This time of year always offers great insights to the trajectory of the industry. This is when all of the major media outlets compile their Top lists and showcase what they believe were the best cigars of the year.

If you are looking to see which brands are excelling and innovating, examining the various Top lists is always a good starting point.  However, there is one list that is by far the most impactful.  The Cigar Aficionado Top 25 Cigars fo the Year was the mother of all rankings.  While it can be divisive at times there is no arguing that the impact making this list has on brands is almost immeasurable.

With that being said, it is time to look at the Top 25 Cigars of the Cigar from Cigar Aficionado for 2022.

As stated before, the Cuban cigars preferred by aficionados are hardly ever Montecristo and Cohiba. There are so many brands that are far more complex, nuanced and at a much better price.  H.Upmann has long be the cigar of choice for many experienced smokers  Dating back to the 1960s, H.Upmann was brought to legend status when it was the cigar ordered by President Kennedy minutes before he signed the Cuban embargo.  Now, this historic cigar will forever be eched into the annuls of cigar history.

The H.Upmann No. 2 is a superb cigar that stands alone in the Cuban cigar world.  While for some years many often mischaracterized H.Upmann as a mild cigar, today we are able to see it for its complexity, balance and nuanced flavor profile.  With dashes of leather and cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg on the retro hale, the H.Upmann No.2 is getting the recognition it deserves not just in the Cuban community, but the cigar industry as a whole.

I will be the first to admit, I was not always the biggest Rocky Patel fan.  I understand the importance and influence of his early work but the cigars were ust never truly in my wheelhouse. That all changed when he built his Tavicusa factory.  Since then, I have been a huge fan of almost everything he has been releasing.  From the A.L.R 2^nd to the LBI and this years Quarter Century, Rocky has become a master of sweet, flavorful Nicaraguan blends.

The Rocky Patel Sixty was his big anniversary release from 2021.  Similar to the A.L.R, all the tobacco was pre-aged for two years before being blended, creating a smooth and nuanced profile.  The Mexican San Andres wrapper is rich and flawless adding in notes of dark chocolate and coffee along with a tobacco sweetness and fruity center.  Just like the tobacco he uses, Rocky is getting better with age.

Oddly enough, Davidoff is a brand that we don’t typically see in the Top 25.  In fact, the last Davidoff we saw grace this list was back in 2014, and it was the same blend we are seeing now. This is strange since Davidoff is often spoken of in league with Padron and Fuente as one of the premier luxury cigar companies with almost all of their name brand cigars receiving 90+ ratings.  Whatever the case may be, it is great to see them finally recognized for their achievements.

For many years Davidoff was seen as an extra ordinary maker of high end yet mellow cigars.  The Black label series changed all of that.  With the introduction of the Davidoff Nicaragua, they began a new chapter in complex, flavor heavy blends to compete with the Pardons and the My Fathers.  This beautifully crafted Diadema vitola is one of their most popular, with a nutty center along with notes of spice and tobacco sweetness.

When the average person thinks of Cuban cigars, they think of two names: Montecristo and Cohiba.  However, when a true aficionado thinks of Cubans, their thoughts run wild with the underdogs.  Ask any true cigar smoker and they will go with brands like Partagas, Ramon Allones and of course, Hoyo de Monterrey.  Hoyo has always been a Cuban fan favorite, particularly the Double Corona.  This year, the list is honoring a brand new Hoyo that only hit shelves last year, but is already making a large impact.

The Hoyo de Monterrey Elegantes was released in 2021, but went almost unnoticed due to Cohibas 50^th anniversary.  However, once reviewers began to smoke them they found it to be once of the best Hoyo blends in decades.  It is a nuanced smoke, medium in body, with hints of nutmeg, caramel, cinnamon and leather.

Since the line was first created in 2007, there have only been two years that an Oliva V or Oliva V Melanio has not been included in the Top 25.  While Padron and Fuente have seen several different lines and blends make an appearance, the fact that Oliva has had these two dominate for more than a decade is beyond impressive.  While the Melanio is seen by many as the more balanced and luxurious offering, the original Oliva V had a tremendous impact on the industry and has influenced so many cigars that came after.

The Oliva Serie V is seen as one of the greatest full bodied cigars ever created.  Its emphasis on balance and complexity while remaining strong and forceful set a trend for all full bodied smokes for more than 10 years.  It is hand rolled using all Nicaraguan tobacco, including a flawless sun grown wrapper.  Notes of pepper and leather combined with a nutty and sweet core to bring you restrained strength and flavor combinations most cigars can only dream of.

Since the line was first created in 2007, there have only been two years that an Oliva V or Oliva V Melanio has not been included in the Top 25.  While Padron and Fuente have seen several different lines and blends make an appearance, the fact that Oliva has had these two dominate for more then a decade is beyond impressive.  While the Melanio is seen by many as the more balanced and luxurious offering, the original Oliva V had a tremendous impact on the industry and has influenced so many cigars that came after.

The Oliva Serie V is seen as one of the greatest full bodied cigars ever created.  Its emphasis on balance and complexity while remaining strong and forceful set a trend for all full bodied smokes for more then 10 years.  It is hand rolled using all Nicaraguan tobacco, including a flawless sun grown wrapper.  Notes of pepper and leather combined with a nutty and sweet core to bring you restrained strength and flavor combinations most cigars can only dream of.

Alec Bradley has served an important role in the evolution of the industry, particularly since the end of the cigar boom.  They were one of the first companies to take Honduran tobacco and make something radically different.  A region that was once seen as mid tier and inferior to the likes of Cuba or the Dominican Republic was thrust into the limelight with high end offerings like the Prensado.  Ever since, they, along with Camacho, have acted as almost the ambassadors for luxury cigars from Honduras.  They have created several top hits of the last few years, but this year we see an old favorite finally get the recognition it deserves.

The Alec Bradley Black Market has always been a fan favorite.  From its dark and enticing blend to its creative packaging, the Black Market has become a staple in cigar stores across the world.  It uses tobaccos from four different countries, including an exquisite Nicaraguan wrapper and a Honduran and Panamanian filler for a cigar that is rich, sweet, leather and decadent.

While Fuente and Padron have dominated this list since its inception, one other name has been a constant presence over the last decade.  That name is Pepin Garcia and the team at My Father.  They are a two time Cigar of Year winner and have been included in most Top 10s since 2012.  Their work on the My Father line is the stuff of legend and has transformed what was once a small boutique manufacturer into one of the most sought after and respected lines in the industry.

The My Father Le Bijou was released back in 2011 as a sequel to the critically lauded My Father line.  The difference is that the original My Father was created by Jamie Garcia in honor of his father Pepin.  The Le Bijou was blended by Pepin in honor of his father, with 1922 being the year he was born.  This incredible cigar has received rave reviews for more then a decade, winning the #1 Cigar of the Year back in 2015. It is a Nicaraguan puro, using a rich Oscuro wrapper with offers up hints of dark chocolate, cinnamon and underlying tones of leather and spice.

Along with Fuente, Padron is the most decorated company in terms of its Top 25 placement.  They have won Cigar of the Year four times and have placed in the Top 10 every single year of the lists existence.  In fact, just last year this same cigar, albeit in a different size, was awarded the #1 Cigar of the Year award.  This showcases the remarkable consistency of the Padron brand that has been performing at the highest levels for more then 40 years.

The Padron 1964 Anniversario was first released in 1994 and ever since has been hailed as one of the finest cigars ever made.  It is so beloved and respected that nearly 30 years alter, it is still in talks as one of the best cigars of the year.  This Nicaraguan puro is rolled into the now legendary Padron box press using all aged Nicaraguan tobaccos.  Each puff delivers notes of milk chocolate, cream, cinnamon and coffee notes.  Ask any manufacturer what is the key to success and they will say consistency.  It is hard to be more consistent then the Padron 1964.

Over the last five years, you would be hard pressed to find a company, especially a large company, that has made as many improvements as AUSA.  By brining Rafael Nodal on board, they have reinvented their portfolio into one of the most impressive in the industry.  For many years, an AUSA product making this list would be a stretch. Now, one of their legendary brands is always in the Top 10.

Romeo y Julieta has always been an interesting brand.  Whereas Montecristo fits solely in the luxury category, Romeo has always wavered between high end and everyday.  With the Romeo Reserva Real Nicaragua, they were able to appeal to both demographics. With a blend from AJ Fernandez, this Nicaraguan puro is complex, nuanced and incredibly well built.  Notes of cream and caramel combine effortlessly with spicy undertones to create a well-balanced and flavorful cigar that is, in my opinion, the best Romeo in a decade.

Arturo Fuente has been named to a Top 10 spot on this list for just about every year.  The consistency in which their products are made and impact they have had on the industry have made them one of if not the most beloved companies in the business.  Their special and limited editions are the stuff of legends, and this year one of their most personal and passionate projects is being highlighted.

The Arturo Fuente Rare Pink Vintage was made in honor of breast cancer awareness and a portion of the proceeds of each sale go to various breast cancer charities.  Apart from its powerful and meaningful message, it is also an incredible blend.  It uses an Ecuadorian wrapper atop Dominican filler and binder tobaccos for a smooth, nutty smoke with notes of sweetness nuts and pepper.  While Nicaraguans have secured many of the top spots in recent years, Fuente shows that the Dominican Republic is always a top contender.

A different size of the same blend that won Cigar of the Year in 2020, the Pledge by EP Carrillo Apogee placing at #11 on the 2022 list is proof that this blend is more than worthy of all its accolades.

The larger ring gauge of the Apogee, which measures in at 6.25×58, allows the aged Nicaraguan fillers to express their flavor with the top-quality Connecticut Habano wrapper. A complex medium-full bodied smoke, its flavors of cocoa, leather, black pepper, and sweetness along with flawless construction will win over the most discerning of aficionados.

Filled with Dominican tobaccos grown on La Canela and fashioned in La Flor Dominicana’s famous Chisel vitola, it is no surprise that La Flor Dominicana Oro Chisel made it to the list this year.

This 6×54 cigar couples the rich Dominican fillers with a hearty Nicaraguan wrapper to deliver a rich and flavorful medium-full bodied smoke. Spicy notes of earth, coffee, and leather are concentrated onto the palate by the tapered cap, amplifying the flavors and pushing the experience over the edge to excellence.

A classic that continues to stand the test of time, the Joya de Nicaragua Antano Churchill is regarded by many as the archetype for what a Nicaraguan smoke should be.

This treat is hand rolled into a 6.88×48 size with only the finest and richest Nicaraguan tobaccos. The full-bodied and robust profile of peppery spice, leather, earth, and tobacco sweetness continue to impress our palates with its power and balance.

This next cigar was mostly made with tobaccos from the first harvest from AJ Fernandez’s Dorado farm in Nicaragua and is aptly named the AJ Fernandez New World Dorado Robusto.

This all-Nicaraguan cigar is presented as a 5.5×52 vitola and features a Habano wrapper and a Criollo ’98 binder, both grown at the Dorado farm. Rich medium-bodied flavors of dark roasted coffee, baking spice, nuts, and tobacco sweetness make this smoke a great choice for any aficionado to enjoy with an impressive 93 rating.

Although limited to just 10,000 cigars being made, the La Palina Goldie Laguito No. 2 sure did impress. Unlike many premium cigars which come from Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, or Honduras, the Goldie Laguito No. 2 was made in Miami by the boutique cigar factory El Titan de Bronze.

Its Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers and Ecuadorian binder and wrapper combine to deliver a luxurious medium-full bodied bouquet of pepper, nuts, woodiness, and tobacco sweetness.

Romeo y Julieta is one of the most famous Cuban-heritage brands in the world, and the Cuban version continues to be an impressive smoke for the world outside the United States.

Linea de Oros is Cuba’s top-shelf version of the brand, made with only the finest tobaccos Cuba has to offer. Presented as a pudgy and short belicoso, its luxurious flavors of leather, wood, and dried fruit make one of the best of 2022.

Cohiba is Cuba’s premier cigar brand, known for both providing an incredible smoking experience as well as a lofty price. Both were dialed up to 11 to make the Cohiba brand’s 55^th anniversary extra special.

If you have the means and spending power to get your hands on one of these Cuban gems, your palate will be graced by a top-shelf smoke with rich, complex medium-full bodied flavors.

Brick House cigars were an old JC Newman brand that was resurrected in 2009, and the brand has sustained its popularity as a reliable, budget friendly smoke that does not sacrifice quality.

The Brick House Churchill features the blend of Nicaraguan fillers and Ecuadorian Habano wrapper in a classic 7.25×50 size. Its consistent, smooth, and top-notch flavors of spice, cedar, coffee, earth, and sweetness make it the perfect daily smoke for any aficionado.

The partnership between Ashton and My Father was born in 2007 with the introduction of San Cristobal, and the San Cristobal Clasico remains a crowd favorite.

Brimming with high-priming Nicaraguan tobaccos in the core, these classically sized 5×50 treats are coated by a dusky Ecuadorian Habano oscuro wrapper that allows the colorful bands to really catch the eye. You can expect a full-bodied and balanced profile of dark chocolate, spice, cedar, nuts, and sweetness to coat your palate with every puff.

Winning Cigar of the Year way back in 2008, the Casa Magna Colorado Robusto comes from another blend that impresses year after year. This perennially top-rated 5.5×52 smoke is the result of a collaboration between two big names in the cigar world, Quesada and Plasencia.

Using Plasencia’s top-shelf Nicaraguan tobaccos, the Colorado Robusto delivers a rich medium-full bodied medley of sweet, peppery spice, nuts, espresso, earth, and cedar make the mouth water with every flawless draw.

Illusione is no stranger to Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 lists, and this year he did it again with Illusione’s Allegria Robusto.

These 5×52 treats from Illusione are made with vintage Nicaraguan Criollo ’98 and Corojo ’99 tobaccos grown on Aganorsa’s farms. Its complex flavors of nuts, cedar, baking spice, and espresso progress and transition to provide an entertaining smoking experience.

Pete Johnson of Tatuaje Cigars has been sharing his blending experiments for the last couple years, and one of his experiments, the Tatuaje Cohete Capa Especial, was so good it landed at #22 for 2022.

The Cohetes was released with a trio of wrappers; Capa Especial wears an Ecuadorian Sumatra, the two others being a Connecticut Broadleaf and an Ecuadorian Habano, over a hearty Nicaraguan core. The Capa Especial proved to be the best with a rich medium-full bodied profile of black pepper, baking spices, chocolate, earth, and hints of nuttiness.

The Espinosa Knuckle Sandwich Habano Corona Gorda R generated a ton of hype this year when it was announced that legendary celebrity chef Guy Fieri was involved with working on the cigar, and these cigars definitively surpassed the hype.

These 5.62×46 Nicaraguan-made gems are blended with aged Nicaraguan long filler and binder tobaccos covered by a rich Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. The bold and balanced medium-bodied notes of pepper, nuts, earth, cedar, and tobacco sweetness will take you to flavor town with every puff.

The classic La Gloria Cubana Glorias have been around a while, but it is still a cigar that many aficionados count on to deliver a complex smoke brimming with flavor.

This slim 5.5×43 smoke features Dominican and Nicaraguan long fillers, a Nicaraguan binder, and a beautiful Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper that combine for a bold, satisfying experience. Each delicious puff with medium-full bodied notes of nuts, pepper, earth, and tobacco sweetness shows that the original La Gloria still holds the boutique charms of its roots.

Plasencia’s tobaccos are renowned across the industries, and their tobaccos are in perfect balance with nature for the Plasencia Reserva Original Corona.

This cigar is made entirely with estate-grown Nicaraguan tobaccos that are certified organic and use ancient farming methods, making it remarkably similar to the very first cigars Europeans would have encountered in the new world. It dishes out incredibly well balanced and complex medium-bodied flavors of cocoa, spice, nuts, leather, cedar, and touches of caramel worthy of a presence in any aficionado’s humidor.

2021 has finally come to a close. For many, this is a welcome relief as this year proved to be yet another difficult and challenging time for most.  However, here’s hoping that 2022 brings some semblance of normalcy to the world and to the cigar industry.  For the cigar business, we saw a somewhat return to normal but not quite.  The trade shows went on, albeit in a much-reduced capacity.

The art of the virtual event took off with many manufacturers choosing them over in person.  However, with all the changes, there is one point in the year that many look forward to that will always be consistent.  That is the time of the highly popular Cigar Aficionado Top 25 Cigars of the Year list.

Each year, this list provides a guide to cigar smokers on which of the cigars performed best this year.  While it has proven to be controversial, there is no doubt it is the most popular and talked about list in the industry.  So may agree and some may disagree, but the fact of the matter is that if a cigar makes this list, it has solidified itself in the annuls of the cigar industry.

As the ratings come out we will be posting them here, along with a small description of each cigar.  Without further a due, we present you the Cigar Aficionado Top 25 Cigars of 2021.

Once the #2-#10 came out, I think many of us could have guessed what #1 would be.  Padron has been rated in the Top 5 cigars of the year every year since the list was founded, except in 2015 when it was #7.  So seeing the Top 10 drop without a Padron was odd, until you remember they still have the #1 slot to fill.  Padron is amongst the highest-rated and most beloved brands in the industry.  Their dedication to consistency and perfection has not waned in decades and they remain the bar that everyone in the industry strives to reach.

This is due not only to their amazing tobacco crops but also to their aging process.  Each of their lines has tobaccos aged at different levels, from 6 months to several years.  This creates a smooth and more complex smoke as you move up the ladder from the Padron Series to the Family Reserve.  I was once told that Padrons aging facilities are so vast, they have enough tobacco aging to make full production on all of their lines for the next several years.  That is amazing.

While opinions differ on which Padron is the best, I personally enjoy the 1926, I think it is safe to say that the 1964 is the most popular and well respected.  This Nicaraguan puro first debuted in 1994 and since then, it has been rated in the Top 25 Cigars of the Year 5 times, each time debuting at the #5 spot or above.  It uses aged Nicaraguan tobacco that has been sitting for more than two years.  It is nutty, slightly zesty, and delivers notes of cocoa, leather, and raisins with a dash of spice on the retrohale.  While it might not be a brand new cigar, inf act it’s one of the oldest on this list, I don’t think anyone could argue with the Padron 1964 as the #1 Cigar of the Year.

You heard it here first folks, the Montecristo 1935 is one of the best Montecristo cigars ever released.  It is so good, we named it as our No. 4 cigar of the year just three weeks ago.  It seems as though the good folks over at Cigar Aficionado share our love of this groundbreaking and complex cigar.  It smokes unlike any Montecristo before it.  That is due, I believe, to the chemistry found between Rafael Nodal and AJ Fernandez.  These two men accomplish greatness when paired together, and 1935 is a great example of that.  While Montecristo has made several cigars I would consider in my Hall of Fame, 1935 is the one that I would claim as a desert island cigar. It has all the makings of a legendary cigar, one that will be smoked and discussed for years to come.

The blend is being kept under wraps, although we know it is a Nicaraguan puro using tobacco from AJs farms in Nicaragua.  There are several aspects of the cigar that make it stand alone from other Montecristos.  First and foremost it is strong.  I would describe the first few puffs as intense.  After it settles in, it becomes the most complex cigar AUSA has ever put out.  Each puff gives you something new and enticing. Whether it be heavy coffee notes, some great sweet spice, or a dark fruit richness, this is a cigar that you just never want to put down.

I have always found the San Cristobal to be a very cool project for both Ashton and My Father.  It gives both brand and manufacturer a chance to do bring something unique and different to their portfolios, something you wouldn’t find in a standard Ashtons or My Father release.  That is exactly what you get with the San Cristobal Quintessence.  This is a cigar unlike anything else Pepin has put out in recent years and for that reason alone, I’m happy it is being recognized.  On top of that, it is simply a great, well-balanced smoke that deserves a spot on this list.

The Quintessence uses Nicaraguan tobaccos for the filler and binder, which is then cloaked in an oily Ecuadorian Havana seed wrapper.  While this may seem like a standard blend that countless brands have put out, Don Pepins blending prowess makes this a touch above the rest.  It effortlessly transitions from rich and bold in the beginning to a bit of spice and then a smooth creamy finish.  It is one of the more complex cigars to come from both brands in a few years and this Churchill size, yet again proves to be the best to enjoy it.

Whenever anyone asks me for a Cuban cigar recommendation, this is the one I tell them.  For years, I have been heaping praise upon this exact cigar and I am beyond thrilled to see it reach the #4 spot on this year’s list.  The Partagas Serie D is the Cuban cigar for the true cigar smoker.  It is, in my mind, the cigar that truly represents Cuba at its best.  It doesn’t have the super rare and limited characteristics of Cohiba or the crossover appeal of Montecristo.  It is simply put an amazing cigar that depicts the best of what Cuba has to offer.

The Partagas Serie D No.4 is a Cuban puro, using aged tobaccos from the legendary Pinar del Rio region of Cuba.  It is complex but not overly strong, at least not for me.  This is a cigar you need to pay attention to in order to enjoy the full experience.  Each puff enhances the one before it with tremendous notes of pepper, tobacco sweetness, and a rich nutty center that I only find with high-end Cubans and some Nicaraguans.  It is the true Cuban cigar for the true cigar connoisseur.

While the past few years, a majority of the attention on Fuente has been on its Opus X line or its plentiful amount of regional or special releases, the last national brand they released is a terrific cigar, and one I hope gets more attention after making this list.  The Casa Cuba was the last project of Carlos Fuente before he, unfortunately, passed away in 2016.  This makes it, in my mind, the last true Fuente from that generation.  It was blended and designed as a nod to a time of simplicity and performance.

The Casa Cuba doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of a Don Carlos or an Opus X.  There is no crazy story or artwork.  What you have is a simple, flavorful, and complex cigar at a great price.  This was the legacy that Carlos wanted to leave behind, and he did it beautifully.  The Casa Cuba uses aged Dominican tobaccos for the filler and binder along with a stunning Ecuadorian wrapper.  Hints of nuts, leather, and sweet spice are apparent throughout the cigar and work so well with each other with no one flavor overtaking the profile.  It is a great cigar and a great way to carry on the legacy of the legendary Don Carlos Fuente.

I have been talking about Illusione almost non-stop for the last two years.  I might have been late to the Dion party, but I’m there now and I’m not leaving.  So I was incredibly happy to see them receive a Top 10 position in this year’s list.  At first, ill admit, I thought there were better Illusiones’ to include this year, including the brand new collaboration with actor Jeremy Piven.  However, I soon realized the significance of the Cruzado and its role in the Illusione lineup.

When the Cruzado was first released over 10 years ago, it was made in Honduras. Now, lime almost all of the Illusione lineup, it is being produced at Aganorsa.  What you get here is a beautiful depiction not just of the amazing Nicaraguan tobaccos from Aganorsa, but at Dion’s blending talents.  This cigar is incredibly flavorful, delivering notes of cocoa, cedar, and coffee.  Its signature Corojo wrapper offers a touch of tobacco sweetness with some spice as well.  It is complex, subtle, and above all consistent, which is the signature of a true Illusione cigar.

It wouldn’t be a Top 25 without an Oliva on it.  What I think may have surprised some people were which Oliva they chose for this year.  While the Oliva Serie V and Melanio are always mainstays, I have always felt the Melanio Maduro was drastically underrated.  Well, not anymore.  This year, this rich, robust and decadent smoke finally gets the recognition it deserves with a solid place in the Top 10.

While the V Melanio Maduro uses a similar binder rand filler as the regular Melanio, it is the addition of a Mexican San Andres Maduro wrapper that makes it stand out.  It has rich notes of Chocolate, cinnamon, and leather with a signature tobacco sweetness that will make your mouth water.  I also loved the size they chose for this list.  I have recently begun to expand my palate and smoke more Churchills and I have found them to be my new favorite vitola.  You truly get a sense of the entire blend with this size and it worked beautifully for the Melanio Maduro.

When it comes to Cuban cigars, no brand carries more weight than that of Cohiba.  From its humble beginnings as Fidel Castro’s private cigar to its worldwide recognition, I believe Cohiba is the most recognizable and respected Cuban cigar brand in the world.  While the brand has released several hard-to-find and very expensive limited editions of the past few years, the Siglo is a foundational cigar that has been consistent and reliable for over 20 years.  When I think of a Cohiba Cuban, I think of this cigar.

As with any Cuban cigar, the Siglo is a Cuban puro, meaning it only uses Cuban tobaccos for the filler, binder, and wrapper.   The tobacco is hand-selected from special, extra fermented leaves from the famed Pinar del Rio region of Cuba.  The profile is more mellow to medium, not as strong as your typical Cohiba, but it has tons of flavor.  Each puff delivers notes of rich coffee, leather, and dried fruit. I get a distinct raisin taste on the rare times I’ve been able to smoke one.  One of the most reliable Cuban cigars on the market, the Siglo IV is a must-have for a seasoned aficionado.

With a growing market in Europe and Asia, it is no wonder that large manufacturers are beginning to blend cigars outside of the US.  That is the case with the Rocky Patel Grand Reserve.  It was originally made for European distribution only.  It received such critical acclaim, that Rocky had no choice but to make it available in the US in 2020, and we are all lucky he did.  This is yet another top-tier cigar from Rocky, following up on the massive success of the A.L.R and the No. 6 which was rated in last year’s Top 25.

For this blend, Rocky actually went to the Plascencia factory in Honduras.  The Grand Reserve uses aged Nicaraguan and Honduran tobaccos for the filler and binder, along with a stunning Ecuadorian leaf for the wrapper.  The result is a bold and complex smoke with notes of nuts and leather along with a dash of candy-like sweetness.  Be prepared for a roller-coaster of flavors with each puff.

It has been a while since Arturo Fuente came out with a new line. So when a new, vintage line was first announced, you couldn’t even imagine the excitement for Fuente fans everywhere.  Once it was released, we soon realized that the Rare Pink Vintage is one of the most unique cigars that Fuente has released in some time.  Its blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos along with an Ecuadorian wrapper provides a solid medium-bodied smoking experience with hints of citrus, cedar, and a dash of spice.

It is not the typical Dominican heavy blend you expect from Fuente, but I think it is a look into the future of the brand.  It also carries a heart-felt message, as it takes its name from the pink ribbons used to symbolize the fight against breast cancer, a cause that the Fuente Family is actively involved in.  Proceeds of box sales are donated to breast cancer awareness.  It is a beautiful cigar with a beautiful story.

Another riveting blend from Kyle Gellis and the Warped team, the Cloud Hoper is a complex all Nicaraguan blend.  Coming out of the Aganorsa factory, the cigar is brimming with rich notes of chocolate, Ginger, and that signature tobacco sweetness you’ve come to expect from a Warped cigar.

Tabacalera Pichardo has really made a name for themselves in the last few years.  While a majority of their notoriety has come from their work with Crowned Heads, two entries on our Top 25 I might add, Luciano has made some amazing cigars under his own brand as well.  The Dreamer had a lot of press this year, becoming a fan favorite overnight.  Its blend of Ecuadorian wrapper and Nicaraguan and Peruvian filler gives a complex yet subtle profile with notes of almonds, coffee, and spice.

Taking inspiration from Pete Johnson’s dog, Kona, the K222 was first released back in 2016.  It is a bold and complex Tatuaje, showcasing Pete’s signature blending talents.  Its Nicaraguan filler and binder offer up touches of pepper spice, while the Ecuadorian wrapper gives off hints of cream, chocolate, and leather.

Two years after earning the #1 spot, the Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua is still going strong.  This is the second Rafael Nodal/AJ Fernandez cigar to make this list and rightfully so.  Its all Nicaraguan blend creates a rich complex profile with a ton of flavor. Nutty chocolate notes combined with hints of coffee and a slight tint of spice make this a flavor bomb and one of our favorite cigars of the last few years.

What started out as Willy Herrera’s first project with Drew Estate has turned into a top-notch brand all its own.  While today many flocks to the Norteno or the Miami, my first love was that original Herrera Esteli, now called the Habano.  It takes its name from its signature Ecuadorian Habano wrapper which cloaks a Honduran binder and zesty Nicaraguan filler.  The result is a zesty smoke with notes of earth, nuts, and caramel.

Joya de Nicaragua has been making cigars for over half a century.  They were the first ones in Nicaragua and they will still be there when so many other brands have come and gone.  What makes Joya so special is they never sit on their laurels, they are constantly innovating and creating new and unique blends to bring to the market.

The Joya Silver is unlike any of their previous releases. While it still uses Nicaraguan filler, the addition of a rich Mexican binder and an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper gives this cigar an entirely new profile.  Hints of cocoa and dark fruit combine with touches of candy sweetness and a dash of spice.

Here we have Pepin Garcia’s strongest cigar yet.  While I would be hard-pressed to call any of the My Father cigars mellow, the Judge is the strongest, most full-flavored cigar the company has put out under the My Father brand.  The Judge is rolled with aged Nicaraguan filler and binder tobaccos for a bold and zesty center.

The Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper is rich and dark offering up heavy notes of coffee, leather, and earth.

This might be one of two Ramon Allones on this list, but this is the only Cuban version to appear.  The original Cuban Ramon Allones is not as popular as Cohiba or even Partagas but is well-liked and respected among true Cuban Connoisseurs.

While in the U.S. the Gigante size is known for its thick ring gauge, in Cuba it’s known for its length, coming in at over 7 inches.  This is a medium-boded cigar for the sophisticated cigar smoker.  It offers notes of nuts, caramel, leather, and some spices on the back end.  It is truly an underrated Cuban

AUSA has done an amazing job at taking their lesser-known brands and breathing new life into this.  Some great examples would be the new versions of the Trinidad and the Henry Clay, both of which have scored in the 90s.  This year, they brought a new version of their Saint Luis Rey brand to market, this time being made in Honduras at their Flor de Copan facility.

This nutty and flavorful smoke uses Honduran filler and binder tobaccos along with a complex Nicaraguan wrapper, creating an all-around solid cigar.

It is a well-known fact that Litto Gomez creates some of the most full-bodied and full-flavored cigars on the market.  Oddly enough, the Air Bender isn’t even close to being his strongest blend but is still considerably stronger than most other cigars it competes with.  Rolled into his signature Chisel shape, a personal favorite, The Air Bender uses aged Dominican tobaccos for its filler and binder and then an oily Ecuadorian wrapper on the outside.  The cigar offers strong notes of leather, spice, raisins, and a nutty core.

This cigar has an interesting story along with a terrific blend.  It was made to honor the famous Herberto Padilla, father of brand founder Ernesto.  A legendary poet who was punished by the Cuban government, Herberto is well-known for his role in what is known as the Padilla affair… feel free to google.  This honorary cigar was blended at AJ Fernandez factory using Nicaraguan filler and binder tobacco along with a beautiful Ecuadorian wrapper leaf.  It is a solid medium-bodied complex smoke with some definite Cubanesq qualities to it.

Here we have the second Ramon Allones to make the list, although it is quite different from the other.  This is the Nicaraguan version blended by AJ Fernandez.  I have long said I think this is among the five best cigars AJ has ever made and when you look at his vast portfolio, that’s saying something.  This bold Nicaraguan puro uses the rare Medio Tiempo leaf as a wrapper giving it an intense rich flavor.  It was also ranked at #20 on our Top 25 list.

Ashton always finds its way to the Top 25 and rightfully so.  With such influential brands as the VSG and Symmetry, Ashton is still at the top of the premium cigar industry.  The Puro Sol may not be their most popular line, but it is an outstanding and flavorful cigar nonetheless.

Handrolled at the famed Fuente Facility, it uses Dominican filler and binder tobaccos along with an oily and flawless Ecuadorian Habano seed wrapper.  It has spice, it has sweetness, it has just about everything you want in a top-shelf, the well-rounded cigar.

It seems after so many years that Ernesto Perez Carrillo is finely getting his due.  His cigars have been named as the #1 cigar of the year two out of the last three years.  Even with such an influx of business and new fans, he has not let his quality drop even the tiniest amount.  The La Historia is as solid today as when it was first released.  Its Mexican San Andres wrapper is what gives it its signature flavors of rich leather, heavy coffee, and the slightest hint of sweet spice.

I am not going to say much here… as I feel this cigar placed far too low.  I am happy it was recognized in the first place but if you want the full details and the respect this cigar deserves, id recommend checking out our Top 25 blog.  This cigar is simply too brilliant for a few sentences here.