15 Essential Cigars to Keep Stocked in Your Humidor

When you start collecting cigars, you’re going to start developing a palate of the things you like, the kinds of cigars you would enjoy on any occasion. These are the cigars that we think should be mainstays in your humidor. Our staff has looked inside their humidors and chosen, what they consider, the best of what they have. That doesn’t mean the highest point score or the highest price point

Usually these are cigars that are relatively easy to keep in stock, which means they’re regularly in production and not considered limited editions. Also, these “humidor cigars” as we’re calling them tend to have the flexibility of flavor profile and strength that would go with most times of the day — whether it’s with your morning coffee, after lunch, or something with a bit of whisky in the evening. Whether you are a grizzled aficionado or a new cigar enthusiast, these 15 cigars are essential for your humidor. As note, these are not presented in any particular order.

Ashton Classic Double Magnum

Ashton Double Magnum

Among the most popular within the Ashton lineup, this 6 x 52 cigar boasts Dominican filler and binder with a Connecticut Shade wrapper. The creamy smoke delivers notes of wood and coffee, with an underlying sweetness that makes this a great partner to any cup of coffee. Mild enough for a first-timer, yet complex enough for the most discerning of smokers. —James

Casdagli Daughters of the Wind Robusto (Pony)

Casdagli Daughters of the Wind Robusto

Affectionately known as “the pony” in some circles, this 5 x 50 Robusto is a must have for your humidor. The Ecuadorian wrapper covers a Criollo 98 Ecuadorian binder with a mixed filler from Nicaragua, Ecuador, and the Dominican. Nuanced flavors of bread, leather, and honey highlight the complexity of this boutique cigar, while the baking spices found on the retrohale keep the smoker interested. —James

Montecristo No. 2 (Cuban)

Montecristo No. 2

When you look up the word “cigar” in the dictionary, there should be a picture of this Cuban legend. At 6 1/8 x 52, this Torpedo has no equal. This medium to medium- full beauty has tasting notes of baking spices, leather, and that indescribable Cuban “twang.” This cigar is perfect any time of day and for any type of palate. —James

Casdagli Traditional Cotton Tail

Casdagli Traditional Cotton Tail

This oddly shaped 5 x 52/62 is a nod to Cuban legacy. With a Dominican binder and wrapper covering a mixed filler of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobacco, the Cotton Tail delivers a mild -to- medium smoking experience that is packed with complexity. There’s an earthiness to this cigar that is accompanied by notes of coffee and leather with a hint of sweetness that intermingles throughout the cigar. —James

Padron 2000 Maduro

Padron 2000 cigar | photo by Wonho Frank Lee

When it comes down to quality, consistency, and reliability, Padron cigars are some of industry’s bests. Because of its amazing flavor and trustworthy performance, I never run out of Padron 2000 in my humidor. If you are not a huge fan of Maduro, the Natural is still a great choice. My choice is 2000 for it’s length, but any x000 series from Padron is a great cigar to keep in your humidor. —Frank

Drew Estate and Crowned Heads La Coalicion Siglo

Drew Estate and Crowned Heads La Coalicion Siglo

This collaboration cigar between Drew Estate and Crowned Heads is nothing short of amazing. This medium to medium-full 6 x 52 Gran Toro is bold and complex. It will keep even the most finicky of smokers attention. The filler of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobacco is covered by a Sumatra binder and a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. This is the Liga you always wanted, at the price you’re willing to pay. —James

Drew Estate Undercrown Maduro

Drew Estate Undercrown Maduro | photo by Wonho Frank Lee

 Drew Estate is famous for having great smoke output, which I enjoy quite a lot. If you also consider the affordable price point and great quality, Drew Estate Undercrown Maduro deserves a regular spot in your humidor. I also enjoy Undercrown Shade, the Connecticut variant of the Undercrown line, for something a little bit lighter in terms of flavor. —Frank

Bolivar Belicosos Finos

Bolivar Belicosos | David Howell

This is a solid cigar that would work well with most palates. They are an amazing example of how complex and fuller bodied a cigar can be. Two of the main reasons these should be in any Cuban cigar connoisseur’s humidor. If you see them in stock grab a box, they sell our quick. —Dave

Oliva Serie V Melanio Robusto

Oliva Serie V Melanio Robusto | Photo by Wonho Frank Lee

Oliva makes some of the best value for money cigars on the market, at these top of the line Olivas are a mere $8-10 a stick, which is incredible for the kind of construction and complexity you get on these Ecuradorian Sumatra-wrapped, Nicaraguan-filled smokes. I taste a super refined set of wood, pepper, cocoa, and gingerbread that evolves over the course of the cigar. —Matthew

Flor de Las Antillas Belicoso
Flor de Las Antillas Belicoso cigar being held by a smoker.

Flor de Las Antillas Belicoso | photo by Matthew Kang

This very affordable stick has spades of pepper and spice from the get-go, along with a lovely shape and construction that conjures the torpedoes from old Cuba. Except instead of having to hunt for them for shipment from Europe, these are widely available in the U.S. A wonderful Nicaraguan sun grown Habano leaf wraps a slightly box-pressed cigar that’ll work any time of day thanks to a medium-to-full strength. —Matthew

Alec Bradley Esteli Torpedo
Alec Bradley Black Market Esteli Torpedo on a glass ashtray.

Alec Bradley Black Market Esteli Torpedo | Photo by Matthew Kang

I’m a lover of large torpedo shapes, with the Cuban Montecristo #2 one of my favorite of all time. But three things keep me from keeping it in stock. The somewhat uneven construction (I find 5-8 in every box feel plugged), the inconsistent flavors (with more recent vintages), and the high prices (pushing $20 a stick). Instead, I go for this Nicaraguan cigar, which would do better than the Montecristo in any blind tasting. Loads of smoke, balanced spice, and this baked gingerbread middle that keeps delivering all the way into the end. —Matthew

Crowned Heads Juarez
Crowned Heads OBS Juarez | Photo by Timothy Allen

Crowned Heads OBS Juarez | Photo by Timothy Allen

The Juarez by Crowned Heads is a must have for two primary reasons. The first being that Crowned Heads is a hot brand with amazing profiles. Do a little research or listen to episode 17 of Simply Stogies Podcast and you’ll understand why Crowned Heads needs to be in your humidor. The second reason is that the Juarez is wallet friendly alternative to the Crowned Heads Jericho Hill brand. The Juarez is a win for your wallet, humidor, and taste buds alike. —Tim

Ramon Allones LCDH

Ramon Allones LCDH | David Howell

Ramon Allones LCDH | David Howell

This is a cigar that I find myself going to again and again. A very complex yet subtle cigar that can satisfy the palates of both novice and aficionado alike. Very balanced profile of raisins, powdered chocolate and brown sugar. —Dave

Por Larrañaga Panatela
Por Larranaga Panatela

Por Larranaga Panatela | Photo by Matthew Kang

I don’t mean to imply in my entry above that I hate all Cuban cigars. Most of the first 100 or so cigars I ever smoked were Cuban. There are many that would quality as my humidor go-to, including the H.Upmann Magnum 46, Partagas Serie D No. 4, and Hoyo de Monterey Epicure No. 1, but my affordable favorite is the Por Larranaga Panetela, a cute little daytime smoke that works great as a mid-day coda or even a breakfast cigar with coffee. No wonder they were JFK’s favorite cigar. —Matthew

Nub Double Maduro
Nub Double Maduro (DUB) | Photo by Timothy Allen

Nub Double Maduro (DUB) | Photo by Timothy Allen

Nub Double Maduro (Nub Dub): Honestly, any Nub Cigar produced by Studio Tobac (a name which Oliva Cigars puts side projects under) is humidor essential, but the Nub Dub takes it to a new level by adding a second but different maduro wrapper to the cigar, introducing a whole new level of medium-to-full bodied complexity. The Nub Dub is a limited production cigar so it can be hard to find from time to time. When you do see it on the shelves make sure you grab a few, or a box. —Tim

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