Top 25 of 2022: The Complete List

Here is the complete list of our Top 25 Cigars of 2022. They can also be downloaded as a PDF (US-letter or A4 format), or a JPG.

#25 | 1502 Aniversario 10

Tasting notes:

Among this Toro’s fine cedar and leather aromas is the sweetness of vanilla beans, as well as delicate pepper and a touch of salt. It unfolds as nutty, fruity, and earthy.

Owner: Global Premium Cigars
Factory: A.J. Fernandez
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Mexico
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: 7(of 10)
Size: 152 x 19.8 | 6 x 50
Released: 2022

#24 | Great Wall The Mao Series

Tasting notes:

This perfectly rolled, handcrafted cigar is complex and harmonious. It offers woody, leathery, earthy, and fruity notes paired with sponge cake, mint, coffee, and caramel. On top of that, chili heat.

Owner: China Tobacco Sichuan Industrial Co.
Factory: Great Wall Cigar Factory
Origin: China
Wrapper: Dom. Rep.
Binder: Indonesia
Filler: Dom. Rep., China, Nicaragua
Strength: 5 (of 10)
Size: 159 x 19.8 | 6 1/4 x 50
Released: 2022

#23 | Platinum Nova Leo 11 Edition Limitada Nicaragua

Tasting notes:

This Toro with a pigtail offers leather flavors, with undertones of earth and charcoal. It is peppery and develops a light note of saffron. But cocoa and cinnamon sweetness are also present, as well as coffee aromas.

Owner: Platinum Nova Cigar LLC
Factory: Barreda Cigar Nicaragua
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: 7 (of 10)
Size: 152 x 21.4 | 6 x 54
Released: 2021

#22 | Liga Privada Único Serie Year of the Ox

Tasting notes:

This cigar in a Maduro wrapper produces huge amounts of smoke and white ash. The subtle fruity sweetness is underscored by pepperiness, nutty and wood aromas, and mineral notes.

Owner: Drew Estate LLC
Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: USA
Binder: Brazil
Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua
Strength: 4 (of 10)
Size: 152 x 21.4 | 6 x 54
Released: 2021

#21 | The American Double Robusto

Tasting notes:

The cigar reveals aromas of earth and undergrowth, dried flowers and hazelnuts. Then herbal notes, chocolate sweetness; some coffee and chili heat come into play.

Owner: J.C. Newman Cigar Co.
Factory: J.C. Newman El Reloj
Origin: USA
Wrapper: USA
Binder: USA
Filler: USA
Strength: 8 (of 10)
Size: 140 x 22.2 | 5 1/2 x 56
Released: 2021

#20 | Cumpay Lancero

Tasting notes:

Creamy milk chocolate marries with leather, coffee and nut aromas in this Lancero. Roasted nuts, sweetness and some pepper also play a part, and at times some juniper can be discerned.

Owner: Maya Selva Cigars
Factory: TAOSA
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: 7 (of 10)
Size: 178 x 15.1 | 7 x 38
Released: 2022

#19 | Principle Martinique Lancero

Tasting notes:

This elegant Lancero format presents sweetness, acidity, pepper, and a hint of bitter tones. It has a very complex blend, with a penchant for wood and fruit notes paired with spice/sharpness.

Owner: Principle Cigars Inc.
Factory: Kelner Boutique Factory
Origin: Dom. Rep.
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Dom. Rep.
Filler: Dom. Rep., Nicaragua
Strength: 6 (of 10)
Size: 191 x 15.5 | 7 1/2 x 39
Released: 2022

#18 | La Aroma de Cuba (outside US: del Caribe) Pasión
Box-Pressed Torpedo

Tasting notes:

Creamy wood, toast and nut aromas unfold over the vegetal note that is retronasally noticeable, with a fruity sweetness and a peppery spice. An elegant-looking cigar with great tower of ash.

Owner: Ashton Distributors, Inc.
Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: 7 (of 10)
Size: 156 x 21.4 | 6 1/8 x 54
Released: 2021

#17 | Davidoff Dominicana Toro

Tasting notes:

This pigtailed Toro presents aromas of fresh wood and fresh earth, notes of thyme, cloves, and roasted aromas. An increasing fruity sweetness comes up that is accompanied by gentle chili spice and pleasant bitter tones.

Owner: Oettinger Davidoff AG
Factory: Tabadom
Origin: Dom. Rep.
Wrapper: Dom. Rep.
Binder: Ecuador
Filler: Dom. Rep.
Strength: 7 (of 10)
Size: 152 x 21.4 | 6 x 54
Released: 2021

#16 | A. Flores Connecticut Valley Reserve Azul Churchill

Tasting notes:

The sweet start has notes of cherries and chocolate, caramel, and vanilla at the ready that combine well with the woody aromas. The smoke of the cigar is creamy and cool, delicately salty and tart.

Owner: PDR Cigars
Factory: PDR Cigars
Origin: Dom. Rep.
Wrapper: USA
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Dom. Rep., Nicaragua
Strength: 6 (of 10)
Size: 178 x 19.8 | 7 x 50
Released: 2022

#15 | Garofalo La Famiglia Connecticut Epicure

Tasting notes:

In the first third, the cigar delivers bitter almond, licorice, subtle sweetness and acidity. A peppery kick, ample spice, a floral note, toast, roasted and leathery aromas develop … very creamy.

Owner: United Cigar Group
Factory: Tabacalera Perdomo S.A.
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: 4 (of 10)
Size: 152 x 21.4 | 6 x 54
Released: 2022

#14 | Drew Estate 20 Acre Farm Toro

Tasting notes:

This cigar’s lush cedar and oaky aromas blend well with the pepper spiciness, nut and coffee tones, and the subtle spice. Pastry scents and fruity notes can be detected.

Owner: Drew Estate LLC
Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Nicaragua, USA
Strength: 5 (of 10)
Size: 152 x 20.6 | 6 x 52
Released: 2021

#13 | Plasencia Cosecha 149 Santa Fe

Tasting notes:

The cigar’s sweet, fruity and tart flavors are accompanied by cocoa, espresso and wood. But in the foreground is a fine herbal note with a pinch of pepper and delicate sweetness.

Owner: Plasencia Group
Factory: Tabacos Oriente
Origin: Honduras
Wrapper: Honduras
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras
Strength: 8 (of 10)
Size: 124 x 23.8 | 4 7/8 x 60
Released: 2021

#12 | Villiger Exclusivo USA 2021 Robusto

Tasting notes:

This slightly box-pressed cigar unfolds the sweetness of maple and caramel, the spice of nutmeg, and aromas of earth, leather, and nuts. Some chili can be found in the creamy, buttery smoke.

Owner: Villiger North America
Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza S.A.
Origin: Dom. Rep.
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Dom. Rep.
Filler: Dom. Rep.
Strength: 4 (of 10)
Size: 127 x 20.6 | 5 x 52
Released: 2021

#11 | AVO Syncro Caribe Toro

Tasting notes:

A cigar like milk chocolate and creamy cappuccino with a slight nougat aftertaste. Leather, wood, and earthy aromas complement the experience as well as a pinch of pepper.

Owner: Oettinger Davidoff AG-Basel
Factory: OK Cigar Factory
Origin: Dom. Rep.
Wrapper: Dom. Rep.
Binder: Ecuador
Filler: Dom. Rep.
Strength: 6 (of 10)
Size: 152 x 20.6 | 6 x 52
Released: 2021

#10 | Oliva Serie V Melanio Limited Edition 2021  4 x 60

Tasting notes:

The aromas of coffee and roasted, lightly salted almonds dominate the first few draws of this cigar. In addition, it offers some pepperiness, leather, cloves, and the gentle sweetness of dried fruit.

Owner: Oliva Cigar Co.
Factory: Tabacalera Oliva S.A.
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: 6 (of 10)
Size: 102 x 23.8 | 4 x 60
Released: 2021

#9 | A.J. Fernandez Enclave Connecticut Figurado

Tasting notes:

The smoke of this Figurado is buttery and has the sweetness of cotton candy on the palate. Earthy and cedary aromas, herbal spice as well as fresh pepper and licorice make for diversity.

Owner: A.J. Fernandez Cigars
Factory: Tabacalera A.J. Fernandez
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: 5 (of 10)
Size: 165 x 20.6 | 6 1/2 x 52
Released: 2021

#8 | Flor de Selva Colección Aniversario Nº20 Toro

Tasting notes:

Earthy, woody and leafy aromas mingle in this Toro with toasty, chocolate notes and fruity hints of cranberry; all underscored by cereal, BBQ notes, and sweetness.

Owner: Maya Selva Cigars
Factory: TAOSA
Origin: Honduras
Wrapper: Honduras
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras
Strength: 5 (of 10)
Size: 152 x 20.6 | 6 x 52
Released: 2022

#7 | Ramón Allones 40 Carat ER Países Bajos

Tasting notes:

Sweetness of chocolate and leather unfold alongside strong earth and wood flavors. Although some samples didn’t draw perfectly, the subtle flavors and smooth flavor profile are compelling.

Owner: Cubatabaco
Factory: Cubatabaco
Origin: Cuba
Wrapper: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Filler: Cuba
Strength: 8 (of 10)
Size: 184 x 19.8 | 7 1/4 x 50
Released: 2022

#6 | La Aurora Preferidos Hors d’Age 2020

Tasting notes:

This perfectly rolled cigar unfolds aromas of wood and nuts. At the same time, it also develops the sweetness of cinnamon and a subtle leather component, combined with a gentle peppery kick.

Owner: La Aurora S.A.
Factory: La Aurora
Origin: Dom. Rep.
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Ecuador
Filler: Dom. Rep., Nicaragua, Colombia
Strength: 7 (of 10)
Size: 152 x 21.4 | 6 x 54
Released: 2021

#5 | VegaFina Nicaragua Gran Vulcano

Tasting notes:

This cigar develops voluminous, creamy smoke and stimulates the whole palate with sweetness, delicate spiciness, a subtle salty tone, and tart-sweet licorice. It is nutty, spicy, and harmonious.

Owner: Tabacalera S.L.U.
Factory: Tabacalera de Garcia
Origin: Dom. Rep.
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: 6 (of 10)
Size: 137 x 22.2 | 5 3/8 x 56
Released: 2022

#4 | Perdomo Inmenso Seventy Sun Grown Churchill

Tasting notes:

In the first third, this huge format shows cedary, oak and roasted aromas as well as balanced pepperiness. Later, the aroma wheel turns more towards fruity notes and nuts with spice and sweetness.

Owner: Perdomo Cigars
Factory: Tabacalera Perdomo S.A.
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: 5 (of 10)
Size: 178 x 27.8 | 7 x 70
Released: 2021

#3 | Sixty by Rocky Patel Sixty

Tasting notes:

With its woody, leathery and coffee aromas, this large cigar provides the perfect foundation for the sweetness of brioche, caramel, and cocoa, as well as peppery spice, and toast.

Owner: Rocky Patel Premium Cigars
Factory: TAVICUSA
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexico
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: 8 (of 10)
Size: 152 x 23.8 | 6 x 60
Released: 2021

#2 | Davidoff Winston Churchill LE 2022

Tasting notes:

This tightly rolled Perfecto draws fantastically and unfolds leathery and roasted aromas, a bundle of spices as well as the sweetness of chocolate. Floral and woody notes with a peppery kick round it out.

Owner: Oettinger Davidoff AG
Factory: CIDAV
Origin: Dom. Rep.
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Mexico
Filler: Dom. Rep., Nicaragua
Strength: 8 (of 10)
Size: 149 x 24.2 | 5 7/8 x 61
Released: 2022

#1 | Padrón Family Reserve No.95 Natural

Tasting notes:

A complex, spicy, peppery Gordo with base notes of earth, lush aromas of cedar, leather, cocoa, as well as cloves. From time to time, coffee notes and more sweetness come to the fore.

Owner: Padrón Cigars, Inc.
Factory: Tabacos Cubanica S.A.
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: 8 (of 10)
Size: 121 x 23.8 | 4 3/4 x 60
Released: 2022