This list is composed of my top 25 ranked cigars based on scores given in the 138 reviews I did this year (2023). But as you’ll notice many have similar scores, so they were ranked based on the level of enjoyment I got out of the bunch. I hope this list will bring some interest for you to try these cigars out if you haven’t already or you’ll just be happy to see a cigar you like on here.
Remember these are just the opinions of one person (me), if you’d like a more professional view I suggest you check out Cigar Journal’s Top 25 Cigars of the Year 2023, that they will post in January 2024, where my fellow blindtasting panellist voted on our Top 25 (New) Cigars of 2023. In Cigar Journal’s blindtasting panel we are 93 people from around the world, giving our scores blind. If you’d like to check out more websites Cigar Journal gives their approval to check out some of their partners here. (Yes, I’m part of the tasting panel and have been since 2016, so take my word however you’d like).
I always try to be as clear as possible in my reviews where I get the cigars from. In this list of 25 cigars, I bought 5 myself, 3 were gifted or traded by friends and 17 was gifted by brands (either at InterTabac or sent/handed over to me). I have stated this in the reviews but will also state this in the list down below to give you (the reader) a clear view on how you can interpret my list. As my reviews here aren’t done blindly there’s always a risk of a bias opinion based on looks, previous knowledge of a brand and experiences you’ve had of the brand in the past. I try the utmost to have the minimal information of the product I’m testing before hand, not to be influenced. All information gathering is done afterwards the written review is done.
I rather not know the price of the item reviewed as it may influence the opinions of how good the cigar is. That’s also why I will NEVER include the price in my reviews as it shouldn’t be part of the evaluation of the performance and taste of the cigar. Then it’s hard for me keep a level opinion based price in mind as all the different markets in the world have different currencies and base price (MSRP) I can only look from my market (Sweden), but most of the stuff I review is not even available here. As I have readers in 180 different nations worldwide it’s easier for you to research if the particular cigar you are interested in is available from a place you can purchase it.
My reviews and this top 25 is purely passion based, there are no paid partnerships or ads here that I generate an income from. If a brand decides to send or give me anything it’s only because they want me to show you guys their products, not for me to do a review or give them good scores, if I decided to review them its up to me and IF its good I’ll tell you about it, same if it’s not good, because I want to be transparent and honest. That’s also why I state where I have gotten each cigar from.
Out of 138 reviewed cigars there was a total of 67 different brands represented, here are the top 10 most frekvent ones.
- Davidoff (9 reviews)
- Principle (9 reviews)
- Casdagli (8 reviews)
- Arturo Fuente (6 reviews)
- Caldwell (5 reviews)
- Cavalier Genève (4 reviews)
- Crowned Heads (4 reviews)
- Hiram & Solomon (4 reviews)
- Rocky Patel (4 reviews)
- Selection Meerapfel (4 reviews)
53 were gifted by brands, 29 gifted by friends and 30 I bought myself.
Now to my list of TOP 25 CIGARS OF 2023:
No. 25 – Casa 1910 Cavalry Edition As de Oro
Owner: Casa 1910 AG
Factory: Undisclosed
Origin: Mexico
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Mexican San Andrés
Filler: Nicaraguan Estelí Ligero, Jalapa Seco and Viso & Ometepe Viso
Body/Strength: A full bodied cigar with a medium strength profile.
Size: 6×54 Toro
Released: 2022
Production: Regular Production
Gifted by Manolo Santiago, Co-founder of Casa 1910 Cigars.
No. 24 – Cavalier Genève Black Series II Viso Jalapa Robusto Gordo
Owner: Cavalier Premium Cigars Ltd.
Factory: Fábrica Centroamericana de Tabaco S.A.
Origin: Honduras
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Jalapa Viso
Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
Filler: Nicaraguan Habano
Body/Strength: A full bodied cigar with a medium to full strength profile.
Size: 5×54 Robusto Grande
Released: 2021
Production: Regular Production
Gifted by Cavalier Genève Cigars.
No. 23 – Lampert 1675 Edición Morado Short Robusto
Owner: LAMPERT LLC
Factory: AgroIndustrial Nicaraguense de Tabacos S.A.
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Body/Strength: A medium bodied cigar with a full strength profile.
Size: 3.75×52 Short Robusto
Released: 2023
Production: Regular Production
Gifted by Stefan Lampert owner of Lampert Cigars.
No. 22 – Joya de Nicaragua Cinco dé Cinco Toro
Owner: Joya de Nicaragua, S.A.
Factory: Joya de Nicaragua
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés
Binder: Joya de Nicaragua
Filler: Joya de Nicaragua
Body/Strength: A medium bodied cigar with a medium strength profile.
Size: 6×52 Toro (Boxpressed)
Released: 2023
Production: Regular Production
Gifted by Joya de Nicaragua Cigars.
No. 21 – Principle Private Label The House by Industrial Cigar Company
Owner: Principle Trading Company, Inc
Factory: Kelner Boutique Factory
Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Dominican Republic Cubra
Filler: Peru & Dominican Republic
Body/Strength: A full bodied cigar with a medium to full strength profile.
Size: 6×52 Pyramid
Released: 2019
Production: Limited Production
Gifted by Darren Cioffi owner of Principle Cigars.
No. 20 – Regius of London Serie Limitada Robusto
Owner: REGIUS CIGARS LIMITED
Factory: Tabacalera del Oriente
Origin: Peru
Wrapper: Peru
Binder: Peru
Filler: Peru
Body/Strength: A mild bodied cigar with a medium strength.
Size: 4.9×50 Robusto
Released: 2022
Production: Limited Production
Gifted by Gennaro Lettieri, owner of Tabacalara del Oriente.
No. 19 – Kind Cigars 10th Anniversary SUB56
Owner: Kind Group AB
Factory: Undisclosed
Origin: Undisclosed
Wrapper: Undisclosed
Binder: Undisclosed
Filler: Undisclosed
Body/Strength: A medium bodied cigar with a medium strength profile.
Size: 6.5×56 Gran Toro
Released: 2023
Production: Limited Edition
Gifted by a friend.
No. 18 – Quesada Vega Magna Robusto
Owner: Quesada Cigars
Factory: Quesada Cigars
Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic Viso, Seco & Ligero
Body/Strength: A medium bodied cigar with a medium strength profile.
Size: 5.5×54 Robusto
Released: 2018
Production: Limited Yearly Production
Bought from The Oak Lounge Tallinn, Estonia.
No. 17 – Davidoff Limited Edition 2023 Year of the Rabbit
Owner: Oettinger Davidoff AG
Factory: Cigars Davidoff
Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Hybrid 238
Binder: Mexican San Andrés Negro
Filler: Dominican Republic Piloto Seco, San Vicente Ligero, San Vicente Seco, Yamasá Viso & Nicaraguan Estelí
Body/Strength: A full bodied cigar with a medium strength profile.
Size: 5.9×54 Double Perfecto
Released: 2023
Production: Limited Production of 19.200 boxes of 10 cigars
Traded with a friend.
No. 16 – Padrón Family Reserve Mellgrens 190th Anniversary Edition Maduro (Vintage 2013)
Owner: Piloto Cigars Inc.
Factory: Padrón
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Body/Strength: A full bodied cigar with a medium to full strength profile.
Size: 6×52 Toro (Boxpressed)
Released: 2013
Production: Limited Production to 100 boxes of 5 cigars
Gifted by Mellgrens Fine Tobacco.
No. 15 – La Aurora Preferidos Hors D’age 2018
Owner: La Aurora S.A
Factory: La Aurora S.A
Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Ecuador
Filler: Brazil, Nicaragua & Dominican Republic
Body/Strength: A full bodied cigar with a medium to full strength profile.
Size: 6×58 Toro Gordo
Released: 2018
Production: Limited Production
Bought from Cubano in Linköping, Sweden.
No. 14 – Principle 10th Anniversary Accomplice Decienne
Owner: Principle Trading Company, Inc
Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza
Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano 2000
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: 2x Dominican Republic & 2x Nicaragua
Body/Strength: A medium bodied cigar with a mild strength profile.
Size: 6.5×54 Gran Toro
Released: 2023
Production: Limited Edition of 1000 boxes of 10 cigars
Gifted by Darren Cioffi owner of Principle Cigars.
No. 13 – Casdagli Cypher 3311 Boniface
Owner: Stirling International OÜ
Factory: IGM Boutique Factory
Origin: Costa Rica
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Costa Rica
Filler: Peru, Dominican Republic & Undisclosed
Body/Strength: A full bodied cigar with a medium strength profile.
Size: 5×54 Robusto
Released: 2023
Production: Yearly Limited Production
Gifted by Jeremy Casdagli owner of Casdagli Cigars.
No. 12 – Principle Aviator Series 10th Anniversary Petit Cochon Volant
Owner: Principle Trading Company, Inc
Factory: Kelner Boutique Factory
Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Corojo
Binder: Dominican Republic Monte Plata
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua & Peru
Body/Strength: A medium bodied cigar with a medium strength profile.
Size: 4.25×58 Petit Cochon Volante, Double Figurado
Released: 2023
Production: Regular Production
Gifted by Darren Cioffi owner of Principle Cigars.
No. 11 – Cavalier Genève Prospektor
Owner: Cavalier Premium Cigars Ltd.
Factory: Fabrica Centroamericana de Tabaco S.A. [F.C.T]
Origin: Honduras
Wrapper: 2x Nicaraguan Jalapa Viso
Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua & Paraguay
Body/Strength: A medium bodied cigar with a medium strength profile.
Size: 6×54 Toro
Released: 2019 as a retailer exclusive and 2021 as regular production with a new blend.
Production: Regular Production
Gifted by Cavalier Genève Cigars.
No. 10 – Casdagli Traditional Line 25 Aniversario Double Corona
Owner: Stirling International OÜ
Factory: Kelner Boutique Factory
Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic, Peru, USA & Nicaragua
Body/Strength: A medium bodied cigar with a medium strength profile.
Size: 7.5×52 Double Corona
Released: 2023
Production: Yearly Limited Production of 3-4.000 cigars in boxes 10 cigars
Gifted by Jeremy Casdagli owner of Casdagli Cigars.
No. 9 – Arturo Fuente Don Carlos The Man’s 80th Personal Reserve
Owner: Arturo Fuente Cigar Company
Factory: Tabacalera A. Fuente
Origin: Undisclosed
Wrapper: Undisclosed
Binder: Undisclosed
Filler: Dominican Republic
Body/Strength: A full bodied cigar with a medium strength profile.
Size: 5×50 Robusto
Released: 2015
Production: Limited Yearly Production
Bought from The Oak Lounge Tallinn, Estonia.
No. 8 – Principle White Gold Band Toro Especial
Owner: Principle Trading Company, Inc
Factory: Kelner Boutique Factory
Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Dominican Republic Monte Plata
Filler: 3x Dominican Republic & Zimbabwe
Body/Strength: A full bodied cigar with a medium strength profile.
Size: 6×50 Toro
Released: 2023
Production: Limited Edition
Gifted by Darren Cioffi owner of Principle Cigars.
No. 7 – Davidoff Millennium Lancero Limited Edition 2023
Owner: Oettinger Davidoff AG
Factory: Cigars Davidoff
Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Hybrid 151
Binder: Mexican Sumatra Seco
Filler: Dominican Republic Mejorado Seco, Piloto Seco, San Vicente Visus & Yamasa Ligero
Body/Strength: A full bodied cigar with a medium strength profile.
Size: 7×39 Lancero
Released: 2023
Production: Limited Edition to 14.600 boxes of 10 cigars
Bought at Brobergs Tobakshandel, in Gothenburg.
No. 6 – Flor de Selva Año del Conejo 2023 (Year of the Rabbit 2023)
Owner: Maya Selva Cigars
Factory: Tabacos de Oriente
Origin: Honduras
Wrapper: Honduras
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras
Body/Strength: A full bodied cigar with a medium strength profile.
Size: 5.5×48 Corona Gorda
Released: 2022
Production: Limited Edition to 2023 boxes of 10 cigars
Gifted by a friend.
No. 5 – Principle Aviator Series Cochon Volant
Owner: Principle Trading Company, Inc
Factory: Kelner Boutique Factory
Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Corojo
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic San Vicente, Nicaragua & Peruvian Pelo de Oro
Body/Strength: A medium to full bodied cigar with a medium strength profile.
Size: 5×54(65) Flying Pig (Fat tapered Figurado with a closed foot)
Released: 2013
Production: Regular Production
Gifted by Darren Cioffi owner of Principle Cigars.
No. 4 – Yagua Toro
Owner: J.C. Newman Cigar Company
Factory: J.C. Newman PENSA
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: USA Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Body/Strength: A full bodied cigar with a medium strength profile.
Size: 6×52 Toro (All cigars have slightly different shapes some are more rectangular, triangular or square as they are packaged and rolled in a Royal Palm leaf in the boxes).
Released: 2020
Production: Yearly Limited Production of 75.000 cigars.
Gifted by Drew Newman, 4th Generation Owner & General Counsel at J.C. Newman Cigars.
No. 3 – Caldwell Long Live the Queen Queen’s Club
Owner: Caldwell Cigar Company
Factory: El Maestro
Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Cameroon
Binder: Sumatra
Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua
Body/Strength: A medium bodied cigar with a medium strength profile.
Size: 6×56 Toro Gordo
Released: 2023
Production: Regular Production
Gifted by Robert Caldwell, owner of Caldwell Cigars.
No. 2 – Principle Cocktail Collection The Tiki Mai Tai Companion Robusto
Owner: Principle Trading Company, Inc
Factory: Kelner Boutique Factory
Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Dominican Republic Monte Plata
Filler: Dominican Republic & USA
Body/Strength: A full bodied cigar with a medium strength profile.
Size: 5×50 Robusto
Released: 2023
Production: Limited Release of 3000 cigars.
Gifted by Darren Cioffi owner of Principle Cigars.
No. 1 – Angel Cuesta Toro
Owner: J.C. Newman Cigar Company
Factory: El Reloj Cigar Factory
Origin: USA
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Rosado
Binder: Undisclosed
Filler: Undisclosed
Body/Strength: A full bodied cigar with a medium strength profile.
Size: 6×52 Toro
Released: 2023
Production: Limited Yearly Production of twice a year.
Gifted by Drew Newman, 4th Generation Owner & General Counsel at J.C. Newman Cigars.
Pingback: My Top 25 Cigars of the Year 2023 Full List – Urban Fishing Pole Cigars