Nine Highly-Rated Cigars To Smoke Right Now

The word “classic” was frequently used in the Classic status on our 100-point scale. They top this list along with five more of the best-performing cigars in the issue. Many of these selections are familiar staples (including a former Cigar of the Year) while others are newer to the market. Either way, you should certainly seek out these smokes on your next visit to your local cigar shop.
Every cigar rated by Cigar Aficionado is smoked blind by our of editors. The tasting coordinator removes the cigars’ identifying bands and replaces them with plain white, numbered labels before ing them out to the tasters. The tasting has no idea what they are smoking and cigars are scored objectively without biases such as price, country of origin and manufacturer.
Padrón Serie 1926 No. 48 Maduro (96 points, $22.90)
One of the most critically See full tasting note.
Alec Bradley Prensado Torpedo (95 points, $14.15)
Since 2010, the box-pressed Prensado line has consistently earned high ratings (the Churchill was named See full tasting note.
La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor Duque (95 points, $8.90)
It’s exceedingly rare for a cigar to score so high and retail for so little, but this cigar did just that. It’s made in Nicaragua by My Father Cigars for See full tasting note.
Oliva Serie V Melanio Figurado (95 points, $18)
A former Cigar of the Year still has it where it counts. Made with an Ecuador Sumatra wrapper, this double-tapered Nicaraguan from Oliva was the See full tasting note.
Cohiba Pirámides Extra (94 points, £97.50)
This is one of the most expensive regular-production See full tasting note.
Long Live the Queen Ace of Hearts (94 points, $18)
Clad in a See full tasting note.
Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 (93 points, £29.10)
Considered one of Havana’s quintessential Cubans, the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 is a must-smoke robusto prized for both its sophistication and nuance. It offers a pleasant nut-and-honey sweetness that gracefully plays off a spicy note of ground nutmeg before the toasty finish. If you come across a cabinet in your travels, buy it. See full tasting note.
Montecristo Petit No. 2 (93 points, £29.20)
When you want a See full tasting note.
My Father No. 5 (93 points, $12.90)
See full tasting note.