January is the start of the new year but it is also the time that we celebrate the year prior. In cigar publications, that means the release of the Top 25 cigars of the year. 2024 was a year that seemed to continue some of the trends we saw in 2023. While not the only reason, I personally believe a big part of this came from he moving of the annual PCA Trade Show & Convention form July to March, this moving the timetable up on manufacturers for releases.
As usual, when you look at this list please remember the award guidelines. In addition, I will add we do include line extensions and re-releases as part of of our eligible cigars. Last year, the 2023 Cigar of the Year was the Davidoff Anniversary #1.
Top 25 Cigar of the Year List
1. Perdomo 30th Anniversary Sun Grown Epicure
- Perdomo Cigars
- Tabacalera Perdomo S.A. – Nicaragua
2. Tatuaje LLE Reserva Broadleaf Lonsdale
- Tatuaje Cigars
- My Father Cigars S.A. – Nicaragua
3. Plasencia Alma Fuerte Colorado Robustus II
- Plasencia
- Plasencia Cigars S.A. – Dominican Republic
4. Joya de Nicaragua Cinco de Cinco Toro
- Joya de Nicaragua
- Fábrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua S.A. – Nicaragua
5. La Gianna Havana 30th Anniversary
- United Cigars
- Diadema Cigars de Honduras S.A. – Honduras
6. Tatuaje Cojonú 2012 Corojo Toro Extra
- Tatuaje Cigars
- My Father Cigars S.A. – Nicaragua
7. Espinosa 601 La Bomba Warhead X
- Espinosa Premium Cigars
- San Lotano Factory – Nicaragua
8. Davidoff Year of the Dragon
- Davidoff
- Cigars Davidoff – Dominican Republic
9. Don Pepin Vintage Edition Robusto
- My Father Cigars
- My Father Cigars S.A. – Nicaragua
10. El Titan de Bronze Redemption Toro
- General Cigar Co./El Titan de Bronze
- El Titan de Bronze – Miami, Florida USA
11. Perdomo 30th Anniversary Maduro Epicure
- Perdomo Cigars
- Perdomo Cigars S.A. – Nicaragua
12. La Flor Domincana 30th Anniversary
- La Flor Dominicana
- Tabacalera La Flor S.A. – Dominican Republic
13. Perez-Carrillo Encore Black
- E.P. Carrillo
- Casa Carrillo – Dominican Republic
14. Sin Compromiso Selección No. 4
- Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust
- Fábrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua S.A. – Nicaragua
15. Padron 60th Anniversary Maduro
- Padron Cigars
- Tabacos Cubanica S.A. – Nicaragua
16. Umbagog Bronzeback
- Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust
- Nicaraguan American Cigars S.A. – Nicaragua
17. Knuckle Sandwich Chef’s Special 2024
- Espinosa Premium Cigars
- San Lotano Factory – Nicaragua
18. Hot Cake Fresh Out The Oven Broadleaf Toro
- HVC Cigars
- Fábrica de Tabacos HVC S.A. de Reinier Lorenzo – Nicaragua
19. Rocky Patel Gold Label Toro
- Rocky Patel
- Tabacalera Villa Cuba S.A. – Nicaragua
20. Las Calaveras Edicion Limitada LC54 2024
- Crowned Heads
- My Father Cigars S.A. – Nicaragua
21. Aladino Cameroon Reserva
- JRE Tobacco Co.
- Fábrica de Puros Aladino at Las Lomas Jamastran – Honduras
22. La Aurora Puro Vintage 2014
- La Aurora
- Tabacalera La Aurora – Dominican Republic
23. Aganorsa Leaf Arsenio Toro
- Aganorsa Leaf
- Agricola Norteña S.A. – Nicaragua
24. Mil Dias Maduro Sublime
- Crowned Heads
- TacaNicsa – Nicaragua
25. Micallef Blue Toro
- Micallef Cigars
- Micallef Cigars S.A. – Nicaragua
Perdomo was the clear winner for our team from the get go. The 30th Anniversary Sun Grown was a cigar that not only scored high in the original review early in the year, but we continued to enjoy all year along. I was very impressed with the quality, the age of the tobacco and how well is smoked. Perdomo is a name that is synonymous with quality, yet this time they out did themselves again.
The 30th Anniversary Maduro also made the list and even scored higher than the Sun Grown. However, that cigar dropped a few spots on the list due to some minor inconsistencies with later smokes among the team. These cigars were originally delayed due to packaging delays which gave it a much anticipated release. But the juice was worth the squeeze and so was the wait. Congratulations to the Perdomo team on another successful release.
Some other interesting notes, My Father Cigars S.A. also grabbed several spots on our list once again which continues to show how well their factory is operating right now. Joya de Nicaragua also grabbed multiple spots on this list too, another factory continuing to show industry dominance.
Tatuaje continue to make our list and place high on the list but just hasn’t broken that number one spot yet. I anticipate with the way the brand as well as the factory are currently operating, Pete may just take that spot any year now, even in 2025.
The El Titan de Bronze Redemption, which was made in partnership with General Cigar also impressed us and we hope to see this kind of collaboration continue. El Titan de Bronze is a great factory that has done some great projects over the years. With rumors of their potential sale, I just hope whatever happens they keep their doors open making great cigars for years to come.
Last honorable mention is the La Gianna Havana 30th Anniversary. One of four 30th anniversary cigars on this list along with both Perdomo’s, and the La Flor Dominicana 30th Anniversary. This barber pole was one of the best cigars the team smoked at PCA 2024 and continued to impress all year long. Huge shout out to the team at United for this great cigar.