The 5 best cigars outside of Cuba

5. My Father No. 1

It tastes like Christmas!

You never know when you’ll find greatness, I bought a My Father No. 1 for my father so we could enjoy a nice smoke together. Little did I know it would be one of my favorite smokes of all time! At $9 a stick, this is definitely the best “bang for your buck” cigar on the list. With mouthfuls of thick, white smoke on every puff and an absolutely effortless draw, anyone can appreciate this cigar. You’ll find rich flavors and aromas of spice, leather, and coffee all the way to the end. The My Father is made in Nicaragua with Nicaraguan leaves except for the wrapper which is from Ecuador.

Country of origin: Nicaragua

4. Fuente Fuente OpusX Belicoso XXX

Don’t be fooled by the size, this thing is intense!

Also referred to as the Power Ranger and the XXX Belicoso, the OpusX XXX is the Belicoso-sized cigar from Arturo Fuente’s OpusX line of cigars. Fuente has basically taken their premium line of cigars (OpusX) and condensed the size and flavor into one “best of the best” cigar. Everything about this stick is top-notch; from its tight, springy construction, beautiful red-brown wrapper, to a stunning, bold band. This is the smallest cigar on the list, but don’t let that fool you, it is also the strongest on the list. The OpusX XXX is a powerhouse cigar: full flavor, full strength, and full body that will leave any cigar smoker satisfied.

Country of origin: Dominican Republic

3. Padron 1964 Anniversary Series Imperial

Creamy complexity, your taste buds will thank you long after it’s gone.

Padron seems to do no wrong, their regular offerings are creamy, chocolatey, and stay true to what a classic smoke should be. The Anniversary 1964 is no different, only it is elevated to the next level. The band is elegant and classic, the wrapper thin and soft, and the box-pressed shape make this cigar an impressive site to behold. Every puff gives volumes of rich, oily smoke, and a chocolatey creaminess that could impress any critic. The flavors of the 1964 are a lovely combination of nut, pepper, and chocolate that will stay with you long after the embers have gone out.

Country of origin: Nicaragua

2. Liga Privada No. 9

Elegant yet powerful.

The Liga Privada is one of the most sought after cigars on the market, originally created by Drew Estate for their personal use, they are now available (if you can find one) to the public. This cigar is a full onslaught of flavor to your tongue, it is oily and spicy, with a very interesting white pepper zest. The smoke just billows out of this cigar, retro-haling is effortless and almost unavoidable as the peppery smoke flows through the nostrils, adding complexity to this truly amazing cigar.

Country of origin: Nicaragua

1. Padron Serie 1926 No. 9

The Godfather.

From the look, to the feel, the construction, the smell, and of course flavors… this is as close to a perfect cigar as I have tried. You’ll notice each band is numbered on an intricate, underlying band, as these are one of the most counterfeited cigars available. Similar to the 1964, the Serie 1926 is oily, creamy, and gives a very satisfying smoke exhale with every draw. The burn is perfect and even seems to continuously correct itself, keeping its burn razor sharp throughout. The flavors are luxurious and far more complex than others on this list. Smoking the 1926, you can taste the age and maturity this cigar embodies, with flavors of aged tobacco, cocoa, espresso, and nut. Smoking a Padron Serie 1926 will let you know what a good cigar should be, it is the benchmark, and I have yet to taste anything more bold, balanced, complex, and sophisticated in the cigar world.

Country of origin: Nicaragua

Is that not the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?

So the next time you find yourself in your local humidor, remember, there may be something really special right under your nose. Treat yourself to something different, something unique, because it’s not everyday we get to indulge in life’s greatest delicacies.

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