Top 5 Best-Rated NUB Cigars
Famous Customer Picks: 5 Best NUB Cigars
A brief history of NUB Cigars
You often hear cigar smokers talk about the ‘sweet spot’ in a cigar. It’s usually toward the middle and when you get there, it’s pure smoking bliss. And in 2008 when NUB was debuted to the world, creator and master blender at Oliva, Sam Leccia, had achieved what seemed impossible: a shorter smoke that started and finished entirely in that sweet spot…but took as long to smoke as a full-length cigar. How he did it – we’re not sure, but like a good magic trick, it loses its luster when you figure out how it was done.
At first, folks thought that NUB cigars were a novelty. We forgive them for that. Fads come and go, and we’ve seen some ridiculous cigar concoctions come across our desks over the years. But NUB caught on and it was quicky apparent that the brand was lightning in a bottle.
Each of their cigars typical is 4 inches long and offered in big-ring sizes that range from 54 to 66 gauge, but a few NUB blends are longer (5 inches and beyond) with thinner ring gauges that go down to Corona, and even cigarillo sizes.
Sam has since moved on to other projects outside of Oliva, but NUB is his magnum opus. So popular in fact, that it’s remained one of the best-selling extensions of the Oliva portfolio – 13 years and counting as of this publication date.
See the NUB Cigars overview video:
How we choose our best NUB cigar picks…
That’s the thing. We don’t. You choose them. Every pick here is based on Famous Smoke Shop customer reviews and ordered from highest to lowest. There are a few qualifications cigars must meet before being included, just like all the brands in our Top-Rated series.
Those qualifications are:
Make sure your voice is heard and share your experience with NUB cigars at Famous Smoke Shop or leave us your review in the comments below!
NUB Habano 466 – 4.7 Stars across 22 Reviews
Stillman in KY says: “Gave me an even, slow burn for close to an hour. Tastes good all the way to the nub.”
Habano wrappers are known to be spicy, but the beauty of NUB Habano 466 is that its pepper and spice are tamed by over an inch of width from its 66-ring gauge. That means you get all the flavor benefits of its full-bodied temperament without flash frying your nose and throat with each puff. It’s just smooth sailing for nearly an hour with a blanket of bold flavors like earth, sweet spices, wood, coffee, and black pepper. Large ring gauge fans will love it, and even if you aren’t, the benefits make it well worth your while.
NUB Cameroon 460 – 4.6 Stars across 46 Reviews
David in WI says: “Almost perfect...”
The ‘460’ is NUB’s signature size, and that’s why all but one of these top-rated cigars are indeed a 460. Your number one pick of NUB Cameroon is no exception. A genuine African-grown Cameroon wrapper and an all-Nicaraguan core of tobaccos burn smooth with a pleasant aroma, and a woody-sweet profile with notes of toast, cedar, and coffee that keeps a medium-bodied profile throughout. I’d put it up there with the best Fuente Cameroon examples, but I’m more interested in what you think. Let me know if you try ‘em!
NUB Maduro 460 – 4.4 Stars across 37 Reviews
Patrick in PA says: “Great cigars. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
It looks like chocolate…and kinda tastes like it too. The Maduro 460 is a long-standing favorite of NUB fans and it’s all thanks to the blend’s recipe of Nicaraguan fillers and Brazilian Maduro wrappers. Together, they dish out big, full-bodied flavors of dark cocoa, cream, and toffee on the finish – all behind a zesty curtain of spice that its Arapiraca leaf wrapper provides. Even though I’m not big on 60 rings myself, this has been my nightcap cigar many times – it’s just a delicious way to end the day.
NUB Connecticut 460 – 4.5 Stars across 25 Reviews
Mark in IL says: “Great smokes for any time, but especially on cold winter days.”
Oliva didn’t try to reinvent Connecticut with NUB as so many of their contemporaries have done these past few years, they just added their signature sizes and invited you to indulge in the best flavors Connecticut cigars have to offer for the entire duration of your session! Lots of vanilla, cedar, leather, and earth are available in every puff and its large, 60 ring gauge makes the smoke extra smooth, with no bite from the light spices and pepper notes found on the finish. Once you try one, it’s not hard to see why it’s rated so highly by Famous customers. How about lighting one up and seeing if you agree?
Honorable Mention:
NUB Café Nuance Single Roast 460 – 3.9 Stars across 19 Reviews
Dean in OH: “It’s like a marriage of Java and Tabak Especial.”
I know that rules say each cigar needs a minimum of 4.0 stars, but this NUB Café Nuance Single Roast was so ridiculously close to qualifying, that I’m giving it a consolation prize. I’m no fan of flavored cigars by any means, but coffee-infused is another story. Dean in Ohio said it’s like a combo of Java and Tabak Especial, and I’ve got no argument to make. Whether you’re smoking Nuance with your morning coffee, or in lieu of dessert after dinner, it’ll satisfy your sweet tooth for the better part of 60 minutes.