14 Superb Cigars To Smoke Right Now
It’s summer, and our May/June issue makes for interesting reading as you smoke by the pool or in your home lounge: executive editor David Savona sat down with Florida governor Ron DeSantis to talk about cigars, politics and the future of Cuba; Jack Bettridge explored the classic Margarita and our gambling editor Michael Kaplan showed off the latest hacks for playing blackjack. But the real jackpot may be the tasting section. We put 72 cigars through their paces in this review, and 43 of them (nearly 60 percent) netted scores of 90 points or more. There was even one that scored 96 points, achieving the rare distinction of Classic status on our 100-point scale, our highest accolade. (And as an added bonus, it’s not even that expensive.)
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. Here are 14 of the top cigars from that issue.
La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor Churchill (96 points, $10.50)
The stately Churchill has lost some of its popularity over the past few years and it’s a shame—the fact the vitola makes up a quarter of this list shows it still has plenty to offer. The La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor delivers opulent layers of marzipan, toffee, chocolate and nuts that envelop the palate and harmonize for the entire duration of the smoke. Not only is it the best-performing smoke on this list, it’s also the most affordable. See full tasting note.
H. Upmann Connossieur A (94 points, £46.50)
Measuring 5 1/2 inches by 52 ring gauge, the Connossieur A shares the same dimensions as the Cohiba Maduro 5 Genios (also classified as Genios in Cuban cigar factories). It has sweet and floral notes, complemented by peach and lavender, which melds with zestier elements of wood, gingerbread and rye. All told, it makes for a complex, exceptionally balanced smoke. See full tasting note.
La Flor Dominicana Andalusian Bull (94 points, $22.70)
Named the Cigar of the Year in 2016, this unusually-shaped Salomon from Litto Gomez is still performing at an exceptionally high level a decade later. Its sweeter tones of marzipan and cinnamon are buttressed by bolder impressions of coffee, almond and leather for a satisfying, sophisticated smoke. Despite its thick, 64 ring gauge, it draws and burns with perfect precision throughout. See full tasting note.
Padrón Family Reserve No. 85 (94 points, $25.80)
The Family Reserve once was a single torpedo size exclusively available at events and dinners where a member of the Padrón family was present, but now the cigars are available commercially as a full line, with each size representing a different milestone in the company’s history. The No. 85 celebrates founder José Orlando’s 85th birthday. Cocoa powder is at the heart of this robusto, with peaty, smoky touches giving the smoke the effect of sipping on an Islay malt. The finish is woody, with a wisp of vanilla. See full tasting note.
Bolivar New Gold Medal (93 points, £47.50)
This 6 1/2-by-48 toro, which has been on the market for three years, is exclusive to Casa del Habano shops around the world and comes encased in an eye-catching sleeve of gold foil that’ll certainly brighten up your humidor. But it’s what’s inside that really counts. First puffs are floral, but turn sweet with sophisticated, clear notes of salted caramel, cappuccino and chocolate that culminates in a finish of ginger and nutmeg. See full tasting note.
Casa Carrillo Encore Majestic (93 points, $14.15)
Ernesto Perez-Carrillo has had a long, storied career producing many excellent cigars but this 5 3/8-by-52 cigar may be one of his best as it was awarded Cigar of the Year in 2018. It’s still great today. Smoking this Nicaraguan puro is redolent of drinking a chocolate malt but turns rich and nutty with some secondary notes of roasted coffee bean, wood and black pepper that segue to an herbal finish. See full tasting note.
Montecristo No. 2 (93 points, £46.50)
Known as one of the most-distinguished and best-selling cigars in the world, this Cuban torpedo has received accolade after accolade, including being named Cigar of the Year in 2013 (the example smoked here was much more recent, with a box date of November 2024). It’s a smoke that continuously evolves as it burns with initially earthy qualities turning rich and dessert-like, developing sophisticated notes that include chocolate and raisin, along with that savory leathery finish familiar to people who smoke this cigar. See full tasting note.
My Father Le Bijou 1922 Toro (93 points, $12.30)
Owner José “Pepin” Garcia created the Le Bijou 1922 line in honor of his father, who was born in 1922. The star of the blend is the extra-dark, Cuban-seed wrapper that the company refers to as “double-oscuro.” Every puff is as full-bodied as the wrapper suggests with heady notes of espresso and red pepper, with a finish that’s alluringly sweet. See full tasting note.
Ramon Allones by AJ Fernandez Churchill (93 points, $16.50)
A.J. Fernandez has become the industry’s go-to for revitalizing the non-Cuban versions of heritage brands. In 2017, General Cigar Co. (which owns the trademark to Ramon Allones) gave Fernandez the reins and the results speak for themselves in this Churchill. All the tobaccos used in the blend come his farms in Nicaragua, including the medio tiempo wrapper. The result is a toasty, earthy smoke with an intriguing finish. See full tasting note.
Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua Profundo Churchill (93 points, $12.75)
Profundo is a recent collaboration between Rafael Nodal and A.J. Fernandez. The latter not only rolled the cigar at his factory, but also grew all the Nicaraguan tobaccos used in the blend, including the “extra-fermented oscuro wrapper,” which is the cigar's defining leaf. It’s a spicy, nutty smoke that also has some leather on the palate. See full tasting note.
Joya de Nicaragua Número Uno Le Premier (92 points, $21)
In a world with so many strong cigars, sometimes you look for something that’s more easygoing. This Joya de Nicaragua fits the bill with a medium-bodied smoke, which has a pecan sandie flavor. This is a relatively new release from a brand that has been made since 1968, and is the oldest producer of premium cigars in Nicaragua. See full tasting note.
Long Live the Queen Maduro Queen’s Coronet (92 points, $16.50)
A darker extension of the original Long Live the Queen brand, this Maduro version consists of a Mexican San Andrés wrapper, Indonesian binder and combination of Dominican and Pennsylvania broadleaf fillers. Spicy licorice is at the heart of this robusto, enlivened by notes of orange peel, clove and molasses, with touches of coffee liqueur and oak. See full tasting note.
Rocky Patel Thirtieth Anniversary Sixty (92 points, $20)
Cigarmaker Rocky Patel recently celebrated his third decade in the industry and marked the milestone with a new line. Thirtieth Anniversary consists of a Mexican San Andrés wrapper, two Nicaraguan binders and fillers from Honduras and Nicaragua. According to Patel, the binders are more than seven years old, while the filler has been aged for five. The result is a stronger smoke with complex notes combining tannins and sweetness. See full tasting note.
Trinidad by Tommy Bahama—Island Collection Marlin (92 points, $18.50)
Summer is in full swing, and for some that means breaking out your Tommy Bahama shirt. Why not accessorize with a cigar? The Trinidad by Tommy Bahama—Island Collection is an official collaboration between the clothing brand, Tabacalera U.S.A.’s Rafael Nodal and AJ Fernandez. It's spicy, woody and sweet, with a long finish. See full tasting note.
Watch Next: The Cigar Aficionado Podcast Episode No. 5: Rafael Nodal
