Every December, Cigar Aficionado names its Top 25 cigars and a single Cigar of the Year, and the guessing starts weeks earlier. Last year the magazine revealed its picks from December 15 to December 19, 2025, and the 2022 countdown ran December 12 to 16, so if the pattern holds, the 2026 countdown should land in mid-December. Until then, the best guide to what might win is the scores already on the record. This roundup collects the cigars that have earned the highest marks so far in 2026, plus a few newer releases worth keeping an eye on.

Looking for a general shopping list instead of a ratings watch? Our cigar buyer’s guide for 2026 covers everyday favorites by strength and occasion.

How We Picked

Cigar Aficionado says its Top 25 draws on cigars that scored 92 points or more during the year, in the magazine or its Cigar Insider newsletter, followed by a separate blind tasting. The list is not limited to new releases; the 2025 edition included the Cohiba Ambar, which came out in 2024. So we started with Cigar Aficionado’s 2026 issue ratings published so far (January/February through July/August), and kept non-Cuban cigars scoring 93 or higher. Every score below is the outlet’s own, with the date it was published. For newer 2026 releases, we also read reviews from halfwheel and Cigar Coop. None of this predicts a winner. It shows which cigars have put themselves in the conversation.

The 2026 Cigar of the Year Contenders

1. La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor Churchill

Score: 96 points, Cigar Aficionado May/June 2026 issue ratings (posted July 1, 2026).

This is the highest score we found in Cigar Aficionado’s 2026 ratings to date. Writing on July 17, 2026, the magazine praised a rich, dessert-like profile of toffee, marzipan, nuts and chocolate that held together from start to finish. A 96 is the kind of number that usually earns a long look when the Top 25 is assembled. The Churchill is not in stock with us right now, but you can browse our La Aroma de Cuba cigars.

2. Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series Pyramide Maduro

Score: 95 points, Cigar Aficionado March/April 2026 issue ratings (posted May 20, 2026).

In a June 9, 2026 roundup, Cigar Aficionado described an all-Nicaraguan pyramid with a flared foot and flavors of fudge, black cherry, leather and gingersnap, closing on something like a chocolate-dipped almond. It also comes from the same company that produced last year’s Cigar of the Year. Shop the Padrón 1964 Anniversary Pyramide Maduro or the full Padrón lineup.

3. Plasencia Alma del Cielo Celeste

Score: 94 points, Cigar Aficionado (from the July/August 2026 issue; named Cigar of the Week on October 19, 2026).

The Celeste is the 4 7/8 x 52 robusto in a line Plasencia introduced at the 2025 PCA trade show, according to Cigar Aficionado’s May 2025 launch story. The blend uses Nicaraguan leaf from fields roughly 3,500 feet up in Condega, and the September 21, 2026 write-up notes that the company credits the altitude and cooler nights for its character. We carry the Alma del Cielo Celeste and its sister sizes on our Plasencia page.

4. Padrón Family Reserve No. 85

Score: 94 points, Cigar Aficionado May/June 2026 issue ratings (posted July 1, 2026).

Cigar Aficionado’s July 17, 2026 summary built this robusto around cocoa, with peaty, smoky accents and a woody finish touched by vanilla. It is one of two Family Reserve sizes to reach 94 this year, which keeps the line firmly in view. The rating does not specify a maduro wrapper; we stock the maduro version, the Padrón Family Reserve No. 85 Maduro.

5. La Flor Dominicana Andalusian Bull

Score: 94 points, Cigar Aficionado May/June 2026 issue ratings (posted July 1, 2026).

This 64-ring figurado drew notes of marzipan and cinnamon backed by coffee, almond and leather in the magazine’s July 17, 2026 roundup, which also pointed out that it burned evenly despite its girth. The magazine also reminds readers that this cigar was its 2016 Cigar of the Year. Pick up the LFD Andalusian Bull or explore more La Flor Dominicana cigars.

6. Fuente Fuente OpusX 25 Aniversario La Familia

Score: 94 points, Cigar Aficionado January/February 2026 issue ratings (posted March 2, 2026).

A double-tapered OpusX, and one of two cigars Fuente released in 2021 for the brand’s 25th anniversary, according to Cigar Aficionado. The magazine’s March 5, 2026 notes describe an earthy core layered with hazelnut, chocolate and leather, ending on orange marmalade and a brown-sugar sweetness. Find the OpusX 25 Aniversario La Familia with the rest of our Arturo Fuente collection.

7. Padrón Family Reserve No. 44 Maduro

Score: 94 points, Cigar Aficionado January/February 2026 issue ratings (posted March 2, 2026).

Per Cigar Aficionado’s March 5, 2026 roundup, this figurado stacks sweet notes of cracker, vanilla and cocoa on a sturdy, earthy foundation. With two Family Reserve sizes at 94, Padrón has more than one route onto the list. Shop the Padrón Family Reserve No. 44 Maduro.

8. Warped The Devil’s Hands Corona Especial

Score: 94 points, Cigar Aficionado January/February 2026 issue ratings (posted March 2, 2026).

The only size in its line, and proof that a thin cigar can compete with big ring gauges. Cigar Aficionado’s March 5, 2026 roundup found almond cake, cappuccino, hickory and earth, plus honey with a peppery edge. Get the Warped The Devil’s Hands.

9. Ashton Symmetry Prism

Score: 93 points, Cigar Aficionado March/April 2026 issue ratings (posted May 20, 2026).

Cigar Aficionado placed its strength between Ashton’s VSG and Cabinet lines and traced a path from floral, cedary opening puffs to chocolate and gingersnap, with allspice on the finish. The Prism size is not in stock at the moment, but another Symmetry size is in stock, the Ashton Symmetry Belicoso, and more is on our Ashton page.

10. Casa Carrillo Encore Majestic

Score: 93 points, Cigar Aficionado May/June 2026 issue ratings (posted July 1, 2026).

This 5 3/8 x 52 opened like chocolate malt in Cigar Aficionado’s tasting, then turned nutty with roasted coffee, wood and black pepper before an herbal finish. Cigar Aficionado’s July 17, 2026 roundup notes that the Encore Majestic was its 2018 Cigar of the Year, so it has won before. We carry it as the Perez-Carrillo Encore Majestic.

11. Rocky Patel Thirtieth Anniversary Robusto

Score: 93 points, Cigar Aficionado March/April 2026 issue ratings (posted May 20, 2026).

The magazine says Rocky Patel released this box-pressed blend last year to mark three decades in business. Its tasters compared it to a coconut-and-chocolate candy bar, with sweet licorice, fruit and a tangy close. A related size, the Thirtieth Anniversary Sixty, scored 92 in the May/June ratings. Shop the Rocky Patel 30th Anniversary Robusto or the 30th Anniversary Sixty.

Cuban cigars are eligible too. Cigar Aficionado gave 94 points to the H. Upmann Connossieur A (May/June 2026) and the Bolivar Belicoso Fino (January/February 2026), and the Cohiba Ambar was No. 2 last year. Cuban cigars can’t be sold in the U.S., so we only list non-Cuban cigars; the Cubans are mentioned here for context.

Dark Horses: 2026 Releases to Watch

Fuente Fuente OpusX TGS 2026

Arturo Fuente made this 6 1/8 x 55 for Smoke Inn’s The Great Smoke 2026 event, held on March 14, 2026. Cigar Coop scored it 90 on September 20, 2026, describing baker’s spice and natural tobacco early, with cedar and bread taking over late. The reviewer said the first third was especially strong. We don’t carry it.

MBombay Mora Toro (2026 Release)

This 6 1/2 x 54 is a 2026 release of cigars rolled in 2019 and aged more than six years, according to Cigar Coop, which scored it 90 on October 12, 2026. The review traced mocha, earth and mineral, with the mocha giving way to black coffee and pepper building late, and called it a fine showcase for its San Andrés wrapper. Shop the MBombay Mora Toro or our MBombay selection.

New Releases in the November/December Issue

Cigar Insider’s October 27, 2026 preview said more than half of the 72 cigars in the upcoming issue scored 90 or better and one reached 95, without naming it. The new releases reviewed include Espinosa’s Laranja Hybrid, Room101’s Johnny Tobacconaut Maduro and an HVC release marking 10 years of Pan Caliente. Those scores arrive close to the countdown, so watch for them.

Last Year’s Winner

Cigar Aficionado named the Padrón 60th Anniversary Perfecto, a 6 1/2 x 56 all-Nicaraguan perfecto, its 2025 Cigar of the Year with 97 points, revealed on December 18, 2025. The magazine described a medium-full smoke that moved from malted milk to coffee with milk to chocolate. The Cohiba Ambar also scored 97 and took No. 2. That sets a high bar: so far, the 96-point Mi Amor Churchill is the only score we found in 2026 issue ratings within a point of it.

2026 Cigar of the Year FAQ