2018 CA REPORT: 10 Of The Best Cuban Sandwich Cigars

Here’s something you’re not gonna find at your neighborhood Subway or WAWA. . .

Referred to in the trade as a “Cuban Sandwich,” it’s a handmade cigar rolled with a “mixed-filler” blend that consists mostly of short and medium length filler tobaccos. And guess what else?

A lot of these cigars are every bit as flavorful and satisfying as long filler cigars.

So, let’s look at this in more detail. . .

Mixed-filler/Cuban Sandwich cigars are far different from short filler cigars, which are made with chopped tobacco pieces. Moreover, most short filler smokes are machine-made cigars—a totally different animal. And now, for the answer. . .

As explained by Rich Perelman, founder and publisher of the Perelman’s Pocket Cigar Cyclopedia books:

“Every maker I have heard discuss Sandwich-style cigars talks about a combination of short (NOT chopped) or medium-fill pieces inside some long filler. That’s where the term ‘mixed fill’ comes from: short/medium and long filler in the same cigar. The Sandwich part comes from the method by which the short/medium fill pieces are placed in the middle of long-fill leaves, like a hot dog resting inside a (long filler) bun. Then the long-fill leaves are closed over and secured by the long filler binder.”

Cuban Sandwich cigars also come with nice advantages. For one, the mixed-fill is most often comprised of the same high-quality long filler tobaccos found in the manufacturer’s higher-priced premium cigars. Plus, Cuban Sandwich cigars cost a lot less than their long filler kin. And as you’ll see by the following list, there are some really fine Cuban Sandwich cigars worth adding to your collection…

Alec Bradley White Gold

Recommended Size: Toro/6″ x 52
Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua
Body: Mellow-Medium

The Alec Bradley White Gold selection comes with all the first-rate quality you’d expect from Alec Bradley. Their perfectly-balanced, mixed-filler blend of rich-tasting Nicaraguan and Honduran tobaccos is mellowed by an Ecuador-grown Connecticut wrapper. The Toro issues well-balanced notes of cedar and vanilla cream, plus lightly sweet and peppery spices that build to an impressive medium bodied smoke. A phenomenal bargain for smokers who want a more complex “Connecticut” cigar.

Arturo Fuente Curly Head Deluxe

Size: 6½” x 43
Wrapper: African Cameroon
Binder & Filler: Dominican
Body: Mellow-Medium

One of the classic recommendations for new cigar smokers, the Arturo Fuente Curly Head Deluxe is every bit as tasty as it is affordable. Rolled to Lonsdale dimensions, the cigar’s mixed Dominican leaf core is capped with a rustic Cameroon wrapper. The smoke is impressively smooth, issuing mellow notes of cedar and toasted nuts for the most part. You may even catch a subtle hint of spice off the wrapper, which also emits a sweet and fragrant aroma.

Casa Fernandez New Cuba Robusto

Recommended Size: Robusto/5″ x 50
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Body: Medium

Casa Fernandez has fast become one of the hottest boutique cigar makers for their use of Aganorsa Farm-grown tobacco, skilled craftsmanship, and deep Nicaraguan flavor. The New Cuba selection may not have the gusto of the more upmarket Casa Fernandez cigars, but for an absolutely ridiculous low price, the New Cuba Robusto offers a well-made cigar with a mostly earthy-woody flavor profile and an impressively long burn time. A nice “yard gar” choice for Nicaraguan lovers who want to stretch their budget.

Cusano M1

Recommended Size: Churchill/7½” x 50
Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Body: Mellow

If I took the band off of this cigar and told you it was a Macanudo odds are you’d believe it. Yes, the cigar that’s often been imitated, yet never duplicated is remarkably conveyed via this popular bundle selection from Cusano Cigars. The Churchill offers a velvety-smooth cache of mild toastiness and sweet cedar notes throughout with a pleasant aroma. A must for bargain hunters, and a satisfying low-cost alternative to those other “M” cigars.

La Vieja Habana Brazilian Maduro

Recommended Size: Celebracion National/7″ x 52 (Churchill)
Wrapper: Brazil
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Body: Medium

Presented in one of the most eye-catching boxes ever designed, La Vieja Habana by Drew Estate has become a regular “go-to” cigar for legions of cigar smokers. The cigars are handmade with an all-Nicaraguan mix capped by a dark Brazilian wrapper. The Churchill-sized Celebracion National draws effortlessly delivering a rich, earthy, and naturally sweet flavor profile. A great place to start for cigar smokers who want to dig into Drew Estate’s traditionally-blended cigars.

Odyssey Habano

Recommended Size: Robusto/5″ x 50
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Nicaragua
Body: Medium

Another outstanding bundle value by way of General Cigar Co., the Odyssey selection comes in three varieties, with the Habano offering an all-ligero, Cuban Sandwich blend with a medium, yet full-flavored body. Draped in shimmery Nicaraguan Habano wrappers, the cigars look like they cost three times the price, and the Robusto issues a rich-tasting mix of earthiness, cedar wood, some tanginess, and a nice helping of spice. Fans of cigars like La Gloria Cubana Serie N, Punch Gran Puro Nicaragua, and CAO LX2, will appreciate these.

Rocky Patel Rosado Fumas

Recommended Size: Toro/6″ x 52Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Nicaragua, Dominican Republic
Body: Medium

For years, one of the bestselling Famous Smoke Shop exclusives has been the Rocky Patel Rosado selection for its consistent quality, rich flavor, and reasonable price. The Rosado Fumas are made with the same Ecuadorian-grown Sumatra wrappers and Nicaraguan-Dominican filler blend. The difference is, the wrappers are bit more rustic and the fillers are a Cuban Sandwich. The Toro is an excellent example that delivers the blend’s wonderfully sweet and spicy goods at a price that’s almost laughable—but all kidding aside—this is one seriously good cigar.

Asylum Schizo Maduro

Recommended Size: Churchill/7″ x 52
Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés Maduro
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras
Body: Medium

From the fine folks who make Asylum Cigars comes Schizo–an attractive, affordably-priced bundle selection presented in two Cuban Sandwich varieties: an all-Nicaraguan blend and a Maduro with an Honduran core topped by a naturally sweet Mexican San Andrés Maduro wrapper. The Churchill 7×52 Maduro offers an impressive patchwork of dark, earthy flavors along with cedar and cocoa, underscored by both sweet and peppery spices. You could also say the Schizo selection cigars are the keys to the Asylum.

Cuban Rounds Maduro

Recommended Size: Robusto/(5” x 50)

Wrapper: Nicaragua Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Body: Medium

With a not-so-subtle hat tip to the Cuban cigar that inspired its look, Cuban Rounds have made waves among smokers of every stripe by offering a window of Havana-style taste for mere peanuts.. The blend leans sweet, boasting a medium-bodied temperament that goes bold on flavor without doing the same on strength. We found dark wood, sweet spices, earth, and a hint of dark chocolate, thanks to an oily Habano Maduro from Nicaragua. Who says your everyday cigar has to be boring? Cuban Rounds Maduro will give your taste buds a welcomed 45-minute treat without giving your wallet a heart attack.

Tatuaje Series P

Recommended Size: Short Robusto/4½” x 52
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Body: Medium

Among the best of the bunch for its quality construction and well-rounded flavor. Like the Slaughterhouse above, the Tatuaje Series P Short Robusto is well-packed, and smokes very much like its long filler brother, the Tatuaje Havana VI. Not bad for a cigar that goes for just under $4.00 (at press time). The medium-bodied flavor profile is mostly toasty-woody in character with some creamy sweetness. I also picked up notes of cedar, oak, roasted coffee, and cocoa. A very enjoyable smoke on all counts, making the P Short Robusto a “must have” everyday companion for Tatuaje disciples, as well as new cigar smokers who want a rich-tasting Nicaraguan at an affordable price.

So, there you have it, and I hope you’ve found some Cuban Sandwich cigars worth giving a try. Just a few caveats. Mixed-filler cigars tend to have a much easier draw. As a result, the cigars can burn faster and hotter, so take your time to keep them from turning bitter in the final stage. Additionally, sometimes the smaller pieces of tobacco can wind up in your mouth. Therefore, I suggest you use a punch or V-cut before lighting-up.

If you enjoyed reading this article, or smoked any of the cigars in the list, please share your thoughts by leaving a comment.