We admit our title might sound flashy when we say “best handmade cigars in the world” or “of all time for luxury lovers.” We have to apologize for the semi-clickbait title. Also, there will always be an element of “handmade” when cigars are rolled. We had to grab your attention.
Today, we’ll look at ten of the most luxurious cigars and offer tasting notes, sizes, and the like. So, relax and plan your next happy habano smoking experience.
Our Selection Criteria and Methods
Now, let’s examine how we picked these cigars and why we ranked them this way. First off, we set some rules. We didn’t want to list cigars you can’t find or that cost an arm and a leg. That wouldn’t help you, and it would make us look pretty snobby. So, there are no crazy rare unicorns here.
Also, we cannot afford to buy and test them all (it would have been lovely!). But we can rely on industry experts’ opinions because they have smoked them. And we have access to the internet and mad research skills to separate the trash from the most luxurious offerings.
We only pick ones that you can easily find in major stores. Limited-edition cigars are okay if they’re over ten years old. We didn’t have a fixed budget — luxury doesn’t have a price tag. Sure, we’ve included a few cigars that cost around $100, but reserve those for special events.
1. Davidoff Winston Churchill — The Traveller
In 2019, Davidoff introduced “The Traveller,” a cigar celebrating Winston Churchill’s adventurous spirit. The blend has tobaccos from the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Nicaragua. These tobaccos give it flavors that are spicy, earthy, and creamy. It also has a hint of salted caramel. The cigar is housed in a functional travel humidor with a Boveda pack.
The Davidoff Winston Churchill brand was inspired by Winston Churchill, who loved cigars. “The Traveller” is a special edition with a Dominican wrapper and Mexican binder. It also has Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers. The packaging, reflecting Churchill’s travels, showcases London, Washington, and Marrakesh icons.
The cigar starts strong with pepper and nicotine, followed by oak, wood, and occasional metallic notes. The aroma is complex and hearty. In the second third, the flavor profile varies, with cocoa hints and some throat irritation. The final third balances strength and flavor with wood, char, and cocoa. Retrohales intensify, and the cigar finishes nicely.
“The Traveller” is a bold, complex cigar with variations in strength and flavor. Smoke slowly to mitigate harshness. Smoke slowly to mitigate harshness. Keep in mind that everyone’s experience with this cigar may be different. The cigar does have nicotine, but it’s not too strong. The brand’s accessories include luxury humidors, an ashtray, a cutter, and a travel case. It retails for around $30 per cigar.
2. Arturo Fuente — Opus X
The Arturo Fuente Opus X is available at prestigious cigar stores. It boasts a Rosado wrapper from Chateau de la Fuente. Highly regarded for its blend of Fuente tobaccos, it combines smooth and bold flavors with a lingering fullness. Carlos Fuente Jr.’s determination to grow quality Dominican wrappers defied conventional wisdom.
Opus X has an uncommon complexity, considerable power, and a unique, luxurious taste. Despite its mystique, Opus X remains reasonably priced. It was once a rare find due to overwhelming demand. Initially, it was only sold in the Eastern United States. The cigar’s name, Opus X, was inspired by the word “opus” and the letter X, chosen for its perfect definition and catchy sound.
The intricate Opus X band holds deep meaning for Fuente. Its name was legally contested but upheld in court. Opus X cigars are aged in closed cabinets for at least a year, preserving their unique flavors. The Chateau de la Fuente tobacco is exclusive to Fuente’s brands. Carlos Fuente destroys Opus X bands to stop counterfeiters after smoking each cigar.
- Priced around $79 per cigar.
3. JC Newman — The American
The JC Newman American cigar is special because it’s made entirely in America. It has a wrapper from Florida and a binder from Connecticut. The fillers come from Connecticut and Pennsylvania. The cigar is well-constructed, with a consistent dark cinnamon wrapper and rich fudge, star anise, and molasses aromas.
When you smoke, the flavors change. At first, it tastes like cedar and dark chocolate. Then, it becomes bergamot and leather. Finally, you taste leathery and earthy notes. The American cigar offers a relatively smooth burn and pairs well with various American beverages like root beer or bourbon. It’s a cigar worth trying for its quality and cultural significance, as it’s the first 100% American-made cigar.
The prices are fair, ranging from $16 for the Robusto to $19.50 for the Churchill. These cigars offer a special, luxurious experience and showcase American craftsmanship. It’s a must-try for cigar enthusiasts and a great choice for special occasions. The American cigar is a symbol of excellence in American cigar culture. Some may prefer cigars like JC Newman’s Brick House Double Connecticut.
- Official website: https://www.jcnewman.com/the-american-cigar/
4. Villiger — La Libertad
The La Libertad cigar has a long history. It comes from a brand that is 134 years old. Recently, it got a new blend. This cigar has a surprising taste because it is wrapped in a fragrant leaf from Nicaragua. It is filled with high-quality tobacco from Nicaragua and a Dominican Republic binder. The cigar has a nice roughness to it. It is like savoring a charred edge on a filet mignon; La Libertad delivers a unique experience. It has a textured finish with hints of dark chocolate and cedar, setting it apart from its previous version. Quite a welcome change.
When you light the cigar, you will taste a strong flavor with hints of dark chocolate, coffee, spices, and caramel. These flavors come together to please cigar lovers. So, it’s not just a cigar. It’s a tasteful journey through a rich history and a new blend with the promise of a memorable smoking experience.
As for the specifics, the La Libertad comes in a:
- Robust Robusto size, measuring 127.00 mm in length and 20.60 mm in diameter
- A smoking time of about 45 minutes. It ranks at a strength level of 4 out of 5.
- The cigar is made with Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos, which gives it a complex flavor.
- Official website: https://www.villigercigars.com/en/product/big-cigars/la-libertad/
Although not the priciest cigar on our list, it delivers an affordable lavish experience.
5. Nub — Sumatra
The Nub Sumatra cigar is a visually appealing blend with a coppery wrapper and consistent construction. When pinched, it boasts a firm spring, but this doesn’t hinder the draw. The pre-lighting experience reveals notes of milk chocolate, spéculoos, and brioche. All in all, a delightful start.
The first third is spicy with hints of hazelnut, leather, and nutmeg, offering a well-balanced experience. Transitioning into the second third, expect walnut, cedar, and hay tastes. The final third brings rich notes of molasses, honey, and leather, providing a sweet and savory combination.
Throughout the smoking experience, it exhibits a strong ash backbone and a (mostly) even burn. It offers a cool smoke and a mild draw resistance. The smoking time averages around 70 minutes.
Pairing this cigar is versatile. It will complement various beverages like whiskies, rums, and stouts. An Armagnac or American rye Bourbon are also excellent choices. Non-alcoholic options include espresso or café au lait.
This cigar’s value for money is notable, making it an appealing option for casual gatherings and solo enjoyment with a hint of luxury. The Nub Sumatra is a standout choice within the Nub range, even for those not typically fans of the brand. You should try it because it has a variety of flavors and is complex. It is well-priced, and you can often find it at discounts online.
Characteristics:
- Wrapper Color: Cinnamon Copper
- Consistent Construction
- Firmly Packed
- Aromas: Coffee, Labdanum, Tonka Bean
- Around $8 per cigar
6. Plasencia — Year of the Tiger
Plasencia celebrated the Chinese Year of the Tiger by releasing a unique cigar in 2022. They chose a 6 1/4 x 54 Nicaraguan puro made with aged tobacco. The design features red and gold colors, symbolizing good fortune and wealth in Chinese culture. They also packaged eight in a box because eight is considered a lucky number in Chinese culture. I’m including this offering because I adore tigers for their grace, power, and charisma.
The Plasencia Year of the Tiger offers a rich and complex taste profile. The flavor begins with cedar, earthiness, and coffee. Then it changes to nuttiness, cedar, and spicy pepper. The final third brings strength and a blend of earthy and nutty flavors with a unique herbal twist.
The Year of the Tiger is strong, but not too strong. It affects smokers differently depending on their nicotine tolerance.
This $40 cigar is a great luxury choice. It has excellent flavor but some construction issues. The design and packaging are well-executed. My only gripe is the tiny font on the footband. This cigar will likely evolve, especially in strength mellowing.
- Official Website: https://www.plasenciacigars.com/plasencia-year-of-the-tiger/
7. Rocky Patel — Second Edition
Rocky Patel’s A.L.R. Second Edition Toro is a cigar that grabs attention for its two-year aging process, contributing to its limited and rare status. It’s a unique blend within the A.L.R. series with a San Andres Mexican wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and filler. The cigar starts with various flavors like cocoa, cedar, earth, tobacco, and fruit hints. Yet, it becomes imbalanced later on. The cedar and earth notes start dominating and throw off the harmony of flavors. The construction is still good but needs frequent touch-ups to stay straight when burning. On the bright side, the draw of the A.L.R. Second Edition Toro is excellent, providing just the right amount of resistance.
The cigar’s strength and body starts in the upper range of mild to medium and gradually evolve into a solid medium body. But, the strength levels off midway, giving the body the edge throughout the experience.
Priced just below $15, the A.L.R. Second Edition Toro is a cigar worth trying before committing to a sale. Rocky Patel’s cigars have Mexican wrappers. They may not catch your attention but they have a unique aging process and delicious flavors. It’s a great choice for experienced cigar enthusiasts who want something different.
- Official website: https://www.rockypatel.com/cigar/alr-second-edition/
8. Romeo y Julieta — Añejados
Habanos S.A.’s Añejados project, aimed at the U.S., aged Romeo y Julieta cigars for 5-8 years in cedar boxes. They offer a smooth and mellow flavor with complexities. It’s worth a try despite the price ($33 per cigar). Habanos S.A. ages its cigars, like Montecristo Churchills and Romeo y Julieta Pirámides, in their boxes. The process retains the original flavors but adds smoothness and cedar notes.
You might overlook its age in the first part of the Romeo y Julieta Añejados Pirámides cigar, as it has a bit of pepper. But it gradually gets smoother, revealing creaminess with cedar undertones. It maintains an even burn line, unusual for Cuban cigars. The second part becomes somewhat dry and earthy, but the cigar returns to enjoyable notes. In the final part, the cigar gains more body with pepper, peanut, wood, and earthy notes. The refined robustness adds a pleasant ending.
If you enjoy Romeo y Julieta, this cigar is a pleasant choice. You can age it yourself. The new vitola offers an exciting twist. But you might opt for the more affordable Romeo y Julieta Belicosos.
9. Montecristo — Linéa 1935
The Montecristo Línea 1935 boasts a café latte wrapper, surprising for a full-bodied cigar. Its construction shows slight imperfections. The aroma presents cocoa, cardamom, and vanilla notes, defying the expected full-bodied flavor.
Before you light it, you’ll notice that it draws easily. Expect notes of cedar, grapefruit zest, and copper flavors. The first third offers subtle flavors of bay leaf, cocoa nibs, and a touch of eucalyptus. It is more medium-bodied than you’d expect.
The second third introduces citrus and smoked beech notes, offering a balanced profile. The final third shifts to black pepper and Lapsang Souchong tea-like flavors. The omit burn is solid, with a strong ash backbone and a cool, consistent burn.
Pairings with this cigar are best kept minimal, because the delicate character can as easily be overshadowed. The ideal cigar for quiet moments. The Montecristo Línea 1935 offers a different smoking experience than regular full-bodied cigars. Although not groundbreaking, it offers an enjoyable journey. With occasional sales, prices range around $25 per cigar or $500 per box.
Take a moment alone to enjoy this cigar. It will inspire moments of deep thought. So, if you’re seeking a full-bodied cigar, this might not fit the bill. It does offer a dependable, enjoyable smoke.
Official website: https://www.habanos.com/en/news/montecristo-linea-1935-en/
10. Davidoff — Yamasa
Imagine a challenging swampland in the Dominican Republic, the Yamasa area. It’s where the Davidoff Yamasá cigar gets its name. A place once deemed inhospitable became a thriving tobacco field — all thanks to Master Blender Henke Kelner and his team of experts.
The cigar’s appearance is nearly flawless. With a Yamasa wrapper, it’s what you’d expect from a luxury brand like Davidoff — tight seams and a beautiful oily shine. When you hold it, you can feel its quality. No soft spots, and it looks bigger than its 6 x 52 size.
The first puffs bring a burst of black pepper after lighting, followed by wood, leather, and cocoa notes. A rich, medium to full-bodied experience takes hold.
Sweet cream, wood, espresso, and earth mingle harmoniously in the second part, with black pepper shining on the retro-hale.
In the end, the different flavors come together to make a complex taste. This was a long-lasting smoke with a delightful sweet tobacco scent. The burn was impeccable and held a long, firm ash throughout.
Davidoff Yamasá shows 20 years of hard work. They’ve turned soil and growing conditions into a flavorful masterpiece. Ready to experience this spicy-sweet palate sensation with a kick? It goes well with an aged single malt whisky, creating a celebrated blend of earthy and spicy flavors. At around $25 per pyramid Figurado cigar, it isn’t too expensive but also not cheap enough to light up more than once throughout the day.
Official website: https://us.davidoffgeneva.com/davidoff-yamasa
Conclusion
Our journey through the world of premium cigars for luxury lovers has brought us exceptional options. We understand the appeal of ranking the “10 Best Handmade Cigars.” Our guide covers quality, craftsmanship, and unique flavors.
We’ve listed different brands, flavors, and experiences. Ultimately, the perfect cigar is the one you like best. Luxury doesn’t have a definition. It is about the unique moments and the memories you create with each puff of smoke. Each cigar has its own story, waiting to become a part of yours. Whether celebrating or unwinding, these cigars offer a world of flavors, inviting you to savor the art of smoking.
Prices and availability may change, so it’s best to check with stores for the latest. When buying luxury cigars online, do your research to find coupon codes or discounts to save money. Another option is to join a premium cigar club and use the cigar of the month club benefit. Or, subscribe to your favorite brand’s newsletter, where they may offer other product discounts to new subscribers.
Enjoy your journey through the world of premium cigars and the experiences they bring. Happy Exploring and Happy Smoking!
