Top 25 Cigars of 2024
Every year, the cigar industry introduces a wave of new blends, each vying for the attention of cigar enthusiasts and aficionados worldwide. These new releases tantalize the senses, offering unique flavors, craftsmanship, and experiences for cigar lovers to explore.
At Cigar & Spirits Magazine, our mission is to guide you through the ever-expanding world of premium cigars. Throughout the year, we meticulously evaluate and rate numerous cigars to identify those that stand above the rest. In 2024 we rated 180 cigars, as the year comes to a close, our dedication to providing authoritative insights culminates in our highly anticipated Top 25 Cigars of 2024.
MIAMI CIGAR CO.
NESTOR MIRANDA NM80
Size: Lancero (7 ½ x 38)
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium-Full
Notes: NM80 celebrates the 80th birthday of Nestor Miranda, the founder of Miami Cigar. A Nicaraguan puro made by My Father Cigars with a dark and oily wrapper, this smoke is medium-bodied and elegant, with flavors of espresso, chocolate, leather, and spice.
DREW ESTATE
LIGA PRIVADA NO. 9 FLYING PIG
Size: Figurado (3 15/16 x 60)
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Brazilian Mata
Filler: Honduran, Nicaraguan
Strength: Full
Notes: The wrapper is luxe–oily, silky and smooth. The look and feel of the cigar are uniquely gorgeous. The tastes are chock full of espresso, cashews, cream and hints of leather and earth fill the air as you puff away.
NOBLE CIGARS
INTERMISSION
Size: Toro (6 x 52)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Dominican Ligero
Filler: Dominican Ligero
Strength: Full
Notes: The Noble Intermission offers a blend of aged tobaccos that produces finessed notes of creamy earth, leather and spice. The ginger hints are tasty throughout. The Intermission might be a bit full on the palate for some as it winds down, but it’s mostly pleasant, not peppery. The ash and burn are stellar.
LA AROMA DE CUBA
CONNECTICUT
Size: Robusto Gorda (4 ½ x 54)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Strength: Light-Medium
Notes: The LADC Connecticut Corona starts with buttercream, citrus, and cedar notes. It leads into a sweet cedar undertone persisting throughout. The smoke is characterized by grassy and floral notes, transitioning to dried apricot and almond, culminating in a toasty finish.
AG CIGARS
UN NUEVO REINO
Size: Robusto (5 x 50)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Strength: Light-Medium
Notes: Floral aromas inform the scent of the cigar and there’s an abundance of smoke output with it. It offers creamy and nutty flavors, mild spice, and hints of light woodiness. The burn and draw are wonderful. The Un Nuevo Reino is a stellar choice for a late morning cigar and java combo.
QUESADA
50TH ANNIVERSARY
Size: Box-Pressed Toro (6 ¼ x 56)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan, Peruvian
Strength: Medium-Full
Notes: A box-pressed cigar with some long veins to its reddish cover leaf. It’s a nutty, toasty smoke with an undercurrent of dried red stone fruits. Touches of wood, coffee and licorice precede the caramel finish. The draw and burn are even throughout.
E.P. CARILLO
ENCORE BLACK
Size: Robusto (5 3/8 x 52)
Wrapper: U.S.A. (Connecticut Broadleaf)
Binder: Mexico (San Andrés)
Filler: Nicaragua (Condega, Estelí & Jalapa)
Strength: Medium
Notes: A maduro masterpiece from Ernesto Perez-Carrillo. The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper delivers rich notes of chocolate, coffee, and spice, while the Nicaraguan filler adds complexity and balance. This cigar is smooth, satisfying, and a must-try for maduro lovers.
FLOR DE LAS ANTILLAS
10TH ANNIVERSARY LE
Size: Toro (6 ½ x 52)
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium
Notes: FDLA 10th Anniversary Limited Edition is a Nicaraguan puro that celebrates the acclaimed My Father line. It features a high-priming wrapper that gives it a fuller body and a darker color than the original blend. The smoke is smooth and complex, with notes of wood, pepper, leather, and cocoa. A superb cigar for a special occasion.
LUCIANO
YPANDA DOMINO
Size: Toro (6 x 52)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Brazilian Arapiraca, Mexican San Andres
Filler: Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium
Notes: The Y Panda Domino is an expertly constructed cigar. There’s a rich eucalyptus and woodsy aesthetic with tastes of dark chocolate and citrus flavor informing this cigar. The aromatic smoke is evident with sweet cedar. It just about touches medium throughout the cigar, and you’ll appreciate the berry undertones as you near the finish line.
ALEC BRADLEY
SAFE KEEPINGS SERIES
Size: Robusto (5 x 52)
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium-Full
Notes: Resurrected from its “safekeeping” in brand founder Alan Rubin's blend book, Safe Keepings are made entirely of Nicaraguan tobacco. Medium to full-bodied puro with a habano wrapper. This is a gem of a cigar with notes of earth, espresso, black pepper and a touch of citrus zing. The draw and burn are stellar.
DAVIDOFF ANIVERSARIO NO. 1
LIMITED EDITION COLLECTION
Size: Double Corona (8 2/3 x 48)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Ecuadorian
Filler: Dominican
Strength: Medium
Notes: The first third delivers herbal aromas complemented by warm notes of cedar wood and cream. Moving into the second third, citrus and fresh spice take over, dominated by savory notes of roasted nuts. Approaching the finale, the cigar harmonizes hints of fresh spice with flavors of walnuts and cedar wood. This is an expertly crafted cigar.
CASA 1910
LA CORONELA
Size: Majestuosos (5 ½ x 58)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Brazilian
Filler: Dominican, Mexican
Strength: Full
Notes: La Coronela honors Amelia Robles, who disguised herself as a man to fight for her country in the Mexican Revolution. This makes for a wonderful backstory and cigar inspo. The notes of toasted cedar, baking spice and black pepper are nuanced throughout the smoking session. The toasty and vegetal finish is uniquely satisfying. Perfect from cold draw to final draw.
FERIO TEGO
TIMELESS PRESTIGE
Size: Short Perfecto (5 x 32/50/36)
Wrapper: Honduran
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium-Full
Notes: This expertly crafted double-tapered perfecto is a visual stunner for figurado appreciators. The ample smoke output features an abundance of nutty scents. The cigar starts with some tastes of brown sugar and vanilla bean that are offset by black coffee and raisin flavors on the finish. The draw and burn are first-rate.
ILLUSIONE
SINGULARÉ ORIGEN
Size: Churchill (6 ¾ x 48)
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo Cafe Rosado
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium-Full
Notes: The Origen Robusto starts with a bready note, improving with almond, black tea, and wood, before a cinnamon finish. The wrapper gives off cashew and cedar aromas, while the foot is earthy and the profile transitions to a bolder mix of charred wood, black pepper, and strong coffee.
ARTISTA
MIDNIGHT
Size: Robusto (5 x 54)
Wrapper: Dark Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan, USA
Strength: Full
Notes: Rolled in the Dominican Republic by some of the world's most experienced hands, the Artista Midnight blend brings you an ample amount of strong and savory flavors– earth, almond, chocolate, and citrus. A clean box press ties it all together for a satisfying smoke from this heralded cigar brand.
AGANORSA LEAF
ANIVERSARIO MADURO
Size: Robusto (5 x 54)
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium-Full
Notes: This Aganorsa cigar has a rich and full-bodied profile. There are evident tastes of deep cocoa, earth, and spice. The Aniversario Maduro's robust character offers distinct scents of leather throughout the cigar session. The draw is superb.
LA AURORA
120 ANNIVERSARY LE
Size: Lancero (6 x 40)
Wrapper: Dominican
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Strength: Medium-Full
Notes: Being in business for 120 years, any business, is no small feat. Manuel Inoa, master blender for La Aurora, honors the brand’s history in fine fashion with this limited-edition lancero. This refined cigar is wrapped in cedar wood causing an evident aromatic foundation. Tastes are elegantly nuanced with black licorice, vanilla, espresso and a touch of zesty cinnamon.
MY FATHER
NO. 4
Size: Lancero (7 x 38)
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium-Full
Notes: This gorgeous lancero is one of many standout cigars from the Garcia family and offers a classic My Father flavor profile. You’ll experience evident tasting notes of rich earth, coffee, black pepper and allspice.
EL SEPTIMO
CULINARY ART COLL. JAPAN NIGORI
Size: Corona Gorda (6 x 46)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Ecuadorian Habano 2000
Filler: Brazilian, Dominican, Ecuadorian, Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium
Notes: Nigori sake is the inspiration for this creamy and elegant cigar. The creamy tastes of fruit custard and vanilla are standout flavors in the Nigori. The smoke output is abundant and offers sweet scents of fruit and ginger.
JM TOBACCO
ESPAÑOLA YEAR OF THE DRAGON
Size: Toro (6 x 52)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Corojo Habano
Binder: Mexican San Andres Maduro
Filler: Dominican Republic Olor Seco and Ligero
Strength: Medium-Full
Notes: Espanola commemorates the Year of the Dragon in stellar fashion. This is a creamy cigar with an inviting sweet molasses taste throughout. The draw is excellent, and the smoker will experience evident tastes of cashew and cocoa. The abundance of aromatic smoke output adds more relaxation to the smoking session.
DUNBARTON TOBACCO & TRUST
SOBREMESA BRÛLÉE
Size: Toro (6 x 52)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
Binder: Mexican San Andres Negro
Filler: Nicaraguan
Strength: Light-Medium
Notes: This Sobremesa is another fine blend by the prolific Steve Saka. It hits that sweet spot if you’re looking for a late morning java pick-me-up. The cigar is creamy, smooth and features an effortless draw. There are wonderful tastes featuring crip pears, light cream, berries and butterscotch.
WARPED CIGARS
LA ISLA DEL COCODRILO
Size: Corona Gorda (5 ½ x 46)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Brazilian, Ecuadorian
Filler: Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium-Full
Notes: This cigar’s inspiration originates from the island of Cuba, known as the “Island of Crocodile.” It’s a rustic and complex cigar with tastes and scents of molasses, apple cider and cedar. It’s expertly crafted, feels strong in the hand, and the ash is formidable.
PLASENCIA
ALMA FUERTE COLORADO CLARO EDUARDO I
Size: Toro (6 ¼ x 54)
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium-Full
Notes: This handsome cigar has become a go-to for Plasencia brand fans over the past couple of years. It’s delicious, smoky, earthy and has a touch of honey sweetness that puts it over the top. The ample smoke output is aromatic with an almond scent. The draw and burn are stellar.
ARTESANO DEL TOBACCO
EL PULPO
Size: Boxed Pressed Torpedo (5¾ x 58)
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium-Full
Notes: This Artesano offering has been highly lauded over the past year or so, and the El Pulpo deservedly makes this year’s top list. The El Pulpo (“the octopus” in Spanish) has a smooth draw, appears strong and refined in the hand and offers an abundance of flavors. Roasted chestnuts, coffee black and savory apple cinnamon are all there for the taking
ALADINO (JRE TOBACCO CO.)
FUMA NOCHE SUPER TORO
Size: Super Toro (6 ¼ x 54)
Wrapper: Undisclosed
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Honduran
Strength: Full
Notes: Fuma Noche is Spanish for “night smoke.” The cigar is handsome and features an enticing oily feel in the hand. The tastes are rustic, earthy and flavorful. The draw is ideal. There’s no shortage of scents and tastes including barbecue smokiness, dark coffee and hints of spicy anise–quite a nuanced blend.
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Our selection process is as refined as the cigars themselves. Here’s how we do it:
Comprehensive Evaluation: We consider cigars released throughout the year, judging them on construction, flavor complexity, balance, and overall smoking experience.
Blind Tasting: To eliminate bias, we remove the original bands and replace them with numbered labels, ensuring our panel evaluates solely on the quality of the cigar.
Expert Panel: A dedicated team of seasoned cigar experts smokes and scores each entry through multiple rounds of rigorous blind testing.
The Final Showdown: The top-scoring cigars are pitted against one another in head-to-head rounds to determine their place in the final ranking.
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The Top 25 Cigars of 2024 represent the pinnacle of craftsmanship, offering unmatched quality, flavor profiles, and unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned aficionado or a curious newcomer, this year’s list guarantees something exceptional for every palate.
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For over a decade, Cigar & Spirits Magazine has been a trusted authority in the world of luxury cigars and premium spirits. Our rankings are informed by decades of expertise and a deep passion for the craft. This year’s top selections are no exception—they exemplify the best the industry has to offer.