So here’s our list. The cream of the crop as far as premium cigars the TNCC reviewed in 2025. As always, before y’all start clutching your pearls, we’re not saying these are the best cigars on the market by any means. We are simply stating that out of the cigars we reviewed this calendar year, these ten were our favorites by a long shot and we think our listeners, viewers, and readers should all go out and grab as many of them as possible because there’s not a cigar on this list that isn’t great*. Just click on the link for each cigar and it will take you directly to the review page so you can read our thoughts on it. And, yes, we realize there are thousands of other cigars out there that deserve recognition as well but we can only review so many AND we can only afford to buy so many cigars. If you’re pissed off that your cigar didn’t make the list, we’re sure it’s a memorable cigar, but it’s our money and we spend it how we see fit not how you see fit. Make sense? Of course it does, so obviously there’s no need to message us again this year. NOW LET’S PARTY!
1. MAESTRANZA CABALLERÍA VALENCIA by ROMA CRAFT TOBAC
“I’m pleased to report that the Maestranza Caballería Valencia isn’t just a ‘good premium cigar’, it’s a fucking great premium cigar at a great price point. The Maestranza is complex, never boring, and it required zero maintenance whatsoever. At some point late in the smoking experience, it dawned on me the reason I was taking so fondly to the Maestranza was that it featured many of the same characteristics that I find in the Intemperance EC XVIII, the Wunder|Lust, and my beloved Neanderthal. So in my eyes, the Maestranza is a RoMa Craft Greatest Hits album featuring many of the traits that I’ve come to love from their cigars over the years. Simply put, I can’t recommend it loudly enough.”
2. SOBREMESA SOLITA RED by DUNBARTON TOBACCO & TRUST
“This is the most balanced cigar I’ve smoked in quite some time. While the original Sobremesa was interesting, the Solita Red is fascinating. It’s a complex cigar featuring curious transitions that always proved to be both well-timed and successful. Tut once said on the podcast, while smoking a cigar that he was highly enjoying, that he could ‘taste the blender’s intent’. I’ve thought back to that quote only a few times in the years following and tonight is one of those times.”
3. ELETTO by BLACK LABEL TRADING COMPANY
“The release of the Eletto is a statement from Black Label Trading Company. It’s ‘Exhibit A’ as far as BLTC demonstrating to the masses that a cigar can be FULL EVERYTHING while also remaining incredibly balanced and enjoyable. My final verdict is that the Eletto is a pitch perfect tribute to celebrate Fabrica Oveja Negra’s 10th anniversary.”
4. STEEL PORCUPINE by ROMA CRAFT TOBAC
“As a former smoker of almost exclusively darker, stronger cigars who has transitioned to lighter shade offerings over the last few years, RoMa Craft’s Steel Porcupine fits very comfortably in my current wheelhouse. VERY comfortably. I still seek out strength and power, to an extent, though I now prefer those factors to be balanced with a more nuanced, complex flavor profile. The Steel Porcupine is just that. My only complaint is that I can’t find any more of them.”
5. SIN COMPROMISO WORD OF SAKA by DUNBARTON TOBACCO & TRUST
“It’s not often that I’ll describe a cigar as a ‘silky smooth powerhouse’ but that’s exactly what I’m about to type so prepare yourselves. The Word of Saka is a silky smooth powerhouse of a cigar featuring well-defined, highly enjoyable flavors with a nuance and complexity that is more than worthy of the Sin Compromiso label… or wherever it eventually ends up in the Dunbarton lineup.”
6. MY FATHER BLUE by MY FATHER CIGARS
“As I’ve said countless times on this website and the TNCC crew has repeatedly said on the show, there is nothing worse than a boring cigar. If you’ve read this review up ‘til now, you’ll understand that the My Father Blue is anything but boring. It’s a complex, full bodied, expertly constructed cigar featuring nice transitions and a unique flavor profile.”
7. ALMA DEL CIELO CELESTE by PLASENCIA
“It takes a lot of confidence and some big balls to name your cigar ‘Soul of Heaven’… but if Saint Peter hands me a Alma del Cielo when I arrive at the pearly gates, I won’t be disappointed. It’s a slow burning, complex cigar featuring interesting, enjoyable transitions and nearly flawless construction.”
8. KNUCKLE SANDWICH CHEF SPECIAL 2025 by ESPINOSA PREMIUM CIGARS
“As far as celebrity cigars are concerned, I believe anybody who’s been paying attention can attest that Guy Fieri’s partnership with Espinosa is not the norm. The TV chef is involved, he’s committed, and he has shown up in ways that other celebrities repeatedly have not. And when the cigars smoke like the Chef Special 2025 just did, I can see why. Another Knuckle Sandwich review, another solid winner.”
9. BLACKENED S84 SHADE TO BLACK LANCERO by DREW ESTATE
“The Blackened Shade to Black S84 lancero is a well-constructed, complex cigar that knows what it is but has fun keeping you on your toes throughout the 83 minute smoking duration. Man, one more minute and that would’ve been really cool. I should have looked at my stopwatch before ending things, I could’ve squeaked out a few more puffs easily… shit. Talk about dropping the ball. Anyhoo, I will certainly try to pick a few more of these up soon as I’m eager to test out my coffee pairing theory. It’s a damn good cigar. Exactly how good is it, you ask? It’s so damn good that you’ll almost forget about ‘The Black Album’. Almost…”
10. SPECTRE 2024 by COHIBA
“The Spectre 2024 is full bodied, balanced, and features some impressive transitions that keep things interesting from beginning to end. And I honestly didn’t want it to end. While the Spectre didn’t exactly give me the ‘Ferrari Experience’, it did deliver the ‘DeLorean Experience’. This smoking journey took me back in time and it reminded me of the profile of one of my favorite cigars ever. Almost every aspect of the Spectre 2024 screams ‘EARLY LIGA 9!!!!’ And that’s a very good thing. Whether reliving that moment is worth $2.34 per minute (that’s 59 cents per puff) is a decision that you and your financial planner will need to make together.”
It’s interesting that the #1 cigar on this list is the least expensive of the ten, while #10 is the most expensive by a million miles. Also interesting, to me at least, is my decision to include a $150 cigar in this list at all. It seems like a very unlike-me thing to do. But here’s a fact, Jack – of all the other cigars reviewed this year that didn’t make our Top 10, I thought about that expensive ass Spectre the most. By far. It’s not the cigar’s fault that someone put a crazy price tag on it. Anyhoo, you simply can’t go wrong with any of these outstanding smokes.
* If you purchase some of these or other fine premium cigars from Famous Smoke Shop, use promo code TNCC20 for $20 off your order of $100 or more!
