Cigar #1
Ferio Tego Summa
Before the 2023 PCA trade show, Ferio Tego cigars, previously part of Nat Sherman, were known mainly for their annual limited editions, Elegancia and Generoso. Then Last year, the company introduced Ferio Tego Summa, its inaugural regular production line. Michael Herklots, the founder, describes “summa” as embodying their entire body of work, blending diversity and complexity. Made in the Dominican Republic, it combines an Ecuador-grown Corojo wrapper with an Ecuadorian Sumatra binder and Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers. Ferio Tego Summa is offered in four sizes, each in ten-count Okume wood boxes. Distributed across the U.S. by Davidoff USA, it marks a new chapter for the brand.
Cigar #2
Tatuaje Lomo de Cerdo
In 2022, Tatuaje Cigars expanded their Tuxtla Series, known for replacing existing cigar wrappers with Mexican San Andrés, by introducing Lomo de Cerdo. This new addition, whose name translates to “pork loin” in Spanish, is a nod to the renowned 2010 Pork Tenderloin blend. The Lomo de Cerdo, measuring 5 1/8 x 52, maintains the Pork Tenderloin's internal blend of Nicaraguan tobacco but swaps its Connecticut broadleaf wrapper for a Mexican San Andrés. Priced at $12.00 per cigar or $300 for a 25-bundle, it's produced in Estelí, Nicaragua by My Father Cigars S.A., with an output of about 8,000 bundles. True to its name, the packaging mimics butcher paper, reminiscent of traditional meat wrapping at a butcher shop.
Cigar #3
Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Mi Querida Black PapaSaka
At the PCA tradeshow in July, Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust unveiled a new addition to their Mi Querida Black line: the PapaSaka. Measuring 5 5/8 x 48 in a parejo format, this cigar is presented in boxes of 10. Its blend features a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper, a Mexican San Andrés negro binder, and fillers from the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Crafted at Nicaragua American Cigar S.A. (NACSA) in Estelí, Nicaragua, the PapaSaka is noted for its bolder profile compared to other Black line offerings. The production is limited to 3,500 boxes, totaling 35,000 cigars, with each cigar priced at $15.95, or $159.50 per box.
Cigar #4
Luciano Cigars Y Panda
At PCA 2023, Luciano Cigars introduced a new line celebrating Linxu “Panda” Yan's journey from China to the U.S., and finally to Estelí, Nicaragua, to pursue his dream in the premium cigar industry. Yan, alongside Luciano Meirelles, crafted this blend featuring an Ecuadorian Corojo 98 wrapper, a dual binder of Brazilian Arapiraca and Ecuadorian Sumatra, and Nicaraguan fillers from Jalapa and Estelí. This unique blend, described as yin and yang, offers an “edgy sweetness” with subtle strength, embodying Luciano Cigars' signature complexity. The Y Panda line includes four sizes, each rolled at the Luciano Cigar Factory. After a 14-month internship at Luciano's factory and farms, Yan has transitioned to a brand ambassador role for Y Panda, following his experience at a Memphis, Tennessee retail shop.
Cigar #5
RoMa Craft Quinquagenario
In November 2021, RoMa Craft Tobac's Skip Martin announced the RoMa Craft Quinquagenario, a cigar launched in September 2023 to mark his 50th birthday. “Quinquagenario,” meaning someone in their 50s in Spanish, represents a milestone for RoMa Craft as it's the first cigar not rolled at Fábrica de Tabacos Nica Sueño S.A. in Nicaragua. Instead, it was crafted in collaboration with Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr. at Tabacalera La Alianza S.A. in the Dominican Republic. This robusto-sized cigar (5 x 50) features an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper with Dominican binder and fillers. Priced at $15 per cigar, production was capped at 50,000 units. It's available in 24-count boxes (2,000 boxes total) and 24-count bundles (83 bundles), the latter being a unique solution for the surplus cigars without boxes.
Cigar #6
Joya de Nicaragua Cinco de Cinco
Joya de Nicaragua marked its 55th anniversary with the Cinco de Cinco cigar, a new addition to their Obras Maestras line. Celebrating a legacy intertwined with tobacco, Juan Ignacio Martínez, Executive President of JDN, emphasizes the community's role in their success. The Cinco de Cinco was crafted using popular tobaccos selected from years of private blending sessions at their Estelí factory. Featuring “ultra-vintage” tobaccos, including a Mexican San Andres wrapper and Nicaraguan fillers and binders, it comes in soft-pressed vitolas. The emerald green box symbolizes love, wisdom, and prosperity. Premiered at the PCA Convention in Las Vegas, Cinco de Cinco is available in ten-count boxes across five vitolas, with three offered in the U.S. and two as international exclusives. The U.S. sizes include Robusto Gordo (5 ½ x 54, $17.95), Toro (6 x 52, $19.95), and Corona Extra (6 ¼ x 46, $15.95), while the international market gets exclusive Robusto (5 x 50, $15.95) and Corona Doble (7 x 54, $20.55) sizes.
Cigar #7
Punch Spring Roll
In 2023, Punch celebrated the Year of the Rabbit with their limited-edition Spring Roll cigar, the fifth installment of their Chinese New Year Series, following Fu Manchu (2022), Kung Pow! (2021), Chop Suey (2020), and Egg Roll (2019). Embracing the theme of balance, Spring Roll is touted as the counterpart to Egg Roll, reflecting the Year of the Rabbit's association with good fortune. Crafted at the HATSA factory in Danli, Honduras, the blend incorporates tobaccos from five countries, featuring an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, USA Broadleaf binder, and fillers from the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Mexico. Unique to this release is a shaggy foot and 25-count “takeout” boxes, reminiscent of the Punch Egg Roll packaging. With a production limit of 5,000 boxes, each cigar is priced at $5.99 and measures 4.5” x 50.
Cigar #8
Tatuaje 20th Anniversary
This past October, Tatuaje commenced the distribution of their latest creation, the Tatuaje 20th Anniversary line, first showcased at the 2023 PCA Convention & Trade Show in July. Initially scheduled for an August release, it was postponed to October, aligning with the launch of The Face Redux 3 due to logistical issues. The Tatuaje 20th Anniversary blend features an Ecuadorian habano-seed wrapper and Nicaraguan double binder and filler. Available in two sizes: Grande Merveille (6 1/8 x 46, $13.00) and Grand Chasseur (6 3/8 x 54, $14.00), this regular production line is meticulously crafted at My Father Cigars S.A. in Estelí, Nicaragua.
Cigar #9
J.C. Newman Angel Cuesta
J.C. Newman Cigar Co. introduced the Angel Cuesta line at the 2022 PCA trade show, officially launching it in April this year. With only two rollers at the El Reloj factory crafting 150 cigars daily, the Angel Cuesta is exclusive to 25 TAA retailers, with biannual releases planned for other premium U.S. cigar retailers. Visitors to J.C. Newman's Factory Store in Tampa can also purchase these cigars.
Named after Angel LaMadrid Cuesta of the renowned Cuesta-Rey brand, these cigars once graced the courts of Spain's King Alfonso XIII. Crafted in The American Room at the El Reloj factory in Tampa, Florida, the blend combines an Ecuadorian Havana Rosado wrapper with binders and fillers from three continents. Available in three pigtail-capped sizes, housed in 20-count cabinets, the variants are Doble Robusto (5.5” x 56, $18.00), Doble Toro (6.25” x 52, $19.00), and Salomones (7.25” x 57, $22.00).
Cigar #10
Espinosa Knuckle Sandwich Connecticut
Building on a successful debut, Espinosa Premium Cigars expanded their Knuckle Sandwich line with the Connecticut variant, following the highly praised Maduro and Habano versions from the previous year, with the Maduro even securing the top spot in our 2022 cigar rankings. Initially introduced at select retailers, the Knuckle Sandwich Connecticut had its widespread release at the Total Product Expo (TPE23) in February 2023.
This regular production cigar is available in three sizes: Robusto J (5 x 52) priced at $12.50, Short Churchill G (6½ x 48 Box Pressed) at $13.00, and Toro H (6 x 54) at $13.50, each offered in boxes of 20. Crafted by Espinosa Premium Cigars, the Knuckle Sandwich Connecticut is produced at AJ Fernandez's San Lotano Factory in Ocotal, Nicaragua.
Cigar #11
L'Atelier Roxy Natural
K.C. Johnson of Tatuaje paid tribute to his late dog, Roxy, by introducing a new petit robusto size named “Roxy” to the L'Atelier and L'Atelier Maduro series. This 3 1/2 x 50 cigar adds a unique dimension to the L'Atelier lines. Available in 20-count boxes, it offers a mix of both the L'Atelier and L'Atelier Maduro blends. The L'Atelier blend features an Ecuadorian Sancti Spiritus wrapper with Nicaraguan binders and fillers, while the Maduro variant uses a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper with the same Nicaraguan binder and fillers. Priced at $160 per box, which is $8.00 per cigar, the cigars were showcased in July and shipped in August.
Cigar #12
Davidoff Millennium Lancero Limited Edition Collection
Davidoff recently revived a cigar from its White Band Collection, the Davidoff Millennium Lancero Limited Edition Collection. This blend features an Ecuadorian 151 hybrid wrapper, a Mexican binder, and a filler composed of four different Dominican tobaccos. The creation of the hybrid seed for the Ecuadorian wrapper required 300 trials by the company's master agronomists. Offered exclusively in a 7 x 40 lancero size, each cigar is priced at $29.00, with a box of 10 costing $290. The production was capped at 5,000 boxes, exclusively for the U.S. market. This re-release is part of Davidoff's “Cigar History Re-Rolled” campaign, marking the second of four Limited Edition Collections to be reintroduced.
Cigar #13
Room101 Johnny Tobacconaut
A year after Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) acquired Room101 Cigars, Matt Booth unveiled a new blend of the Room101 Johnny Tobacconaut at the PCA trade show 2023. Originally launched in 2015, Johnny Tobacconaut's production ceased when Booth left Davidoff, but it briefly returned in 2022 as a limited edition for Luxury Cigar Club. Now, it re-emerges as a regular product under Forged Cigars.
The revamped blend features an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, Mexican binder, and Nicaraguan filler, all rolled at AJ Fernandez's factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. The Room101 Johnny Tobacconaut is available in four sizes: Gordo (6 x 60) at $10.99, Perfecto (6 x 56) at $15.99, Robusto (5 x 50) at $8.99, and Toro (6 x 52) at $9.99. They are packaged in 20-count boxes, except the Perfecto, which is offered in ten-count boxes.
Cigar #14
Emilio audiophile (2023)
In 2019, the Emilio brand was acquired by James Brown, integrating it into the Black Label Trading Company (BLTC) family. This acquisition came after its previous ownership by the Zucca family. Recently, Emilio Cigars introduced two new Limited Edition cigars: Emilio Audiophile and Emilio Suave Maduro.
The Emilio Audiophile features an Ecuadorian Maduro wrapper, an Ecuadorian Habano binder, and Nicaraguan fillers. It is available exclusively in a 5×52 robusto size, packaged in 20-count boxes, with a retail price of $10.50 per cigar. The cigars are crafted at the Fabrica Oveja Negra in Esteli, Nicaragua. Both the Audiophile and Suave Maduro's blends and artwork were developed by James Brown, the owner of BLTC and Fabrica Oveja Negra. Despite being a limited edition, the specific production numbers have not been disclosed.
Cigar #15
Espinosa Las 6 Provincias ZDT
At the recent PCA trade show, Espinosa Premium Cigars announced the latest addition to its Las 6 Provincias line, the ZDT. This cigar celebrates Pinar del Río, a Cuban region famous for its superior cigar tobacco. The ZDT, an abbreviation for Zona de Tabaco, is composed of a Nicaraguan corojo wrapper, with Nicaraguan binder and fillers. It is available in a single 6 1/2 x 48 short Churchill size and produced at the San Lotano Factory in Ocotal, Nicaragua. Initially named PDR for Pinar del Rio, it was renamed to ZDT due to trademark conflicts with the PDR Cigar Company.
The Las 6 Provincias ZDT continues the line's tradition of unique packaging, being offered in a ceramic jar featuring artwork by Eden Gutierrez, illustrating the cigar-making process. This line began in 2018, celebrating the original six provinces of Cuba with art-infused cigars. Previous editions honored La Habana, Matanzas, Las Villas, and Camagüey, with Oriente remaining. Each ZDT cigar has an MSRP of $18.00, or $360 for a 20-count jar, though the production quantity remains unspecified.
Cigar #16
HVC Selección No. 1 Natural
Last year, HVC Cigars debuted the HVC Selección No. 1 from their new factory, followed by this year's HVC Selección No. 1 Natural. This latest offering features an Ecuadorian Habano 92 seed wrapper, combined with binders and fillers from Nicaragua's Esteli and Jalapa regions. The cigar is distinctively packaged in a bright yellow box, reflecting owner Reinier Lorenzo's Cuban heritage.
Available in the same sizes as the original HVC Selección No. 1 (now known as HVC Selección No. 1 Maduro), the options include: Esenciales (46 x 5 5/8) at $8.40, Short Robusto (52 x 4 ½) at $9.30, and Poderosos (54 x 6) at $10.40. Each variety is sold in boxes of 20, all produced at Frabrica de tabacos HVC S.A de Reinier Lorenzo.
Cigar #17
Crowned Heads La Vereda
Crowned Heads' newest cigar La Vereda features a shade-grown wrapper and binder from Jalapa, Nicaragua, and fillers from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, aged for three years. Priced from $18.40, it's Crowned Heads' priciest line, with some cigars reaching over $20 – a first for the brand.
Sizes include La Vereda No. 50 (5 3/8 x 50) for $18.40, No. 52 (6 1/2 x 52) at $19.60, No. 54 (5 5/8 x 54) for $20.60, and No. 56 (6 1/4 x 56) at $21.80.
Interestingly, only seven pairs at Perez-Carrillo Jr.'s factory are entrusted to make these cigars, and they're told to work at 60% of their normal pace, emphasizing craftsmanship over speed.
Cigar #18
AGANORSA Leaf Aniversario Connecticut
Aganorsa Leaf introduced the Aniversario Connecticut to their Aniversario Series this past summer at the PCA Tradeshow in Las Vegas. This new variant features the same Aganorsa Leaf tobaccos from Jalapa and Esteli found in the corojo and maduro versions, but it's encased in an Ecuadorian Connecticut leaf. It will be available in two box-pressed sizes: a 5 x 54 Gran Robusto and a 6 1⁄4 x 52 Toro, both in 10-count boxes. Initially exclusive to PCA attendees and Aganorsa Select Accounts for 2023, it is a regular production cigar.
The MSRP is set at $14.50 for the Gran Robusto and $15.50 for the Toro, the cigar started shipping in August.
Cigar #19
AVO Seasons Limited Edition Series 2023 Spring
In February, Davidoff launched the AVO Seasons Limited Edition Series 2023 for the AVO brand, a year-long celebration of the four seasons through limited edition cigars. Each blend is crafted in a 6 5/8 x 50 diadema size, with an MSRP of $18 per cigar. The series is limited to 4,000 boxes of 10 cigars for each season.
The Spring edition features an Ecuadorian corojo wrapper and Dominican binder and filler, including Dominican San Vicente seco and hybrid 192 visos. Notably, one of the fillers, aged for 14 years, is said to evoke the aroma of spring.
Cigar #20
West Tampa Tobacco Co. Red
Last March, West Tampa Tobacco Company introduced West Tampa Red, their third core line, featuring the same Mexican San Andreas wrapper as their limited Attic Series. However, the rest of the blend is distinct, comprising all-Nicaraguan binder and fillers.
Master blender and co-owner Rick Rodriguez shared that West Tampa Red represents his personal involvement in the blending process, diverging from his usual approach of crafting cigars for fans' preferences. He describes Red as a full-bodied cigar that fits seamlessly into West Tampa's reputation for full-flavored offerings.
The cigar shipped in May, West Tampa Red is available in the US and international markets. It comes in three sizes, all in 20-count boxes: Robusto (5X50) at $8.99 MSRP, Toro (6X52) at $9.99 MSRP, and Gigante (6X60) at $10.99 MSRP.
Cigar #21
Fratello The Lunar Cameroon
Fratello Cigars recently gained the distinction of having their logo on the Intuitive Machines Nova-C lunar lander, which has been transported to Cape Canaveral, Florida, for its launch on a SpaceX rocket on January 12, 2024. This event is notable as it will be the first American spacecraft landing on the moon since 1972. The mission, under a NASA contract, involves deploying five scientific instruments on the lunar surface.
Founded by Omar de Frias, a former NASA employee, Fratello Cigars celebrates this achievement with a new cigar line named The Lunar, packaged in boxes resembling the Nova-C lunar lander. The series features three 6 x 50 toro cigars, made by La Aurora, including The Lunar Cameroon and The Lunar Connecticut, each at $14 per cigar in 15-count boxes. The Cameroon has a Cameroon wrapper, Dominican binder, and Nicaraguan fillers, while the Connecticut version features an Ecuadorian Connecticut-seed shade-grown wrapper, Mexican binder, and fillers from Cameroon, the Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua.
Additionally, there's the exclusive Fratello The Lunar Limited Edition Humidor, at $25 per cigar, in deluxe boxes mimicking lunar lander legs, limited to 200 humidor boxes of 18 cigars, with 25 reserved for Intuitive Machines. The Lunar series was initially available through select events in June, before nationwide store availability in August.
Cigar #22
E.P. Carrillo Short Run 2023
E.P. Carrillo began distributing their latest cigar, the E.P. Carrillo Short Run 2023, in August 2023. Last year's limited edition marks a first for the brand, being produced outside the Dominican Republic at the Oscar Valladares Tobacco & Co factory in Honduras. The Short Run series is celebrated for its unique blends, utilizing rare tobaccos to create a distinct narrative each year.
The Short Run 2023 is available in three sizes: Robusto (5 x 50) at $10.75, Toro (6 x 52) at $11.75, and Gordo (6 x 60) at $12.75, each in 24-count boxes. Production includes 1,250 boxes each of Robusto and Toro, and 625 of Gordo. The blend features a Habano seed Ecuadorian wrapper with Nicaraguan binder and fillers from Nicaragua and Honduras.
Ernesto Perez-Carrillo expresses excitement about utilizing Honduran Copan tobacco after over twenty years, highlighting the collaboration with Oscar Valladares' factory as a blend of tradition and innovation. Oscar Valladares himself honors the partnership with Perez-Carrillo, acknowledging the significance of Copan tobacco in their shared history and his personal favoritism towards it.
Cigar #23
Luciano Cigars Foreign Affair
At TPE 2023 in Las Vegas, Luciano Cigars introduced their first new line of the year, showcasing the essence of the global cigar community. CEO and Founder Luciano Meirelles views this cigar as a celebration of the unique connections formed over a shared cigar experience, transcending language, culture, and differences, uniting people in a singular, harmonious moment.
The Luciano Foreign Affair is a collaborative effort between Luciano Meirelles, Frank Cossio (Co-founder of Astorian Cigar Co.), and Mike Dounoulis (Regional Sales Manager & Co-founder of Astorian Cigar Co.). Their combined expertise, involving Cossio's palate, Dounoulis' creativity, and Meirelles' blending skills, culminated in a blend appealing to a wide range of cigar enthusiasts. Available in four sizes: Corona (5 ⅝ x 42) at $9.50 MSRP, Rothschild (4 ½ x 48) at $10.35 MSRP, Toro Extra (6 ½ x 52) at $11.80 MSRP, and Belicoso (6 x 54) at $12.50 MSRP, the blend features an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper with Nicaraguan and Ecuadorian binders, and fillers from Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic. Foreign Affair is produced at the Luciano Cigars Factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.
Cigar #24
Room101 Daruma 2023
Room101 made a notable comeback last year by relaunching their Daruma line, first introduced in 2012 following the Namakubi. Discontinued after Matt Booth's exit from Davidoff, the Daruma, named after the Japanese doll symbolizing perseverance and achievement, was greatly missed for its distinctive blend. Now, in collaboration with the Oliva Cigar Company, Room101 has reintroduced the Daruma as a Nicaraguan puro, reflecting both their dedication to quality and the evolving preferences of cigar connoisseurs.
The revamped Daruma is available solely as a 6” x 50 Toro, priced at $12.99 per cigar. This release is not just a product launch for Matt Booth and Room101, but a representation of the brand's growth, adaptability, and commitment to innovation. Embodying Room101's journey and aspirations, the new Daruma invites enthusiasts to celebrate their paths and anticipate future endeavors. Marketed by Forged Cigar Company, its production is confined to 2,000 boxes containing 10 cigars each.
Cigar #25
Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Eye of the Bull
At the 2023 PCA Convention & Trade Show, Arturo Fuente showcased a cigar that, despite its understated presence in 2022, became a highlight this year. It was offered exclusively to retailers placing orders during the event, with its future availability uncertain.
The cigar in question is a unique 3 1/2 x 55 short robusto, a size more commonly associated with Oliva's NUb brand than Arturo Fuente's Don Carlos line. It's a special project of Ciro A. Cascella, executive president of Arturo Fuente International, ongoing for over four years. The blend remains traditional with a Cameroon wrapper and Dominican binder and filler, but it features a distinctive bull's eye design on the cap made from darker tobacco.
Presented in boxes akin to the Don Carlos The Man and Personal Reserve, rather than the standard Don Carlos offerings, the Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Eye of the Bull has engraved inner trays with the names “Don Carlos” and “Eye of the Bull.” The boxes also hint at its inclusion in the Don Carlos Edición de Aniversario series, which originated in 2015 for Carlos Fuente Sr.'s 80th birthday.
The cigar is officially priced at an MSRP of $12.80 per cigar, although finding it at that price will be challenging.
Voting Process
At Blind Man's Puff, our annual Top 25 Cigars of the Year list stands out in the cigar community. Instead of just revisiting our highest scores or relying on a single opinion, we involve our entire team of 22 panelists, each empowered with 10 votes to distribute among their favorite cigars of 2023. Panelists aren't restricted to cigars they've personally reviewed, nor do the cigars need to have been featured on our site. Our aim is to cover as many potential top contenders as possible, and those we miss, we're eager to explore the following year. The ranking is weighted, making a panelist's top choice worth double their tenth pick. This inclusive, democratic approach ensures our list reflects a diverse range of preferences and discoveries from the year. To be considered, a cigar must have debuted in 2023, though we allow a few exceptions:
- Re-releases of old brands are eligible
- New sizes in blends that already existed are eligible
- Lines that were not previously introduced to the US but became available in 2023 are eligible
- Cigars that had a limited release to beat the FDA deadline and got a wide release this year are allowed
- Limited production cigars that turned regular production are allowed
- Annual limited releases are allowed
- Here is a full sortable list of the top 25 cigars with links to the ones we have reviewed or have news articles about:
Other Info:
- Votes were submitted individually without discussion.
- This list was not based off blind reviews as is our normal procedure. The reviewers knew which cigars they were voting for.
- Only one vote per cigar per reviewer.
- To see the votes of each individual panelist, click here.
- Ties were broken by score in our blind reviews, and number of votes the cigars received.
Interesting Facts
- Tatuaje was the company with the most cigars on our list this year with 3: Tatuaje Lomo de Cerdo, Tatuaje 20th Anniversary, and the L'Atelier Roxy Natural.
- 5 Companies had multiple cigars on our list: Tatuaje, Luciano, Scandanavian Tobacco Group (STG) (Includes Room101 and Punch), Espinosa, and Davidoff (includes AVO).
- A Cuban cigar hasn't made the list since 2015.
- Crowned Heads has taken at least 1 spot every year we have made a list (since 2013).
- 2 Factories had 3 cigars each make the list: My Father Cigars S.A. with the Tatuaje Lomo de Cerdo, Tatuaje 20th Anniversary, and the L'Atelier Roxy and Tabacalera La Alianza S.A. with the RoMa Craft Quinquagenario, Crowned Heads La Vereda, and E.P. Carrillo Short Run 2023.