Imagine walking into your local cigar lounge with a $10 bill. You enter the humidor and think to yourself, “What's the best cigar I can buy with the $10 in my pocket?”
Well, we're going to try an answer that question today. Let's talk about the Best Cigars Under $10 for 2024.
Related: Top 10 Cigars Under $10 2018 Edition, 2021 Edition, and 2022 Edition,
Related: Best Cigars of 2024
Over the past 2 years, since opening our retail store, CigarScore Lounge, cigar prices have increased, across the board, anywhere from 15% to 30%. So, Here's how we came up with this list. While we tried to focus on cigars from 2024 that are under $10, we decided to expand the selection to our favorite cigars under $10. So, if you and I were to walk into a cigar lounge, and you had a $10 bill, these are cigars I would recommend.
If you'd like more information about our rating system, click here.
Top 10 Cigars Under $10
#1: Drew Estate Liga Privada H99 Papas Fritas
Made from the shavings, extras, and left-overs of the other H99 cigars, the Drew Estate Liga Privada H99 Papas Fritas has shot to the top of the value list for me. I love the creaminess that joins the spice and sweet notes on this cigar. The fact that it comes in well under $10 doesn't hurt at all.
Brand: Drew Estate
Line: Liga Privada H99
Size: 4 1/2 x 44
Price: $8.80
Wrapper: United States Connecticut Corojo
Binder: Mexican San Andres
Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua & United States Pennsylvania
Strength: ••••
#2: Rocky Patel The Edge Sumatra Toro
Long-time readers and viewers might be thinking, “oh look, another list with the Edge Sumatra on it.” Well, not only has this cigar remained a favorite in the 15+ years I've been smoking it, but everyone who I've introduced to this cigar has loved it as well.
Brand: Rocky Patel
Line: The Edge / Sumatra
Size: 6 x 52
Price: $9.51
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: ••••
#3: H. Upmann Nicaragua Heritage by AJF Corona
We've smoked the Nicaragua Heritage in several vitolas and they've all been wonderful. Read our review for the full flavor notes, but this bold cigar is rich and complex. Each time we light one up, we're reminded of how good this cigar truly is.
Brand: H. Upmann / AJ Fernandez
Line: Nicaragua Heritage by AJ Fernandez
Size: 5 1/2 x 44
Price: $10.99
Wrapper: Brazilian Mata Fina
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: •••••
#4: Macanudo Inspirado Black Toro
The Inspirado line is Macanudo's attempt to become relevant in 2024, and they've succeeded. The flavors of the Inspirado are sweet and a little spicy, and the Broadleaf wrapper was nicely contrasted by the Sumatran binder.
Brand: Macanudo
Line: Inspirado / Black
Size: 5 1/2 x 54
Price: $9.35
Wrapper: United States Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: ••••
#5: Tatuaje La Mission du L'Atelier 1959 Robusto
The La Mission du L'Atelier is a super-bold cigar packed into a tiny packaged. The San Andres wrapper is rich and complex, but is also expressed in a way that might surprise you. We really enjoyed this blend, but was also glad we ate something before lighting it up.
Brand: Tatuaje
Line: La Mission du L’Atelier
Size: 4 3/4 x 52
Price: $9.90
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: •••••
#6: Aladino Classic Robusto
When I reviewed this cigar, I had no idea what it cost, but I loved it. The Aladino Classic punches above it's price point and tastes like a much more expensive cigar. This one was one of my favorite cigars over the last several months.
Brand: Aladino
Line: Classic
Size: 5 x 50
Price: $10.56
Wrapper: Honduran Habano
Binder: Honduran Corojo
Filler: Honduran Corojo, Honduran Habano
Strength: ••••
#7: Drew Estate Undercrown Shade Corona
To fit the Undercrown Shade under $10, we had to go with the smallest vitola, the Corona. While the other sizes aren't much more expensive, we tried to meet the goal. This is one of my go-to cigars to smoke on a crisp morning with a cup of coffee. the UC Shade is mild, but full of great flavors.
Brand: Drew Estate
Line: Undercrown Shade
Size: 5 5/8 x 46
Price: $9.86
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
Binder: Indonesian Sumatra
Filler: Dominican Republic Criollo '98, Nicaraguan Corojo & Criollo
Strength: •••
#8: Partagas Valle Verde Belicoso
Since offering the Valle Verde in the Adventure Club, I've had the opportunity to sample multiple vitolas of this blend, and the Belicoso is the best. It even shows up on the Best Cigars of 2024 list. Wonderfully sweet, slightly chocolatey, and a solid value for the money.
Brand: Partagas
Line: Valle Verde
Size: 6 1/2 x 52
Price: $10.99
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Cameroon
Filler: Nicaragua (Estelí Ligero, Jalapa), Mexican San Andres
Strength: ••••
#9: Room 101 Los Statos Deluxe Maduro Toro
The Los Statos Deluxe Maduro is a very mysterious cigar. It comes wrapped in white parchment paper that's wrapped again in blue and white paper. But, inside is is a beautiful and delicious cigar that's wrapped in a slightly oily Connecticut Broadleaf. I had some construction issues with mine, but the flavors were bold, sweet, and delicious.
Brand: Room 101
Line: Los Statos Deluxe / Maduro
Size: 6 x 52
Price: $9.90
Wrapper: United States Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Dominican Republic (Piloto Cubano) & Honduras (Jamastran, La Entrada)
Strength: ••••
#10: Macanudo Inspirado White Robusto
Rounding out this Top 10 list is a second Macanudo! Who'da thunk it!? The Inspirado White is very mild with hints of grass and citrus. This cigar is enjoyable, and, as bonus, comes in under $10. If you're looking for another cigar to pair with coffee, check out the Inspirado White!
Brand: Macanudo
Line: Inspirado / White
Size: 5 x 50
Price: $8.25
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
Binder: Indonesia
Filler: Nicaragua (Esteli, Jalapa), Mexican San Andres
Strength: •
Before we go into the Honorable Mentions, let me mention what a challenge it was to find amazing cigars under $10. Not that there aren't any (obviously), but the number of options has been significantly reduced over the past few years.
I actually started to put this list together as a Top 15 Under $15. But, given the popularity of the Top 10 Cigars Under $10 from 2021, with over 22,000 views on YouTube in the first 6 months of re-upload, I thought I should not only stick to a proven formula, but do my damnedest to get you guys a list of budget-friendly-but-delicious cigars. While some cigars came in at slightly over ten bucks, hopefully you'll forgive me.
Honorable Mentions
While going through what I'd spend my $10 on, I came up with these additional cigars. Some have been around a while but I wanted to include them. Others are relatively new, but aren't what I'd go to first when entering a humidor. In alphabetical order…
AJ Fernandez Last Call Maduro Geniales
I discovered the Last Call Maduro while short on time at a small lounge in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Since then, this rich, earthy, and bold cigar has become a favorite for both an end of the night cigar as well as for when you don't have long to smoke. And, for a bonus, sock some away for a few years to see what these become!
Brand: AJ Fernandez
Line: Last Call / Maduro
Size: 4 1/2 x 48
Price: $6.95
Wrapper: United States Pennsylvania Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: ••••
Drew Estate Factory Smokes Maduro Toro
The Factory Smokes line of cigars from Drew Estate is incredibly cheap. However, the Maduro packs some serious flavor. I felt these were mentioning for a couple of reasons. First, I smoked one and really enjoyed it. Second, we receive viewer and customer feedback all the time that these cigars are one of the best values for the money.
Brand: Drew Estate
Line: Factory Smokes / Maduro
Size: 6 x 52
Price: $1.87
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Indonesia
Filler: Indonesia
Strength: ••••
Drew Estate Nica Rustica Adobe Robusto
The Nica Rustica Adobe is a continuation, expansion, and deviation of the original Nica Rustica line. Whereas the original was bold, the Adobe is milder and smoother. For such an inexpensive cigar, this one is definitely worth looking at. The flavors are spicy and mostly delicious.
Brand: Drew Estate
Line: Nica Rustica Adobe
Size: 5 x 54
Price: $5.81
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Brazil
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: ••••
Rocky Patel The Edge Habano Toro
The Edge Habano has been a favorite for a long time. Whenever I introduce friends and customers to this cigar, they thank me. The Habano is like the Sumatra (above), but without the sweetness. Every time I smoke this cigar, the construction is perfect, the draw is perfect, and the amount of smoke I get on each puff – perfect.
Brand: Rocky Patel
Line: The Edge / Habano
Size: 6 x 52
Price: $9.13
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: ••••
Over to You
What cigars were left off this list? What brand was slighted? If you were to head to your local lounge with a $10 bill in your pocket, what would you buy?
Let me know your top cigars of 2024 in the comments section below!
