Top Cuban Cigar Brands: Aficionado's Choice

Cuban cigars are renowned for their rich flavors and high-quality craftsmanship, making them a favorite among aficionados worldwide. With a diverse array of brands, each offering its own unique profile, it's essential to know which ones stand out as the best in the industry. From the prestigious Cohiba, known for its luxury and exclusivity, to the classic Partagás with its robust blends, the options are abundant and diverse. Curious to find out which other brands make the cut? Explore our detailed list below to discover the top contenders in the world of Cuban cigars.

Illustration of cuban cigars

Best brands of cuban cigars in 2025

Cohiba

Cohiba, one of the most prestigious brands in the tobacco world, was created in 1966 and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016. It is known for its exclusive and high-quality cigars, with production primarily at the El Laguito factory in Havana. Cohiba cigars account for 11% of all cigars sold but generate 20% of the revenue, highlighting their premium status. The brand is renowned for its unique fermentation process and uses the finest tobacco leaves from the Vuelta Abajo region of Pinar del Rio, Cuba. Cohiba's portfolio includes various lines such as Linea Clasica, Linea 1492, and Linea Maduro 5, each offering distinct flavors and strengths. For more information about their prestigious offerings, visit the Cohiba brand page.

Montecristo

Montecristo is one of the most renowned and successful brands in the Cuban cigar industry, accounting for approximately 30 to 35 million cigars sold annually, which is about half of Cuba's total exports of handmade cigars. It is Cuba's largest selling export cigar, with European retail sales exceeding $200 million in recent years. In 1991, Montecristo comprised 70% of the Cuban cigar market in Spain and 50% in France. The brand is produced in seven different factories, primarily in Havana, with the Fabrica Jose Marti being a key production site. Montecristo's popularity is underscored by its significant market share, with the brand generating 29% of all revenue from Cuban cigar sales. For more insights into their market dynamics, explore the detailed analysis in The Montecristo War.

Romeo y Julieta

Romeo y Julieta is one of the most renowned and beloved brands in the world of Cuban cigars, founded in 1875 by Inocencio Alvarez and Mannin Garcia. The brand, named after Shakespeare's famous tragedy, has a rich history of winning numerous awards between 1885 and 1900, as evidenced by the gold medals on its logo. Under the ownership of Imperial Brands through its subsidiaries Habanos S.A. in Cuba and Altadis in the Dominican Republic, Romeo y Julieta continues to produce high-quality, handmade cigars using authentic Cuban and Dominican tobacco. Approximately 50% of Cuban cigars are produced under this brand, making it a significant player in the industry. The brand's popularity endures globally, with a wide range of cigar sizes and strengths available. For more information on this iconic brand, visit this comprehensive guide on Romeo y Julieta cigars.

Partagas

Partagas is one of the most renowned and historic brands in the world of Cuban cigars, established in 1845 by Don Jaime Partagas. Known for its full-strength cigars, Partagas has been a leading producer, with annual sales of approximately 10 million cigars by the mid-1990s, making it the second best-selling Cuban cigar brand after Montecristo. The brand is famous for its robusto vitola, particularly the Partagas Serie D No. 4, which has been a favorite among cigar aficionados since its re-release in 1975. Partagas cigars are handmade using traditional techniques and high-quality tobacco, with 24 continuous production cigars bearing the brand's name. The iconic Partagas factory, now known as Francisco Perez German, continues to be a significant landmark in Havana. For more information about their cigars, visit the official Partagas page.

H. Upmann

H. Upmann is a renowned brand in the world of Cuban cigars, founded by German banker Herman Upmann in 1844 in Havana, Cuba. Known for its refined, medium-strength flavor profile, H. Upmann cigars are made from premium tobacco leaves from the Vuelta Abajo region in Pinar del Rio. The brand is celebrated for its Magnum series and other vitolas, such as the SUPER MAGNUM, which is part of the Coleccion Habanos with a production of 3,000 units. H. Upmann cigars are entirely handmade with long filler, ensuring a smooth and even burn. Despite challenges, Cuban cigars, including H. Upmann, saw a significant revenue gain of 31% in 2023, driven by high demand and special releases.

Bolivar

The Bolivar brand, founded in 1902 by Jose Fernandez Rocha, is renowned for producing some of the strongest and most full-bodied Cuban cigars, with a rich flavor profile derived from Vuelta Abajo region tobaccos. It represents 25% of the Cuban market and is classified by Habanos S.A. as a "high value" brand, known for its extensive distribution and diverse portfolio, including over 30 Regional Editions and 4 Limited Editions. The brand's cigars, such as the Belicosos Finos and Royal Coronas, are highly sought after by experienced smokers for their full-bodied and complex flavors. After the Cuban Revolution, the brand was nationalized and continues to be produced under the direction of Cubatabaco. The Bolivar brand is based at the Partagas factory in Havana, where it maintains its reputation for quality and consistency. For more insights on this iconic Cuban cigar brand, visit the Bolivar reference.

Punch

The Punch brand is renowned for its high-quality Cuban cigars, produced by Habanos SA, the Cuban state-owned tobacco company. Since its inception, Punch has maintained a strong presence in the luxury cigar market, with popular vitolas like the Double Corona, Churchill, and Super Selection No. 2 highly sought after by connoisseurs. The brand has also released limited-edition cigars, such as the Edicion Limitada in 2013 and 2017, contributing to Habanos' significant revenue growth, including a 31% increase in 2023 to $721 million. For more details about Punch cigars, explore their rich history on Punch's Wikipedia page.

Hoyo de Monterrey

Hoyo de Monterrey is a renowned brand in the Cuban cigar industry, founded in 1865 by Jose Gener, with its name translating to "the hole of Monterrey" due to the farm's concave shape in the Vuelta Abajo region. The brand is known for its light strength and handmade construction using Tripa Larga tobacco. It has a long history of popularity, particularly in the English market, and by 1900, it had become one of the largest cigar-producing factories in Cuba. Today, Hoyo de Monterrey cigars are still highly valued, with 60% of Habanos sales coming from Europe, although China has recently become the No. 1 market for Cuban cigars. For more information, explore their selection on the Hoyo de Monterrey collection.

Trinidad

The Trinidad brand, renowned for its exquisite Cuban cigars, has been a benchmark of quality and craftsmanship since its inception in 1969 at the Havana El Laguito factory. Known for their aromatic, medium-bodied tobacco sourced from the Vuelta Abajo region, Trinidad cigars strike a perfect balance between bitter, spicy, and sweet flavors. The brand expanded production to Pinar del Rio City in 1999 to meet global demand, yet maintains exclusivity with limited production quantities. Trinidad cigars, such as the Robustos T and Reyes, are highly sought after for their unique flavor profiles and the brand's commitment to "Totally Handmade" craftsmanship. Celebrating 55 years of tradition and excellence, Trinidad continues to be a leader in the premium cigar market. Explore more about their offerings on their official page.

Ramon Allones

Ramon Allones is a prestigious brand in the world of Cuban cigars, founded in 1837 by brothers Ramon and Antonio Allones. Known for pioneering innovations such as colored lithographs for box art, bands on cigars, and the "8-9-8" packaging method, Ramon Allones cigars are renowned for their medium-full to full strength and rich flavor profiles, often compared to Partagas cigars. The brand has undergone significant changes, including nationalization by the Cuban government in 1960, and is now produced by Habanos SA. Despite the discontinuation of many sizes since 2001, popular vitolas like the Gigantes, Small Club Coronas, and Specially Selected remain favorites among aficionados. The cigars are crafted from high-quality tobacco grown in the Vuelta Abajo region and aged for a minimum of two years. For more details, visit the Ramon Allones cigars page.