola: Toro; Physical size: 6 x 50
MSRP: $9.20
Rating: 92

Villiger has been playing the long game in the US for several years but there was a noticeable step-up since opening the Villiger de Nicaragua factory in Estelí in late 2021. The factory, a joint venture with Joya de Nicaragua, has paid early dividends with high-flying releases like Villiger de Nicaragua Limited Edition and now the Villiger 1888 Nicaragua.

25. Camacho Broadleaf

Manufacturer: Diadema Cigars in Honduras
Wrapper: Honduras; Binder: Honduras; Filler: Honduras & Dominican Republic
Vitola: Toro; Physical size: 6 x 50
MSRP: $9.75
Rating: 92

We’re not privy to the inner workings of Camacho’s factory in Honduras but we can tell when something has changed. To our palates, this blend ushered in a new era for Camacho, still as bold and flavorful as ever, but with an elevated refinement that set this one apart. Wrapped in a Honduran Broadleaf, this blend muscled and finessed its way up the ranks.

It goes like this: 

January 8 – 16 to 25 is LIVE

January 9 – 6 to 15 is LIVE

January 10- 1 to 5 is LIVE

January 10 – starting at noon, we’ll reveal cigar number 5 and continue through the day with another cigar every hour—culminating with our Cigar of the Year announcement at 4 o’clock.

Check out our Top 25 Cigars of 2022!

• Top 25 Cigars of 2022 (1-5)
• Top 25 Cigars of 2022 (6-15)
• Top 25 Cigars of 2022 (16-25)

Cavalier has produced 1,948 10-count boxes of the 6 x 54 Toro ($14.60), with 1,000 dedicated to the U.S. market and the rest distributed internationally. 

“Being completely free to work with any tobacco, experiment, no compromise related to sourcing to ensure continuous volumes, allowing the use of unique, in some cases hard to source, sometimes even particularly difficult to work with, tobaccos to create an uncompromised cigar always is a fantastic process,” Sebastien Decoppet, founder of Cavalier Genève Cigars, said in a press release. As usual for Cavalier’s annual Limited Edition, the blend of the LE2023 remains undisclosed.

Click HERE for our latest news!