My Top 5 Cigars of 2024

Yes, I'm a cigar girl. I've been told that I have pretty exceptional taste. Here is my story and my personal favorites.

It all started in my teens, sitting in the backyard on a sunny morning with my grandpa. I loved the way the cigar smelled, tasted, made me feel. We spent every morning out there in the sun, smoking & reading the newspaper & chatting politics & drinking tea.

Since then, my love for cigars has evolved and become central to my relationship with myself.

In college, I found an escape from my cramped dorm during the pandemic by sitting out on my balcony with a chair from the kitchen table, smoking and reading Jack Kerouac poems. My grandfather would conceal the cigars in discreet packaging so that the mail room on campus wouldn’t confiscate them. It was our little secret.

I began inviting those in my inner circle to share these treasured moments with me. My best friend and I had weekly cigars and whiskey on the porch of our yellow off-campus house. My boyfriend and I had them in his parent’s backyard after a dip in the pool. I had begun ordering them myself, doing research and learning about the various brands, the countries that produced them, different wrappers, shapes, and cuts. My tastes became more well-rounded the more that I tried. I’ve even had the privilege of enjoying a handful of authentic Habanos during my travels abroad.

Now I live alone, and I treat myself to a cigar every once in a while. I’ll share them with friends and family. But the best ones have been just me, on my balcony, writing while smoking, bonus points if it’s raining (or snowing!).

So, without further adieu, here are my top five cigars of 2024:

Fifth place: Montecristo White Series

This cigar is smooth in taste and build. Perfect for first timers. It’s reliable, and I’m never not in the mood for it. My mom likes it with her bourbon, but in my opinion, it would pair perfectly with an amaro or a negroni. Light, elegant, and simple, this classic stick is perfect to bring on a trip or enjoy with friends.

Fourth place: Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur

Hoyo De Monterrey is an excellent brand, and this cigar is perfect for everyone. It’s of light-medium strength, and exudes a delightful woodsy flavor. It’s a classic, fun smoke that I’ve enjoyed while gathered around a fire, telling stories. Pair this with a craft beer of your choice, or a sweet and rich cocktail such as an old-fashioned or a bee’s knees. You can’t go wrong with this one - I had it on my birthday.

Third place: Partagas Black Label

Partagas may be my favorite cigar brand. I’ve loved many of their cigars, but the black label is unforgettable. Dark and regal, full and strong in taste, this stick is a delicacy. It would pair perfectly with a cuban coffee, or your favorite stiff cocktail (a martini or a manhattan would be my choice). This cigar is only for the worthy - it packs a punch. If you’re looking for that mysterious, addicting late-night feeling, that’s exactly what Partagas Black Label is.

Second place: La Dueña

La Dueña means ‘the girlboss’ in Spanish. That’s exactly what this cigar is: bold, rich, and feminine. This cigar is not for beginners. It’s strong, and a beautiful smoke. La Dueña is the symbolic “daughter” of the company My Father. This cigar is highly underrated, and one of the best discoveries I’ve ever made. Pair this with a nice whiskey, bourbon, or dark rum, and you’ll feel like a maestra.

Honorable mentions: Partagas Heritage, Davidoff Signature 2000, Oliva Serie V

The Winner: The Griffin’s

I struck platinum when I found this cigar. Actually, it found me, when I stumbled into a cigar shop while day drinking. A member of the Davidoff family, The Griffin’s is exquisite and one-in-a-million. Its flavor is earthy but delicate, semi-strong and well-balanced. When I smoke it, I savor every second, and wish it wouldn’t end. I find that it pairs perfectly with a Sazerac, which is my favorite cocktail. Save this stogie for special occasions, because, while it isn’t necessarily the rarest or most expensive, the way it tastes and makes me feel is truly unique.

P.S. Happy smoking! (Responsibly, of course).