As 2020 comes to an end, most cigar lovers are already looking for the next best cigar to try. With so many brands on the market, it can be challenging to find something special, but we’re here to help you solve your cigar dilemma.
Below, we’ve created a list of top cigars for 2021. Our list has a broad selection of different blends from various manufacturers.
We’ll discuss wrappers, flavors, and other things to look for in your cigar.
If you’re completely new to the cigar game, be sure to read our recent article Cigar Smoking 101 for a quick primer.
UPDATE: Check out our list of Top 11 Cigars to Look Out For in 2022
Let’s get to it!
Cohiba Robusto Cuban Cigars
First on our list of must-try cigars for 2021 are Cohiba Robusto Cuban Cigars.
These gems are flawlessly made by hand in the Dominican Republic using carefully-selected Cuban seed tobacco and are wrapped with an Indonesian Jember binder.
Cohiba Robusto cigars are extremely popular with cigar smokers and are right at home atop our list of the most sought-after Cuban cigars of all time.
They’re flawless!
These cigars have a flawless build and are medium-strength and flavor.
When smoked, the wrapper gives off an earthy, cedar aroma while the foot has light pine and spice notes.
The cigar is easily lit, and the first draws produce aromas of cedar, toasted almond, and a hint of white pepper, all intermingled with cocoa and pine.
Cohiba Robustos burn perfectly, taste incredible, and are the perfect smoke for lounging on the patio after a long day.
Pros:
- Excellent construction
- Superb flavor profile
- Perfect and even burn
Cons:
- Pricey
- Can be hard to find
Drew Estate Puros Churchill Cigar
Puros Huerfanos – means ‘cigar orphans,’ in Spanish, and we’ve become rather fond of these tasty overruns from Drew Estate.
Now, whether they’ve made too many of a particular brand or what doesn’t matter to us, what we do know is we’re glad they did it.
The Drew Estate Puros Huérfanos Churchill Cigar is a medium-plus flavored rebirth of a previously released Willy Herrera blend.
These cigars boast an evenly and nicely rolled vintage leather-brown Ecuadorian Habano wrapper.
When smoked, it has a wide array of base flavors like wood, nuts, earth, leather, pepper, and malty sweetness.
Although the pre-light flavor may be a little much for some, the mix of partially fermented tobacco and Fig Newtons quickly offsets it.
Once lit, you’ll enjoy a salty and creamy sweetness with notes of wood and pepper.
The draw has a slight resistance, with the excellent burn producing an ideal smoking experience.
Pros:
- Flawless Construction
- Creamy Ash flavored, even burn
- Balanced and complex flavor profile
Cons:
- The draw has a slight resistance.
Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Selección No.2
The Epicure Selección No.2 is a fairly-new line of cigars from the well-known cigar manufacturer Hoyo de Monterrey.
This line of cigars uses a blend of Honduran tobacco with a proprietary Cuban seed wrapper.
Much like all of their other offerings, the Epicure Selección is crafted using exclusive old-world techniques and has an even burn line.
Upon the initial draw, the smoker is left with an aftertaste of earthy, wet leaves and fall rains.
The flavor soon settles into a unique blend of complex flavors, including cedar, sweet wood, coffee, white pepper, and toasted nuts.
Speaking of coffee, if you’d rather have the real thing with your smoke, read our recent blog post to learn our favorite coffee/cigar pairings.
This cigar has a solid construction, medium to full body, and medium-plus strength and hits heavier than most other Hoyos.
The good news is that you can buy some Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Selección No. 2 cigars right here at Screaming Eagle Cigars.
Pros:
- Reasonably priced
- The simple, straightforward flavor profile
- Impeccable construction
Cons:
- Sharpness in the first half can be too much for some
- Smoking slowly may obscure the hints of creaminess at the finish
Macanudo Gold LE 2021 Pyramid
Macanudo Gold Pyramid Cigars are made with the smoothest and fairest Connecticut shade-grown wrapper for a lighter and more mellow flavor.
These limited-edition premium cigars use only the first and second priming leaves to produce a naturally-mellow and sweet taste.
These cigars come in a pale walnut color sporting delicate veins and invisible seams.
As you smoke this gem, you’ll notice a complex flavor profile featuring charred bay leaves, light cedar, citrus, vanilla, and toasted bread.
Although the notes are very light, they are present in abundance, more and more with each draw.
Macanudo Gold Pyramid Cigars are the perfect cigar to enjoy during a calm and moonlight evening in the country.
Buy some pyramids, and see what we’re talking about.
Pros:
- Complex flavor profile
- The consistent and sharp burn
- Solid Construction
Cons:
- Bitter overtone can sometimes overpower the natural sweetness of the cigar.
Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua Robusto
This collaboration between master blenders AJ Fernandez and Rafael Nodal is nothing short of incredible.
This robusto delivers an added layer of spice to the Reserva Real lineup while avoiding being overpowering.
It’s a stunningly beautiful cigar featuring a smooth, medium-brown wrapper, fittingly adorned with a stylish white and gold band.
This cigar’s wrapper has a solid feel, a subtle sheen, and light veins.
When smoked, it has a medium strength and complex flavor profile, featuring fruit, floral notes, butter, cinnamon spice, cedar notes, light cocoa powder, maple syrup, and wood.
Pros
- Solid construction
- Well balanced flavor profile and aroma
- Crisp burn
Cons
- The start may be considered slightly harsh to some
- Mild wave in the first half
Montecristo No.2 Torpedo
Ahh, the classic Montecristo #2.
This time-tested treasure is crafted with only the best aged Dominical tobaccos and hand-rolled for a smooth and even burn.
And, it’s packed with more flavor than you’d come to expect from a CT wrapper.
The No.2 Torpedo is a classic Cuban cigar with its signature stately smoke and pointy tip.
That’s why this is one of the world’s best selling cigars and is a favorite cigar of enthusiasts worldwide.
Why? We’re glad you asked!
This cigar has more than enough character to satisfy new cigar hobbyists, social smokers, and true cigar aficionados.
This cigar boasts an extraordinarily potent flavor profile featuring leather, cinnamon, and spiced nutmeg when smoked.
Just like with all other quality cigars, The Montecristo No.2 Torpedo gets better with age.
Pros:
- Consistent draw
- Even Burn
- High-quality filler tobacco
Cons:
- Pricey
Rocky Patel LB1 Toro
Little known fact: The Rocky Patel LB1 Toro is named after the factory code given during pre-production in Honduras.
This cigar has an elegant look with white and copper-embossed bands highlighting the chocolate-covered wrappers.
The LB1 is a medium-bodied smoke, made of an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper encasing a perfect blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan tobacco.
When lit, the cigar offers a peppery start that soon settles into a smooth and satisfying blend of coffee bean, lemon cookie, sweet tobacco, and cedar with a long, spicy finish.
This cigar is perfect for intermediate to expert cigar smokers looking for a rich and spicy cigar with a fair amount of complexity.
The LB1 is ideal for intermediate to expert level cigar smokers looking for rich, spicy cigars with a fair amount of complexity.
Learn more about Rocky Patel cigars in our recent article.
Pros:
- Well-balanced flavor profile
- Strong and full smoke
- Perfectly wrapped
Cons:
- Can burn slightly uneven
Bonus: Punch Knuckle Buster Cigar Natural Toro
Last, but certainly not least, is The Punch Knuckle Buster Natural Toro.
This cigar is the newest addition to the Punch brand from General Cigar Company.
It fits in nicely with the rest of their offerings as a medium-strength, value-priced contemporary cigar.
The Knuckle Buster features a Nicaraguan Habano forward blend with Nicaraguan tobacco in the filler, binder, and wrapper.
The wrapper has slightly visible veins along the seams and features a navy blue circular field with silver trim up top.
The pre-light draw soothes the user with a mix of natural tobacco earthiness, sweetness, and cedar. Once lit, the user gets notes of black pepper, natural tobacco, earth, and hay.
Lastly, the Punch Knuckle Buster maintains a straight burn line and path, with the resulting ash being nearly white.
Pros:
- Perfect draw
- Incredible finish
- Medium complexity
Cons:
- It Burns faster than most cigars
Conclusion:
Whether you’re brand new to smoking cigars or are an experienced old-school smoker, the eight options above provide a great starting point for an excellent all-around smoking experience.
More importantly, these cigars to look out for in 2021 and their incredible flavors and craftsmanship will help you stand out from the rest of the crowd.
Now that you know the most popular cigars in 2021, be sure to learn what alcoholic drinks to pair with them.
We realize that some are hard-to-find, so please check out our store or contact us and we’ll help you find something close to the cigars in our list.
Happy Smoking!