Best Cigars in the World: Trends and Qualities of the Best Cigars

Best Cigars in the World: Trends and Qualities of the Best Cigars

Are you a cigar enthusiast who is always on the hunt for the best cigars?

Searching for new cigars is an adventure. Sharing tips with fellow cigar lovers, exploring the unique stories behind each cigar, and tasting new flavors and aromas with each draw makes the search a thrilling experience.

There's a problem, though. The cigar world is massive.

No matter how skillful a hunter is, there's only so much ground one person can cover. But, as you gain experience, finding what you are searching for becomes easier. That's because you learn where to look and what to look for.

The first draw on a fantastic new cigar can transport you to a world of luxury and indulgence. Plus, who doesn't love the bragging rights of discovering a great smoke to share with your friends?

So, how can cigar lovers learn to identify the best cigars to try? Is there a way to tap into a wealth of industry knowledge to give you an advantage during your next hunt?

Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 Cigars of the Year

Since 2004, Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 Cigars of the Year has guided cigar lovers worldwide, highlighting the finest cigars based on their quality, flavor, and construction.

You might be curious about what it takes to make this prestigious list. And what qualities do the best cigars have in common?

We looked at the past 19 years of Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 Cigars to answer this question. This article will delve into the trends and patterns we are discovering, providing valuable insight into the qualities that define the best cigars.

Whether you are a cigar shop searching for the best cigars, or an individual looking for new cigars to fill your humidor, our analysis will help you identify the essential qualities to look for according to some of the finest palates in the industry.

At the end, we'll reveal the only cigar to ever make the top 25 list in 5 different years! It could be the best cigar that the cigar world has ever seen.

Plus, when Cigar Aficionado releases its new top 25 list every year, we'll update our data and analysis to keep track of emerging trends.

Note: Throughout this article, you'll find links to many of the products mentioned, where you can buy them directly on our website. If we are out of stock, there will be a spot on the page where you can enter your email address to be notified as soon as we are in stock. This article is not endorsed by Cigar Aficionado. 

Identifying the Qualities of the Best Cigars

When it comes to cigar ratings, Cigar Aficionado is one of the most trusted sources.

Probably, the most trusted source. And there's a good reason.

Cigar Aficionado Magazine was first launched in 1992 and is highly regarded among the upper echelons of the cigar world. One of the traits we find most valuable is the publication's objectivity when it comes to reviewing cigars.

Before launching the magazine, its creator Marvin R. Shanken, surveyed over 1,300 frequent cigar smokers to learn about them. For more than 30 years since that launch, Cigar Aficionado has been reviewing cigars.

Cigar Aficionado's reviews are done by having a panel of cigar tasters smoke cigars without the band. That way, they don't know what they are smoking. The magazine's reviews are based on the opinions of groups of cigar experts, not just a single writer.

Plus, they listen to the reader.

Currently, there are over 21,000 cigar reviews available on their website.

Cigar Aficionado's Process For Selecting the Top 25 Best Cigars

Multiple Cigars Without Bands

Each year, Cigar Aficionado looks back at the highest-rated cigars that they review during the year. Then, they perform a new tasting to identify the top 25 cigars from that year.

According to Cigar Aficionado, here's how it works.

First, Cigar Aficionado creates a list of the best cigars from the year. Then, they put together a panel of cigar experts, including editors and cigar smokers.

They purchase all the top-rated cigars from the year and remove the bands so the panel does not know what they are smoking.

The highest-rated cigars are smoked against each other throughout multiple rounds.

Finally, the panel rates the cigars until they are left with the top 25 cigars of the year.

Cigar Aficionado doesn't say exactly how many people are on the panel. But, it is believed to be a large group of cigar experts.

What qualities make a cigar stand out?

To learn more about what it takes to be one of the best cigars, we are looking at all of the characteristics that Cigar Aficionado includes in their reviews.

For each cigar on the annual best cigars list, they consistently include the following characteristics:

  • Name
  • Rating
  • Price
  • Made by
  • Factory location
  • Length
  • Ring gauge
  • Filler
  • Binder
  • Wrapper
  • Strength

So, we begin by looking at each category to see what the common characteristics are among the best of the best cigars that make it to the top 25 list.

How Cigar Makers Select Components of Cigars

It's important to remember that when crafting a cigar, the producers choose the various components with a purpose.

The combination of different fillers, binders, and wrappers complement one another. The selections, and how a cigar maker pairs them are like how a gourmet chef pairs a fine bottle of wine with a delicious meal.

The best choices for the components of a cigar depend on the situation and how the selections complement one another.

However, understanding the trends of the best cigars over time will provide insight into what you might want to look for when searching for new cigars to try.

Uncovering Trends in Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 Cigar Rankings Over 19 Years

Cigar Aficionado's annual top 25 cigar lists provide a wealth of data that can reveal trends among the best cigars in the world.

By summarizing 19 years' worth of rankings, we can understand the characteristics that distinguish top-performing cigars.

Which qualities can you look for to enhance your smoking experience?

Let's dive into the data and identify the characteristics of the best cigars, from their wrapper and binder origins to their strength, length, and more!

Cigar Components

Image by Jeff Harris via https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/10-things-every-cigar-smoker-should-know-19531

Questions We Answer

Here's some of the questions we answer in this article. Click the link to jump to that section.

Best Cigar Filler Origin

The filler tobacco is the heart of the cigar, delivering most of the flavor and strength. The quality of the filler tobacco has a significant impact on the overall smoking experience.

Generally, higher-quality tobacco produces a tastier flavor and aroma.

The quality and flavors of the tobacco from different countries vary dramatically—soil and climate influence how a tobacco plant develops. Cigar makers will often blend different tobaccos from various regions to add unique complexity to the smoke.

Best Cigar Filler Origin Graph 2004-2022

To make the above graph easier to read, we removed blends that are present in only 1 cigar in the top 25 over the past 19 years.

In this section, we'll look closer at the cigar filler origins that have appeared most frequently in Cigar Aficionado's top 25 rankings over the past 19 years.

Most Popular Cigar Filler

Nicaragua's tropical climate and rich soil make the country an ideal spot for growing tobacco. So, it's not surprising that some of the best cigar fillers are grown in Nicaragua.

  • 210 of the 475 best cigars over the last 19 years are made with Nicaraguan filler
  • An additional 86 of the 475 cigars have fillers that blend Nicaraguan tobacco with tobacco from other countries

Nicaraguan filler is a popular choice for cigar makers thanks to its complexity and depth. Several tobacco plants grown in Nicaragua offer different flavors and strength profiles, allowing cigar makers to balance each cigar's overall flavor and aroma.

The three most popular tobacco plants from Nicaragua used in fillers are:

  • Criollo
  • Corojo
  • Habano

Criollo is a mild and sweet tobacco, while Corojo is more robust and spicy. Habano has a range of flavor profiles, making it highly versatile.

Most Nicaraguan cigar fillers blend several types of tobacco grown in this tropical climate. Combining the various kinds of plants allows for one-of-a-kind taste profiles.

Fillers from the Dominican Republic are also a popular choice in some of the best cigars.

  • 80 of the 475 best cigars from the past 19 years are made entirely with filler from the Dominican Republic.
  • Another 62 cigars used fillers that blend Dominican tobacco with tobacco from other countries.

Cigar filler from the Dominican Republic offers smooth but complex flavors. Similar to Nicaraguan filler, Dominican fillers usually blend several types of tobacco grown in the country's fertile soil.

The most common types of tobacco used in Dominican cigar fillers are Piloto Cubano, Olor Dominicano, and Criollo.

Piloto Cubano is a rich and flavorful tobacco, Olor Dominicano is a milder tobacco that adds a touch of sweetness, and Criollo is more versatile and used to balance out a blend.

Countries known for growing a variety of tobacco are a popular choice for cigar fillers, as they allow cigar makers to blend a variety of plants to achieve the desired taste, aroma, and strength.

Top Rated Cigars with Nicaraguan Filler

Top Rated Cigars with Dominican Republic Filler

Top Rated Cigars with Nicaraguan and Dom. Rep. Filler Blends

Best Cigar Binder Origin

The binder is another critical component of a cigar. It's the backbone of the cigar's construction.

The binder's primary function is to hold the filler tobacco in place, allowing for a consistent draw and burn. Without a quality binder, a cigar may burn unevenly or become difficult to smoke.

The binder is often known as the capote.

The name, the Spanish word for "cape," comes from how the binder drapes over the cigar filler. Longer leaves from the bottom to the middle part of the tobacco plant make for the best binders.

A well-made binder not only ensures the structural integrity of the cigar but can also add complexity and flavor to the smoking experience.

Best Cigar Binder Origin Graph 2004-2022

In this section, we'll look closer at the cigar binder origins that have appeared most frequently in Cigar Aficionado's top 25 rankings over the past 19 years.

Most Popular Cigar Binders

In first place, we have the dominant presence of the Nicaraguan binder.

  • Nicaraguan binders show up in 216 of the 475 best cigars.
  • Plus, another 7 appearances in binders that blend leaves from different regions.

So, what makes Nicaraguan binders so special?

The combination of the binder, with the filler creates the bunch. This is where the cigar gets its flavor from.

The binder has a significant impact on cigar strength.

Nicaragua has a long history of cultivating tobacco. Over the years, Nicaragua has developed processes to grow tobacco leaves that make the best cigar binders.

A binder has to provide the right amount of elasticity to hold the filler while allowing airflow for the best draw.

Nicaraguan binders are known for their strength and complexity, which adds depth to the flavor profile of a cigar. Binders from Nicaragua range from sweet and creamy to spicy and peppery, depending on the growing region.

Nicaraguan binders balance strength and flavor, which makes them extremely popular in medium to full-bodied cigars.

The second most popular binders are from the Dominican Republic.

Dominican cigar binders show up in 100 of the 475 top slots over the last 19 years.

The Monte by Montecristo Jocopo No. 2 offers a binder that blends both tobacco from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.

Top Rated Cigars with Nicaraguan Binders

Top Rated Cigars with Dominican Republic Binders

  • Fuente Fuente OpusX Double Robusto - Rating: 97
  • Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Eye of the Shark - Rating: 97

Top Rated Cigars with Nicaraguan Wrappers

Top Rated Cigars with Ecuadorian Wrappers

Best Cigar Wrapper Origin

Of all the factors that contribute to the flavor and aroma of a cigar, few are as influential as the wrapper leaf. The wrapper not only provides the aesthetic appeal of a cigar, but also has a significant impact on the burn characteristics.

Best Cigar Wrapper Origin Graph 2004-2022

In this section, we'll analyze the wrappers of Cigar Aficionado's top 25 cigars over the past 19 years, revealing which countries have produced the most highly acclaimed wrappers worldwide.

Most Popular Cigar Wrappers

Making first place by a small margin, we have Nicaragua with 128 cigars with a Nicaraguan-grown wrapper in the top 25.

Nicaragua has become known for its rich and red volcanic soil that closely resembles the soil of Cuba's Vuelta Abajo. Couple the soil with the perfect warm and humid climate, and you get the optimal tobacco growing conditions.

José "Pepin" Garcia, the renowned CEO of My Father Cigars, is quoted as saying, "The tobacco that's being grown in Nicaragua is very close to that of Cuba."

Most tobacco in Nicaragua is grown in the country's Estelí, Jalapa, and Condega regions.

Jalapa wrappers tend to be smooth and mild with a subtle sweetness, while Estelí wrappers are full-bodied and often have spicy or peppery notes. The dark and fertile soil of Estelí produces a spicy leaf with a slight reddish tinge that even resembles the rare rosado tobacco in Cuba.

On the other hand, Condega wrappers fall someplace in between, with a medium-bodied profile and a balance of sweetness and spice.

Overall, Nicaragua has undoubtedly made a name for itself in the world of cigars, with its unique soil and diverse regions producing various wrapper flavors and profiles. So it's no surprise that Nicaraguan cigars have dominated the top 25 rankings over the past 19 years.

However, as the graph shows, Ecuadorian wrappers have also been gaining popularity and recognition in recent years. 

Top Rated Cigars with Nicaraguan Wrappers

Top Rated Cigars with Ecuadorian Wrappers

Best Cigar Factory Location

The location where a cigar is made can significantly impact the quality and flavor of the cigar.

Different regions have unique climate conditions that can affect the flavor and aroma of the tobacco even after harvesting. The production methods used by different factories can also result in variations in quality.

Best Cigar Factory Locations Graph 2004-2022

In this section, we'll take a closer look at the most common factory locations that have appeared most frequently in Cigar Aficionado's top 25 rankings over the past 19 years.

Most Popular Cigar Factory Locations

With Nicaraguan and Dominican tobacco making so many appearances in the best fillers, binders, and wrappers, it's no surprise that the most popular factory locations for the best cigars are in Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.

  • 181 of the 475 best cigars from the last 19 years are made in Nicaragua.
  • 138 of the 475 best cigars from the last 19 years are made in the Dominican Republic.
  • 70 of the 475 best cigars from the last 19 years are made in Cuba.

Cuban cigars are referred to as " puros" with all of the cigar's components, including filler, binder, and wrapper, being produced in the country.

The Cuban Trade Embargo limits the import and export of Cuban tobacco, which is why all cigars that have Cuban components are entirely sourced and produced in Cuba.

Also worth mentioning, cigars made at factories in Honduras claim 66 of the 475 best cigar spots since 2004.

Top Rated Cigars Made in Nicaragua

Top Rated Cigars Made in Dominican Republic

Top Rated Cigars Made in Cuba

  • H. Upmann No. 2 - Rating: 98
  • Cohiba Behike BHK 52 - Rating: 97
  • Ramon Allones Specially Selected - Rating: 96

Top Rated Cigars Made in Honduras

Best Cigar Strength

The strength of a cigar refers to the overall intensity and flavor profile of the smoke. The strength of a cigar is rated on a scale ranging from mild to full-bodied.

When selecting a cigar, it is important to consider strength. A mild cigar may be more suitable for beginners or those who prefer a smoother smoke. On the other hand, a full-bodied cigar might be better for an experienced smoker who enjoys a more robust, complex flavor profile.

Every cigar connoisseur has their preference, and with a little experimentation, you can discover the level of strength that best suits your palate.

The strength of a cigar is determined by the type of tobacco used in the filler, the fermentation process, and the blending techniques used by the master blender.

Certain regions and types of tobacco produce stronger or milder flavors. For example, if ligero leaves are used, they are the most potent and yield a stronger body. These leaves tend to be the darkest and thickest as they receive the most exposure to the sun.

Best Cigar Strength Graph 2004-2022

In this section, we'll take a closer look at the strength profiles of the Cigar Aficionado's top 25 rankings over the past 19 years.

Most Popular Cigar Strength

Medium-full-bodied cigars offer a balance of flavor and strength, making them a popular choice among cigar enthusiasts. With a medium-full strength cigar, you can enjoy a robust flavor profile, without overpowering strength.

225 of the 475 best cigars over the past 19 years have medium-full-bodied strength profiles.

Cigars with rich flavors that don't overwhelm the pallet make medium-full strength cigars a fantastic choice for beginners just learning how to smoke a cigar properly.

Medium-full-strength cigars also pair nicely with a variety of beverages, including whiskey, coffee and beer, which is another reason for their popularity.

Medium strength cigars are the second most popular in the category, with this flavor profile present in 128 of the 475 best cigars since 2004.

Top Rated Medium-Full Strength Cigars

Top Rated Medium Strength Cigars

Top Rated Full Strength Cigars

Best Cigar Length

The length of a cigar can affect the smoking experience by altering the draw, smoking duration, and flavor.

A longer cigar will burn longer than a short cigar, provided they are the same ring gauge. So let's say you have two cigars of the same length but different ring gauges. Since the ring gauge is the diameter of a cigar, a larger ring gauge will hold more tobacco in two cigars of the same length. In this scenario, the larger ring gauge will burn longer.

Longer cigars produce a cooler smoke in the beginning simply because it takes longer for the smoke to reach your mouth. With a shorter cigar, you'll immediately find higher intensity and heat. You'll want to take your time with a shorter cigar as the hotter temperature may cause the tobacco to become bitter or harsh if not smoked carefully.

Choosing the right cigar length often comes down to personal preference, the occasion, and how much time you have to enjoy your smoke.

The length of a cigar can also affect its overall strength and complexity. Different regions and blends may be better suited to longer or shorter cigars.

Best Cigar Length Graph 2004-2022

To make the above chart easier to read, we filtered out cigar lengths that appeared less than 10 times over the last 19 years in the top 25 cigars.

In this section, we'll take a closer look at the length of the best cigars in Cigar Aficionado's top 25 rankings over the past 19 years.

Most Popular Cigar Length

There are 35 different variations of cigar length in the top 475 best cigars since 2004.

The most popular is 6" cigars, present in 73 of the 475 cigars, with 5" cigars in second place, present in 58 cigars.

However, when you add in all the slight variations in size, 344 of the 475 slots are claimed by cigars between 5" and 6 7/8". In other words, over 70% of Cigars Aficionado's top 25 are greater than 5" but less than 7".

Top Rated 6" Cigars

Top Rated 5" Cigars

Best Cigar Ring Gauge

The ring gauge refers to the cigar's diameter, with a larger ring gauge indicating a thicker cigar. The ring gauge influences the draw, burn rate, and flavor.

Larger ring gauge allow for a looser draw, and more smoke to be produced with each puff. Thinner cigars tend to have a tighter draw and produce less smoke.

The ring gauge has an intriguing effect on the ratio between the wrapper leaf, filler tobacco, and binder in a cigar. As you may recall from earlier in this article, the wrapper leaf significantly influences the cigar's flavor. A thinner cigar has less filler tobacco, allowing the wrapper leaf's flavor to stand out more. In contrast, a thicker cigar has more filler tobacco, which can mask the wrapper's flavor.

Best Cigar Ring Gauge Graph 2004-2022

In this section, we'll take a closer look at the thickness of the best cigars in Cigar Aficionado's top 25 rankings over the past 19 years.

Most Popular Cigar Ring Gauge

Keeping with the trend we saw for cigar length, a moderate ring gauge is a top choice for cigar lovers.

132 of the 475 spots for Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 Cigars of the Year are claimed by cigars with a ring gauge of 52.

99 of the 475 spots are claimed by cigars with a ring gauge of 50, and another 86 spots by cigars with a ring gauge of 54.

The medium-thickness cigar offers an excellent balance between flavor and draw. Thinner cigars can sometimes provide more robust flavors. However, they do not draw as nicely. Thicker cigars are easier to draw the smoke through but tend to have less wholesome flavor.

Cigars in the range of 50-54 gauge are versatile, and can be paired nicely with a meal or beverage. The best cigar gauge is a matter of preference, but medium gauge cigars have much to offer, making them a fantastic choice.

Top Rated 52 Ring Gauge Cigars

Top Rated 50 Ring Gauge Cigars

Top Rated 54 Ring Gauge Cigars

Best Cigar Producers

So, what cigar producer makes the best cigars?

How many times have you had this debate with another cigar lover?

It's time to take a data-driven approach to finding that answer. Let's face it, we all have different palates. The best cigar producer isn't necessarily the same for everyone, so it's really a matter of preference. Here's what a group of industry experts think.

Top Producers of the Best Cigars Graph 2004-2022

To make the above chart easier to read, we removed producers that showed up at least ten times since the list began being published.

In this section, we'll take a closer look at the manufacturers of the best cigars in Cigar Aficionado's top 25 rankings over the past 19 years.

Most Popular Cigar Producers

Habanos S.A, a Cuban producer is responsible for 62 of the 475 top cigars over the past 19 years. Habanos is the state-owned company that is responsible for the production and manufacturing of cigars in Cuba. It makes sense that they are one of the top cigar producers.

The second most popular cigar producer amongst the best cigars over the last 19 years is Tabacalera A. Fuente Y Cia in the Dominican Republic. This is one of the most famous cigar factories in the world, run today by Carlos Fuente Jr., grandson of Arturo Fuente. Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia has produced 43 of the best cigars since 2004.

And, in third place for the producer of the most cigars on Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 Cigars of the year from 2004-2022 is My Father Cigars. My Father Cigars didn't open in Nicaragua until 2008, yet it still managed to be the third most popular cigar producer, claiming 34 of the total 475 best cigar rankings since 2004.

If we drill down on Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 Cigars from 2008 through 2022, My Father Cigars overtakes Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia for the #2 most popular producer.

Top Producers of the Best Cigars Graph 2008-2022

Top Rated Cigars by Habanos S.A.

  • H. Upmann No. 2 - 2022 Rating: 98
  • Ramon Allones Specialty Selected - 2015 Rating: 96
  • Montecristo No. 2 - 2013 Rating: 96

Top Rated Cigars by Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia

Top Rated Cigars by My Father Cigars

Now that we looked at the past 19 years, we want to take some time to look at the more recent years to learn about any emerging trends among the best cigars, according to some of the most expert cigar smokers in the world.

Trends in the Best Cigar Filler Since 2018

In the past five years, Nicaraguan fillers have pulled even further ahead as the most frequently appearing filler origin amongst the best cigars.

Best Cigar Filler Origin Graph 2018-2022

Since 2018, cigars with Nicaraguan filler have claimed 72 of the top 125 spots on Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 Cigars of the year.

Even more interesting, Cuba (16 appearances) has overtaken the Dominican Republic (12 appearances) as the second most popular filler in the best cigars.

Trends in the Best Cigar Wrappers Since 2013

Since 2013, cigars with Ecuadorian wrappers have appeared in 79 of the 250 top cigar rankings, surpassing Nicaraguan wrappers in 69 of the top spots.

Best Cigar Wrapper Origin Graph 2013-2022

Ecuadorian wrappers offer a new and exciting option for cigar enthusiasts to explore.

Ecuadorian tobacco is grown in the shade from constant cloud cover, producing a thinner, silkier, and more delicate tobacco leaf ideal for cigar wrappers. The growing conditions in volcanic soil add a lovely richness to the smoke.

Trends in the Best Cigar Factory Locations

From 2004 through 2016, the Dominican Republic held the crown, with 107 of the top 350 spots going to cigars made in the Dominican Republic.

Best Cigar Factory Locations Graph 2004-2016

Cigars made in Honduran factories held the third spot just above Cuba during this time, with Honduran-made cigars claiming 51 of the top 350 cigar spots.

However, since 2017, Nicaraguan and Cuban-made cigars have become more prominent on Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 Cigars of the year list.

Best Cigar Factory Location Graph 2017-2022

Nicaraguan-made cigars have been on quite the run during the past six years, claiming over half the spots on the annual top 25 lists.

Average Annual Rating of Cigars on Top 25 List

When we looked at the average rating during each year from 2004 through 2022, there are a few things that interest us. On average, the ratings for cigars over the past five years have been higher.

Best Cigar Average Rating Graph 2004-2022

Before 2015, there was only one year when the average rating for the top 25 cigars was higher than 93.

From 2015 through 2022, the average rating for the 25 cigars on Cigar Aficionado's list is 93 or higher in seven of the eight years.

Are cigars getting better? Or are the people reviewing the cigars getting a bit friendlier?

It makes sense that with time, tobacco growers and cigar makers perfect their craft and make better cigars. But it's hard to answer this question for sure.

Another interesting note, the highest average rating for the cigars on Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 Cigars of the Year came in 2020. Did the fact that we were all stuck at home and maybe feeling a little down make Cigar Aficionado's experts a bit more generous in their ratings? Maybe they have a bit more time to truly appreciate the finer things in life? A slower-paced life can sometimes be a good thing.

Prices for the Best Cigars on Cigar Aficionado's Top 25

When Cigar Aficionado reviews the best cigars, they remove the bands. The tasters do not know what type of cigar they are smoking. Or how much it costs when they are smoking and reviewing the cigars. We decided to dig into the pricing of the top cigars over the past 19 years.

Since Cuban cigars are not sold in the United States, Cigar Aficionado provides the pricing in British Pounds. To make sure we are comparing cigar prices using the same currency, we converted the Cuban cigar prices from pounds to U.S. Dollars using the conversion rates on 12/31 of each year.

Here's what we find.

Highest Priced Cigars

By far, the most expensive cigar to ever appear on Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 Cigars is the Cohiba 55 Aniversario Edición Limitada 2021. A Cuban cigar made by Habanos S.A. to celebrate Cohiba's 55th anniversary was released in 2022 with a price tag of about $420.

Cigar Aficionado ranked this cigar at #17 in 2022, noting that "this turned out to be the tastiest Cohiba we smoked all year. The cigar scored well and would have appeared higher on the list had it not been for its restrictive price and limited availability."

The next most expensive cigar on the list is the Partagas Serie D No. 4 Reserva, ranking at #5 in 2005 with a rating of 92. In 2005, the price tag of this Cuban was about $93.

The Cuban cigars on Cigar Aficionado's annual top 25 list tend to be the most expensive cigars. Fourteen of the most expensive 15 cigars are Cuban.

Lowest Priced Cigars

You might be surprised how many very affordable cigars have shown up in the top 25 over the past 19 years.

When Cigar Aficionado first started ranking the top 25 cigars of the year, there were plenty of cigars on the list priced at around $3 or $4.

Cigars like the Oliva Serie G Cameroon Robusto, the #11 overall pick in 2006, at just $3.15. Or, the Gispert Maduro Robusto, the #22 pick in 2005 at just $3.

Thanks to inflation, you won't find any cigars with price tags that low in recent years. However, you can find many of the best cigars for under $10.

Since 2018, there have been over 50 cigars with price tags of about $10 or less. Here are some of the highest-rated cigars that have the lowest prices:

When we look at all of the cigars on the Top 25 list from 2018 through 2022, it seems like cigars made in Nicaragua are a fantastic choice if you are searching for the best cigars at more affordable prices.

Best Cigar Factory Locations Under $10 Graph 2017-2022

There are 51 cigars priced at about $10 or less since 2018:

  • 33 of the best cigars under $10 come from Nicaragua
  • 9 of the best cigars under $10 come from the Dominican Republic
  • 7 of the best cigars under $10 come from Honduras

Average Price of the Best Cigars

Next, let's look at the average price of the best cigars over time.

From 2004 to 2021, the average price of a cigar on Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 was in a range between about $11-$17. However, in 2022, the average price of a cigar in the top 25 jumped to over $32.

Average Price of the Best Cigars Graph 2004-2022

The first thing we noticed is that the Cohiba 55 Aniversario Edición Limitada 2021 from 2022's list is priced at about $420, skewing the results a bit. Besides this one pricey cigar, the next most expensive cigar had a price tag of about $93.

To understand the pricing over time better, we decided to remove this outlier from the data. We filtered the results to exclude any cigars with prices over $100, removing just the one cigar, the Cohiba 55 Aniversario.

Average Price of the Best Cigars Under 100 Dollars Graph 2004-2022

Looking at the new results, we see that the average price from 2004 all the way through 2022 is between about $11 and $17.

So, you don't have to break the bank to smoke a fantastic cigar. From our review of the Top 25 Cigars from the last 19 years, it seems like for under $20, cigar lovers have a lot of great options for the best cigars to try.

While there are tons of choices that are moderately priced, it does look like the prices of the best cigars are trending upward with time.

2014 is the first year we see the average price of the best cigars jump over $15. Now, for three of the last five years, the average price of cigars on Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 has been over $15.

Prices are rising a bit. But that makes sense because $1 in 2004 bought you more than $1 in 2022.

How Does the Cost of Cigars Compare to Inflation Over Time?

You might be asking yourself, what about inflation? Inflation is the perfect explanation for why we see the average price of the best cigars trending higher since 2004.

That got us curious. Does the cost of cigars keep up with inflation? Or, have cigars become more or less expensive when compared to other consumer goods?

Average Price of the Best Cigars Vs. Inflation Graph 2004-2022

Using the consumer price index, we adjusted the prices for all of the cigars on the Annual Top 25 best cigars lists from Cigar Aficionado to 2022 levels. What we find is surprising!

Although we saw the actual prices of the best cigars rising since 2004, the cost of the best cigars relative to inflation has actually been decreasing.

For example, the average cost of a cigar on Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 Cigars of 2004 was $12.28. When we adjust 2004 dollars for inflation, the $12.28 is actually worth about $18.88 in 2022.

The blue line in the image above shows the average inflation-adjusted price from each year, and the red line shows the actual prices of the cigars at the time they made the list. If the price of the best cigars was keeping up with inflation, the average price of cigars in recent years would be at least as high as the inflation adjusted average price of cigars in early years.

When we compare the average price of the best cigars in recent years to the inflation adjusted price in earlier years, we see recent prices are lower now.

For example, 2022 the average price of the best cigars is $16.22, in 2021 it was $17.24. However, in 2004 we see $18.88, in 2005 $21.36. Perhaps that's due to the surge in popularity of cigars from countries like Nicaragua and Honduras that offer more price competition.

Either way, it seems like now is the perfect time to try the best cigars in the world, according to Cigar Aficionado.

Let's keep that between us, though, so that the best cigars remain a great value!

Cigars Appearing Multiple Times in the Top 25

John Wooden, a 10-time NCAA championship basketball coach, said, "Winning takes talent, to repeat takes character."

To make the coveted list of the top 25 cigars each year, a cigar, of course, has to be a superior quality smoke. But to show up in the top 25 for multiple years puts you amongst the best cigars in the world.

When we dig into Cigar Aficionado's data from the last 19 years, we see 29 cigars appearing across multiple years:

  • 25 cigars appear 2x in the Annual Top 25 Best Cigars
  • 3 cigars appear 3x in the Annual Top 25 Best Cigars
  • 1 cigar appears 5x in the Annual Top 25 Best Cigars

Cigars Appearing 2 Times in Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 Cigars

With less than 30 total cigars appearing more than one time during the past 19 years, these cigars are sure to be a treat:

Cigars Appearing 3 Times in Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 Cigars

We have three cigars showing up three times on the annual top 25 list:

  • Romeo Y Julieta Short Churchill - Appears 2006, 2008 & 2017
  • Montecristo No. 2 - Appears 2004, 2007, & 2013
  • H. Upmann No. 2 - Appears 2010, 2011 & 2022

Romeo Y Julieta Short Churchill

Made by Habanos S.A. In Cuba, the Romeo Y Julieta Short Churchill has shown up three times in Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 Cigars of the Year. A medium strength, all Cuban puro with dimensions of 4 7/8" by 50 ring gauge.

The Romeo Y Julieta Short Churchill ranked #4 in 2006 with a rating of 92, #6 in 2008 with a rating of 94, and #19 in 2017 with a rating of 92.

Cigar Aficionado describes the Romeo Y Julieta Short Churchill as a "...complex composition of ripe apple, red wine, and sweet toffee, all tied together by a rich, toasty undertone."

Montecristo No. 2

Also making three appearances in the annual top 25 best cigars list is the Montecristo No. 2., a Cuban cigar made by Habanos S.A.

The Montecristo No. 2 claimed the spot as the best cigar of the year in 2013, after first showing up in 2004 as the #8 cigar of the year and again in 2007 at #3.

This medium-full strength cigar, measuring 6 1/8" by 52 ring gauge, is also one you will want to add to your list during your next trip to Cuba.

Cigar Aficionado's experts say the Montecristo No. 2 gets better with time. The 2013 review notes, "rich but not overwhelming flavors of leather, such sweet spices as cinnamon and nutmeg and the cigar's trademark tangy wood note."

H. Upmann No. 2

And the third cigar to three-peat on Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 Cigars of the year is the H. Upmann No. 2. Another superb cigar from Habanos S.A. in Cuba.

2022's cigar of the year, the H. Upmann No. 2, is a medium-strength cigar with 6 1/8" by 52 ring gauge dimensions.

The H. Upmann No. 2 first appeared on Cigar Aficionado's annual rankings in 2010 as the #9 cigar during the year and again in 2011 as the #21 cigar of the year.

According to Cigar Aficionado, this Cuban gem will not disappoint. The 2022 Top Cigars of the Year review describes the H. Upmann No. 2 as a "fully engaging experience with a room-filling aroma and mouth-filling texture that allows one to luxuriate in its layers of nutmeg, cinnamon, and salted peanut flavor..."

What is the Best Cigar in the World?

Finally, it's time to reveal the only cigar to make Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 Cigars of the Year list five times!

You guessed it, another Cuban cigar made by Habanos S.A. This time, it's the Bolivar Belicoso Fino. A full-strength cigar with dimensions of 5 1/2" by 52 ring gauge is a consistent favorite among those lucky enough to smoke one.

  • Ranked #22 in 2008 with a rating of 92
  • Ranked #16 in 2012 with a rating of 93
  • Ranked #9 in 2015 with a rating of 94
  • Ranked #4 in 2017 with a rating of 94
  • Ranked #11 in 2020 with a rating of 95

Cigar Aficionado calls the Bolivar Belicoso Fino, Cuba's "quintessential full-bodied figurado." The most recent review describes the smoke as "more sophisticated, with a foundation built upon a base of earth, cocoa, and coffee bean that supports notes of red pepper and leather."

Despite the staying power, Bolivar Belicoso Fino has yet to be crowned best cigar of the year by Cigar Aficionado. So, it's hard to say it's the best cigar in the world.

However, according to Cigar Aficionado's rankings, this puro has been improving with time. We may see this Cuban favorite claim the crown in the coming years.

And regardless of whether the Bolivar Belicoso Fino is the best cigar, it's definitely among the best. So if given the opportunity, take the time to enjoy this one-of-a-kind smoking experience.

Takeaways and Tips for Finding the Best Cigars in 2023

After reviewing the most common characteristics of the best cigars since 2004, and gaining a better understanding of recent trends amongst the top-rated cigars, here are a few key takeaways to help you choose the next gem for your humidor.

  • Cigars from Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua continue to be the best
  • Nicaraguan cigars are gaining in popularity and are also very affordable
  • Ecuadorian cigar wrappers have been the most common wrapper in the best cigars since 2013
  • Cigar experts prefer cigars around 5-6" in length, with a ring gauge of around 50-54
  • High-priced cigars might not always be worth the money
  • Plenty of options exist for fantastic cigars under $20 and even under $10
  • If you want great affordable cigars, consider cigars from Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic and Honduras
  • According to the average ratings of the Top 25 Cigars, the overall quality of the best cigars is improving with time
  • Cigars are a fantastic value in 2022 and cheap compared to the best cigars in 2004 when you account for inflation
  • If you have the chance to go to Cuba or have a friend that can bring you back a treat, take the opportunity to enjoy a cigar (or a few)

Now, it's time to enjoy the magnificent experience of trying as many of the best cigars as you can. And, along your journey, you might even stumble upon a few new finds of your own now that you have a better idea of what to look for when searching for the best cigars!

Be sure to check back each year to learn the latest trends in Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 Cigars of the Year!

Footnotes

- This article is not endorsed by Cigar Aficionado

- If any cigar characteristics were missing from Cigar Aficionado's review, the missing data was filled in with information from other industry sources. For example, cigar strength was omitted for a handful of the cigars listed in Cigar Aficionado's top 25 cigars.

- Any slight variations in how Cigar Aficionado listed the cigar characteristics over time were normalized to allow a comprehensive data review. For example, Cigar filler origin from the Dominican Republic was sometimes listed as "Dom. Rep" while written out as "Dominican Republic" other times. Data has been updated for consistency throughout.

- To adjust the price of Cuban cigars, we took the currency conversion rate from British Pounds to USD on December 31 each year. [(Price in Pounds) * (British Pounds to US Dollars Conversion Rate) = Original Price in USD]

- To calculate the inflation-adjusted price of cigars, we took the annual CPI (Consumer Price Index) for each year on an annualized basis.