As the tennis season moves away from the hallowed green grass of the British Tennis Tournament to the North American hard-court swing, it’s now the final grand slam of the year — the American Tennis Tournament. Taking place at ‘Flushing Meadows,’ in the northern part of Queens, New York City, expect plenty of big-hitting in the Big Apple.

Held annually in August and September over the weeks before and after Labor Day weekend, it’s renowned for its raucous crowds and dramatic night matches. Any tennis fan will tell you there’s something spectacular about watching the world’s best racket players battle under the Arthur Ashe lights.

If you can’t make it to the contest to soak up the live-action, the next best thing is watching it on the big screen with a big cigar. An average tennis match lasts around 90 minutes, so we’ve chosen five champion smokes to accompany you on your journey to the final.

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Connecticut Shade

Binder: Honduran Habano

Filler: Nicaraguan (Jalapa, Estelí), Florida Sun Grown (FSG)

Length: 6

Ring: 52

Strength: Medium

Smoke Time: 90 minutes

A collaboration with Jeff Borysiewicz’s (owner of Corona Cigar Company) FSG tobacco, this complex yet opulent blend from Drew Estate is named after a 20-acre plot of land near Clermont. Elegantly wrapped from band to foot in a cedar sleeve, once removed, it reveals a stunning golden hay hue that complements the brilliantly simple red, white, and gold primary band.

The 20 Acre Farm Toro lands beautifully on the palate throughout each draw, serving a fabulous honeysuckle aroma and a classic Connecticut mix of cashews, cedar, toasted caramel, and white pepper.

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf

Binder: Ecuador

Filler: Nicaragua

Length: 5.50

Ring: 54

Strength: Medium – Full

Smoke Time: 65 minutes

The Southern Draw Jacob’s Ladder Robusto is both a biblical and bloodline affair, taking its name from the Southern Draw owners’ son (Ethan Jacob), as well being a reference to the Book of Genesis.

Rich, earthy aromas permeate from this relatively smooth, full-bodied stogie, which, when released, was said to be the company’s strongest cigar. Thanks to its delectable, dark-brown Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper, it has a naturally sweet taste, offering mouthwatering hits of dark chocolate, espresso, leather, and oak.

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Nicaragua

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragua

Length: 6.25

Ring: 52

Strength: Medium – Full

Smoke Time: 100 minutes

Meaning ‘the wise man,’ El Gueguense gets its name from a 17^th century piece of satirical street theater used by Nicaragua’s indigenous inhabitants to mock the arriving Spanish conquistadors. Honoring the great dance with Nicaragua’s rich, flavorful filler tobacco, the Foundation El Gueguense Torpedo executes its performance perfectly. It’s also equally as colorful, with an ornate band splashed in bright blues and oranges and highlighted with gold accents.

Floral bursts emanate from the Rosado-colored wrapper, with this Corojo-dominant blend conjuring up a signature expression of earth, leather, toffee, wood, and a subtle spicy punch.

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Nicaragua Oscuro

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragua

Length: 6

Ring: 60

Strength: Full

Smoke Time: 120 minutes

Another Nicaraguan puro, this one is handmade by the world-famous Plasencia family. The Montecristo Espada Oscuro Magnum comes in a rare dark chocolate brown Habano Rosado Oscuro wrapper with a slight rosado tint and silky complexion.

It’s another winning formula from Montecristo that excels in super rich flavor and complexity thanks to its Oscuro wrapper. Get toasting to net a resplendent 90 minutes of smoking, basking in rich, creamy draws of chocolate, cocoa, earth, and subtle fruit.

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Connecticut

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Honduras / Nicaragua

Length: 6.50

Ring: 52

Strength: Mellow – Medium

Smoke Time: 105 minutes

The Rocky Patel White Label Toro boasts tobaccos that have been aged 10 years and is finished with an elegant Connecticut wrapper. It has a light gold caramel shade, with alluring hay and sweet bread aromas.

The wrapper envelopes a masterful blend of fillers sourced from Jamastran Valley in Honduras and Nicaragua, producing a smoke that ranks among the very best in Rocky Patel’s extensive portfolio.

Every note is a smash hit, spinning up a smooth flavor profile of cocoa, leather, tea, wood, and an earthy, peppery finish. Other sizes are available if you only have time to watch a few games or a nerve-wracking deciding set.