Best Cuban Cigar Brand: The Definitive Ranking

Cohiba is widely regarded as the best Cuban cigar brand overall, earning the top spot through its unmatched prestige, exceptional tobacco selection from Vuelta Abajo’s finest vegas, and a portfolio that includes some of the most celebrated cigars ever rolled. But “best” is a loaded word in the cigar world. Montecristo outsells every other Cuban brand globally, Partagas delivers bolder flavor at friendlier prices, and insider picks like Ramon Allones quietly embarrass cigars costing twice as much. The truth is, the best brand depends entirely on what you value most: prestige, flavor complexity, consistency, or bang for your buck.

After smoking through hundreds of boxes over the past decade and consulting with tobacconists, factory rollers, and seasoned aficionados from Havana to London, here is our definitive ranking of the 10 best Cuban cigar brands.

The Top 10 Cuban Cigar Brands, Ranked

#1 – Cohiba: The Undisputed King

Cohiba sits at the apex of Cuban cigar production, and it is not just marketing. Originally created in 1966 exclusively for Fidel Castro and foreign diplomats, the brand was not available to the public until 1982. Every Cohiba cigar undergoes a third fermentation process that no other Cuban marca receives, and the tobacco is selected from the top 10% of leaves harvested in the Vuelta Abajo region. The Behike line introduced medio tiempo leaves, the rarest priming on the tobacco plant, pushing the brand even further into rarefied territory.

Standout cigars: Siglo VI (~$38/cigar), Behike 56 (~$128/cigar), Robusto (~$37/cigar).

#2 – Montecristo: The World’s Favorite

Montecristo is the best-selling Cuban cigar brand on the planet, and that popularity is well earned. Founded in 1935, the brand delivers a remarkably balanced, medium-bodied profile that appeals to beginners and veterans alike. The lineup is enormous, from the compact No. 4 (~$14/cigar) to the grand Montecristo A. Consistency across production runs is among the best in Cuba, and the cedar-and-cream signature profile is instantly recognizable.

#3 – Partagas: Character and Value

Partagas is the brand for smokers who want real flavor without paying Cohiba prices. Established in 1845, it is one of Cuba’s oldest marcas and produces some of the most full-bodied cigars on the island. The Serie D No. 4 (~$16/cigar) is arguably the best value robusto in all of Cuban production, delivering earth, leather, and black pepper at a fraction of what you would pay for a Cohiba of similar size.

#4 – Bolivar: Bold and Unapologetic

Bolivar is the brand that full-bodied aficionados swear by. Named after South American liberator Simon Bolivar, these cigars are among the strongest and most intense in Cuba’s portfolio. The Belicosos Finos is a perennial top-10 cigar in expert rankings, delivering waves of dark chocolate, espresso, and spice. Not for beginners, but absolutely essential for experienced smokers seeking maximum flavor.

#5 – Hoyo de Monterrey: The Gateway to Cuba

Hoyo de Monterrey produces some of the smoothest, most approachable Cuban cigars available. The Epicure No. 2 is frequently recommended as the first Cuban cigar a beginner should try, and for good reason. Light to medium body, creamy smoke, hints of hay and subtle sweetness make it an easy entry point that still showcases what Cuban tobacco does best.

#6 – Trinidad: Exclusive and Refined

Trinidad was Cuba’s other “secret” brand, originally produced exclusively for diplomatic gifts starting in 1969. It was not released commercially until 1998, and the lineup remains deliberately small. The Fundadores, a 7.5-inch lonsdale, is a legendary vitola. What you get with Trinidad is exclusivity and elegance: medium-bodied, complex, and produced in smaller quantities than most marcas.

#7 – Romeo y Julieta: Romance and Value

Romeo y Julieta has been one of the most recognized cigar brands in the world since Winston Churchill made it famous in the 1940s. The Wide Churchills and Petit Coronas offer excellent quality at accessible price points. The brand has one of the widest vitola ranges in Cuba, giving smokers plenty to explore without breaking the bank.

#8 – H. Upmann: Understated Elegance

H. Upmann, founded in 1844 by German banker Hermann Upmann, delivers some of the most refined and nuanced smokes in Cuba. The Magnum 46 and No. 2 are superb medium-bodied cigars with notes of almond, cedar, and light honey. If Partagas is the loud one at the party, H. Upmann is the well-dressed gentleman in the corner who everyone secretly admires.

#9 – Punch: The Underrated Powerhouse

Punch rarely appears on “best of” lists, which is exactly why it belongs here. Established in 1840, it is one of Cuba’s oldest brands and delivers excellent medium-to-full-bodied cigars at prices that often undercut more famous names. The Punch Punch is a classic corona gorda that consistently over-delivers. If you want to impress a cigar snob, hand them a Punch without telling them the brand and watch their eyebrows rise.

#10 – Ramon Allones: The Insider’s Pick

Ramon Allones is the brand that tobacconists smoke when nobody is watching. Founded in 1837, it is the oldest existing Cuban cigar brand and produces a tiny lineup, most notably the Specially Selected, a robusto that rivals the Partagas Serie D No. 4 in depth and complexity while often costing less. Small production keeps it under the radar, which is fine by the people who know.

The Debate: What Makes a Brand “The Best”?

The Prestige Argument

If “best” means the brand that represents the pinnacle of Cuban cigar-making, Cohiba wins and it is not particularly close. The triple fermentation, the elite rollers at El Laguito factory, the use of medio tiempo leaves in the Behike line, the exclusivity of limited editions: no other brand comes close to this level of pedigree. When heads of state light up a Cuban cigar, it is a Cohiba.

The Flavor Argument

Many experienced smokers will argue that brands like Partagas, Bolivar, and even Ramon Allones deliver more interesting, complex flavor profiles than Cohiba. There is merit to this. Cohiba’s refinement can sometimes translate to a smoother, less adventurous smoke compared to the raw intensity of a Bolivar Belicosos Finos or the earthy depth of a Partagas Serie D No. 4. Flavor is subjective, and the “smoothest” cigar is not always the “best-tasting” one.

The Value Argument

This is where brands like Montecristo, Partagas, Romeo y Julieta, and especially Jose L. Piedra and Quintero shine. A box of 25 Montecristo No. 4 cigars costs roughly $350, while a box of 25 Cohiba Robustos runs over $900. Both are robusto-sized, both come from Vuelta Abajo tobacco. The Cohiba is smoother and more refined, but is it three times better? Most honest aficionados would say no.

For a complete overview of every marca cubana, including discontinued lines and regional editions, visit our comprehensive Cuban cigar brands guide.

How We Ranked These Brands

Our ranking considers five weighted factors:

• Quality of tobacco and construction (30%) – Consistency of draw, burn, and ash
• Flavor complexity and depth (25%) – Range and evolution of flavors through the smoke
• Consistency across production (20%) – Box-to-box reliability
• Value for money (15%) – Quality relative to price point
• Range of vitolas (10%) – Variety and accessibility of the lineup

No brand scores perfectly in every category. Cohiba dominates quality and prestige but falls short on value. Montecristo excels in consistency and range but lacks the bold character of Partagas. That tension is exactly what makes Cuban cigars endlessly fascinating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the #1 Cuban cigar?

The Cohiba Behike 56 is widely considered the single finest Cuban cigar in production, featuring the rare medio tiempo leaf and a price tag of approximately $128 per cigar. However, the Montecristo No. 2 torpedo is the most acclaimed Cuban cigar by sheer volume of expert reviews and awards, and it costs a fraction of the Behike.

Which Cuban cigar brand is best for beginners?

Hoyo de Monterrey is the best brand for beginners, particularly the Epicure No. 2. Its light-to-medium body, creamy texture, and forgiving burn make it ideal for someone transitioning from milder non-Cuban cigars. Montecristo is another excellent starting point, especially the No. 4.

What is the most popular Cuban cigar in the world?

The Montecristo No. 4 is the single most-sold Cuban cigar globally, followed by the Romeo y Julieta Petit Coronas. Together, Montecristo and Romeo y Julieta account for the largest share of Cuban cigar exports worldwide.