Top Cuban Cigars Every Humidor Should Have

I know what you’re thinking – not another top 10 list…I get it. However this top 10 is going to be a little bit different: we’re going to look at the best cigar within each selected size. These will comprise mainly of cigars that have been on the market for decades, but we will throw in some modern classics that have earned their way into a permanent spot in your humidor.  The list will proceed in order of smallest to largest and by the end, hopefully you will always have the right stick at hand for your given situation – the perfect compliment to that quick jolt of espresso or a companion for a lazy afternoon with no demands on your time.

Every humidor should have at least one of these Cubans to cover a variety of cigar sessions.

Our list begins with a relative newcomer – H. Upmann : Half Corona (44 R X 90 mm)

SIZE:  HALF CORONA

With the hectic schedules many of us are forced to keep these days, we don’t often have the time to relish a Double Corona.  So – when all that was missing from your nice dinner out was a few puffs from an Havana, the Half Corona can provide that on that walk back to the car.  This light to medium bodied cigar should give you 20 to 30 minutes of peat, leather and coffee flavour; perfect for that slow walk around the block to work off that meal.

A step-up both in length and strength is the Ramon Allones : Small Club Corona (42 X 110)

SIZE: SHORT PETIT CORONA (OFFICIAL NAME:  MINUTOS)

The Small Club has been around since before the 1959 revolution and can always be counted on to immediatelyprovide a quick medium to full-bodied smoke full of cedary spice, and pleasant aroma, finishing with a more earthy power that is very satisfying.

Next up is a classic in the truest sense of the word: Montecristo : No. 4 (42 X 129)

SIZE: PETIT CORONA

Montecristo has been in production since 1935, and the No.4 grew, at one time, to be the best-selling premium Cuban cigar in the world and remained that way for years, until tastes changed, and people started gravitating towards cigars with larger girths. Leather notes predominate this easy smoking, medium-bodied smoke.  Try not to ignore the small sized cigars, and make sure you keep a couple of spots free in your humidor for these classics.

From what was once the most popular cigar to the current bestselling Cuban cigar – the Partagas : Serie D No. 4 (50 X 124)

SIZE: ROBUSTO

This mouthful, in both name and flavour is the pinnacle of the Robusto size.  Introduced in 1975, this full-bodied cigar, with its distinctive red band, evolves from raisin and walnut to leather and black pepper notes as it increases in strength.  Although not as strong as some in the Partagas line (the P-2 comes to mind), the D-4 is nonetheless excellent, rich experience.

If, however, you are in the mood for even more “full-bodied-ness”, look no further than the Bolivar : Belicosos Finos (52 X 140)

SIZE:  SHORT PYRAMID (OFFICIAL NAME:  CAMPANAS)

A highly regarded, constant presence on various top lists, this figurado hits with power from the moment of lighting, with flavours of wood and peppery spices. It doesn’t evolve as it is smoked down, so much as the pepper becomes more predominant along with emerging hints of cocoa.  A perennial classic.

Somewhat difficult to find, but always worth the effort, is the Punch : Punch (46 X 143)

SIZE:  CORONAS GORDA

Mild to medium in body, the Punch Punch is the perfectly sized cigar (essentially a shorter Churchill) that will provide at least an hour of creamy, nutty and dried fruit flavours that will satisfy without being overpowering.  A great after lunch cigar.

Getting into the realm of needing to take out a second mortgage in order to finance its purchase, we come to the Cohiba : Siglo VI (52 X 150)

SIZE:  ROBUSTO EXTRA (OFFICIAL NAME:  CAÑONAZO)

Introduced in 2002, a decade after the original Siglo line, this medium, evolving to full-bodied smoke delivers from the get-go with notes of brioche and toast and continually evolves until rich flavours of crème brulé and nuts and pepper emerge.  The Siglo VI represents the epitome of the Torcedor’s art.

One of the most iconic of all cigars across all brands and sizes has to be the Montecristo : No. 2 (52 x 156)

SIZE:  PYRAMID

The perfect vitola for those who enjoy the volumes of smoke from larger ring gauges, but perhaps not the jaw breaking mouth feel, this Pyramid starts out medium-bodied with elements of bitter cocoa, cedar and undernotes of cream.  As you smoke it down, the Monte 2 gains richness and spice and the ever-present notes of leather.

Now we come to those cigars that are “by appointment only” – cigars that require time to be set aside so that they may be properly enjoyed – starting with the Trinidad : Fundadores (40 X 192)

SIZE:  LONSDALE (OFFICIAL NAME:  LAGUITO ESPECIAL)

This elegant long panatella, once only available as diplomatic gifts, became available to the rest of us plebes in 1997.  Immediately recognized at the time for its simple gold band, the cigar has diminished somewhat as the Trinidad line has gotten larger, but at its best can still deliver gorgeous mild puffs layered with cream, leather and chocolate.

Next up, that other cigar named for the great British statesman, the H. Upmann : Sir Winston (47 X 178)

SIZE: CHURCHILL (OFFICIAL NAME:  JULIETA NO. 2)

Nothing against Romeo’s Churchill, which is a great cigar, but the superior aging qualities of this H. Upmann allow it to squeak in at the top. Appreciated by both newbies (who can handle an almost 2 hr. smoke), well as seasoned vets, this beautiful cigar, though mild, is rich and complex. With room to grow, it starts off with notes of bread, almonds and light leather and progresses to black tea, chocolate and wood. Never becoming overbearing, the richness is appreciated by all.  Some find that Sir Winstons get stronger with aging, though I never seem to have them long enough to test the theory.

And lastly, when you have the time, you can’t do any better than the Hoyo de Monterey : Double Corona (49 x 194)

SIZE: DOUBLE CORONA (OFFICIAL NAME:  PROMINENTES)

Referring to this cigar as a “stick” does it a disservice – it’s more like a branch. As an admittedly slow smoker, I can routinely can get a 3 hour smoke out of these honkers; the combustion is impeccable. Mild to medium, yet showing great complexity, these Prominentes typically in Colorado wrappers give us flavours of cream, wood, cocoa and grey pepper in the final third.

Honourable Mention:

A cigar that has not yet made into the pantheon of classics, the Montecristo : Double Edmundo (50 X 155) nonetheless deserves special mention.

SIZE:  ROBUSTO EXTRA (OFFICIAL NAME:  DOBLES)

A fairly recent release (2013), it has grown in popularity and at the moment, is considered one of the best cigars available in its class.

Sporting a beautiful dark brown oily wrapper, this Double Robusto kicks in right from the start with flavours of wood, black pepper and mushroom, builds steadily with increasing spice and leather and walnuts with a long lasting finish.

Keep your humidor well fed and happy smoking!

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