The Top 10 Cigars of 2021

 

Dear Readers,

The Fine Tobacco NYC team is thrilled to release our fifth annual Top 10 Cigars of the Year list, for the second year under a blind review process that conceals the bands and brands from the reviewers. Even though the blind review process takes a bit more logistical work to implement, we’re proud that the result is a top 10 list that is as free as possible from bias. 

A quick word about ratings. Fundamentally, our scoring system rewards cigars that tell a discernible, delightful, and surprising story.  We’ve broken ties based on a consensus of the reviewing team.

For each cigar that made the list this year, we’ve provided a brief description of our impressions, along with a link to our full review.

On behalf of our entire team, congratulations to all our 2021 Top 10 winners.

 

Dear Readers,

The Fine Tobacco NYC team is thrilled to release our fifth annual Top 10 Cigars of the Year list, for the second year under a blind review process that conceals the bands and brands from the reviewers. Even though the blind review process takes a bit more logistical work to implement, we’re proud that the result is a top 10 list that is as free as possible from bias. 

A quick word about ratings. Fundamentally, our scoring system rewards cigars that tell a discernible, delightful, and surprising story.  We’ve broken ties based on a consensus of the reviewing team.

For each cigar that made the list this year, we’ve provided a brief description of our impressions, along with a link to our full review.

On behalf of our entire team, congratulations to all our 2021 Top 10 winners.

#1 Cigar of 2021 Casa Magna Liga F

 

Another hearty congratulations are in order to Quesada Cigars for taking the #1 top rated cigar our Top 10 Cigars of 2021 list. We say ‘another’ because the company won the top spot on our first ever Top 10 Cigars of the Year list in 2018 with its Vega Magna release (a stellar cigar you should still pursue). 

With a name like Liga F (“Fuerte”), you might expect this cigar to be a kick in the mouth. In reality, what the Liga F presents in terms of strength, it delivers even more in style and subtlety. The cigar kicks off with well balanced notes of leather, toast and nuts that slowly build in strength. As it develops, the smoke moves into medium to full strength with delicious nuttiness, oak, and coffee taking center stage. 

With the sole 93 rating of 2021, Casa Magna Liga F is a cigar deserving of our #1 Cigar of the Year, and a home in your humidor.

Top Cigars of 2021: 2 - 10

Warped Chinchalle

The inaugural Warped release from Tabacelera La Isla in the Dominican Republic, the Warped Chinchalle robusto first surprised us with its brashness, then wowed with incredibly balanced notes of toast, wood, fruit, floral, and a savory finish.

Strength: ■■■■□
Rating: 92
Read the full review here

Davidoff Dominicana 2021

Capped with a pigtail and wrapped in a silky Dominican wrapper, the Davidoff Dominicana 2021 showcased strength and finesse with style. On lighting, oak and leather, followed by subtle sweetness, dry fruits, and later chocolate and cream.

Strength: ■■■■□
Rating: 91
Read the full review here

Undercrown 10 Year

Possibly the most anticipated new release cigar in 2021, the Undercrown 10 Year from Drew Estate somehow managed to meet the high expectations from fans. After a brief, combative start, the cigar delivers huge servings of dark chocolate, oatmeal, bitter oak, and red pepper. Yum.

Strength: ■■■■■
Rating: 91
Read the full review here

Camacho Liberty Series 2021

The Camacho Liberty Series 2021 takes our #5 spot for its no-nonsense deliciousness (is deliciousness a word?). This 7×48 churchill serves a combination of roasted coffee, fresh baked goods, toasted almonds, caramel, and a hint of citrus tang. 

Sound amazing? We thought so too!

Strength: ■■■□□
Rating: 91
Read the full review here

Montecristo Epic Vintage 12

Rafael Nodal and Grupo de Maestros delivered another banger in 2021 via the Montecristo Vintage 12 (the name references ‘2012’, the harvest year of some filler tobaccos in the blend). Expertly crafted, the cigar begins with salt and leather, followed by graham cracker, wood, cocoa and spice. 

Strength: ■■■□□
Rating: 91
Read the full review here

Choshi by Luxury Cigar Club

Blended by Artesano del Tobacco and presented exclusively by Luxury Cigar Club, Choshi is a Nicaraguan puro produced by AJ Fernandez. This new brand impressed us with impeccable construction and deep, dark notes of cocoa powder, caramel, cedar, red pepper spice, and a lingering chocolate finish.

Strength: ■■■■□
Rating: 91
Read the full review here

Aging Room Rare Collection

The highlight release from Aging Room in 2021, Rare Collection is produced by Rafael Nodal and AJ Fernandez using very small batches of costly tobacco. Thankfully, the blend puts its money where its marketing is. The blend creates a refreshing profile that’s full of creamy oats, cedar, roasted nuts, and mild white pepper with a long, sweet finish.

Strength: ■■■■□
Rating: 90
Read the full review here

Viaje TNT 2021

Our #9 slot goes to another limited edition blend, the Viaje TNT 2021. The newest in a long line, this imposing cigar delivers notes dominated by smokey barbecue, cocoa, nuttiness, and a retrohale full of cedar, espresso and cream. 

Strength: ■■■■□
Rating: 90
Read the full review here

Micallef Leyenda Special Edition

The only non-2021 release that landed on our Top 10 goes to the Micallef Leyenda Special Edition, originally released in 2019. Featuring an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and fillers from DR, Nicaragua, and Honduras, this cigar strikes a captivating balance between black pepper, leather, and almond with an underlying sweetness.

Strength: ■■■■■
Rating: 90
Read the full review here

For more information on our ratings, check out our scoring system. 

Want to be considered for our 2022 ratings? Contact us here. 

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