Experience Excellence: The Top Must Try 5 Cigar Brands 

At a special deer hunt this weekend, wheeling Sportsman. Recently we lost one of our members, there was a moment of silence of around 50 hunters and about 70 volunteers who put this together. I just watched this video and I am celebrating his life with a Padron 80 1926 cigar. Gary Clark was also a Marine, he will always be missed.

500 years is a long time for one man to be blending cigars. 😄 I agree with every stick on this list, brother. Well done.

Arturo Fuente really brings me back again and again. I count Ashton with that. Construction is always solid. Taste is off the charts ❤

AJF would get my vote. Such a huge variety, and the quality is always top notch. Cheers Tim

Don Pepin/ My Father, is my go to favorite. Quality and affordability

My best most consistent cigars are Perdomo, but what do I know, have been smoking cigars for 52 years. Love Nick and his great cigars.

La Aroma de Cuba was one of the first brands I was introduced to when I started smoking. I’ve loved the history and the commitment to taste and the consistency, I haven’t had a bad stick and enjoy their flavors. I first had a pasion and have kept coming back to the mi amor!

As someone who is getting back into cigars after about a decade, it's basically impossible to say anything negative about Perdomo. Even when I was only around 20 and having my first taste of cigars, they instantly leapt out at me as being absolutely fantastic for the price. And to this day, the consistency and quality makes them my go-to. I'm always happy to try something new, but I plan on always keeping my new humidor stocked up with a decent amount of Perdomo's because I know I'll love 'em. (10th Anniversary Maduro is my favorite. So smooth.)

Padron, Oliva, Ashton, CAO, and Drew Estate.. I know the first couple I listed are on the pricey side, but these brands are usually consistent quality on structure, taste, and enjoyable! I don't mind paying for a great experience 👍🏽

five decades unless he's the cigar dracula.

Tim! I visited Cigars Daily the last week of September and I bought a box of Filthy Vikings literally from you, and i failed to mention that it was my first box of cigars ever. Very impressed with you and proud of how far i’ve come and how much i’ve learned, because of you. Thank you so much for doing what you do!

I am SO glad you mentioned E.P. Carillo! By far my favorite brand. Been a loyal customer for 10 years.

Another great show Tim I’ve been smoking cigars for the last 5 years Your Filthy Vikings are of my favorites Very consistent Keep up the great work

For me the list starts with My Father and Perdomo. Even the Perdomo Fresco bundles are consistent and flavorful as a cheap daily smoke.

Another awesome video Tim. Absolutely spot on with Perdomo. Very good sticks and extremely consistant. I keep several different ones in my rotation. Professor Nick is not only passionate about cigars, he's a really solid guy.

Man @cigarsdaily I’ve been “following” the channel for years. I haven’t seen any of your videos for at least a year, “thanks” RU-vid. Now I’ve got a bank of videos to watch. Miss watching your great content and I’m happy to “find” your videos again. I appreciate what you are putting out and I’m now going to be checking the channel myself a couple times a week

Didn’t know Perdomo was that popular, but it’s the first cigar I ever smoked and still my favorite to this day.

I do like the presentation of a cigar. I’m drawn towards a darker wrapper and something with a full body. I do have a wide variety that I like. Flavor is a must with good construction. 👍🏻

I very much enjoyed this video. There are so many brands out there to try, your video helps out. I've been smoking for a while and there are still so many to try

my friend turned me on to your show Tim & i have to say, i love it!

Arturo Fuente and Patrón . Love the 1964 and the AF Hemingway . But ….smoked a Camacho triple maduro yesterday. Loved it . Tim , you do a great job! Thanks so much!

I'm new to cigars but really been loving Foundation cigars, the Olmec Maduro being one of my favorites so far!

Drew Estate, Dunbarton, LA Flor Dominicana, Perdomo, Arturo Fuente, Foundation, and several other cigar brands are my favorites. I buy several random cigars per week. If I nub a cigar I order more cigars from their lines. I ordered a sampler of LA Flor Dominicana and enjoyed several. The Reserva Especiale was amazing with my coffee in the morning. I ordered 15 more Reserva Especiale. I saw interviews with Steve Saka and Nick Perdomo. Their interviews impressed me. The way they described the cigars in their lines interested me. I tried several cigars and enjoyed all of the cigars I sampled. I ordered several cases soon after.

Arturo Fuente, Ashton, My father all worth a mention deep catalogs full of excellent cigars

Another great video. I've been smoking cigars on & off for a few year but just got into them seriously over this past year. You have taken my cigar experience to another level. And for that I thank you. Do you have any book suggestions or computer "cigar classes" to learn more about them. Again love your youtubes and keep them coming. Plus you have a great way to inform us that makes learning more fun.

I’d add CAO to the list. It’s my go to when I want something new, and I know the complexity, consistency and construction will be great.

Tim, great video! In my opinion, there’s nothing worse than a bad draw to ruin an “experience”. My top three, in order and not factoring cost, are Padron 1926, Fuente Don Carlos, and anything from Davidoff. Perdomo is my go-to golf cigar. It’s consistent, moderately priced, and seems to hold up outdoors better than most cigars. Thanks again for such great content.

I would add a few more brands to that great list which are: plasencia, foundation cigars, my father, AJF. So many great smokes and never let u down... imho

Awesome video. Consistency in construction quality is my #1.

For some reason I have always skipped over Perdomo for no particular reason whatsoever. After seeing this video I'm definitely going to get a few. Love hearing about people who put time and effort into what they do

Padron is my go to. Always consistent and a great smoke. Even when it's a little dry because of the handler (humidifier etc.) it's still a good smoke.

Brush off the worries of the world.. love that! Basically if I get to the end of the cigar and I don’t want it to end it’s a regular in my humidor, Liga 99 is a great example of that!! Ty!

Padrón and Perdomo are my go to cigars. I was pleased that you mentioned them.

Totally agree with all those mentioned, especially DTT, always exceptional quality, but my brand that I always restock at home and always can’t seem to have enough of is the AJ Fernandez portfolio lines, especially the habanos, truly great and never let me down on burn n draw, excellent 👍

Just found you. My go to brand for years has been Avo. My fav was the #2 Maduro which was discontinued but I heard was just re-released. I haven't found one in the wild yet. I look forward to watching more of your videos and trying some of you recommendations. My standard for a great cigar is draw consistency.

For me, the best cigars are full of flavor and a complex blend. I like brands like EP Carrillo, Dunbarton, Viaje, Espinosa, and My Father, just to name a few. Although I feel no brand other than Perdomo seems to be immune to the occasional cigar with poor construction, that too is essential to enjoying the cigar.

Sometimes, for me, it’s the company I have around me that makes the cigar. Other times, it’s the cigar staying pretty consistent in flavor throughout each third…it can change, but let me really taste and enjoy it for the third I’m working on. Great channel, Tim, enjoy your takes in each video.

Perdomo is my current favorite. Drew Estate and My Father as well. Great construction. Great blends. 😊

Another great vid, Tim. Filthy Viking is my main go to Connecticut. Also, War Fighter Hero Sports is another of my favorite go to. But let us not forget Plasencia cigars. Stay safe guys

Arturo Fuente got fire cigars at every price point. They gotta be on the list

Arturo Fuente always produces great and consistent smokes

Olivia v and foundation broadleaf tabernacle. Flavors and change of flavors, consistency, looks. Favorite smokes so far.

I appreciate you're videos and knowledge being new to the game. I absolutely Love the Romeo Julieta Resere Real twisted toro!! And the 1875 Connecticut Nicaraguan!! Thanks !

I personally have never been disappointed with anything from Punch. One of my favorite all time cigars was the Punch Royal Coronation.

I'm huge Diesel Cigar smoker. What I like about the brand is the strong pepper taste and well the cigar is made. I love there whole catalog of cigars...

Tim: I can’t believe you didn’t mention Placienca cigars! OMG that your bro in the cigar business. Not to mention Arturo Fuentes he makes some of the most sought out cigars of the Nation. I know you can’t mention everyone , however you have become a great voice in the cigar world.! And I thank you for that!

I’d add Davidoff on that list, construction and consistency are really impressive. It’s almost impossible to pick a bad one. Arturo Fuente should be on that list too.

For the longest time my go to has been Ashton VSG and while it is still one of my favorite cigars, I've recently discovered Davidoff and I must say I'm blown away by them. Absolutely one of the best smokes I've ever had

For me its Warfigher! I got a 6 pack sampler for my BDay and i enjoyed every one of them! So far my favorite is the .50 cal field! I will be picking up a sample their 4 special cigars sometime soon and getting a box of the 4th edition Victory cigars for my sisters wedding! Ive also enjoyed My Father's Connecticut and Camacho Connecticut!

Perdomo brought me back to cigars after being away from them for many years. It is my go to brand.

I’ve only been smoking regularly for a couple years, but I am almost offended that Arturo Fuente didn’t make the list. The Don Carlos and the Hemingway are both consistently fantastic. That said, thank you for these recommendations. Looking at tasting reviews and ordering some now. Cheers!

La Aroma De Cuba, La Pasión for me. I didn’t ever understand the hype of cigars until I had this specific cigar. It completely changed the game for me. If you haven’t had one try it, the one with the green band.

No lie the box pressed rebellion is one of my faves to fall back on. Need to enjoy one in your lounge to complete the experience 😊

For any very special occasion Padron is #1 for me. My everyday mix always consists of Drew Estate, Perdomo, Oliva are my top 3, always fantastic brands

Olivia is definitely in the top 3 manufacturers in the world. From their Flor De Olivia to 'O', their quality across their catalog is unmatched.

I am loving the new Mayflaower cigars. They provide such a great experience! Everyone should give these a try.

Perdomo is my GO-TO. They were the first brand I could count on to be perfect every time.

I'm brand new to cigars, and after smoking one I went to the cigar shop and got 2 more recommendations from the owner and one of them is a perdomo champagne. I can't wait to try it!

I enjoy just about anything made by AJ Fernandez so whatever he does is magic to tobacco. I love that profile you expect from lighting up something with his name on it.

Flavor flavor flavor! The Partagas Cortado gets my vote!

I agree with what he said about Padron. By far my favorite cigar. Something about that 1964 /1926 just hit like nothing else. Such a beautifully crafted cigar.

Great flavor. Interesting backstory. Not overly expensive. Pretty good construction.

I have tried hundreds of cigars and there is no comparison between them and Trinidad cigars, they are amazing

Right now I love the flavor of the American Viking Dama Valada great flavor all the way through the cigar. Thanks Tim.

I’ve only been smoking for about a year so my experience is limited. But so far, Oliva is my favorite brand. But I also really like Camacho and Perdomo.

Having to pick my top five would be. La Flor Dominicana, La Gloria Cubana, Padron, Placencia, and Rocky Patel. Honorable mention to Davidoff and Macanudo's. I would smoke more Davidoff if the prices were a bit lower.

For me, it's most about a _pleasantly balanced_ flavor profile. It doesn't necessarily have to be highly complex...or even change over the course of the smoke. The texture and abundance of smoke is even a secondary consideration...though I certainly _prefer_ some smoke I can sink my teeth into. Mostly, it just needs _at least_ a few pleasant flavors to pop up and say, "Here I am!" Right now, the three main (but not only) things in my humidor are the Mark Twain Memoir, Gurkha Park Avenue, and Drew Estate Factory Smokes...all Churchill, all Maduro. These three cigars are _nothing_ alike in flavor profile, _but_ all three of them were _interesting and well-balanced enough_ to make me say, "Yeah, I could smoke more of those!"...so I stocked up. BTW, Ever since Tim taught me that Maduro isn't actually a _type_ of leaf, I've become moderately obsessed with knowing what type of leaf each of my Maduros is. Along that line, if anybody can find out what type of leaf Drew Estate uses for the Factory Smokes Maduro, I'd really appreciate it. I can't seem to find that answer anywhere...not even their own website. P.S. 6:59 - 7:07 : Decades, not centuries. 😉 Yet another great video, makin' me glad I subscribed!

While Red Meat Lovers is sold out on Cigars Daily, i managed to score a box from a less advertised but still reputable online cigar shop. Yall got me hyped.

Great list! My go to based on flavor & consistent quality: My Father's Cigars, the tried and true Punch lineup, and Rocky Patel 1990.

Currently on an Alec Bradley black market esteli and I'm having a blast with the flavor notes on this robusto size

Great video! I will definitely be trying the American Viking stogies, I didn’t know those existed. E.P. carillo is top notch for me. It’d be so hard to put together a top 5 brands vid if it were me, I give props to Tim for doing so. However, I think I’d put Rocky Patel on there somewhere.

I was kinda thinking this would be top 5 under the radar cigar brands to try. I think one of the top things a cigar needs is evolution of flavor. There are some delicious cigars with rich and complex flavors that are kind of one-note by the time you finish them. I think it's a game changer when you find a cigar that smokes like a journey across your taste buds. Where subtle notes from light up take center stage in the middle then play a supporting role by the end like a symphony of flavor.

That Perdomo Champagne blew my mind. Had my first one 2 days ago. Getting a box asap

Tim, You nailed it with consistency and Perdomo is definitely one of the top 5. Aj Fernandez Crowned Heads Perdomo Blanco Alec Bradley

Smooth, flavorful and an even burn. I won’t lie, to try a brand I don’t know, the ring has to catch my eye.

Perdomo is my all time favorite. Even with the bundle fresco’s. It started my cigar journey when my son passed away a few hours after he was born. My fire chief gave me a Perdomo champagne with a Connecticut wrapper. And that got me into cigars so now I have a box of them but in the tubes and I only smoke one on my sons anniversary. But I love all of there cigars so that’s my main choice so I have 80% Perdomos in my humidor then 20% of oliva and various pallet teasers just to shake it up and fit the flavor in wanting for the day or evening

Hands down, Aganorsa Leaf has been my go to. Bought a box already from Cigars Daily. And looks like I’ll be buying more very soon. Can’t stop smoking these. P.S American Viking is delicious

The weight lose journey im paying attention too on tim aswell as the cigar knowledge , i see you !💪🏽

LFD Capitulo II... Oh my gosh, what an experience. And I don't feel like the Lot 23 Sungrown from Perdomo gets the adoration it deserves.

I enjoy Arturo Fuente and la armoa de Cuba, both have amazing flavors! But ive only been smoking cigars for 3-4 months. So there are alot i still want to try.... Thanks for the videos tim you have help me get into the world. Even found a local lounge i looking forward to checking out. You have been a excellent guide!

This summer I grabbed a Perdomo Habano barrel aged Maduro and instantly fell in love with it ! Since summer my humidor consist of 75% of Perdomo cigars and by winter it may be 90% I’ve had the 12yr age Maduro , lot 23 Maduro , sungrown Maduro , Lot 826 they are all perfect and hit the spot I plan to have every Perdomo made in my Humidor Live watching Nicks RU-vid videos from the fields to shipping them out in Miami to all of his instructional videos Could listen to him for hours My #1 brand

Drew Estate should be there for sure...and i just put in my first order to Cigars Daily for the American Viking sampler... looking forward to trying them

What makes me say “yes! I need more of this.” Believe it or not, flavor is the least important criteria. Give me a cigar that is consistently well-constructed, has a smooth, oily wrapper. Draws great, burns even. Now, if that same cigar has a good, balanced flavor without too much of one note, and has some richness, sweetness, and creaminess of smoke? That’s a keeper. A hall of famer. For me, that’s the Melanio Maduro, Aging Room Quatro Nic, Aroma Mi Amor, Romeo Reserva Real, Upmann Fernandez, most of the Perdomos, any Padron.

Perdomo is for sure legendary! Love them!

Loved this video!!!

Yeah Mike, I heard that too! 😂😂😂 maybe he meant 5 “decades”. Great list, but my first love is Liga Privada #9 so I’d include Drew Estate. Never had a bad one.

Espinosa Cigar has several great blends. My favorites are the Creme which is an excellent morning smoke with a cup of coffee. The 601 blue maduro is very good anytime of the day in my opinion.

Great video and review, pretty much agree across the board. One point, Michelin only goes to 3-stars 😃

Consistence and performance of expectations does it for me. Oliva!

Obviously this topic will have a huge variety of answers. Champagnes are rock solid dependable recommendations, as are the others you listed. I would add Olivia Série V Melanio, and also some offerings from Eiroa. Sin Compromisso are memorable. We could go on and on… 👍

The filthy Viking was my first and so far my only box purchase, I usually go for samplers or just a pair of cigars I haven’t had before, I’ve had a humidor for 6 years or so now and keep a journal, for me trying new cigars is the best part, now if I could just get my pallet refined enough to pick up all the nuances of these sticks id be golden 😂

Perdomo, La Flor Dominicana, Curivari, GTO and La Galera. All these names add up to consistency, time in the business and they keep everything in house as much as possible

Ashton VSG, AJ Fernandez New World, H Upmann 1844 Reserve - all of these are my go to favorites. Excellent draw and profiles.

Leaf by Oscar Corojo launched my boat a few years ago. Since then I’ve tried probably near 100 different brands. What I’ve bought the most of- Southern Draw- especially the Rose of Sharon. Then Warped ‘88’s. No idea what 3rd place looks like but I have my first Perdomo Champagnes on the way and I’m very excited. I burn on average 50 +\- a month so I even buy some AJF no names or 2nds that aren’t the worst…I am easy to please and could list many more I like. Camacho just never hit for me sadly.

Love Prodomo cigars! Feel like this changes because there’s so many great blends, but for me today Liga Privada No. 9 for special occasion , amazing smoke! More affordable Daily stick, Illusione Singulare Orgin and Flathead 660 🔥🔥🔥 Thank you Tim and Cigars Daily Team!!

I’ve had a lot of good Perdomos. And Olivas. The lot 23 maduro and the serie O maduro are often my go-to for a basic but not too cheap smoke. I love Nick’s 10th anniversary champagne and maduro. The Habano BBA maduro is amazing. Oliva’s Melanio is one I can count on and usually have some around for a guaranteed good experience. I think My Father Le Beju 1922 is the next one that comes to mind for a guaranteed good one.

My recent new favorite is Oliva cigars. Great burn, delicious flavor at a decent price. Thats what I look for. Serie V malania maduro is the go to. Order a few boxes. I hope to get some more soon, but got to make room in the humidor first.

I agree about Perdomo cigars. I love the consistency and great blends.

Awesome video and overall hit the nail on the head for me. Must try for me would remove Dunbarton (overpriced) and put in Oliva, a wide porfolio of outstanding cigars with an eye for quality.

Hmm…. The “experience”. I definitely appreciate a good presentation and cigar quality. Though, if you don’t have the flavor I like I’m out. There’s also some newness… The Plasencia Alma Campo was one of the first cigars I really liked the flavor of. That one experience put that brand in the “should try” category in my mind and I’ve bought many sense.