Nine Short Cigars For Cold Weather

[JohnS]

A timely article from Cigar Aficionado, considering the snow storm happening across the Unites states this weekend. What do you think of the choices?

Nine Short Cigars For Cold Weather

Small but impressive cigars that are ideal to smoke quickly when the temperature dips

Jan 23, 2026 - By Thomas Pappalardo

Photo/iStock/Getty Images Plus

A major winter storm is hitting the United States this weekend and is expected to bring heavy ice and snow from Texas all the way to the East Coast—certainly not the kind of weather to sit on the porch and savor a Churchill or double corona. For those brave enough to face such frigid conditions to enjoy a smoke, we at Cigar Aficionado have combed through the past six months of ratings and compiled a list of high-scoring cigars that are big on flavor, yet short enough to enjoy a during quick sojourn outside. In addition to be idyllic for the winter smoker, many of the cigars on this list are budget-friendly to boot.

Each of these cigars is less than five inches long, with a ring gauge no fatter than 47, and each has scored at least 90 points in one of our blind taste tests. Every cigar rated by Cigar Aficionado is smoked blind by our panel of editors. The tasting coordinator removes the cigars’ identifying bands and replaces them with plain white, numbered labels before handing them out. Members of the tasting panel have no idea what they are smoking, and cigars are evaluated without potentially prejudicial information such as price, country of origin and brand.

Don Lino Africa Kudu (92 points, $5.99)
Following a safari trip to Africa, Nestor Miranda was inspired to create a cigar line that paid tribute to the continent. The Kudu (“antelope” in Masai) is a box-pressed petit corona made with a Cameroon binder leaf grown in West Africa. It’s a rich, full-bodied smoke that is profoundly nutty, accented by notes of leather, baking spices and buttercream before a finish that carries hints of black pepper.

Arturo Fuente Rosado Sungrown Magnum R Vitola “Forty Four” (91 points, $9.25)
At 4 7/8 inches in length, this robusto is quite short, even if the name is rather long. The flavor is even longer. Every puff is bold and savory, with core notes of leather, red meat and oak. Sweeter touches of black cherry and brown sugar also come through. According to the man who created it, Carlos Fuente Jr., the Ecuadoran cover leaf that cloaks this cigar is almost ten years old.

Eladio Diaz La Diana Brevas (91 points, $7.50)
After 33 years as Davidoff’s head of quality control, industry veteran Eladio Diaz struck out on his own in 2021 to begin making cigars under his own name. Released last year, the La Diana brand is named after the small factory where Diaz got his start and is his second regular production offering. This 4 1/2-by-46 robusto has a woody core that is bolstered by leather, black cherry and touches of espresso that segue to an amaretto-like finish.

Warped Corto Maduro X46 (91 points, $13.65)
In 2015, Kylle Gellis introduced Warped Corto, a Nicaraguan puro intended be the strongest cigar in his portfolio. Ten years later, Gellis decided it was time to take the brand in a darker, bolder direction. Intended to be full-bodied, the blend comprises of a Mexican San Andrés wrapper atop Nicaraguan binder and filler, including some medio tiempo from Estelí. Notes of coffee, dark chocolate and mesquite BBQ rest atop a foundation of cocoa powder.

Don Pepin Garcia Original Demi Tasse (90 points, $3.30)
While most of the Don Pepin Garcia Original line (popularly known as “Blue Label”) is made in Miami, this 4 1/2-by-32 petit corona from My Father Cigars is hand rolled in Nicaragua. Drawing and burning evenly, the smoke gives off an array of fruit, nuts and leather, along with some spiciness. Plus, at $3.30 each, it’s an absolute steal.

H. Upmann Half Corona (90 points, £17.40)
At 3 1/2 by 44, this stubby Cuban is one of the shortest cigars on our list. The medium-bodied smoke carries a pleasantly sweet, floral aspect with some caramel bridging a note of tangy wood before the nutty finish. The draw is slightly firm and the combustion is slow and cool, forming a solid ash.

HVC Hot Cake Golden Line Connecticut Half Corona (90 points, $5.18)
In 2023, boutique cigarmaker HVC Cigars introduced Hot Cake Golden Line Connecticut, a milder extension of its Hot Cake brand and was made in the same four sizes. The following year, HVC added the Half Corona. Clad in a golden leaf of Ecuador Connecticut, the smoke from this short robusto is bolder than its wrapper suggests with leather, pepper and hints of gingerbread and cedar. The finish is reminiscent of an Orange Creamsicle.

Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro No. 4 (90 points, $11.34)
Both the natural and maduro versions of Oliva’s Serie V Melanio brand are no stranger to Cigar Aficionado’s lists of standout cigars, including our Top 25. This dark, box-pressed robusto is neatly pressed, giving it the appearance of a chocolate bar. Coffee bean and leather are at its heart, with hints of hazelnut, earth and incense adding further complexity. The coffee note recurs on the finish.

Ramon Allones Small Club Corona (90 points, £20.00)
Ramon Allones is not the biggest name when it comes to Cuban cigar brands, but it has a reputation for being one of the fuller-bodied smokes within the Habanos portfolio. Over the years, the brand has shrunk to just a few core sizes, including the Small Club Corona. This diminutive cigar is medium-to full-bodied, starting out earthy and floral but evolves into a toasty, spicy smoke as it goes.

Source: https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/nine-short-cigars-for-cold-weather

[riderpride]

I've always had trouble with anything sub 44rg below -20c. The rapid cooling from ambient temps leads to tar buildup. No issues with the Sovereign Suns 👍

Cheers!

[Gubbins]

This is where the Sovereign Suns come in. You can smoke these like they owe you money without them heating up and getting bitter. And they will always give me a solid smoke in these circumstances. Other pricier options would be the ERdM Demi Tasse or RG Perla.

If there is extra time, then it would probably be a RASCC, Hoyo Petit Robusto or RyJ Petit Royales.

[bmac]

I would have to add the Padron Principe. Nice flavor and smoking them quickly doesn’t seem to ruin the profile.

[Ruggerpgh99]

This is a Sovereign Suns/Padron Corticos moment for me, when it is this cold, just want to enjoy something solid and short, that if it blows up or gets too cold, no sweat off my back.  

[Goldeneye]

AF Hemingway Short Story and Fabrica 5 Sovereign Suns are my two short cigars that do great on cool days and dog walks.

[helix]

MC#5

[KCCubano]

I now smoke in the house but when I was forced to smoke out in the cold, I always went for a Partagas Chico.

[Cigar Surgeon]

I'm lucky enough to have a lounge now but when I didn't, I would have smoked a Double Corona.

Because screw you weather! In your face!

[JPark3]

I just had a Sovereign Suns since I was snowed out of work today. Can confirm that they stand up to the cold, even had a little bit of a smooth honey taste that I've never gotten from them before. Yet another reason to never let yourself run out of them

[comptalk]

I'll add the Partagas Shorts and the Fuente Short Story cigars.

[Lucas Buck]

Some of my faves -

 

Du Maire

RGPE

Media Corona

PLMC

Siglo I

El Principe

Demi Tasse

MdO 4