The definitive collection of 20 cigars that shaped the premium cigar world — from founding fathers to modern legends.
Created to honor José Orlando Padrón's 75th birthday in 2002, the 1926 Serie uses tobacco aged a minimum of 5 years. Every leaf is grown on the Padrón family's own farms in Estelí and Jalapa.
Box-pressed with a dark, oily Habano Maduro wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler. The tobacco undergoes an extended fermentation process that strips away harshness while amplifying the natural sweetness of the leaf.
Consistently rated among the top 5 cigars worldwide. The 1926 Serie proved that non-Cuban cigars could rival — and surpass — the island's legendary output.
Aged rum (12+ years) or a single malt Scotch with sherry cask finishing
Carlos Fuente Jr. spent over a decade attempting to grow wrapper-quality tobacco in the Dominican Republic — something experts said was impossible. Château de la Fuente, the family's estate in the Bonao Valley, finally yielded the prized Dominican Rosado wrapper.
Dominican Rosado wrapper, Dominican binder, and Dominican filler — an all-Dominican puro. The wrapper is grown under shade at Château de la Fuente, producing a silky, reddish leaf with complex sweetness and spice.
The first all-Dominican puro with Dominican wrapper leaf. OpusX created an entirely new category and remains one of the most sought-after cigars in the world, often selling out within hours of release.
Aged port wine or a rich espresso with dark chocolate
Launched in 2010 as the most exclusive Cohiba line, the Behike was developed by master blender Norma Fernández at El Laguito factory in Havana. Only the most skilled torcedores are permitted to roll Behike cigars.
Cuban Corojo wrapper with medio tiempo primings in the blend — leaves from the very top of select Vuelta Abajo plants. These leaves receive the most sunlight, concentrating oils and flavors beyond what standard ligero can deliver.
The Behike reaffirmed Cuba's place at the pinnacle of cigar making. Its introduction of medio tiempo tobacco to a commercial blend was unprecedented and has yet to be replicated at scale.
25-year-old Cognac or a vintage Madeira wine
Blended by Davidoff's master blender Eladio Diaz, The Late Hour ages select tobaccos in single malt Scotch whisky casks. The casks impart subtle notes of toasted oak, leather, and sweet malt into the tobacco.
Ecuadorian Habano wrapper aged in Scotch whisky casks over Dominican and Nicaraguan filler. The cask-aging process is performed at Davidoff's facility in Santiago, Dominican Republic, under precisely controlled humidity.
Pioneered the whisky cask-aging technique for premium cigars, sparking a wave of barrel-aged releases across the industry. The Late Hour proved that innovation still has a place in traditional cigar making.
Single malt Scotch (naturally) — Macallan 18 or similar sherry-finished expressions
Produced at the Fuente family's Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia in Santiago, Dominican Republic. The VSG line was born from Carlos Fuente Jr.'s collaboration with Ashton, using a special Ecuadorian sun-grown wrapper that took years to perfect.
Ecuadorian sun-grown wrapper (specially cultivated for Ashton) over Dominican binder and Dominican long-filler. The wrapper grows without shade cloth, producing a thicker, more flavorful leaf with natural oils.
The VSG redefined what Ashton was capable of. Previously known primarily for mild, Connecticut-wrapped smokes, the VSG line showed Ashton could compete in the full-bodied arena.
Bourbon on the rocks — Woodford Reserve or Maker's Mark 46
Blended by Steve Saka as his personal smoke. 'No. 9' refers to the ninth attempt at the blend before Saka was satisfied. Produced at the Drew Estate factory — La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate — in Estelí, Nicaragua.
Oily Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper over a plantation-grown Brazilian Mata Fina binder and Nicaraguan and Honduran long-filler. Only the darkest, most oil-rich Broadleaf leaves pass inspection for the No. 9.
Launched the modern boutique cigar movement. The Liga Privada brand proved that small-batch, ultra-premium blends could command both critical acclaim and cult followings.
Stout beer (imperial stout or barrel-aged porter) or cold brew coffee
Crafted at the My Father Cigars S.A. factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. Don Pepín personally oversaw the blend, using tobaccos from his Nicaraguan farms in Estelí, Condega, and Jalapa. The factory employs over 500 rollers.
Dark Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan long-filler from multiple growing regions. The wrapper undergoes extra fermentation, producing a near-black, oily leaf that delivers cocoa, espresso, and earth.
Cemented Don Pepín García's reputation as one of the greatest living blenders. Le Bijou showed that intensely full-bodied cigars could also be refined and nuanced, not just powerful.
Añejo tequila (reposado or extra añejo) or a rich Nicaraguan coffee
Produced at Oliva's factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, using tobacco exclusively from Oliva-owned farms. The Melanio blend took years to develop, as the Oliva family waited for specific harvests to reach peak aging.
Ecuadorian Sumatra seed wrapper over Nicaraguan Habano binder and Nicaraguan long-filler from Jalapa and Estelí. The Sumatra wrapper adds a unique sweetness and pepper that Habano wrappers cannot replicate.
Won Cigar Aficionado #1 Cigar of the Year in 2014. The Melanio elevated Oliva from a value-brand perception to a legitimate ultra-premium contender.
Aged rum (Zacapa 23 or Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva)
Hand-selected from the Padrón family's private reserve of decade-old tobacco. Rolled at the Padrón factory in Estelí by the most experienced torcedores. Each cigar is individually numbered.
Habano Maduro wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler — all aged a minimum of 10 years. The extended aging produces an incredibly smooth, complex smoke with zero harshness and deep layers of cedar, chocolate, and dried fruit.
Considered by many to be the single finest Nicaraguan cigar ever produced. The Family Reserve line demonstrated that patience and investment in tobacco aging can produce transcendent results.
Rare Cognac (Rémy Martin XO or Louis XIII) or 21-year-old single malt
Produced at the Perdomo factory in Estelí, using tobacco from Perdomo's 30+ acres of prime Nicaraguan farmland. Nick Perdomo, a first-generation American whose family fled Cuba, built the brand from a small Miami operation.
Nicaraguan sun-grown Maduro wrapper (aged 6+ years) over Nicaraguan binder and long-filler from the Estelí, Condega, and Jalapa valleys. The Maduro wrapper undergoes a slow, extended fermentation to produce deep chocolate and coffee notes.
Redefined the value segment. The 20th Anniversary proved that exceptional quality didn't require a $25+ price tag, forcing the industry to reconsider its pricing assumptions.
Irish coffee or a medium-roast drip coffee with cream
Blended by Don Pepín García at My Father Cigars S.A. in Estelí for Pete Johnson's Tatuaje brand. Johnson was a bouncer at a Las Vegas nightclub who turned his cigar obsession into one of the most respected boutique brands.
Ecuadorian Habano wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler. The blend is designed to deliver the signature Tatuaje spice and pepper at an accessible price point without sacrificing the brand's identity.
One of the cigars that proved boutique brands could compete in the value segment. The Tattoo gave Tatuaje accessibility without diluting the brand's cult status.
Amber ale or a Mexican lager with lime
Produced at the TAVICUSA factory (Tabacos de Valle de Jalapa, S.A.) in Danlí, Honduras. Rocky Patel, a former entertainment lawyer, launched his cigar brand in 1999 and quickly became one of the industry's most prolific producers.
Broadleaf Maduro wrapper over Honduran binder and Nicaraguan and Dominican long-filler. The tobaccos are aged 8 years before rolling, producing exceptional smoothness and depth.
The Vintage series established the 'aged tobacco' marketing category. The 1990 proved that mid-priced cigars with well-aged tobacco could earn serious critical respect.
Vanilla-forward bourbon (Maker's Mark or Buffalo Trace) or hot chocolate
CAO (originally Cay-Aman Overseas) was founded in Nashville by Cano Aret Ozgener, a Turkish immigrant. The Brazilia line launched in 2001 and was produced at the Plasencia factory in Estelí, Nicaragua.
Dark, thick Brazilian Arapiraca Maduro wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan long-filler. The Brazilian wrapper imparts distinct earthy, nutty flavors rarely found in Habano or Connecticut wrappers.
Pioneered the use of Brazilian wrapper tobacco in the American market. The Brazilia showed that origin diversity in wrapper leaves could create entirely new flavor categories.
Brazilian coffee (medium-dark roast) or a caipirinha
Produced at the TABSA (Tabacos de Boaco S.A.) factory in Nicaragua. Dion Giolito founded Illusione in 2006 and quickly gained cult status for blends that prioritize subtlety and complexity over strength.
Nicaraguan Criollo wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler — an all-Nicaraguan puro. The Criollo wrapper is lighter in color and delivers cream, white pepper, and floral notes that heavier wrappers mask.
Proved that small-gauge, medium-bodied cigars could command critical respect in an industry dominated by 54+ ring gauge, full-bodied monsters. Giolito's 'less is more' philosophy influenced a generation of blenders.
Champagne or Prosecco — the cigar was literally named for the heart of Champagne country
Created by Jon Huber and Mike Conder of Crowned Heads, produced at the My Father Cigars factory by Don Pepín García. The brand was founded in 2011 in Nashville with a music-and-counterculture ethos.
Dark Mexican San Andrés wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler from Don Pepín's farms. The San Andrés wrapper is known for its chocolatey sweetness and thick, oily texture.
Exemplifies the modern boutique model — creative branding, small-batch production, and collaboration with master blenders. Crowned Heads proved that brand storytelling matters as much as the tobacco.
Rye whiskey (Bulleit Rye or Rittenhouse) or dark Mexican hot chocolate
The Plasencia family has been growing tobacco since 1865 — five generations. They grow more tobacco in Central America than any other family, supplying dozens of major brands. Alma Fuerte is produced at their Plasencia Cigars S.A. factory in Estelí.
Nicaraguan Olancho San Agustín wrapper (a proprietary varietal) over Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan filler from the Plasencia farms in Estelí, Condega, and Jalapa. The wrapper is exclusive to the Plasencia line.
Represents the grower-to-brand evolution. After 150+ years supplying tobacco to others, Plasencia proved they could create world-class finished products under their own name.
Aged Armagnac or a rich Nicaraguan single-origin coffee
Produced at the Aganorsa Leaf factory (TABSA) in Estelí, Nicaragua. Nick Melillo founded Foundation Cigar Co. in 2016, bringing his blending expertise from his years at Drew Estate where he was head of tobacco operations.
Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper (USDA Grade 1) over Honduran and Nicaraguan fillers. The Broadleaf wrapper is sourced from the top 2% of available leaf — the same quality tier used for Liga Privada.
Proved that the talent behind Liga Privada's success wasn't a fluke. Melillo's departure and immediate critical success validated the importance of the blender in the creative process.
Cold brew coffee or a barrel-aged imperial stout
Produced at the TABSA factory in Estelí, Nicaragua — owned and operated by Aganorsa. The company's farms in Jalapa, Estelí, and Trocoaire produce tobacco for brands like Illusione, Foundation, Warped, and HVC.
Corojo 99 Maduro wrapper over Corojo 99 binder and Criollo 98 and Corojo 99 filler — all from Aganorsa's own farms. The all-Aganorsa puro showcases the full spectrum of their tobacco capabilities.
Part of the 'grower premium brand' movement alongside Plasencia. Aganorsa demonstrated that tobacco farmers can create finished products that rival anything from established brand houses.
Dark roast espresso or a Pedro Ximénez sherry
Produced at the Nica Sueño factory in Estelí, Nicaragua — co-owned by Skip Martin. RoMa Craft Tobac was founded in 2012 by Martin (a former military intelligence officer) and Rosales (a veteran cigar industry executive).
Dark Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan long-filler from Estelí and Jalapa. The Pennsylvania Broadleaf is thicker and more robust than Connecticut Broadleaf, delivering earth, leather, and dark cocoa.
Exemplifies the fearless approach of modern micro-boutique brands. RoMa Craft proved that two-person operations could produce world-class cigars with genuine identity.
Peated Scotch whisky (Laphroaig or Ardbeg) or a smoked porter
Produced at the Joya de Nicaragua factory in Estelí. Steve Saka founded Dunbarton in 2015 after leaving Drew Estate. He personally selects every tobacco lot and oversees blending — a true artisan operation.
Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper over a Nicaraguan Habano binder and Nicaraguan long-filler. The Broadleaf is sourced from the Connecticut River Valley and aged extensively before use.
Validated the 'master blender as brand' concept. Saka proved that consumers follow the blender, not just the brand name — a paradigm shift for the cigar industry.
Small-batch bourbon (Four Roses Single Barrel or Elijah Craig) or a flat white