Since we opened our online cigar shop and retail lounge in progress CigarScore Lounge in 2022, we've had some truly amazing cigars. And, because of the Adventure Club, we've had the opportunity to try new and different cigars each month for over two and a half years.
And, while we missed doing a “Best Cigars” list in 2023, we're gonna make up for it today. The list below not only includes the best cigars from 2024, but a few remarkable standouts from the second half of 2023 as well.
Related: Best Cigars of 2022
NOTE: These cigars have all been smoked and reviewed here on CigarScore.com in the last 18 months. All cigars were purchased, none were donated, given, or gifted – so our reviews are as objective as possible. If you'd like more information about our rating system, click here. These cigars are listed in alphabetical order.
Best Cigars of 2024
AVO Expressions LE 2024
The AVO Expressions LE 2024 is a collaboration between Davidoff and a hip-hop DJ, and there were less than 7000 boxes made. When you light this cigar, you'll be greeted with flavors that are sweet and toasty and delicious. Expect a great draw and wonderful smoke output.
Brand: AVO
Line: Expressions LE 2024
Size: 6 1/2 x 50
Price: $19.80
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Mexican San Andres
Filler: Dominican Republic, United States
Strength: ••••
Byron 19th Century Poemas
The Byron 19th Century Poemas is a rich and decadent cigar that will bring strong notes of cedar. This cigar was incredibly well-blended, nuanced, rich, and delicious. This cigar is expensive, but, after smoking it, I began to understand the hype around Byron cigars.
Brand: Byron
Line: 19th Century
Size: 4 7/8 x 52
Price: $27.00
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Undisclosed
Filler: Undisclosed, Nicaragua
Strength: ••••
Drew Estate Liga Privada Velvet Rat 2024
Over the past few years, the Velvet Rat from Drew Estate has been a winner. This cigar always has great construction, great flavors, and delivers a great smoking experience. Expect a dark and oily Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper with a pre-light aroma that's leafy and delicious. A rich smoke will delight your palate.
Brand: Drew Estate
Line: Liga Privada Velvet Rat
Size: 6 1/4 x 46
Price: $19.80
Wrapper: United States Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Brazilian Mata Fina
Filler: Nicaragua, Honduras
Strength: •••••
Espinosa Knuckle Sandwich Maduro Corona Gorda
Out of the entire line, which includes Habano and Connecticut wrapped cigars, the Maduro is the best. After a slow start, the Knuckle Sandwich Maduro will start to really delight the palate once you're a few minutes in. Expect great construction with flavors that are rich, spicy, and a little bit sweet.
Brand: Espinosa
Line: Knuckle Sandwich / Maduro
Size: 5 5/8 x 46
Price: $13.15
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra Maduro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: ••••
Foundation The Tabernacle Havana Seed CT # 142 Corona
While this cigar has been around for years, I only discovered it in 2024. I've smoked several vitolas of the The Tabernacle Havana Seed CT # 142, and the Corona has the best flavor, the most complexity, and the most sweet/spiciness. Since discovering this cigar, I've had dozens, and this has become one of my all-time favorites.
Brand: Foundation
Line: The Tabernacle Havana Seed CT # 142
Size: 5 1/4 x 46
Price: $11.37
Wrapper: United States Havana Seed Connecticut Broadleaf #142
Binder: Mexican San Andres
Filler: Nicaragua (Esteli, Jalapa), Honduras (Jamastran)
Strength: ••••
Fratello Lunar Connecticut Toro
When you light the Fratello Lunar, you'll immediately taste the delicious flavors of spice, graham crackers, and something mildly creamy. I don't know if it's the combination of a San Andres binder with a sweeter Connecticut shade wrapper, or if it's the Cameroon filler, but this cigar had great flavors.
Brand: Fratello
Line: Lunar / Connecticut
Size: 6 x 50
Price: $15.40
Wrapper: Connecticut
Binder: Mexico
Filler: Dominican Republic, Cameroon
Strength: •••
Joya de Nicaragua Cinco de Cinco Corona Extra
The Cinco de Cinco features textured Mexican wrapper, and once you light the foot, the aroma of the burning tobacco will instantly intoxicate. The first puffs will be spicy and sweet, but this was also one of the most complex cigars I smoked in 2024. I found this cigar not only interesting but entirely enjoyable.
Brand: Joya de Nicaragua
Line: Cinco de Cinco
Size: 6 1/4 x 46
Price: $17.60
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: ••••
La Gloria Cubana 8th Street (2023) Corona Grande
Made to celebrate the history of cigar making on Miami's 8th Street, the LGC 8th Street was made at the El Titan de Bronze factory (on 8th St). When you light up this cigar, expect flavors that are doughy with hints of spice. Then, in the middle third, enjoy flavors that're creamy, oily and rich to delight the palate.
Brand: La Gloria Cubana
Line: 8th Street (2023)
Size: 6 1/2 x 48
Price: $25.30
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Maduro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua, Dominican Republic
Strength: ••••
Partagas Valle Verde Belicoso
After smoking multiple vitolas, I've found that Partagas Valle Verde in Belicoso is the best. It has the best flavor, as well as the best construction. This is a great smoke and if you like a Mexican San Andres wrapper, this “delicious from the first puff” cigar is a must-try.
Brand: Partagas
Line: Valle Verde
Size: 6 1/2 x 52
Price: $10.99
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Cameroon
Filler: Nicaragua (Estelà Ligero, Jalapa), Mexican San Andres
Strength: ••••
Perdomo 30th Anniversary Connecticut
The Perdomo 30th Anniversary Connecticut was blended to celebrate their 30 years of making cigars. While these look very similar to the popular 20th Anniversary, this newest blend features a 15-year-old wrapper that delivers sweet notes of honey. This cigar has become a new favorite to pair with coffee.
Brand: Perdomo
Line: 30th Anniversary / Connecticut
Size: 5 x 54
Price: $13.20
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: •••
Plasencia Cosecha 151
I've had multiple vitolas of the Cosecha 151, and they've all been delicious. Blended to celebrate Plasencia's 151st harvest, this cigar is spicy with hints of leather and cedar. I smoked many of these fantastic cigars, and they've each left me wanting another one.
Brand: Plasencia
Line: Cosecha 151
Size: Multiple
Price: $14.63
Wrapper: Honduras
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras
Strength: ••••
Rocky Patel The Edge 20th Anniversary Toro
I love this cigar. When I recorded the review, I'd smoked 4-5 of these Edge 20th Anniversary Toros, and since then I've smoked at least two boxes. Rocky knocked it out of the park with this blend and I highly recommend it. While it's quite different from the original Edge Sumatra, there are common background notes, but the most prominent flavors are sweet and floral. This one is a must-try.
Brand: Rocky Patel
Line: The Edge 20th Anniversary
Size: 6 x 52
Price: $13.86
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaragua, Honduras
Filler: Nicaragua, Honduras
Strength: ••••
Room 101 Johnny Tobacconaut Perfecto 2024
Since the initial release and review of the Johnny Tobacconaut in 2022, I've had the opportunity to smoke several of these cigars, and it has become a favorite. Since these hit regular production, they've expanded beyond the perfecto vitola, but this one is still the best. Expect flavors that are doughy, spicy, and with some whiffs of citrus.
Brand: Room 101
Line: Johnny Tobacconaut
Size: 6 x 56
Price: $17.60
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: •••
Over to You
What cigars were left off this list? What brand was slighted?
Let me know your top cigars of 2024 in the comments section below!