The Top 25 Cigars of 2016 are here. Another year is in the books, and whether you enjoyed last year or were counting down the seconds until it ended, we can all agree there were some mighty fine cigars on the market in 2016. Now, it’s time for the iROBUSTO crew and community to narrow down the best of the best. This is our absolute favorite time of year!
The cigar industry saw an explosive year in 2016. With archaic FDA regulations coming down the pipe in the United States, we witnessed an unprecedented amount of new releases hit the market. Add this to the already exceptional selection of smokes available to consumers, and there was a daunting amount of smoking to be done last year (but hey, someone has to do the hard work!)
We’ve done our best to smoke everything we could get our hands on. Admittedly, just like any other year, there will always be cigars we either didn’t get to or could not find. For this reason, we always include Community Awards in our publication, as we want to know what you, the viewers, are enjoying, too. If we missed any gems, be sure to let us know in the comment section at the bottom of this page.
Notes on Leander’s Top 25 Cigars of 2016:
- Rankings were based on ratings in his reviews.
- The only sizes specified are blends offered in one size.
- Most cigars were released in 2016 and readily available.
- Some cigars that made Noah’s top 10 list from the IPCPR trade show have moved positions in relation to others on the same list. He revisited many of these cigars and noticed great improvements with a number of the blends before making his top 25 list.
- To be eligible for his list, cigars must either be regular current production blends or be released in 2016 if they are a limited run.
- A cigar that makes Noah’s top 25 list is then ineligible the following year. This means that any cigars on his 2015 list were no longer eligible for 2016, although, they will once again have a shot at it in 2017.
- Selections were based on cigars smoked during 2016.
- The lists are truncated due to limited European supply of cigars.
- Viewers submitted all cigars for this list.
- Submissions were only eligible if they were current regular production or release in 2016 if they were a limited run.
- Submissions did not have to be vitola specific, although, some specific sizes were submitted.
- Our Community then voted on their submissions to determine final rankings you see today.
Top Cigars of the Year
Fun facts about the iROBUSTO top cigars of 2016:
- Most Expensive Cigar (on any list): Padron 1926 Serie 40th Anniversary Maduro ($26.50)
- Least Expensive Cigar (on any list): Blood Red Moon Habano Broomstick ($5.00)
- Company with the Most Awards (between all lists): Foundation & Warped tie with five awards each
- Most Popular Vitola (between all lists where specified): iROBUSTO, DO U? The 5×50 Robusto dominated our lists with seven awards.
- Wrapper with the Most Awards: Ecuadorian Habano took the cake with eleven awards!
- Most Popular Puros: Nicaragua is where it’s at! Fifteen Nicaraguan puros were awarded this year.
- Best Budget Cigar of the Year: Foundation Charter Oak Broadleaf – This cigar exceeds expectations with phenomenal flavors for right around $5. You can’t beat that!
- Best New Company: Jas Sum Kral – Riste Ristevski has stormed the industry with groundbreaking and industry-changing blends at reasonable prices. These cigars ooze quality which is expected given they come out of the New Order of the Ages factory which is overseen by Noel Rojas. With only one year under his belt, we can’t wait to see where JSK goes from here.
- Strongest Cigar: RoMa Craft Neanderthal – All of us agree that this beast is no joke. The hair on all our chests can be seen for miles after smoking this explosive blend. Not only is it strong, it’s a great smoke, too!
- Most Controversial Cigar: Davidoff Yamasa – Between conflicting reviews from Noah and Leander and left and right commentary from our viewers, we’ve determined this cigar makes the biggest pitch for love it or hate it relationship
- Best Special Occasion Cigar: 1502 XO – This well-aged blend puts out such unique and delicious flavor that it’s the perfect pick for a birthday, wedding, or that big sale. It’s a beautiful stick made in limited quantities that won’t disappoint. There’s a reason why Enrique Sanchez knows how to “Relax & Enjoy.”
- Hardest Name to Pronounce: Foundation El Güegüense – We here at iROBUSTO (experts of course) can usually manage to get this one out without twisting our tongues, but we’ve spent two years laughing at the way people pronounce this cigar name. Hats off, Nick Melillo!
2016 Cigars of the Year
We have listed all of the cigars with quick notes that have appeared on any of the lists by Hyacinth, Leander, Noah and Mark.
Price: $6.40
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Notes: Hyacinth’s favorite boutique blend
2016 Cigars of the Year
The 2016 Cigars of the Year were brought to you by iROBUSTO. Thank you for your participation in making this list happen.
Interesting list! I’m very happy to see the Davidoff Yamasa and Neanderthal get some attention. I really enjoyed both of these. The Tabernacle was exceptional too! I’m also a huge fan of Warped cigars! I look forward to hearing your thoughts on CA’s cigar of the year – the Andalusian Bull.