The 10 Best Cuban Cigars
Renowned worldwide, Cuban cigars are known for their unique tobacco blends, powerful and complex flavors, and entirely handcrafted production. The birthplace of premium cigar making, Cuba has rich, fertile soil that is ideal for growing top-quality tobacco plants. The country is also home to a unique ancestral craftsmanship that contributes to the reputation of these exceptional cigars. Discover our selection of the 10 best Cuban cigars to smoke at least once in your lifetime!
1. The Montecristo N°4
If the Montecristo N°4 is still the best-selling Havana cigar in the world today, it is for good reason. With meticulous craftsmanship and a tobacco blend sourced from the finest plantations in the Vuelta Abajo, this Petit Corona benefits from perfect construction and a rich, well-balanced aromatic profile. It reveals earthy, herbal, and spicy notes, along with hints of roasted coffee, cocoa, and vanilla.
2. Romeo y Julieta Churchill
Launched under the name Julieta No.2, the Churchill was later renamed in honor of the former British Prime Minister, for whom it was a favorite cigar. The most famous vitola in the Romeo y Julieta range, it only began to be widely marketed from 1947 onward. This robust and complex cigar offers medium strength and a subtle aromatic profile. From the first puff, it delivers a richly woody smoke that evolves into earthy and spicy aromas.
3. The Partagas Série D N°4
Handmade in the oldest still-active Cuban factory, the Partagas Série D N°4 is one of the most famous cigars in the world. It was also named “4th best cigar of the year 2021” by Cigar Aficionado magazine. With a perfectly even Colorado wrapper and a beautifully finished triple cap, this Robusto catches the eye at first glance. Powerful and generous, it reveals aromas of damp earth and spices, along with notes of licorice, caramel, and toasted nuts.
4. The Cohiba Lanceros
Originally reserved for diplomatic gifts from the Cuban government, the Cohiba Lanceros was not marketed on a large scale until 1982. Made at the famous El Laguito factory in Havana, it measures 192 mm in length and 15 mm in diameter. This long, slender cigar offers a smoking time of between 90 minutes and 2 hours. From the first light, it delivers honeyed, vegetal aromas that gradually give way to notes of leather and black pepper.
5. The Upmann Magnum 50
The most prestigious vitola in the Upmann cigar brand, the Upmann Magnum 50 is a Grand Robusto produced exclusively from the best tobacco leaves in the Vuelta Abajo. Entirely handmade, this powerful cigar offers notes of red fruit and spice, as well as nuances of wood, vanilla, and chocolate.
6. The Partagas 8-9-8
The second Partagas cigar in our ranking, the Partagas 8-9-8 helped establish the reputation of the Lonsdale vitola. Chosen as the “best Cuban cigar of 2014” by the magazine L’Amateur de cigare, this habano takes its name from its presentation style. It is in fact sold exclusively in boxes of 25 cigars, each featuring 3 rows of 8, 9 and 8 cigars. Wrapped in a rich, silky Colorado Maduro wrapper, this dynamic cigar delivers a rich and powerful aromatic profile. From the first third, notes of humus and spices emerge, subtly evolving into notes of roasted coffee and toasted cocoa.
7. Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de San Juan
Le Hoyo de San Juan is entirely hand-rolled and made from tobaccos grown exclusively in San Juan y Martínez. It measures 150 mm in length with a diameter of 21 mm. Wrapped in a thick, imposing wrapper that is not unlike the Epicure No. 2 vitola, this generous cigar offers medium to full strength and an aromatic profile that is both subtle and complex. From the first puffs, it releases intoxicating woody aromas that blend with notes of gingerbread and toasted hazelnuts. The finish, more pronounced, offers a creamy taste and richly spiced flavors.
8. Ramon Allones Specially Selected
The Ramon Allones Specially Selected is a superbly constructed cigar dressed in a smooth, silky classic Maduro wrapper. Both powerful and complex, this habano stands out for its remarkable consistency throughout the smoke. From the first wisps, it releases an intoxicating smoke with great aromatic richness. Predominantly woody, this Robusto also offers notes of coffee, toasted almonds, pepper and cocoa.
9. Romeo y Julieta Cedros De Luxe LCDH
the Romeo Y Julieta Cedros de Luxe LCDH is a cigar measuring 141 mm in length with a 50 ring gauge. It thus features the brand’s unique size format from San Cristóbal. Produced from the finest tobaccos in the Vuelta Abajo region, this Gordito is marked by woody and earthy flavors that emerge from the very first puffs. It also reveals notes of fruit, cedar, and bitter cocoa. With only a few hundred units sold each year, this is a rare vitola that appeals to both Habanos enthusiasts and collectors.
10. The Cohiba Robusto Reserva Cosecha 2014
The Cohiba Robusto Reserva Cosecha 2014 is a prestigious cigar produced in a limited edition. Unveiled at the Festival Del Habano 2018, only 5,000 boxes of 20 cigars each were made. The exceptional quality of this Robusto is the result of a particularly refined aging process. Carefully selected from the finest tobacco plants in the Vuelta Abajo region, each leaf used in its production was aged for more than 3 years. This is a medium to full-bodied cigar that delivers spicy aromas dominated by notes of roasted coffee and bitter cocoa.