Cigar Aficionado 2025 Cigar of the Year.

[El Presidente]

Padrón 60th Anniversary Perfecto.

LINK TO VID

[LordAnubis]

What I love the most is #1 is a 80 buck cigar #2 is the same price. Then #3 is 8 dollars 😂😂😂 

[Hoosh]

I think everyone knew this was coming before it was announced since the 60th wasn’t in 7-2. Is it a $75 cigar though? I haven’t had one, but at $40, I find the PB 97 to be outstanding. So does does the “specialness” of the cigar keep up with the money increase? They mentioned the 60th has some strength to it, so I would like to try it. 

As a side note, I did pick up a box of the number four on the list Cuesta-Rey Centro Finos #9 though; it sounded intriguing enough that, for the price, seemed silly to pass up. 

[Stoyan]

I haven't smoked the Natural, but the Maduro was the best cigar I've smoked in some years. Very strong, but so complex and flavourful.

[Ford2112]

I think I will stick to cigars under 80 bucks.

[Lucas Buck]

Amazing to me folks are spending more than twenty bucks for any Non-Cuban. 

[ElLoboLoco]

I am shocked the Aging Room Concerto didn’t slide in the top 10. I guess Rafael got the Trinidad in the top 10. I don’t think it’s possible for a blender to get too many in there as they spread the love I imagine.

[Dr vonPuffenberg]

While not in reference to #1, #3 is a great smoke that I’ve seen referenced here in the past. I’m a little miffed that they named it the 3rd best cigar. I haven’t seen it in over a year and looking online right now it’s not in stock anywhere. CA is free to rate/rank cigars however they want, but it’s a bummer when they blow something out of the water and those of us who’ve been smoking them will likely never see them again. ☹️

[KCCubano]

22 hours ago, Dr vonPuffenberg said:

While not in reference to #1, #3 is a great smoke that I’ve seen referenced here in the past. I’m a little miffed that they named it the 3rd best cigar. I haven’t seen it in over a year and looking online right now it’s not in stock anywhere. CA is free to rate/rank cigars however they want, but it’s a bummer when they blow something out of the water and those of us who’ve been smoking them will likely never see them again. ☹️

I have been looking around for them as well. Nice sticks.

[mikejh]

22 hours ago, Dr vonPuffenberg said:

While not in reference to #1, #3 is a great smoke that I’ve seen referenced here in the past. I’m a little miffed that they named it the 3rd best cigar. I haven’t seen it in over a year and looking online right now it’s not in stock anywhere. CA is free to rate/rank cigars however they want, but it’s a bummer when they blow something out of the water and those of us who’ve been smoking them will likely never see them again. ☹️

There’s not going to be a huge difference between vitolas for the tat black. The Cazadores is very close to the same size.

[Li Bai]

[dopECM]

Lol!

[Dr vonPuffenberg]

21 hours ago, mikejh said:

There’s not going to be a huge difference between vitolas for the tat black. The Cazadores is very close to the same size.

Personally I’ve found a big difference between the Petit Lancero and the rest of the vitolas I’ve had in the black series. I always look forward to the PL and ignore the others.

[ElLoboLoco]

NC cigars mopped up the Cubans in the CA awards. Looks like we have a clear winner in NC vs Cuban battle. 😅 🍿😂

[NYGuido]

9 hours ago, ElLoboLoco said:

NC cigars mopped up the Cubans in the CA awards. Looks like we have a clear winner in NC vs Cuban battle. 😅 🍿😂

It’s almost as if it’s based on ad spend rather than cigar quality. 😂 

[JPark3]

Admittedly, it does want to make me try one of the Tatuaje Black Labels. Never bothered to try the brand before, but the Petit Lancero and Cazadores seem interesting. 

[Cigar Surgeon]

8 hours ago, JPark3 said:

Admittedly, it does want to make me try one of the Tatuaje Black Labels. Never bothered to try the brand before, but the Petit Lancero and Cazadores seem interesting.

Criminally under appreciated. 

[Dr vonPuffenberg]

7 hours ago, Cigar Surgeon said:

Criminally under appreciated. 

Not for long. 😉

[benfica_77]

8 hours ago, JPark3 said:

Admittedly, it does want to make me try one of the Tatuaje Black Labels. Never bothered to try the brand before, but the Petit Lancero and Cazadores seem interesting.

Tat Black Label Petite Lancero is top 5 for me for NCs.

[Capn_Jackson]

I’ve had the Padrón. Rather smoke the regular 1964’s in Natural, any old day.

[Hoosh]

1 hour ago, Capn_Jackson said:

I’ve had the Padrón. Rather smoke the regular 1964’s in Natural, any old day. 

Definitely an interesting take. What did you find better about the ‘64 over the 60th?

[Capn_Jackson]

1 hour ago, Hoosh said:

Definitely an interesting take. What did you find better about the ‘64 over the 60th?

Padron 1964 Naturals have one of my favorite NC profiles. The 60th didn’t have as much raisin/stout, to me.

[Hoosh]

Without having the smoked the 60th, my Padrón palate pleasing order is:

1. PB-97 Maduro - creamy nuttiness, earthy, espresso, and a fantastic aroma. I would smoke this cigar daily if I had the funds. 🙂

2. Family Reserve #96 Maduro - woody, lots of very black coffee, and a sweet pepper retrohale. Love the fact that it’s not box-pressed.

3. 1964 Exclusivo Maduro - sweet tobacco, nougat, honey, faint spice, and nutty.

4. 4000 Maduro - spicy, earthy, chocolate and lots of cracker on the retrohale. This Padrón gets the most traction within my humidors. I’ve smoke more than my fair share of this particular stick and never once had a poorly constructed cigar. 

I’ve also dabbled with the Damaso #15 twice and realized it’s just not in my wheelhouse. Light straw, vegetal, chalky, and very light bodied. I gave it the ol’ college try though.