Every December, the cigar world collectively holds its breath for one thing: Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 list. It's the Oscars of cigars -- except with more smoke and fewer awkward speeches. And the 2025 edition? It's one of the most interesting lists they've put out in years.
Full disclosure: I have my biases. I'm a Nicaraguan tobacco obsessive, I think Cuban cigars are slightly overrated relative to their price (I know, I know), and I've been personally invested in Padron as a brand since my first 1964 Anniversary Series back in 2017. So when they announced the Padron 60th Anniversary Perfecto as Cigar of the Year, I may have done a fist pump at my desk. My wife thought I'd gotten a promotion.
But let's break down the full list, because there are some genuinely fascinating choices in here -- and a few that surprised even me.
The Top 10: Where the Big Dogs Play
#1 -- Padron 60th Anniversary Perfecto (97 Points)
Here's where it gets interesting: this is only the second perfecto shape Padron has ever commercially released. At 6 inches by 56 ring gauge, it's a box-pressed figurado that commemorates six decades of the Padron family's work in tobacco. The blend draws from the family's private reserve Nicaraguan tobaccos, and the flavor profile reads like a dessert menu -- malted milk, cocoa powder, creamy coffee, with what multiple reviewers (myself included) described as a "German chocolate cake" quality. Orange peel and milk chocolate linger on the finish.
[For the history nerds: Jose Orlando Padron founded the company in 1964 in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood with $600 and a dream. Sixty years later, his family's name is on the most prestigious cigar award in the industry. That's a hell of a story.]
Is 97 points the right score? I'd have given it 98, but I'm probably biased because I've visited the Padron factory in Esteli twice and the tobacco they're sitting on is genuinely staggering.
#2 -- Cohiba Ambar (97 Points)
And here's the Cuban contender. The Cohiba Ambar is a relatively new addition to the Cohiba lineup, and at 5.25 inches by 53 ring gauge, it's a medium-full smoke that uses barrel-fermented filler tobaccos -- a technique I hadn't encountered before in a Cuban production cigar. Think of it like barrel aging in winemaking: the wood imparts subtle character changes to the leaf.
The profile hits caramel, oak, almonds, and finishes with stone fruit. At around $100 per stick (depending on your source), it's not exactly an everyday smoke. But a 97-point Cuban at the #2 spot sends a message: Habanos S.A. is still in the conversation, inflated prices and all.
My hot take? This cigar is genuinely excellent, but it wouldn't crack my personal top 5 at that price point. The Padron at #1 delivers comparable complexity at a fraction of the cost. I said what I said.
#3 -- Tatuaje Black Petite Lancero (96 Points)
Pete Johnson strikes again. This slender 6 x 38 lancero is rolled at the My Father Cigars S.A. factory in Nicaragua, and it's proof that thin ring gauges can deliver massive flavor. I could talk about this for hours, but here's the short version: the petite lancero format concentrates the wrapper-to-filler ratio, which means you taste more wrapper influence. In this case, that means a rich, medium-strength profile that punches well above its ring gauge.
If you can find them. Tatuaje's limited releases have a habit of evaporating from shelves. I once drove 45 minutes to a shop in Marin County because they had two boxes. Bought one. No regrets.
#4 -- Cuesta-Rey Centro Fino Sungrown Pyramid No. 9 (95 Points)
Now this is a name that doesn't get enough love. Cuesta-Rey is part of the J.C. Newman family -- one of the oldest cigar families in America, operating continuously since 1895 [130 years, for those counting]. The Centro Fino Sungrown uses an Ecuador Sun Grown wrapper, and the pyramid vitola concentrates the flavors toward the tapered head. Earthy, nutty, with a sweetness that builds through the second third.
The nerdy version: J.C. Newman's El Reloj factory in Ybor City, Tampa, is the last operating cigar factory in the city that was once called the "Cigar Capital of the World." This placement feels like a nod to heritage as much as quality.
#5 -- Trinidad Espiritu Series No. 3 Belicoso (95 Points)
Here's a sleeper pick that raised some eyebrows. Trinidad is one of those brands that flies under the radar -- originally a Cuban marca that's now produced in non-Cuban form by A.J. Fernandez for Altadis U.S.A. The No. 3 Belicoso is a Nicaraguan puro with Fernandez's signature punch and balance. At 95 points, it's a statement that you don't need a boutique pedigree to land in the top 5.
#6 -- Rocky Patel Emerald Robusto (95 Points)
I'll be honest -- Rocky Patel making the top 10 is going to ruffle some feathers in the boutique crowd. But here's the thing: the Emerald is genuinely good. It's a box-pressed robusto with a dual-binder system (Nicaraguan and Mexican leaves) under an Ecuadoran wrapper. Rocky Patel intentionally blended this "on the light side of medium," and the ground coffee and leather notes with black pepper accents make it an approachable but interesting smoke. At around $12 to $13 per stick, it's also the best value in the top 10.
#7 -- Nasser The Goat By A.J. Fernandez Toro (95 Points)
A.J. Fernandez's fingerprints are all over this list -- he's behind multiple entries -- and The Goat is a collaboration with Nasser Cigars that showcases his blending range. The toro format gives you a solid hour-plus of smoking time, and the Nicaraguan tobaccos deliver that Fernandez signature: balanced power with enough complexity to keep you paying attention.
#8 -- Diplomaticos Genios Exclusivo Phoenicia (95 Points)
Another Cuban, and a Regional Edition at that. The Diplomaticos Genios was crafted exclusively for Phoenicia Trading in Cyprus, measuring 5.5 inches by 52 ring gauge. All-Cuban filler, binder, and wrapper in a medium-full-bodied package with caramel, peaches, and autumn apple notes. Regional Editions are hit-or-miss in my experience, but this one clearly hit.
#9 -- Fuente Fuente OpusX Angel's Share Reserva d'Chateau (95 Points)
The OpusX name alone carries weight -- it's been one of the most sought-after cigar lines since Carlito Fuente Jr. created it in 1995. The Angel's Share variation uses wrapper leaves from the middle of the plant, which get less sun exposure. The result is a milder, more refined take on the OpusX profile -- licorice, wood, baking spices, and honey with a red pepper finish. Think of it like comparing a Grand Cru Burgundy to a Premier Cru from the same producer: related but distinct.
I tasted this at a lounge in Napa last fall, and it paired absurdly well with a 15-year Zacapa rum. One of those smoking experiences you don't forget.
#10 -- Ferio Tego Timeless Supreme 650 (95 Points)
Ferio Tego is Michael Herklots' brand -- he's a former Davidoff executive who struck out on his own, and the Timeless Supreme 650 shows his experience. This is a polished, well-constructed cigar that hits all the right notes without ever showing off. Sometimes the best cigars are the ones that just do everything well.
The Middle of the Pack: #11 Through #20
This is where the list gets really interesting, because positions 11 through 20 often contain the best values and the most unexpected choices.
#11 -- Liga Privada T52 Corona Viva -- Drew Estate's Liga Privada line remains a benchmark for dark, rich smoking experiences. The T52 uses a Connecticut Stalk Cut wrapper that's fermented in the pilon for over a year. The Corona Viva format (5.875 x 46) is smaller than the typical Liga, which keeps the intensity focused.
#12 -- Macanudo Emissary France Churchill -- Macanudo gets dismissed as "your dad's cigar" sometimes, but the Emissary line has been quietly excellent. This French market edition in the Churchill format gives you time and complexity.
#13 -- La Flor Dominicana 30 Years Chisel -- Litto Gomez's 30th anniversary release in his signature chisel vitola. La Flor Dominicana doesn't chase trends -- they just make tobacco-forward Dominican cigars, and this one celebrates three decades of that philosophy.
#14 -- Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Concerto Impromptu (95 Points) -- Boutique brand Aging Room working with the Tabacalera de Garcia factory. The Concerto Impromptu is a Nicaraguan blend that surprised me with its refinement. Sometimes the most interesting cigars come from unexpected collaborations.
#15 -- Davidoff Millennium Blend Series Piramides (95 Points) -- Davidoff at 15? Some people would call that criminal. But the Millennium Blend Piramides, with its Ecuadoran wrapper over Dominican binder and filler, is a Swiss-precision smoke that earns its spot through sheer consistency. Every one I've smoked has been flawless in construction.
#16 -- Gellis Family Cigars Saunter -- A newer name on the scene. The Gellis family is building something interesting, and a Top 25 placement this early is a strong signal.
#17 -- Viaje Fifteen Plus Two And A Half Anniversary Silver -- Viaje is the definition of a boutique brand -- small batches, limited availability, rabid fan base. Andre Farkas has been doing this since 2008, and this anniversary release shows his maturation as a blender.
#18 -- Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro Robusto -- This might be the best value cigar on the entire list. The Serie V Melanio Maduro delivers dark chocolate, espresso, and earth at a price point that won't make your wallet cry. If I'm recommending one cigar from positions 11-25 to a friend, this is probably it.
#19 -- Sancho Panza Belicoso (94 Points) -- The non-Cuban Sancho Panza, made by General Cigar in Honduras, has been a sleeper brand for years. The belicoso format in this blend hits a sweet spot of medium body with surprising complexity.
#20 -- OneOff Black Toro (94 Points) -- The brainchild of Andrea Molinari, OneOff is a truly artisanal brand. The Black Toro uses Nicaraguan tobaccos crafted at the My Father factory, and the result is a cigar that feels personal -- like someone handpicked every leaf specifically for this blend. Because basically, they did.
The Final Five: #21 Through #25
#21 -- C.L.E. Maduro 50x5 -- Christian Luis Eiroa's compact maduro is a flavor bomb in a manageable size. Perfect for when you want intensity without a two-hour time commitment.
#22 -- Olmec Maduro Grande -- The Foundation Cigar Company's Olmec line draws inspiration from pre-Columbian Mexican tobacco traditions. Nicholas Melillo's blending here is thoughtful and complex.
#23 -- La Aroma de Cuba Robusto -- Made by the Garcia family at the My Father factory, this is one of the most consistent mid-priced cigars on the market. It lands on Top 25 lists regularly, and there's a reason for that.
#24 -- La Aurora Family Creed Series Fuerte Sol Robusto -- La Aurora is the oldest cigar factory in the Dominican Republic, founded in 1903. The Family Creed line is a premium offering that showcases their century-plus of experience.
#25 -- Aladino 85 Aniversario Reserva Toro (93 Points) -- Julio Eiroa's Aladino brand closes out the list. The 85th anniversary release uses authentic Corojo tobaccos from the Jamastran Valley in Honduras -- some of the most historically significant tobacco-growing land in Central America.
What the 2025 List Tells Us
A few patterns worth noting from this year's rankings:
Nicaragua dominates. Whether it's the tobacco origin, the factory location, or both, Nicaraguan influence is everywhere on this list. A.J. Fernandez alone is connected to multiple entries. The shift from Dominican-dominant lists a decade ago is now firmly established.
Cuban cigars still matter -- but they're not running the show. Two Cuban entries in the top 10 (Cohiba and Diplomaticos) is notable, but neither took the top spot. The mystique of Cuban tobacco is real, but the rest of the world has caught up in quality if not in marketing.
Boutique brands are thriving alongside legacy names. Tatuaje, Viaje, OneOff, Gellis, and Ferio Tego are sharing space with Padron, Davidoff, and Fuente. The cigar industry's Big Tent is getting bigger.
Value exists at every tier. From the Rocky Patel Emerald around $12 to the Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro at a similar price point, you don't need to spend $50 to smoke a Top 25 cigar. That matters.
If you take one thing away from this list, let it be this: 2025 was a genuinely great year for cigars. The diversity of styles, origins, and price points on this list means there's something here for everyone -- whether you're a Corojo purist, a Connecticut sipper, or someone who just wants a really good smoke after a long day.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have an Oliva Melanio Maduro and a glass of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir waiting. Some lists demand further research.