As the cigar world evolves, 2023 has brought forth an exceptional array of cigars that stand out for their quality and craftsmanship. Cigar Aficionado's list of the top 25 cigars is more than just a ranking; it's a journey through the finest tobacco blends and expert cigar making. Let's explore these remarkable cigars and understand the meticulous process behind their selection.
The Scoring Process The journey to determining the top 25 cigars is thorough and unbiased. It begins with reviewing the highest-rated cigars from the past year. These cigars are then repurchased, re-banded, and re-smoked blind, ensuring an impartial assessment. Through multiple rounds of smoking, the top scorers emerge, leading to the final list of 25 outstanding cigars.
1 Fuente Fuente OpusX Reserva d’Chateau
Rank: 1, Rating: 97, Price: $19.15 This Dominican marvel, crafted by Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia, stands at the top. Measuring 7 inches with a 48 ring gauge, it's a testament to Carlos “Carlito” Fuente Jr.'s quest to perfect the Dominican wrapper. Born from a challenge, this medium-full cigar has made history with its striking wrapper and robust flavor profile, combining leathery and spicy notes with hints of sweetness.
2 Padrón Serie 1926 No. 48 Maduro
Rank: 2, Rating: 96, Price: $24.90 Celebrating milestones of both José O. Padrón and the Tobacconists’ Association of America, this Nicaraguan gem from Padrón Cigars Inc. is a 5 1/2" by 60 ring gauge marvel. It captivates with its rich cocoa, almond, honey, and cinnamon notes, proving that a thicker ring gauge can still encapsulate the essence of Padrón's mastery in tobacco blending.
3 Oliva's Serie V Melanio Toro
Rank: 3, Rating: 96, Price: $15.75 Oliva's Serie V Melanio Toro is a symbol of the company's growth and dedication to quality. With a 6" by 52 ring gauge, this medium-full cigar, made in Nicaragua, showcases a Sumatra-seed wrapper from Ecuador and a blend of Nicaraguan tobaccos. It's a complex mix of earth and spice, with undertones of cedar, offering a harmonious smoking experience.
4 Rocky Patel A.L.R. Second Edition Toro
Rank: 4, Rating: 96, Price: $16.25 Rocky Patel's A.L.R. Second Edition Toro, a Nicaraguan wonder, ascends the ranks with its impeccable aging and crafting at the Tavicusa factory. Measuring 6 1/2" by 52 ring gauge, this medium-full cigar is a testament to patience, showcasing a Mexican wrapper and Nicaraguan tobacco blend. Its profile of nutmeg, German chocolate cake, and coconut offer a luxurious smoking journey.
5 E.P. Carrillo Allegiance Confidant
Rank: 5, Rating: 95, Price: $13.10 Ernesto Perez-Carrillo's foray with Oliva Cigar Co. resulted in the Allegiance Confidant, a Nicaraguan cigar with an Ecuador Sumatra wrapper. At 6 inches and a 52 ring gauge, this medium-full cigar impresses with its sweet-spicy character, enriched with notes of gingerbread, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
6 Partagás Serie P No. 2
Rank: 6, Rating: 95, Price: £38.50 An iconic offering from Cuba's Partagás Alphabet Series, the Serie P No. 2 is a beautifully balanced pirámide. It measures 6 1/8" by 52 ring gauge and showcases a rich blend of Cuban tobaccos. With flavors of nutmeg, maple syrup, and fresh coconut, it is a testament to Cuban cigar-making heritage.
7 Blackened Cigars “M81” By Drew Estate
Rank: 7, Rating: 95, Price: $9.15 A unique collaboration between Blackened American Whiskey, Drew Estate, and Metallica’s James Hetfield, this Nicaraguan cigar is a 5" by 43 ring gauge powerhouse. Packed with broadleaf from Pennsylvania and Connecticut, it delivers an electrifying spicy smoke with undertones of chocolate, earth, and saffron.
8 Alec Bradley PrensadoTorpedo
Rank: 8, Rating: 95, Price: $14.15 The Prensado Torpedo by Alec Bradley, measuring 6 1/8" by 52 ring gauge, is a testament to overcoming challenges and maintaining excellence. This Honduran-Nicaraguan blend is wrapped in Honduran leaf, offering a harmonious mix of earthy and nutty flavors with a hint of cocoa.
9 La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor Belicoso
Rank: 9, Rating: 95, Price: $9.25 Crafted in Nicaragua by the Garcia family, this 5 1/2" by 54 ring gauge cigar is a blend of Nicaraguan tobaccos with a Mexican wrapper. Known for its robust yet refined character, the Belicoso offers a rich tapestry of malted chocolate and nuts, perfectly balancing sweetness and savoriness.
10 El Pulpo Belicoso Grande
Rank: 10, Rating: 94, Price: $17.00 El Pulpo, made by A.J. Fernandez in Nicaragua, stands out with its Mexican San Andrés wrapper and bold flavor profile. The 5 3/4" by 58 ring gauge cigar impresses with layers of coffee, dark chocolate, and citrus, embodying the brand's vision of a strong yet balanced smoking experience.
11 Romeo y Julieta Línea de Oro Hidalgos
Rank: 11, Rating: 94, Price: £61.10 The Cuban Romeo y Julieta Línea de Oro Hidalgos is a super-premium offering, measuring 4 7/8" by 57 ring gauge. It boasts a festive blend of dried fruits and nuts, enveloping the smoker in a luxurious experience that justifies its place within Cuba's esteemed Romeo portfolio.
12 Trinidad Espíritu Series No. 1 Belicoso
Rank: 12, Rating: 94, Price: $10.71 A collaboration between Rafael Nodal of Altadis and A.J. Fernandez, this 6 1/8" by 52 ring gauge Nicaraguan cigar is a highlight of the Trinidad brand. With a blend highlighting a Criollo ’98 and Sumatra hybrid wrapper, it delivers a unique palate of fig, raisin, and savory notes.
13 My Father Le Bijou 1922 100 Años LE Corona Especial
Rank: 13, Rating: 94, Price: $13.00 Celebrating a centennial, this 6 1/2" by 44 ring gauge Nicaraguan cigar from My Father Cigars S.A. is a tribute to José García Alayón. Grown on the Garcia family's farms, it offers a robust blend with notes of caramel, vanilla, red pepper, and honey, encapsulating the strength and refinement of the Garcia legacy.
14 Long Live The Queen Ace of Hearts
Rank: 14, Rating: 94, Price: $18.00 From Caldwell Cigar Co., this 6" by 52 ring gauge Dominican cigar is a medley of global tobaccos. Made at El Maestro factory, it's known for its rich coffee and leather notes, complemented by almond, caramel, and chocolate, creating a blend that's both complex and harmonious.
15 Ashton Virgin Sun Grown Illusion
Rank: 15, Rating: 94, Price: $14.15 Crafted by Arturo Fuente Cigar Co., this 6 1/2" by 44 ring gauge Dominican cigar is a standout in the Ashton Virgin Sun Grown series. Its Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper encases a powerful, earthy blend, highlighted by a distinct roasted peanut flavor.
16 Cohiba Pirámides Extra
Rank: 16, Rating: 94, Price: £105.80 As the only figurado in the Cuban Cohiba line, the Pirámides Extra is a special 6 1/4" by 54 ring gauge cigar. Offering a dynamic blend with notes of chestnut, cinnamon, almond paste, and black pepper, it exemplifies Cohiba's signature oak-infused tobacco fermentation process.
17 Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Anniversary Edición Diamante Grande
Rank: 17, Rating: 93, Price: $25.16 This Nicaraguan cigar from Tabacalera A.J. Fernandez Cigars, measuring 6" by 60 ring gauge, is a celebration of Montecristo's heritage. Its blend of Nicaraguan tobaccos and Jalapa-grown Cuban-seed wrapper offers a robust experience of pepper, leather, roasted nuts, and dark chocolate.
18Tatuaje Miami Havana Cazadores
Rank: 18, Rating: 93, Price: $12.00 Made in the USA at El Rey de Los Habanos, this 6 3/8" by 43 ring gauge Nicaraguan cigar embodies the classic Cuban cigar style. Offering earthy, peppery notes with hints of nutmeg and chocolate, it's a nod to traditional cigar craftsmanship.
19 Foreign Affair By Luciano Cigars Corona
Rank: 19, Rating: 93, Price: $9.50 This 5 5/8" by 42 ring gauge Nicaraguan cigar is a global blend, featuring Costa Rican and Dominican tobaccos with an Ecuadorian wrapper. It delivers a diverse palate of baking spices, graham cracker, almond, and honey, making it a unique addition to any cigar aficionado's collection.
20 Olmec Claro Corona Gorda
Rank: 20, Rating: 93, Price: $12.50 Foundation Cigar Co.'s tribute to ancient Mesoamerica, this 5 1/2" by 48 ring gauge Nicaraguan cigar features a Mexican wrapper. It offers a sweet and spicy profile, with notes of ginger, citrus, nuts, and vanilla, showcasing a harmonious blend of flavors.
21 La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero Lancero
Rank: 21, Rating: 93, Price: $12.70 A consistent presence in the top cigar lists, this 7 1/2" by 38 ring gauge Dominican cigar from Tabacalera La Flor S.A. is known for its intensity and flavor concentration. With a blend of Dominican tobaccos and an Ecuadorian wrapper, it offers a rich combination of earth, pepper, dark fruit, and cocoa.
22 Ozgener Family Cigars Bosphorus B52
Rank: 22, Rating: 93, Price: $12.75 Tim Ozgener's return to the cigar industry is marked by this 5" by 52 ring gauge Dominican cigar. Named after the Bosphorus Strait, it's a blend of Nicaraguan filler and Ecuadorian wrapper, offering notes of cocoa, coffee, nutmeg, and marzipan.
23 Rafael Gonzalez Corona de Lonsdale
Rank: 23, Rating: 93, Price: Not Available This Cuban cigar, measuring 5" by 48 ring gauge, is a recent addition to the Rafael Gonzalez brand. Offering incredible value, it delivers a spicy core of leather and cedar, complemented by coffee bean, earth, and cinnamon, making it a hidden gem in the Cuban cigar world.
24 Padilla Miami 8 &11 Churchill
Rank: 24, Rating: 93, Price: $20.00 Produced at El Titan de Bronze in Miami's Little Havana, this 7" by 48 ring gauge Nicaraguan cigar is a testament to the enduring art of American cigar-making. With a blend of Nicaraguan tobaccos and an Ecuadorian wrapper, it offers a festive mix of walnut, molasses, and gingerbread.
25 West Tampa Red Robusto
Rank: 25, Rating: 93, Price: $8.99 Rick Rodriguez's foray into independent cigar-making culminates in this 5" by 50 ring gauge Nicaraguan cigar. Made at the Garmendia Cigar Co. factory, it showcases a bold blend of chocolate, hickory, nutmeg, and leather, wrapped in a Mexican leaf, creating a robust and mocha-infused smoking experience.
The 2023 list of top 25 cigars by Cigar Aficionado offers a diverse and exquisite range of smoking experiences. From the Dominican mastery of Fuente Fuente OpusX Reserva d’Chateau to the robust Nicaraguan flavors of West Tampa Red Robusto, each cigar exemplifies the pinnacle of tobacco craftsmanship.
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