The 2020 Cigars of the Year were led by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, who barely had time to take in his 2018 win before he was honored once more with the top spot. Cigar Aficionado couldn’t get enough of the Pledge Prequel, which boasts an astounding 98 rating. Few cigars will ever see a score like that, so this was truly an otherworldly smoke in the minds of the judges. Nicaraguan filler, Ecuadorian binder, and a Habano-seed wrapper leaf grown right here in the U.S.A made this cigar one that would never be forgotten.
Cigar Aficionado had this to say about their #1 cigar of 2020, “[A] delicious smoke that delivers flavor in bold, zesty parcels of spicy oak, licorice, black cherry, and black pepper. Baking spices sing like a holiday chorus, and when you think you’ve tasted all the cigar has to offer, a warm, familiar note of baked apple settles across the palate.” These guys are cigar crazy, clearly, but you get the point. The 2020 Pledge is a blend that everyone should try at least once.
Something old was new again for the #2 cigar on the list of 2020 Cigars of the Year: the Fuente Fuente OpusX. This Dominican puro once again laid people flat on their butts with how good it was. At 97 points, any other year probably would have seen it become a #1 rated champion, but the competition was just too ridiculous this year. That Chateau de la Fuente wrapper leaf is as good as it ever was, and OpusX will be flying off the shelves forever.
The #3 spot belongs to a brand that is a permanent resident on Cigar Aficionado’s top cigars lists: Padrón. With three #1 wins, this company set the standard for consistent excellence. In 2020, it was the 1964 blend that rolled across the room with white smoke that tasted like luxurious chocolate. As Nicaraguan puros go, Padrón makes some of the very best.
#4 on the list of 2020 Cigars of the Year was La Mission’s L’Atelier 1959 blend, with a rustic Mexican wrapper leaf that was just begging for a lighter. The real prize, however, was that Garcia Sancti Spiritus leaf that’s shown up in so many fantastic My Father blends. Nuts, spice, and caramel made this a delicious smoke that is one of Pete Johnson’s (founder of Tatuaje) best ever.
#5 was a potent Cuban cigar from Punch, and #6 was the Joya de Nicaragua Número Uno L’Ambassadeur cigar. This creamy and toasty blend recalled the days when Joya was the official cigar of the White House and showed that classic companies never forget how to make a gripping smoke.
The 2020 Cigars of the Year list continued with Alec and Bradley’s Gatekeeper. The sons of Alec Bradley founder Alan Rubin have their own company, and right out of the gate they’re making some fantastic puff. This blend is spicy, sweet, and tells us that the next generation of the Rubin family is sure to amaze us in years to come.
Just like every year, the Oliva Serie V made the best cigars of the year list. The blend is just guaranteed to taste magical, no matter what year it is. This time it was the Melanio version, featuring an Ecuador Sumatra wrapper, which took home the accolades. At 95 points, it proved yet again why the price tag is worth it for a special occasion smoke. This one never disappoints.
The 9 #spot on the 2020 Cigars of the Year rankings belonged to Rocky Patel and his Number 6 blend. Everyone and their madre is making Nicaraguan smokes, but Rocky has an all Honduran powerhouse to call his own. Rich and complex, this was a fine example of what you can do when you’re confident enough to defy the trend (and have great farmers and blenders).
The top ten was completed by the Henry Clay War Hawk, with an intriguing mix of tobaccos that sound hard to blend. The company nailed it, however, and gave us a spicy and strong smoke that recalls the character that makes the South special.
Please browse our selection of 2020 Cigars of the Year at your leisure.
