The Top 10 Cigars of 2022

Dear Readers,

The Fine Tobacco NYC team is thrilled to release our sixth annual Top 10 Cigars of the Year list, for the third year under a blind review process that conceals 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 personal bias. 

A quick word about our scoring system. Our system rewards cigars that tell a discernible, delightful, and surprising story. While construction and price are often noted in our reviews, we ultimately score based on the substance, flavor, and finesse of blends. 

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 2022 Top 10 winners.

Dear Readers,

The Fine Tobacco NYC team is thrilled to release our sixth annual Top 10 Cigars of the Year list, for the third year under a blind review process that conceals 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 personal bias. 

Before revealing our Top 10, a quick word about our scoring system. Our system rewards cigars that tell a discernible, delightful, and surprising story. While construction and price are often noted in our reviews, we ultimately score based on the substance, flavor, and finesse of blends. 

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 2022 Top 10 winners.

#1 CIGAR OF 2022 LOS STATOS DELUXE

Let’s be real: the big companies in this industry release a lot of cigars—enough so that the average cigar enthusiast could be forgiven for getting a bit jaded. And so when Matt Booth and STG announced plans to ‘revamp’ Los Statos with new packaging and a new blend, many assumed the cigar would be just another uninspired blend among a field of 2022 releases. 

When it comes to Los Statos Deluxe’s first new blend, the naysayers were wrong.  With the only 93 rating among 2022 releases this year, Los Statos Deluxe is our 2022 Cigar of the Year. 

On the market for under $8 at many retailers, this cigar is one of the best value releases in recent years. Produced at STG’s HATSA factory in Honduras, Los Statos Deluxe features an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder, and fillers of Nicaragua and the Domincan Republic. On lighting, the cigar releases full-bodied notes of wood and black coffee that is spicy and sweet before transitioning into lush notes of hot cocoa and tingling spice. 

We’re happy to see a core line sit atop so many wonderful limited edition releases in 2022 via a blind review process. It goes to show that in a world of ever increasing cigar prices, there are still gems in the sub $10 range that can compete with higher priced alternatives. 

Try this cigar for yourself today. 

Strength: ■■■□□
Rating: 93
Read the full review here
Purchase Los Statos online here

Top Cigars of 2022: 2 - 10

Drew Estate Blackened Cigars M81

When we smoked Drew Estate’s Freestyle Live “Mystery Cigar” in September of 2022, we knew this was a special smoke. This collaboration cigar knocked our socks off with brazen flavors of sweet, dark cocoa, a unique chicory note, and plentiful  spice.

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

Plasencia Year of the Tiger

With Zodiac themed releases popularized and arguably perfected by Davidoff, Plasencia Cigars had a lot to prove with Year of the Tiger, and they succeeded. We loved the way the cigar enlivens the palate with notes of almond, spice, and rich cedar that develop into rich chocolate and cinnamon.

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

Davidoff Limited Edition 2022 Year of the Tiger

The second Zodiac-themed limited edition cigar to reach our list, and one of Davidoff’s best yet. A full blast of dense earth and fresh tobacco, transitioning into leather, cherries, almond and espresso.

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

J London Gold Series Piramides LCC Exclusive

Produced out of Tabacalera William Ventura, J London continues to impress with each new release. This incredible piramides offers impeccable construction and a solid medium bodied experience throughout with tasty notes of earth, maple, spice, and an underlying sweetness.

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

AVO LE 2022 Black Label

AVO broke our hearts this year by releasing the final blends of their beloved Improvisation Series. The LE 2022 Black Label stole the show with rich, balanced notes of bitter dark chocolate, roasted nuts, and oak, with a satisfyingly spicy retrohale.

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

Johnny Tobacconaught LCC Exclusive

If there was an award for sexiest branding, we’d probably give it to Matt Booth’s revival of Johnny Tobacconaught. Presented in a gorgeous 6×56 perfecto format, we loved the mix of dry hay and cedar that develops into sweet, buttery notes of peanuts, honey, and red pepper.

Strength: ■■■□□
Rating: 92

Read the full review her

Ferio Tego Timeless TAA 2022

While Timeless TAA 2022 from Ferio Tego looked an awful lot like TAA 2020, it just hit different. Produced by Plasencia—those masters of tobacco—Timeless TAA 2022 offers a delicious combination of pine nuts, oak, dark roast coffee, and a healthy helping of black pepper along with a salty finish.

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

Casa 1910 Cuchillo Parado

Casa 1910 raised a lot of eyebrows in the cigar community in 2022 and established a name for themselves with the Cuchillo Parado, a Mexican puro that is full of terroir and defies expectations. We were delighted by the mild but sophisticated smoke it creates, full of savory and tangy notes with a distinct citrus twist.

Strength: ■■□□□

Rating: 91
Read the full review here

LCA Reserva Vintage 2021

In a twist of irony, Privada Cigar Club’s best blend might be its most traditional looking cigar. Crafted by the skilled hands of Christian Eiroa, the LCA Reserva Vintage 2021 is a spectacularly presented lonsdale that wows with a balanced offering of toast, oak, cedar and just the right amounts of spice.

Strength: ■■■□□

Rating: 91
Read the full review here

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

Want to be considered for our 2023 ratings? Contact us here.