Cigar Aficionado

The March/April Cigar Aficionado was a regal issue—from the cover story about “King of the Ring” wrestler Cody Rhodes to the feature on Michael Mizrachi, the World Series of Poker champion dubbed the new king of poker. But the crowning achievement may be the tasting section as 43 of the 72 cigars we rated earned scores of 90 points or more—including one achieving the dizzying height of 95 points (Classic status on our 100-point scale). Our team of editors whittled the list down to 15 of the absolute best of the best for our readers to consider before their next excursion to their local tobacconist.

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.

Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series Pyramide Maduro (95 points, $19.80)
An intriguingly-made cigar that subtly flares out at the bottom, giving it the appearance of a trumpet, or perhaps a pair of bellbottom trousers. The lush draw and all-Nicaraguan blend of sun-grown leaves imparts complex, pleasing notes of leather, fudge, gingersnap and black cherry, all of which achieve exceptional balance before the crescendo of a chocolate-covered almond finish. See full tasting note.

Ashton Symmetry Prism (93 points, $16.75)
Over the years, Ashton Distributor Inc.’s portfolio has grown quite extensive with its La Aroma de Cuba, San Cristobal and namesake brands. For those looking to try Ashton Symmetry for the first time, its strength is intended to fall between the popular Virgin Sun Grown (popularly known as VSG) and Cabinet lines. It starts off floral and cedary, but it warms up for more dessert-like impressions of chocolate and gingersnap with some allspice on the finish. See full tasting note.

H. Upmann Magnum 46 (93 points, £36.80)
There was a time when this 5 5/8-by-46 corona gorda was the sole H. Upmann with the word “Magnum” in its name. In recent years, it’s been expanded to a full line with multiple sizes but the original still reigns supreme. Its initially floral qualities become sweeter and nuttier as it burns with a mélange of almond-studded nougat, honey and cappuccino that culminate in a satisfying, marzipan finish. See full tasting note.

La Galera Maduro Presidente (93 points, $11.06)
This time of the year is perfect for smoking longer sizes like a Churchill or double corona, whether doing yardwork, or manning the grill during a barbecue. Made in the Dominican Republic by Jochy Blanco, the smoke from this 7 1/4-by-50 Churchill is bold yet balanced with hearty notes of leather, nutmeg and coffee bean, along with some spicy gingerbread adding further dimension. It’s also the most affordable on this list. See full tasting note.

Punch Petit Coronation (Tubo) (93 points £20.40)
For those looking for a quick but exceptional smoke, this Cuban petit corona is the way to go. Measuring 4 5/8-by-40, this cigar starts off herbal, with an underlying note of vermouth, but sweetens with honey and candied almond before the graham cracker finish. Plus, it comes in a handy little aluminum tube, which means you can walk around all day with a few spares in your pocket without worrying about damaging them. See full tasting note.

Rocky Patel Thirtieth Anniversary Robusto (93 points, $18)
Last year, Rocky Patel celebrated three decades in the cigar business and released a new line to mark the milestone. It’s composed of a Mexican San Andrés wrapper, two seven-year-old Nicaraguan binders and Honduran and Nicaraguan fillers that are aged five years. Smoking this box-pressed cigar is akin to eating a Mounds bar with notes of chocolate and coconut. Sweet licorice and fruit also come into play before the tangy finish. See full tasting note.

Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Eye of the Shark (92 points, $19.20)
This intriguing torpedo’s lower half is box-pressed but remains round on top—intended to resemble the body of a Great White Shark when on its side. Named Cigar of the Year in 2017, it is still performing at a high level nearly a decade later. Despite (or because of) the unusual shape, the draw is opulent, imparting a nutty smoke layered with nougat, creamy citrus and an intriguing note of pumpernickel before the nutmeg finish. See full tasting note.

Casa Carrillo Allegiance Wingman (92 points, $15.20)
Unlike most cigars in Casa Carrillo’s portfolio, Allegiance is not made at the company’s namesake factory in the Dominican Republic but by Oliva in Nicaragua. This box-pressed Churchill’s sweeter elements of nougat, caramel and chocolate give the effect of biting into a candy bar, but bolder elements of earth and espresso come through, adding further density. See full tasting note.

Davidoff Winston Churchill Petit Corona (92 points, $15.90)
Few historical figures are as strongly associated with cigars as Sir Winston Churchill. Davidoff collaborated with Churchill’s grandson, Winston Spencer-Churchill, in 2007 to create a line to pay tribute to the legend. In 2014, the blend was changed to a combination of Nicaraguan, Mexican, Dominican and Ecuadoran tobaccos. Despite its size, this 4 1/2-by-40 petit corona is loaded with flavor. Heady notes of earth, espresso and spice are brightened by fig, brown sugar and molasses. See full tasting note.

Don Pepin Garcia Original Delicias (92 points, $12)
For those looking to get something American-made to smoke for Fourth of July, try this Churchill that is rolled at the El Rey de Los Habanos factory in Miami. Its all-Nicaraguan blend gives off a smoke layered with Middle Eastern spices such as cardamon, clove and white pepper. Some coffee bean leads into the sweet, white raisin finish. See full tasting note.

Highclere Castle Edwardian Petit Corona (92 points, $13.82)
Fans of “Downtown Abbey” might recognize Highclere Castle as the name of the real-life location used for filming the period drama. Nick Melillo of Foundation Cigar Co. and George Herbert, eighth Earl of Carnarvon and owner of Highclere Castle, collaborated on this blend to evoke the flavor characteristics of the cigars that might have been enjoyed by Herbert’s ancestors. The smoke is nutty, with sweet tones of honey, cinnamon and citrus. The finish is reminiscent of poached pears. See full tasting note.

La Flor Dominicana Oro No. 5 (92 points, $16.80)
Last year, La Flor Dominicana expanded its Oro line with three new sizes—with the No. 5 being the smallest. Aside from the high-priming Nicaraguan wrapper, all of the tobaccos used were grown on farms owned by Litto Gomez and his wife, Ines Lorenzo-Gomez. The smoke is bright and creamy, with orange peel, almond paste, licorice and fresh tobacco all atop a woody base. See full tasting note.

League of Fat Bastards Serie O 6x60 Box Pressed (92 points, $15.10)
While the name of this cigar brand is humorous, the mission is serious: 40 percent of all profits are donated to mental health organizations—including active military and veterans. This box-pressed grande offers a rich, nutty smoke bolstered by impressions of coffee, spice and earth. Cigar Aficionado recently sat down with LOFB’s founder Adam Levine to talk about his life, cigars and mission. See full tasting note.

OZ Family Cigars Firsat F60 (92 points, $14.50)
Translating to “opportunity” in Turkish, Firsat is the third and mildest line in OZ’s portfolio. The wrapper is high priming Ecuador Connecticut (resulting in its bronze-like hue), an Ecuador Habano binder and Nicaraguan filler, including some leaf from the volcanic island of Ometepe. Its lush draw delivers a smoke that smacks of cappuccino. A hint of nutmeg segues to a long, sweet finish of cinnamon. See full tasting note.

Partagás Serie P No. 2 (92 points, £46.10)
Made in the same dimensions as the legendary Montecristo No. 2, this torpedo is marketed as one of the more full-bodied cigars in Habanos’ portfolio. Every puff pops with ground red pepper spice. As it burns it unveils notes of candied pecan, gingerbread and buttercream. The finish is like a spoonful of honey speckled with dried chili flakes. See full tasting note.

To better understand Cigar Aficionado's blind tasting process, watch the first episode of the Cigar Aficionado Podcast below:

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