Top 20 Cigars of the Year: A Comprehensive List Of Award-Winning Cigars (2004-2023)

The Top 20 Cigars of the Year Over Time

Hello, cigar enthusiasts. Cigar Aficionado magazine was started in 1992 and has grown to an estimated monthly readership of 1 million, with a YouTube channel boasting 117,000 subscribers.

2004, the magazine started its yearly ‘Top 25 Cigars’ list. Although many other such lists exist, the one created by Cigar Aficionado is considered the industry standard and is most often referenced.

Here is a list of the top cigars for the past 20 years, from 2004 until 2023. A pattern has emerged, and I’ll tell you what that is at the end of the video.

2004: Padrón Serie 1926 40th Anniversary

The first Cigar of the Year was awarded to the Padrón Serie 1926 40th Anniversary. This Nicaraguan cigar offers a complex blend of flavors. It is known for its balance and aroma, with strong notes of chocolate, espresso, and leather and a sweeter edge than other cigars in the series. It received a respectable 93 points.

• Rich chocolate

• Dark espresso

• Aged leather

• Sweet undertones

2005: Fuente Fuente OpusX Double Corona

In 2005, the Fuente Fuente OpusX Double Corona was voted the best cigar and received 95 points. This Dominican cigar is celebrated for its full-bodied flavors, including leather and earth, complemented by an essential sweetness typical of strong cigars. Its finish is rich and satisfying, making it a favorite among aficionados.

• Deep leather

• Earthy notes

• Subtle sweetness

• Rich finish

2006: Bolivar Royal Corona

The Bolivar Royal Corona is a Cuban classic, offering a robust and full-flavored smoking experience. It is characterized by its earthy core, with nuances of nuts and coffee beans, providing a well-rounded and traditional taste profile. In 2006, Cigar Aficionado rated it 94 points.

• Earthy core

• Nutty nuances

• Coffee beans

• Traditional profile

2007: Padrón Serie 1926 No. 9

In 2007, the Padrón Serie 1926 No. 9 repeated its success three years earlier, this time with the Number 9, a Nicaraguan cigar that stands out for its extra aging, which results in a slightly thicker wrapper and more strength. It is considered sweeter than its counterparts, with a rich and exclusive flavor profile, and received an astounding 97 points.

• Aged richness

• Sweet profile

• Thick wrapper

• Strong blend

2008: Casa Magna Colorado Robusto

2008 saw the rise of a Nicaraguan puro, the Casa Magna Colorado Robusto, known for its exceptional balance of flavor and aroma. It delivered a medium to full-bodied smoke with a smooth and complex character and stood proud with 93 points and a first-place rating.

• Balanced flavors

• Smooth aroma

• Medium to full-bodied

• Complex character

2009: Padrón Family Reserve No. 45 Maduro

2009 saw the third time the Padrón Family took the top spot with their Reserve No. 45 Maduro. This Nicaraguan cigar is a full-strength masterpiece radiating with notes of chocolate, espresso, and leather. The Padrón Family Reserve No. 45 Maduro is a testament to perfection and a must-have for serious cigar enthusiasts, receiving 95 points.

• Full-strength profile

• Rich chocolate

• Dark espresso

• Aged leather

2010: Cohiba Behike BHK 52

The 2010 top spot was the Cohiba Behike BHK 52, a highly sought-after Cuban cigar for its exclusivity and rich flavor. It features a blend of the finest tobaccos, offering a luxurious smoking experience with a complex array of flavors, and for this, it received a very nice 97 points.

• Exclusive blend

• Rich flavors

• Finest tobaccos

• Luxurious experience

2011: Alec Bradley Prensado Churchill

In 2011, Alec Bradley’s Prensado Churchill was awarded the top spot. Hailing from Honduras, this cigar is renowned for its bold and sweet initial flavors that transition into a bold and spicy profile. It is a well-crafted cigar that provides a memorable smoking experience and is rewarded with a 96 score.

• Bold initial flavors

• Sweetness

• Spicy profile

• Memorable experience

2012: My Father Flor de Las Antillas Toro

2012 saw the top spot go to one of my favorite cigar makers, My Father Cigars. The Flor de Las Antillas Toro is a Nicaraguan cigar praised for its creamy nougat, white pepper, coffee, and cedar notes. It is a medium-full-strength cigar that envelops the taste buds with its rich flavors, receiving a rating of 96 points.

• Creamy nougat

• White pepper

• Coffee notes

• Cedar aroma

2013: Montecristo No. 2

The Montecristo No. 2 is a Cuban cigar known for its stately appearance and substantial flavor profile. It took top honors in 2013. This cigar is less common than other Cuban cigars but offers a solid core of earthy flavors, nuts, and coffee beans. It also received 96 points.

• Earthy core

• Nutty flavors

• Coffee beans

• Stately appearance

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