Updated October 2022
We all know there are cigars, and then there are cigars.
Most of us have an exceptional cigar (or two) squirreled away for that special moment—be it the birth of a child or grandchild, a wedding, retirement, milestone birthday, or favorite team winning it all. And chances are, this cigar was more expensive than what you’d usually smoke. So, what exactly is a luxury cigar.
Although we’re talking price, there’s more to it than that. Luxury cigars—at least the ones worth smoking—are justifiably more expensive for a host of reasons. Sometimes they contain extensively aged, ultra-premium tobaccos that’ve been specially reserved. Or they’re produced in such small quantities that there just aren’t enough to go around. Other factors are included as well, from the packaging—including ornate boxes and bands—to using only the most skilled and experienced cigar rollers in production.
But what is it that makes these particular luxury cigars worth it? Well, my opinion for one. Joking aside, while this list is subjective there are a few common denominators found in the cigars listed below. These cigars all have nearly perfect construction with a flawless burn. They are balanced and have consistent and rich flavor profiles. Lastly, these blends contain some of the finest cigar tobaccos grown anywhere and are produced by first-rate artisans and craftsmen.
Listed below are the cigars I don’t necessarily need but have to have—luxury cigars that are worthy of the biggest occasions and worth every penny. Now, I know I’ve probably missed a few of your favorites, so hit me up in the comment section with your choices for expensive cigars that are worth smoking.
Exquisite tobaccos? Check. Crafted by artisans? Check. A cigar to remember? Check and checkmate. Ashton VSG (Virgin Sun Grown) is made ‘Carlito’s way’ by Arturo Fuente cigars for Ashton and has remained one of the most sought-after non-Cubans since its introduction. The prized Sumatra wrapper is grown on a private estate in Ecuador and then patiently fermented by the Fuente’s until it’s perfect. The remainder of the blend includes four-to-five year-aged Dominican binder and long fillers and provides a thoroughly rich, full-bodied experience. With flavors of espresso, cedar, earth, black pepper, and leather, the Ashton VSG Wizard will have you under its spell.
Cohiba cigars have a legendary history. From originating as Castro’s personal cigars to the Serie M—the first Cohiba to be made in the United States. Crafted at the El Titan de Bronze Factory in the Calle Ocho section of Miami, Florida, Cohiba Serie M uses a Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper over a blend including Dominican Piloto Cubano and Nicaraguan long fillers. A wonderfully balanced and complex flavor profile awaits including notes of almonds, leather, pepper, and caramel with an undercurrent of creaminess. Made in small batch fashion—score the splendid Cohiba Serie M for that special moment.
A name that practically screams luxury, Davidoff’s are often considered the ultimate in cigars, and inhabit a class unto themselves. The Signature line—featuring an Ecuador Connecticut Shade wrapper over a blend of aged Dominican long fillers—is the barometer by which other Davidoff’s (and many other ultra-premium cigars) are judged. Heard of the renowned Davidoff flavor profile? It’s all here from the mellow and creamy notes of cedar, caramel, earth, and chocolate to the hints of white pepper that keep the blend interesting. Wanting a mellow, complex, and entertaining cigar to enjoy, look no further than the Davidoff Signature to level up your experience.
The cigar that dethroned the Opus. Or so some would have you believe. Regardless, it’s just about as hard to get your hands on one and it’s well worth it if you do. Spanish for ‘private blend.’ Liga Privada cigars were a juggernaut when first released, garnering a massive amount of buzz, and becoming somewhat of a cult cigar. Dressed in a dark and oily Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper over a Brazilian Mata Fina binder, and top-grade blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan long fillers, Liga Privada is fuller-bodied, delectably rich, and definitely a cut-above. There’s no time like the present to grab a Liga No.9 and see what the fuss is about.
Sin Compromiso translates to ‘no compromise’ and that’s the approach Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust founder and all-around cigar master Steve Saka took in developing the blend. Start with the Mexican San Andres negro “cultivo tonto” wrapper. These leaves were grown using a low yield Japanese method that not only results in an extraordinarily flavorful wrapper, but a higher tobacco price. While the Paladin de Saka uses primarily the same tobaccos as the rest of the Sin Compromiso line, there’s Pennsylvania ligero in the filler to provide a little more ‘oomph.’ Expect rich notes of dark chocolate, earth, fruit sweetness, black pepper, and meatiness from this flavor bomb. Pick up the Sin Compromiso Paladin de Saka—a monumental cigar for a monumental occasion.
By now, we’re familiar with the Ferio Tego origin story. If not, here’s a quick refresher—Michael Herklots and Brendan Scott, formerly of Nat Sherman, formed a new company from their remnants. Before resurrecting old fan favorite Nat Sherman cigars, they released a new blend—Ferio Tego Generoso. A full=bodied feast right from the get-go, expect a liberal shot of red pepper followed by some earth and coffee before the blend settles a bit and picks up notes of cashew. Complex, balanced, feisty, and rich, try Ferio Tego Generoso for a generous measure of luxury.
As the first cigar factory in the Dominican Republic—dating back to 1903—the folks at La Aurora have a few tricks up their sleeve. Take Preferidos #2 Tubos—these hard-to-roll double perfectos (hand crafted in small batches by rollers with over 15 years of experience) are an homage to the classic cigars that first came out of the La Aurora factory. Crafted using top-grade long fillers from Cameroon, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic under an Dominican Corojo wrapper, the medium-bodied Preferidos Corojo can be enjoyed any time of day. Dazzling notes of cedar, coffee, and citrus are playful and rich. Don’t miss Preferidos Gold #2 Tubos if you’re hunting for a cigar to savored.
No list of luxury cigars would be complete with a Montecristo lurking somewhere. And wow, what a Monte this is—the 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua is the glorious end result of a meeting of the best cigar minds around—AJ Fernandez, Rafael Nodal, and the Grupo de Maestros. While the exact blend is kept under lock and key, I can tell you that this full-bodied smoke pops with flavor. You’ll find depth and balance with notes of black coffee, pepper, leather, and some sweet spice in the background. Rated by some as the #2 cigar of 2021, add the 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua No. 2 to your need-to-try list.
A candy bar in cigar form, Padron Serie 1926 is a legendary blend that’s most often found at the top of various ‘best cigar’ or ‘cigars you need to try before you die’ lists. Rightfully so. While I’m of the mindset that any Padron is a good Padron, the Serie 1926 has everything you’d want in a spectacular cigar—flawless construction, deep and rich flavors, perfect balance, and oodles of complexity. They’re all there and in abundance. You’ll find a flavor profile with loads of cocoa, cedar, toast, and coffee with sweetness lingering in the background. For a taste of heaven, Padron Serie 1926 is your stairway.
In 2008, Nestor Plasencia Jr started setting aside bales of extraordinary Nicaraguan tobaccos. For what, he wasn’t exactly sure—but he knew the right project would come along, and the results would be nothing short of spectacular. The end result, Alma Fuerte is a medium-full bodied Nicaraguan puro that takes you on a journey with flavors of chocolate, cedar, roasted nuts, sweet tobacco, and baking spices. You won’t regret reaching for an Alma Fuerte Nestor IV the next time you’re looking to celebrate or create a memory.
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Paul first fell in love with the leaf back in college, where he majored in Philosophy (yes, seriously). Upon graduating, Paul stared into the abyss and unemployment stared back. He responded by founding the ‘Pounding Fathers,’ a traveling Beer Pong team with the other Philosophy grad at UMass. Aspiring to subsist on more than Ramen Noodles and Natural Ice, Paul put down his ping pong balls and picked up a pen - and a cigar - and began working in the premium cigar industry in 2013.
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[…] in January I wrote the article: 9 Luxury Cigars That Are Worth It and the response was pretty overwhelming. I mean, even we can’t afford to smoke ‘em every day (and not many can), we just LOVE to […]
Good article, Tommy, but it would have been useful to include the retail price of each in the text so we knew how expensive each one was. Just my two cents (which is usually all I can afford). :-)
The Oliva is worth every penny — however I found the Ashton and Liga Privada to both be wanting. The Ashton, especially, was a dissapointment; I have had many Ashtons and have found them all to be at the low end of this segment.
Oliva is a long time favorite of mine. When I tried the Melanio it was several steps above my daily go to cigars so I enjoy it as a celebration on a good day. Liga is also great but I need to try the Padron, love dark chocolate.
Be well Tommy Zarzecki.
Padron FR #45 Maduro would be a better choice…
Absolutely! My all-time favorite!
I have been smoking cigars for about 5 years. I tried many brands from $2 to $27 price range. I must admit that I am mostly impressed with Oliva Vs flavor, easy to smoke, and how it burns evenly; the best I ever smoked. I am convinced that Cuban cigars are overly priced and not as good as it should be. Cuban cigars need American competition so they would improve. The Cuban cigars are operating with the standard of 1960s.
These are an awesome collection. I have been fortunate to have smoke 5 of these cigars. My favorite is Liga Privada 9. In addition their Nasty Fritas have the same flavor with more punch.
Thanks for your comment. The Liga 9 is definitely a cut-above.
A cigar that is not often in the conversation and it’s truly superb is the Eiroa, the first 20 years, Diadema. Worth every penny.
Eiroa makes great smokes–and I agree they’re often overlooked.
The “legendary” status of the Cohiba name cannot overcome the lackluster taste, performance, and construction of the Serie M.
The Davidoff described herein is a simple cigar, nothing special except for the name.
All other, spot-on. Especially the Plasencia.
Thanks for reading. Since their release, I make it a point to smoke an Alma Fuerte each year on my birthday.
I like Maderos I’m smoking what’s called a Nicaraguan over runs 6×54 I get them online I think they are great. You can have your expensive sticks there a waste of money
Thanks for your reply. As they say, one man’s ribeye is anothers Big Mac.
Cigars at their basic level are just tasty fermented tobacco. So, smoke what you like and what you want regardless of what so-called experts (me included) think.
Assuming we are only discussing non-Cuban cigars in this forum… hence the Cohiba Behike is not considered here… but if you ever are fortunate to get one it is the cigar equivalent of being invited to the Playboy Mansion on a day that you got a hole in one and a double eagle at Pebble Beach….
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