For much of the 20th century, Cuban cigars were synonymous with the world’s best. In recent years, however, this reputation has decisively shifted. New World cigars—those from Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and other regions—have overtaken Cuban cigars in quality, top ratings, sales, and popularity. Concrete evidence from industry rankings, market data, and consumer trends demonstrates that today’s best premium cigars are no longer exclusively Cuban; New World producers have firmly taken the lead.
Cigar Rankings: New World Cigars on Top
Top industry rankings overwhelmingly favor New World cigars. Each year, Cigar Aficionado magazine releases its authoritative Top 25 Cigars list. Over the past decade, the #1 “Cigar of the Year” has usually been a New World cigar, with only rare exceptions. For example:
• 2024: My Father The Judge Grand Robusto (Nicaragua) – scored 98 points, named Cigar of the Year.
• 2023: Fuente Fuente OpusX Reserva d’Chateau (Dominican Republic) – 97 points, Cigar of the Year.
• 2021: Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series Torpedo (Nicaragua) – 97 points, Cigar of the Year.
• 2019: Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Maestro (Nicaragua) – 96 points, Cigar of the Year.
• 2015: My Father Le Bijou 1922 Torpedo (Nicaragua) – 97 points, Cigar of the Year.
• 2014: Oliva Serie V Melanio Figurado (Nicaragua) – 96 points, Cigar of the Year.
• 2013: Montecristo No. 2 (Cuba) – 96 points, Cigar of the Year.
• 2012: Flor de Las Antillas Toro (Nicaragua) – 96 points, Cigar of the Year.
As this list shows, Nicaraguan cigars in particular have dominated top honors, often earning ratings equal or superior to the best Cubans. In fact, an analysis of Cigar Aficionado rankings from 2004 to 2022 found that 181 of the Top 25 cigars were made in Nicaragua, versus just 70 made in Cuba. In other words, over 38% of the highest-rated cigars came from Nicaragua alone, far outpacing Cuba’s share. The Dominican Republic also contributed heavily (138 of the top cigars in that period), underscoring that the top-rated cigars now predominantly come from New World countries.
Even Cigar Aficionado‘s own descriptions note this power shift. They frequently cite Nicaraguan brands like Padrón, My Father, and Oliva as modern benchmarks of quality. By contrast, Cuban entries—while still prized—appear only sparingly at the very top. For instance, one forum noted, “CA usually has three Cubans in their top 25,” implying the other 22 spots are filled by New World cigars. All of this confirms that in expert rankings, New World cigars have surpassed Cubans as the industry’s elite.
Sales Trends: New World Cigars Outsell Cubans
Market data from the U.S. and globally shows New World cigars outperforming Cubans in sales. A major factor is access: the United States – the world’s largest premium cigar market – has an embargo on Cuban cigars, so Americans have long enjoyed New World brands. But beyond the embargo, New World cigars are thriving on their own merits. Consider these sales trends:
• Record U.S. Imports from New World Producers: In 2023, Nicaragua was the #1 supplier of premium cigars to the U.S., accounting for 53.5% of all imported premium cigars. The Dominican Republic was second (around 31%), followed by Honduras – together making up virtually the entire U.S. market with non-Cuban cigars. Premium cigar imports hit record highs in recent years, and Nicaragua and its neighbors have been the drivers of that growth.
• Global Export Leadership: Outside the U.S., New World countries are also eclipsing Cuba. The Dominican Republic is now the world’s largest cigar exporter by value, having surpassed $1 billion in annual cigar exports several years ago . By comparison, Cuba’s state-run Habanos S.A. reported 2022 revenues of about $545 million – barely half the Dominican Republic’s cigar export value. Nicaragua has similarly become a powerhouse: it exports enormous volumes to the U.S. and elsewhere, contributing to the Central American cigar boom.
• Strong Sales in Europe and Asia: Europe has historically been Cuba’s stronghold (since Cubans can be sold there), but even European smokers are buying more New World cigars lately. High-profile shortages and price hikes for Cubans have nudged Europeans toward alternatives. For example, one London tobacconist noted that over years the UK market shifted from ~90% Cuban sales to around 60% Cuban / 40% New World today . This is a remarkable increase in New World market share. In some European shops faced with chronic Cuban supply gaps, up to 90% of inventory is now non-Cuban (mostly Nicaraguan, Honduran, Dominican cigars). Meanwhile, new demand in Asia (especially China) is snapping up Cuban production , leaving other regions to further embrace New World brands. The overall picture is that New World cigars are leading or rapidly growing in every major market, often outselling Cuban cigars by quantity and even value.
Consumer Preferences: Smarter Smokers Embrace Variety over “Cuban-only”
Perhaps the most telling change is in consumer behavior and preferences. Today’s cigar enthusiasts are more knowledgeable and adventurous than in the past – they do not simply default to Cuban cigars as the gold standard. Several factors illustrate this shift:
• The Myth of “Cuban = Best” Has Faded: Cigar experts often note that Cuban cigars benefited from a decades-old reputation for excellence, but global smokers have learned that great cigars come from many countries. As one article put it, globalization disproved the myth that only one country produces the best of a product . In the cigar world, Cuba has been “overthrown” as the cigar capital by places like the Dominican Republic . Even in Europe, where Cuban cigars have no embargo, the belief that Cubans are superior is largely a matter of legacy perception. As a former European retailer observed, “Ask anyone in Europe what the best cigar is and they would say Cohiba, even though they may have never smoked one”. This highlights how younger and modern smokers no longer blindly accept the old Cuban prestige without question.
• Consumers Actively Explore New Blends: With so many top-rated cigars coming from Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Honduras, etc., aficionados are trying a wide range of blends. Curiosity and experimentation are high. In the U.S. especially, cigar lovers eagerly sample new brands and boutique producers. European smokers, once more “conservative” (sticking to familiar Cuban marks), are also branching out as quality non-Cubans become available. The “limited edition” mentality has spread – when Cuban staples are out of stock or overpriced, smokers hunt for the “new gems” from elsewhere. Often they find the experience is as good as or better than the Cubans they used to smoke. This trial-and-error discovery has made premium cigar smoking more diverse than ever.
• No Compromise on Quality: Crucially, those who turn to New World cigars are not settling for second-best – they’re finding equal (or sometimes superior) quality. Top New World marques consistently rate 90+ points and win awards, so consumers know they’re getting the best. Many of the families behind non-Cuban brands are originally Cuban anyway, growing Cuban-seed tobaccos in Nicaragua or the Dominican Republic with great success. As industry legend José “Pepin” Garcia (of My Father Cigars in Nicaragua) famously said, “The tobacco that’s being grown in Nicaragua is very close to that of Cuba”. The soil and climate in parts of Nicaragua produce tobacco resembling Cuba’s finest, but now with even more variety in blends. Modern smokers recognize that a Padrón, Fuente, or Davidoff can be just as luxurious as a Cohiba, and often more interesting in flavor. In short, connoisseurs have more choices and they’re embracing them.
• Value and Accessibility: New World cigars also offer a better range of price points and availability. A box of Cuban cigars (especially high-end Cohibas or limited editions) has become extremely expensive and hard to find, leading many to conclude they’re “over-hyped and not worth it” compared to the rich selection of non-Cubans. By contrast, a cigar lover can try several top-rated New World sticks for the price of one high-tier Cuban. This has made the hobby more accessible and exciting – you can explore Nicaraguan, Dominican, Honduran blends without breaking the bank. Knowledgeable consumers appreciate this value and no longer equate “rare and pricey” with “better.”
In summary, the evidence is clear that New World cigars now sit on the throne once held by Cubans. In the past decade, the highest-rated cigars and industry awards have gone mostly to cigars from Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and other non-Cuban producers. Sales figures back up this shift, with New World brands dominating the U.S. market and making huge gains globally, even in traditional Cuban strongholds. Most importantly, cigar enthusiasts themselves have driven this change – today’s smoker is well-informed, eager to sample the best cigars from anywhere in the world, and no longer assumes that “Cuban” means “the best.” Cuban cigars will always have a special aura and remain a part of the premium market, but they are no longer the default choice or quality benchmark.
The premium cigar landscape has become a truly global competition, and New World cigars have proven they can not only compete with Cubans but often beat them in taste, consistency, and consumer preference. The era when Cuban cigars unquestionably reigned supreme is now in the past – aficionados now know that the finest cigars can come from Nicaragua’s rich volcanic soils, the Dominican Republic’s expertise, Honduras’s bold flavors, and beyond. The cigar world has evolved, and New World cigars are firmly in the lead.
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Sales Trends: New World Cigars Gain Dominance in Global Markets
While cigar rankings confirm New World cigars’ supremacy in quality and acclaim, market data reinforces that consumers worldwide are increasingly choosing these cigars over Cubans. Once dominated by Cuban exports, the global cigar market today paints a dramatically different picture—one defined by significant growth in sales of cigars from Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and beyond.
U.S. Market: Steady Imports and New World Dominance
The United States, the world’s largest market for premium cigars, continues to illustrate this shift. Despite the enduring Cuban cigar embargo, U.S. premium cigar consumption remains robust—driven almost entirely by New World producers.
• In 2023, the United States imported an estimated 467.6 million premium cigars, marking a 0.7% increase over 2022.
• The modest increase was driven by exports from Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
Cuba’s Habanos S.A.: Record Sales Driven by Asian Markets
Despite challenges, Cuba’s Habanos S.A. reported record-breaking sales, primarily fueled by demand in Asian markets.
• In 2024, Habanos S.A. achieved revenues of $827 million, a 14.7% increase over the $721 million reported in 2023.
• China remains the largest market for Cuban cigars, contributing significantly to this growth.
Market Trends Affirm New World Leadership
In every significant market worldwide—North America, Europe, and increasingly in Asia—the data is unmistakable: New World cigars have eclipsed Cuban cigars in both volume and value. The market has spoken clearly: today’s cigar enthusiasts recognize premium quality beyond heritage branding and inflated prices. The global cigar industry, once a Cuban monopoly, is now unquestionably led by New World producers who have earned their place atop the humidor through genuine craftsmanship, superior quality, and consistent performance.
Consumer Preferences: Knowledgeable, Sophisticated, and Adventurous
Today’s premium cigar enthusiasts are fundamentally different from their predecessors. They’re more knowledgeable, more discerning, and increasingly open-minded. Long gone is the old assumption that the best cigars must automatically come from Cuba; modern aficionados have evolved into informed curators who choose cigars based on craftsmanship, consistent quality, and the allure of exploring new and intriguing blends from across the globe.
Knowledge Over Heritage Branding
Historically, cigar culture was largely dominated by the prestige of Cuban brands. Smokers often chose cigars based more on their famous bands than their actual smoking experience. However, in recent years, cigar enthusiasts have matured. Driven by widely accessible industry knowledge—cigar ratings, tasting events, blogs, podcasts, and vibrant online communities—today’s smokers thoroughly research cigars before making their selections.
This greater awareness means cigar lovers are now keenly attuned to industry shifts such as Cuba’s escalating prices and declining quality standards. It’s no secret among seasoned aficionados that Cuban cigars, once universally revered, now frequently suffer from inconsistent construction, poor draws, and uneven burns. On popular forums like Reddit’s r/cigars and Cigar Aficionado’s community, customers regularly complain about these problems:
• “I stopped buying Cubans two years ago—tight draws, plugged cigars, and increasing prices are unacceptable.”
• “At these prices, getting a plugged Cohiba or Partagas is just disrespectful.”
• “Cubans have become a gamble. For my money, New World cigars deliver more consistent quality every time.”
As these real-world frustrations mount, cigar smokers have pivoted toward regions with impeccable quality control—like Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic—where cigars consistently meet the high standards demanded by today’s consumer.
Sophistication and Discernment: Taste, not Price
One of the key differences today is that smokers understand premium doesn’t simply mean “expensive.” They recognize value in the smoking experience itself—complexity of flavor, quality of construction, and overall consistency. A cigar’s true luxury is found in the richness of its taste and the reliability of the experience, rather than merely the label or price tag.
This shift in mindset has enabled cigar lovers to discover exceptional blends from brands such as Padrón, Arturo Fuente, Rocky Patel, Oliva, My Father, and smaller boutique producers—all renowned for consistently high-quality production standards and innovative blending practices. For these smokers, luxury now lies in savoring carefully blended cigars from Estelí, Jalapa, Santiago, and other renowned New World tobacco regions, rather than paying inflated prices for questionable quality from Havana.
Adventurous Palates: Exploring New Blends and Regions
Today’s cigar enthusiast is marked by curiosity and a willingness to explore. Rather than defaulting to familiar Cuban brands, modern smokers actively seek new experiences, blending traditions, and regional specialties. They eagerly compare the nuances of different wrappers—Connecticut, Habano, Maduro—and relish the diverse profiles from regions across Nicaragua, Honduras, Ecuador, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic.
This adventurous palate reflects a globalized cigar culture, where producers experiment freely with cross-regional blending techniques, creating cigars of unprecedented complexity and depth. This openness has revitalized the cigar market, giving rise to innovations like the Davidoff Nicaragua line, which successfully blends traditional Dominican craftsmanship with bold Nicaraguan flavors.
Building a Curated Humidor: The Ultimate Statement
Sophisticated smokers now consider their humidors as carefully curated collections. They take pride in thoughtfully assembling selections that reflect their individual taste and a broad spectrum of top-quality cigars, rather than focusing purely on Cuban heritage brands. The modern aficionado might have some Cuban classics—like Cohiba Siglo VI, Partagas Serie D No.4, or Montecristo No.2—but increasingly fills the majority of their humidor with highly-rated New World cigars.
To illustrate, a refined, intelligently curated humidor today might include:
• Nicaraguan Excellence: Padrón 1964 Anniversary, My Father Le Bijou, Oliva Serie V Melanio
• Dominican Classics: Fuente Fuente OpusX, Arturo Fuente Hemingway, La Flor Dominicana Andalusian Bull
• Boutique Discoveries: Boutique and limited editions from AJ Fernandez, Foundation Cigars, or Tatuaje
• Reliable Daily Smokes: Exceptional-value cigars like Rocky Patel Vintage 1999 Connecticut or Fratelli del Sigaro’s premium offerings from Don Palomon.
This carefully chosen diversity represents modern cigar connoisseurship: informed, selective, adventurous, and above all, dedicated to consistently rewarding experiences.
A New Era of Sophisticated Smoking
Today’s premium cigar smokers are no longer beholden to outdated perceptions or inflated prices driven by brand heritage alone. Instead, they have confidently redefined luxury as the pursuit of exceptional flavor, flawless construction, and rich complexity—qualities abundantly found in the best New World cigars. This knowledgeable shift has ushered in a golden age for premium cigar enthusiasts, placing quality and craftsmanship back at the heart of cigar culture.
Crafting Your Perfect 100-Cigar Humidor
Imagine a humidor curated in thoughtful layers, each carefully chosen to reflect today’s sophisticated cigar culture:
• 20 Cuban Classics: Cohiba Siglo VI, Partagas Serie D No.4, Montecristo No.2, Bolivar Belicoso Fino—classic Cuban cigars, appreciated but selected with an informed understanding of recent limitations.
• 30 Proven New World: Arturo Fuente Hemingway, Fuente Fuente OpusX, Padrón 1964 Anniversary, Rocky Patel Vintage series, My Father Le Bijou, Davidoff Nicaragua—consistently celebrated for quality, complexity, and refined flavors.
• 20 Don Palomon Boutique Exclusives: Merchant Cigars and Fratelli del Sigaro—quietly exceptional boutique cigars for aficionados who appreciate sophistication without hype. Additionally, Don Palomon will soon launch limited-edition blends including First Batch, Domain Signature, Mazo del Fuego, Vestige Royal, Regalia Crown, Herencia de Revolución, Smoke Smugglers, and Capo’s Reserve. These cigars will be exclusively offered to select customers. To secure your chance at these anticipated releases—and receive a generous discount offered only to the first 50 subscribers—visit DonPalomonCigars.com and subscribe to their newsletter.
• 30 Quiet Luxury Gems (Non-Hype Excellence): Bespoke Private Blend, Bespoke Nicaragua, Farm Rolled Cigars, Tatuaje Black Label, AJ Fernandez Bellas Artes, Foundation Cigars El Güegüense, Warped Cigars La Hacienda, Oliva Serie V Melanio, and Caldwell Eastern Standard. These cigars are quietly acclaimed for their quality, sophisticated blends, and genuine craftsmanship, thriving on true merit and authentic recommendation rather than marketing noise.
This humidor is no mere box of cigars. It’s a world-tour in miniature, a thoughtfully assembled treasury of craftsmanship and flavor—each cigar a passport to places worth visiting, conversations worth having, and friendships worth celebrating. Fill your humidor not merely to impress, but to delight; not to hoard, but to generously share. After all, life’s greatest luxuries are best enjoyed in fine company.
