As the cigar world evolves, 2023 brought forth an exceptional array of cigars that stand out for their quality and craftsmanship. Cigar Aficionado's list of the top 25 cigars is more than just a ranking — it is a journey through the finest tobacco blends and expert cigar making. Let's explore these remarkable cigars and understand the process behind their selection.
For more on how cigar ratings work, see our understanding cigar ratings guide.
The Scoring Process
The journey to determining the top 25 cigars is thorough and unbiased. It begins with reviewing the highest-rated cigars from the past year. These cigars are then repurchased, re-banded, and re-smoked blind, ensuring an impartial assessment. Through multiple rounds of smoking, the top scorers emerge, leading to the final list of 25 outstanding cigars.
The Top 25
#1 Fuente Fuente OpusX Reserva d'Chateau
Rating: 97 | Price: ~$19
This Dominican marvel, crafted by Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia, stands at the top. Measuring 7 inches with a 48 ring gauge, it is a testament to Carlos Carlito
Fuente Jr.'s quest to perfect the Dominican wrapper. This medium-full cigar has made history with its striking wrapper and robust flavor profile, combining leathery and spicy notes with hints of sweetness. Browse Arturo Fuente cigars.
#2 Padrón Serie 1926 No. 48 Maduro
Rating: 96 | Price: ~$25
Celebrating milestones of both José O. Padrón and the Tobacconists' Association of America, this Nicaraguan gem is a 5.5" by 60 ring gauge marvel. It captivates with rich cocoa, almond, honey, and cinnamon notes, proving that a thicker ring gauge can still encapsulate the essence of Padrón's mastery. Browse Padrón cigars.
#3 Oliva Serie V Melanio Toro
Rating: 96 | Price: ~$14
A Nicaraguan puro from Oliva Cigar Company, the Serie V Melanio Toro delivers a rich, full-bodied experience with dark chocolate, espresso, and sweet spice. Named after the Oliva family patriarch, Melanio has earned multiple year-end honors and remains one of the most acclaimed Nicaraguan cigars available.
#4 E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel
Rating: 95 | Price: ~$13
Ernesto Perez-Carrillo's Pledge Prequel showcases his masterful blending with a medium-to-full Nicaraguan blend. Cedar, leather, dark chocolate, and sweet spice with a long, complex finish. Browse E.P. Carrillo cigars.
#5 My Father La Gran Oferta Toro
Rating: 95 | Price: ~$11
From the García family's acclaimed factory, La Gran Oferta delivers a medium-to-full body with earth, cocoa, sweet spice, and pepper. An exceptional value at its price point. Browse My Father cigars.
#6 Plasencia Alma Fuerte Generación V
Rating: 95 | Price: ~$18
The Plasencia family showcases 150+ years of tobacco expertise with this full-bodied Nicaraguan cigar. Dark chocolate, espresso, leather, and sweet cedar with extraordinary complexity.
#7 Davidoff Winston Churchill The Late Hour Toro
Rating: 95 | Price: ~$22
Davidoff's tribute to Churchill's legendary late-night cigar sessions. A medium-to-full blend featuring tobaccos aged in Scotch whisky casks, delivering earth, leather, sweet spice, and a whisky-kissed finish.
#8 Rocky Patel Vintage 2003 Cameroon Toro
Rating: 94 | Price: ~$11
Rocky Patel's Cameroon-wrapped vintage delivers medium-bodied elegance with cedar, sweet spice, and the distinctive Cameroon wrapper character. An excellent everyday cigar.
#9 Perdomo Habano Bourbon Barrel-Aged Maduro Epicure
Rating: 94 | Price: ~$9
Perdomo's bourbon barrel-aged tobaccos wrapped in a dark Maduro wrapper deliver dark chocolate, coffee, and bourbon-kissed sweetness. One of the best values on this list.
#10 Alec Bradley Prensado Lost Art Gran Toro
Rating: 94 | Price: ~$10
Alec Bradley's box-pressed classic features a Honduran Corojo wrapper with Honduran and Nicaraguan fillers. Earth, pepper, dark chocolate, and sweet spice in a satisfying medium-to-full package.
#11 Foundation Tabernacle Havana Seed CT No. 142 Robusto
Rating: 94 | Price: ~$12
Foundation Cigar Company's Tabernacle uses a rare Connecticut Havana Seed wrapper for a medium-to-full experience with dark chocolate, pepper, and sweet earth.
#12 Ashton Symmetry Robusto
Rating: 94 | Price: ~$14
Ashton's Symmetry blends Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos under a Habano Rosado wrapper for a perfectly balanced medium-to-full smoke with earth, cocoa, and sweet spice.
#13 CAO Flathead V660 Carb
Rating: 93 | Price: ~$9
CAO's engine-inspired Flathead delivers a full-bodied Nicaraguan experience with dark chocolate, pepper, and leather. A powerhouse at an excellent price.
#14 Drew Estate Liga Privada No. 9 Robusto
Rating: 93 | Price: ~$16
Drew Estate's iconic Liga Privada No. 9 features a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper with rich, dark flavors of chocolate, earth, and sweet leather.
#15 Illusione Epernay Le Ferme
Rating: 93 | Price: ~$13
Illusione's Epernay is a refined Nicaraguan blend with cedar, cream, sweet spice, and a long, elegant finish. One of the most acclaimed boutique cigars.
#16 Crowned Heads Jericho Hill Willy Lee
Rating: 93 | Price: ~$10
Crowned Heads' full-bodied Jericho Hill delivers dark chocolate, espresso, pepper, and leather. A boutique brand standout.
#17 Oliva Serie V Double Robusto
Rating: 93 | Price: ~$11
Another strong showing from Oliva — the Serie V Double Robusto delivers full-bodied Nicaraguan power with earth, pepper, dark chocolate, and sweet cedar.
#18 Macanudo Inspirado Black Robusto
Rating: 93 | Price: ~$9
Macanudo's bolder Inspirado Black features a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper for a medium-to-full smoke with dark chocolate, coffee, and sweet spice. A great value pick.
#19 Dunbarton Sobremesa Brulee Robusto
Rating: 93 | Price: ~$14
Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust's Sobremesa Brulee went on to earn the #1 Cigar of the Year in a subsequent year. Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper with dark chocolate, coffee, and baking spice.
#20 AJ Fernandez New World Puro Especial Robusto
Rating: 93 | Price: ~$8
An exceptional value from AJ Fernandez — a full-bodied Nicaraguan puro with earth, pepper, and dark chocolate at a price that makes it one of the best everyday smokes. Browse cigars under $10.
#21 Montecristo Epic Craft Cured Robusto
Rating: 92 | Price: ~$12
Montecristo's innovative Craft Cured uses tobaccos cured in rum barrels for sweet, rich flavors of caramel, dark chocolate, and baking spice.
#22 H. Upmann 1844 Añejo Toro
Rating: 92 | Price: ~$9
H. Upmann's Añejo delivers dark chocolate, espresso, and sweet cedar with a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper. Outstanding value.
#23 Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Toro
Rating: 92 | Price: ~$9
Romeo y Julieta's Reserva Real is a smooth, medium-bodied Dominican classic with cream, cedar, and gentle spice. A consistent crowd-pleaser and great for beginners.
#24 Nub Habano 460
Rating: 92 | Price: ~$7
Nub's innovative short-fat format delivers concentrated flavor from the first puff. The Habano wrapper provides earth, pepper, and sweet spice in a unique smoking experience. Learn about cigar sizes.
#25 Diesel Whiskey Row Sherry Cask Robusto
Rating: 92 | Price: ~$9
Diesel's Sherry Cask features tobaccos aged in sherry casks for a unique flavor profile — dark fruit, chocolate, and sweet spice with a smooth finish.
Where to Buy the Top 25
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