Best Rated Cuban Cigars: What Critics Actually Score Highest

Cuban cigars carry a mystique that no other tobacco can quite match — centuries of tradition, hand-rolled craftsmanship in Havana's legendary factories, and a name that functions more like a legend than a brand description. But when the scores come in from blind tastings, the picture is more nuanced. The best rated Cuban cigars are genuinely extraordinary. They just share the top tier with equally great Nicaraguan and Dominican cigars that didn't exist 30 years ago.

Here's what the critics actually score highest from Cuba, with verified ratings and honest context.

The Cubans that earned their scores

Cohiba Behike BHK 52 — 97 points, 2010 Cigar of the Year

This is the peak of modern Cuban cigar production in critics' eyes. The Cohiba Behike line was released as Habanos S.A.'s most prestigious creation — made with a rare third leaf called "medio tiempo," grown at the very tip of the plant where oils and complexity concentrate. The BHK 52 earned 97 points from Cigar Aficionado and the Number 1 spot in 2010. Rich, velvety, and complex in a way that makes Cohiba's reputation feel entirely earned. See it on our Cohiba cigar page.

Partagás Serie P No. 2 — 96 points

If you ask serious Cuban aficionados which torpedo they reach for first, many will say the Partagás Serie P No. 2. It earned 96 points from Cigar Aficionado and is widely regarded as one of the finest piramide-shaped cigars Cuba produces — medium-full bodied, with rich leather, dark fruit, and a complex, lingering finish. Partagás is one of Cuba's oldest brands (founded 1845) and the Serie P is its modern flagship.

Montecristo No. 2 — 96 points, 2013 Cigar of the Year

The Montecristo No. 2 might be the most iconic cigar shape in the world: the torpedo, or piramide, is so associated with the Monte No. 2 that the two have become synonymous. In 2013, a particularly fine vintage of the cigar earned 96 points and the Number 1 spot — one of only four times a Cuban cigar has won Cigar of the Year in the modern Top 25 era. Earthy, complex, with the signature tangy cedar note that defines the Montecristo profile.

H. Upmann No. 2 — 98 points, 2022 Cigar of the Year

A landmark moment for Cuban cigars. The H. Upmann No. 2 — another torpedo — earned 98 points in 2022 and the Number 1 title, the highest score ever awarded to a Cuban cigar in Cigar Aficionado's modern era. If you want a single data point that proves Havana is still capable of producing world-class cigars, this is it. Medium-bodied for a Cuban, with woody, creamy, and slightly sweet notes. The H. Upmann brand has been making cigars since 1844.

Cohiba Siglo VI — 93 points

Not quite 94-plus, but worth including for context. The Siglo VI is the largest format in Cohiba's Linea 1492 series — a 58-ring-gauge behemoth that earns consistent 90–93 scores and is widely available through international retailers. A good entry point into the Cohiba lineup without paying Behike prices.

Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona — 94 points

One of the most consistently praised Cubans at the 94-point level. The Double Corona is a massive, long smoke with a smooth, medium-bodied profile that showcases Cuban tobacco's earthy, woody elegance. Hoyo de Monterrey has received some of the highest scores in Cigar Aficionado's Cuban cigar history across multiple vintages.

Bolivar Royal Corona — 94 points, 2006 Cigar of the Year

One of the most robust Cubans available — dark, spicy, and full-bodied. The Royal Corona is a corona format (a standard, classic shape) that delivers an intensity rare in that size class. Its 2006 COTY win proved that Cuba's boldest brand could compete at the very top.

The honest picture on Cuban cigars and ratings

It's worth being direct here: Cuban cigars are not uniformly the best in the world by critical scores. Nicaraguan brands like Padrón have claimed five Cigar of the Year titles; Dominican brands like Arturo Fuente have earned three. Cuba has won four in the modern Top 25 era.

That's not a knock on Cuba — four Number 1s is remarkable, and the Cohiba Behike BHK 52, H. Upmann No. 2, Montecristo No. 2, and Bolivar Royal Corona are all genuinely world-class. But the legend of Cuban cigars exceeds the average rating — there are plenty of Cuban cigars that score in the 83–88 range alongside the legends. If you want a guaranteed high-rating smoke, the safest bet is a recent production from Padrón or My Father, not an unknown Cuban vintage.

For a deeper comparison, read our Cuban vs Dominican cigars guide. To understand what those scores actually mean, see how are cigars rated.

Experiencing these cigars

If you have access to Cuban cigars internationally, start with the Partagás Serie P No. 2 or the Montecristo No. 2 — both are widely available, consistently produced, and verified at 96 points. The Cohiba Behike is the prestige pick but commands a significant price.

Log your experience in the Casa DNC app and compare your notes to the critics. The best-rated Cuban cigars have earned strong marks from professionals — your palate is the final judge. Browse more Cuban cigar options and ratings on our cigar pages.