The final day of the Top 25 extravaganza is upon us! We’ve smoked our way through hundreds of cigars to get to this point and by the end of the day, we’ll crown a new Cigar of the Year!

It has been a fantastic year for premium cigars, and we’ve had no shortage of top-notch smokes to choose from. We want to congratulate all the companies that made our list and a special recognition to the teams of artisans that have a hand in the production of these amazing blends.

We hope you enjoy our list and smoke your way through it. We’ll be on our social media channels after 4 PM to break down the top 5 and celebrate the #1 cigar of 2024.

1.) Joya de Nicaragua Cinco de Cinco

Manufacturer: Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexico; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Toro; Physical size: 6 x 52
MSRP: $20.00
Rating: 93

Cinco de Cinco translates to Five of Five in English. It is not only a reference to the company’s 55th anniversary but also to the cigar’s quality, which the company says is a “five out of five.” We couldn’t agree more. The blend masterfully manages to be a flavorful San Andrés maduro with the nuanced profile of a much lighter cigar. There aren’t many cigars in the market that execute this balance so flawlessly. In the complexity department, the Cinco de Cinco scores off the charts, going through multiple transitions throughout the smoke.

The cigar is a part of the company’s Obras Maestras series along with the Número Uno, Cuatro Cinco, Cinco Decadas, and now Cinco de Cinco, which shipped to retailers at the end of 2023. We sat down with Juan Martinez, executive director of Joya de Nicaragua, as the Cinco de Cinco was hitting stores and he described the blending process for this cigar, which involved taking inspiration from the thousands of visitors to the factory who blended their own cigars. So if you’ve visited Joya de Nicaragua in the last decade and blended your own cigar, you somehow had a hand in this product. As Martinez says, “This cigar was made with the people, by the people and for the people.”

In spite of your involvement in this blend, we are compelled to congratulate the team at Joya de Nicaragua. They are a company with an incredible history, led by courageous and intelligent people, making world-class cigars day in and day out. 

Congratulations on being Cigar Snob Magazine’s Cigar of the Year for 2024!

Cigar Snob Podcast: One on One with Joya de Nicaragua’s Juan Martinez

2.) Fonseca by My Father Edition MX

Manufacturer: My Father Cigars in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexico; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Robusto; Physical size: 5 x 50
MSRP: $11.00
Rating: 93

My Father Cigars finalized the acquisition of the Fonseca brand in December of 2019 and by September of 2020, the revamped Fonseca was hitting stores and being tasted by our panel. It was an instant hit, scoring 93 points and coming in as the No. 2 cigar of 2020. In March of 2024, My Father released the Fonseca Edition MX sporting an ultra flavorful Mexican San Andrés wrapper and again, hit it out of the park similarly climbing up to the No. 2 position in its first year. While price does not factor into our Top 25 rankings, it is worth noting that the Fonseca Edition MX is the only cigar in the top 10 that is under $12.

My Father Fonseca Edition MX Review – Cigar Snob Podcast E161

3.) Padron 1964 Anniversary Series

Manufacturer: Tabacos Cubanica in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Torpedo; Physical size: 6 x 52
MSRP: $19.95
Rating: 93

The Padrón 1964 Anniversary Maduro, one of the more decorated premium cigars in the industry, makes its fourth appearance on our year-end list. We crowned this blend Cigar of the Year for 2019, in the 5 ½ X 50 Exclusivo format. The cigar celebrates the year that the late José Orlando Padrón founded Padrón Cigars in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood and is a model of consistency and excellence in cigar making. The line is available in  natural or maduro and features a whopping 16 sizes but this year, it was the maduro torpedo that grabbed the No. 3 position with 93 points.

In April of 2024, the passing of Rudy Padrón prompted us to publish a story from 2011 about the Padrón family to our website. Read that story here.

4.) El Titan de Bronze Redemption

Manufacturer: El Titan De Bronze Cigar Factory in Miami
Wrapper: Ecuador; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Corona Extra; Physical size: 5 5/8 x 46
MSRP: $15.99
Rating: 93

The tiny, family-run cigar factory in Little Havana, known for its classic, Cuban-style cigars, partnered with General Cigar to distribute the El Titan de Bronze Redemption. Longtime fans of the factory may remember the older versions of the Redemption. The maduro appeared in this publication’s ratings section in the November 2010 issue with 91 points. This iteration is a completely different blend and in our opinion, a superior one. The cigar is available in three sizes – robusto, toro, and our favorite, a 5 ⅝ x 46 corona. It features an Ecuador habano wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and fillers and delivers a creamy and flavorful medium strength profile.

5.) Aganorsa Leaf Arsenio

Manufacturer: Aganorsa Leaf Factory in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Corona; Physical size: 6 x 44
MSRP: $14.99
Rating: 93

We had our first look at the Aganorsa Leaf Arsenio just before the 2024 PCA trade show. It was the first batch of the blend and it certainly impressed our panel – it scored 91 points in the Jul/Aug 2024 issue. While that score qualified it as a candidate for this list, the samples we re-tasted at the end of the year significantly outperformed those early smokes. The brand is named after the late Arsenio Ramos, who was Aganorsa’s head of manufacturing until his passing in 2018. The Aganorsa Leaf Arsenio is the company’s rendition of his favorite blend using all Nicaraguan tobaccos grown on Aganorsa’s farms.

Get to know the history of Aganorsa and the man who made it all happen. 

6.) Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro

Manufacturer: TABOLISA 1 Factory in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexico; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Torpedo; Physical size: 6 ½  x 52
MSRP: $17.80 
Rating: 93

The Oliva Serie V Melanio is the only brand that has won Cigar of the Year in both wrapper variations. The original Melanio, wrapped in an Ecuadorian Sumatra, took home the No. 1 spot in 2012. But it is the Melanio Maduro, which won it all in 2021 in this exact shape, that caught our panel’s attention again in 2024.

7.) AJ Fernandez Dias de Gloria Brazil

Manufacturer: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Brazil; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Toro; Physical size: 6 ½ x 54
MSRP: $15.00
Rating: 93

This soft-pressed toro is one of five AJ Fernandez-made blends to make this year’s Top 25 list, highlighting AJ’s continued dominance. The Brazil-wrapped extension to the Dias de Gloria showcases the factory’s trademark flawless construction, with a depth of flavor, strength, and complexity that secured it the No. 7 position.

8.) Sobremesa Brulee

Manufacturer: Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador; Binder: Mexico; Filler: Nicaragua & USA
Vitola: Elegantes en Cedro; Physical size: 7 x 50
MSRP: $15.95
Rating: 92

Since its 2015 founding by Steve Saka, Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust has placed seven cigars on our Top 25, with six in the Top 10 and Sin Compromiso winning Cigar of the Year in 2018 with 94 points. While those were all maduros, the Sobremesa Brulee proves Saka’s mastery extends to shade wrappers as well.

9.) Fuente Fuente OpusX

Manufacturer: Tabacalera A. Fuente in the Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Dominican Republic; Binder: Dominican Republic; Filler: Dominican Republic
Vitola: Double Corona; Physical size: 7 5/8 x 49
MSRP: $40.41
Rating: 92

For over 25 years, the Fuente Fuente Opus X has set the standard for luxury in premium cigars. While the brand now includes extensions like Angel’s Share, Forbidden X, 20th Anniversary, and Oro Oscuro, it was the original Opus X in classic double corona that scored 93 points in our July/August issue, earning this spot.

10.) Rocky Patel Gold Label

Manufacturer: Tabacalera Villa Cuba (TAVICUSA) in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador; Binder: Mexico; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Robusto; Physical size: 5 ½ x 50
MSRP: $12.00
Rating: 92

For this 2024 release, Rocky Patel revisited the double binder technique employed in the DBS, this time combining Connecticut Shade and Connecticut Broadleaf tobaccos. The double-binder method adds complexity to the blend while aiding in combustion and demonstrates an evolution from Rocky Patel and TAVICUSA, his Nicaraguan factory.

11.) Foundation Cigars Aksum Claro

Manufacturer: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador; Binder: USA; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Corona Gorda; Physical size: 5 ½ x 48
MSRP: $14.50
Rating: 92

Foundation’s founder Nick Melillo’s fascination with history and tobacco come together in the Aksum brand. Named for the ancient Ethiopian kingdom that once controlled vital trade routes between Africa and Asia, this release is another example of Foundation’s ability to create blends that tell a story while delighting smoker’s palates. 

12.) Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua

Manufacturer: San Lotano Factory in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Churchill; Physical size: 7 x 52
MSRP: $20.45
Rating: 92

The Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua is another AJ Fernandez-made cigar that often punches above its weight. This is the second time that this blend makes our list, as in 2021 the torpedo reached the No. 3 spot with a score of 94. This blend manages to be ultra-flavorful and powerful while at the same time elegant and nuanced.

13.) Espinosa Knuckle Sandwich Habano

Manufacturer: San Lotano Factory in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Corona Gorda R; Physical size: 5 5/8 x 46
MSRP: $12.30
Rating: 92

The collaboration between Guy Fieri and Erik Espinosa continues to impress our panel. The habano-wrapped Knuckle Sandwich, which scored 92 points in our May/June 2024 issue, matched that score in year-end tastings – showcasing the consistency and quality of manufacturing partner AJ Fernandez.

14.) Illusione Epernay 10^th Anniversary D’Aosta

Manufacturer: Raices Cubanas Factory in Honduras
Wrapper: Nicaragua; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua
Vitola: Toro; Physical size: 6 x 50
MSRP: $13.00
Rating: 92

In a market pushing towards stronger blends, the Illusione Epernay stands apart with its nuanced flavors, rich aromas, but minimal strength. Brand owner Dion Giolito developed it to pair with Champagne – hence the name Epernay, a town in France’s Champagne region. The vitola references Valle d’Aosta in Italy, where Giolito has family.

15.) Plasencia Cosecha 151

Manufacturer: Plasencia Cigars Nicaragua
Wrapper: Honduras; Binder: Honduras; Filler: Honduras
Vitola: La Musica; Physical size: 5 x 50
MSRP: $13.50
Rating: 92

The Plasencia Cosecha 151 stands as the only Honduran puro on our list – fitting for a family renowned for their tobacco growing expertise. The Cosecha (Spanish for ‘harvest’) brand showcases the Plasencia’s agricultural mastery, with the number 151 representing the specific harvest from which this blend’s tobacco was sourced.

16.) Artesano del Tobacco El Pulpo

Manufacturer: San Lotano Factory in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexico; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Belicoso Grande; Physical size: 5 ¾ x 58
MSRP: $17.00
Rating: 92

A back to back appearance on our year-end list for El Pulpo. Last year, the 6 x 56 toro grande came in at No. 5 with a 93 rating. This year, it’s the 5 ¾ x 58 belicoso grande that caught our attention with a score of 92. The cigar is blended and manufactured by AJ Fernandez at his San Lotano Factory in Ocotal, Nicaragua.

17.) E.P. Carrillo Encore

Manufacturer: Casa Carrillo in Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Nicaragua; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Celestial; Physical size: 6 ⅛ x 50
MSRP: $13.50
Rating: 92

Ernesto Perez-Carrillo’s Encore Celestial scored 92 points in our Mar/Apr 2024 issue and matched that score exactly in year-end tastings – a remarkable show of consistency. This impeccably pressed blend, released in 2018 as a follow-up to the successful La Historia, continues to demonstrate Perez-Carrillo’s blending virtuosity.

18.) Oscar Valladares 2012 Sumatra

Manufacturer: Oscar Valladares Tobacco & Co. in Honduras
Wrapper: Ecuador; Binder: Honduras; Filler: Nicaragua & Honduras
Vitola: Toro; Physical size: 6 x 52
MSRP: $9.30
Rating: 91

Oscar Valladares’ story is as impressive today as when he first shared it with us and the 2012 line plays a key role in it. The company’s most popular brand, Leaf by Oscar was born out of the 2012. In its original inception, the 2012 box contained one cigar covered in a rustic leaf. That concept eventually became the Leaf by Oscar.

19.) Warped Guardian of the Farm

Manufacturer: Aganorsa Leaf Factory in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Apollo; Physical size: 6 x 44
MSRP: $9.50
Rating: 91

Warped Guardian of the Farm is a collaboration between Aganorsa’s Max Fernandez and Warped Cigars’ Kyle Gellis. The brand celebrates the dogs that guard Aganorsa’s operations in Nicaragua and the vitolas are named for a different dog. This year, as in 2019 when it came in at No. 17, the 6 x 44 Apollo makes the cut.

20.) Herrera Esteli Norteño

Manufacturer: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexico; Binder: Honduras; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Toro Especial; Physical size: 6 x 50
MSRP: $11.45
Rating: 91

Released in 2014 as a follow-up to the Herrera Esteli brand, the Norteño has been somewhat underappreciated despite consistently high scores. Making its third appearance on our Top 25, this blend first reached No. 5 in its launch year and continues to demonstrate why it deserves recognition.

21.) La Aurora Preferidos Gold Corojo

Manufacturer: La Aurora Cigar Factory in Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Dominican Republic; Binder: Dominican Republic; Filler: Brazil, Nicaragua & Peru
Vitola: Gold No. 2 Tubos; Physical size: 5 x 54
MSRP: $27.25
Rating: 91

This classic perfecto from the Dominican Republic’s oldest cigar factory showcases a Dominican corojo wrapper that delivers rich cedar and leather notes. While this marks the Preferidos’ first appearance on our Top 25, the brand holds a special place in Cigar Snob history, having graced our inaugural cover in May 2006.

22.) HVC Seleccion No. 1 Maduro

Manufacturer: Fábrica de Tabacos HVC in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexico; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Esenciales; Physical size: 5 ⅝ x 46
MSRP: $8.80
Rating: 91

Produced at Fábrica de Tabacos HVC in Estelí, Nicaragua, this flavorful and well-balanced corona has become a favorite at Cigar Snob HQ. Our panel does not consider value when compiling the Top 25, but if it did, the Seleccion No. 1 Maduro would likely rank higher than its current position.

23.) Altezas Reales 1871

Manufacturer: El Titan De Bronze Cigar Factory in Miami
Wrapper: Ecuador; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Robusto; Physical size: 5 x 50
MSRP: $19.00
Rating: 91

This relatively new brand was started in 2023 by Rafael Cifuentes III, the great grandson of Ramón Cifuentes. You may recognize the name from the Partagás brand – the Cifuentes family owned the Partagás cigar factory and its associated brands before the operation was nationalized in the early 1960’s by Fidel Castro’s regime.

24.) West Tampa Tobacco Company Red

Manufacturer: Garmendia Cigars Co. in Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexico; Binder: Nicaragua; Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Toro; Physical size: 6 x 52
MSRP: $10.99
Rating: 91

When outsiders think of cigars and Tampa, they think of Ybor City, and that’s fair enough. But the neighborhood of West Tampa, founded in 1892, has its own cigar manufacturing history. It’s that tradition that cigar industry veteran and West Tampa-native, Rick Rodriguez, wanted to highlight when he founded West Tampa Tobacco.

25.) Ashton VSG

Manufacturer: Tabacalera A. Fuente in the Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuador; Binder: Dominican Republic; Filler: Dominican Republic
Vitola: Torpedo; Physical size: 6 ½ x 55
MSRP: $17.80
Rating: 91

Since its debut in 1999, the Ashton VSG has seen the market go from mild to bold, Connecticut shade to maduro, and back again. It has seen the ebb and flow of consumer interest, and it has always found its place in the hearts of consumers. This brand is a testament to quality, longevity, and staying true to your identity.

Calvino, E. (2025a, February 4). Top 25 Cigars of 2024 (1 – 5). CigarSnob. https://www.cigarsnobmag.com/cigars/2025/01/10/top-25-cigars-of-2024-1-5/

Calvino, E. (2025b, February 5). Top 25 Cigars of 2024 (6 – 15). CigarSnob. https://www.cigarsnobmag.com/cigars/2025/01/09/top-25-cigars-of-2024-6-15/

Calvino, E. (2025, February 6). Top 25 Cigars of 2024 (16 – 25). CigarSnob. https://www.cigarsnobmag.com/cigars/2025/01/08/top-25-cigars-of-2024-16-25/