11 Superb Cigars To Smoke Right Now
There’s a good chance that when it comes to cigars, you know what you like. But we’re willing to bet that you’re also open to trying something new. If you missed the last two issues of Cigar Aficionado—November/December and January/February—then have a look below. We cherry-picked and collated the highest scores of both tasting sections. It amounts to highlights from two issues for a list of truly remarkable smokes that all ranged between 93 and 94 points.
Every cigar rated by Cigar Aficionado is smoked blind by our panel of editors. The tasting coordinator removes the cigars’ identifying bands and replaces them with plain white, numbered labels before handing them out. Members of the tasting panel have no idea what they are smoking, and cigars are evaluated without potentially prejudicial information such as price, country of origin and brand.
Bolivar Belicoso Fino (94 points, £37)
This Cuban belicoso is no stranger to lists of high-performing cigars, including five separate appearances on Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25. While never achieving the top spot, the repeated listings speak to its high level of performance. Its tapered head concentrates the oaky, earthy and nutty qualities, but does so without overpowering its sweeter, complex intonations. An exceptional cigar. See full tasting note.
Fuente Fuente OpusX 25 Aniversario La Familia (94 points, $63.80)
In 1995, Carlos Fuente Jr. shook up the cigar world with a full-bodied brand called OpusX, made with a Dominican wrapper (unusual for the time). In 2021, Fuente belatedly released a pair of cigars for the brand’s 25th anniversary, but you could only get them if you bought an expensive humidor. The double-tapered La Familia is now sold individually. It delivers an earthy core augmented by hazelnut, chocolate and leather before a finish accented by touches of brown sugar and orange marmalade. See full tasting note.
Padrón Family Reserve No. 44 Maduro (94 points, $36.15)
Years ago, Padrón Family Reserve was only available to those who attended Padrón-held events and came in one size. Now it’s a regular-production line with a multitude of sizes. The maduro version of the original size, the No. 44, still delivers an exceptional smoking experience richly layered with notes of graham cracker, toasted vanilla and cocoa bean. An underlying earthiness gives the cigar a sturdy foundation. See full tasting note.
Rocky Patel Gold Label Robusto (94 points $11.75)
Despite its opulent packaging, Gold Label is intended to be an affordable line for the everyday smoker. It’s made at Rocky Patel’s Tavicusa factory in Nicaragua and consists of an Ecuador Habano wrapper, two Connecticut-seed binders (one broadleaf, one shade) and an all-Nicaraguan filler. Notes of black cherry, oak and leather harmonize and intensify before a dark chocolate finish. See full tasting note.
Vegas Robaina Unico (94 points, £40.80)
The Cuban Vegas Robaina brand is named for Alejandro Robaina (1919–2010), one of Cuba’s most renowned tobacco growers. This medium-bodied piramide starts off floral before becoming rich and nutty. Further delicious layers of oak, nougat and honey unfold, taking on a big chocolate note before the buttery cashew finish. See full tasting note.
Warped The Devil’s Hands Corona Especial (94 points, $11.50)
In 2022, Kyle Gellis of Warped Cigars returned to his roots and went through one of his old blending books for some new inspiration. The result was the one-size The Devil’s Hands, a Nicaraguan puro driven by Estelí tobacco grown by Aganorsa Leaf, which also produces the cigar. While slender, this corona is quite big on flavor. Its initial qualities of almond cake and cappuccino are bolstered by further impressions of hickory, earth and pepper-flecked honey. See full tasting note.
Arturo Fuente Selección Privada No. 1 Maduro (93 points, $8.25)
The smoke from this lonsdale is as bold as its dark Connecticut broadleaf suggests, delivering big notes of leather, toasted raisin bread, licorice and Brazil nut. Retailing just over $8 (before taxes), this cigar is not only the most affordable option on this list, but a good example of how high quality can be found at any price point. See full tasting note.
Intemperance Volstead VO 1920 Fiorello La Guardia (93 points, $10.50)
Before becoming mayor of New York City in 1934, Fiorello La Guardia served in the House of Representatives and was a vocal opponent of Prohibition. RoMa Craft’s Intemperance brand is a criticism of the Temperance movement and this toro is named after him. Its bold base of earth and coffee gain complexity through sweeter impressions of gingerbread and graham cracker. See full tasting note.
Montecristo No. 1 (93 points, £36)
The venerable Montecristo brand dates back to 1935, and the lonsdale-sized No. 1 is one of the original sizes. The example smoked here is more recent, (box date: June 2021), and this slender Cuban cigar still delivers over 90 years later. It’s a toasty, woody smoke with notes of caramel, ginger and molasses adding some further sophistication. See full tasting note.
Partagás Línea Maestra Rito (93 points, £76.20)
While Partagás is known for its bright-red bands, the blue-clad Línea Maestra is the brand’s ultra-premium line on par with Romeo y Julieta Línea de Oro or Montecristo Línea 1935. This long cigar is topped with a 109-style belicoso head. Savory elements of salt, earth and leather are brightened by sweeter intonations of graham cracker, orange zest and gingerbread. See full tasting note.
The Wise Man Maduro Lancero (93 points, $15.24)
In 2017, Nick Melillo expanded his El Güegüense brand with The Wise Man Maduro. Back then, it was made by Aganorsa Leaf, but in 2024 production shifted to My Father Cigars. The thin ring gauge means greater emphasis on the dark, Connecticut broadleaf wrapper. It’s a full-bodied smoke, carrying leathery, oaky impressions underscored by dark chocolate and black pepper before a long, sweet finish of raisin. See full tasting note.
