We here at Cigars.com are proud that we can maintain such a wide inventory. With the advent of the boutique brands, we are proud stock more premium cigars than ever before. We are big fans of the smaller, new brands such as Caldwell, Foundation, and Warped. However, as seasoned smokers, we need to appreciate the originals. The most popular cigars, and indeed some of the best cigars ever created are not the small batch limited releases, but the major brands backed by companies with experienced rollers, expert blenders, and an almost infinite inventory of aged tobaccos. For fans of the smaller brands it’s important to look at companies like General Cigar. General manufacturers some of the most popular brands in the industry, and they are pillars of the cigar industry. You may have never heard of them but we guarantee you have smoked one of their cigars and have thoroughly enjoyed it.
Macanudo may not be the first cigars that a millennial smoker thinks of but it should be. For decades, Macanudo has been a staple of the luxury cigar community. There are mellow, creamy, and of the highest quality. Macanudos have long been seen as the classy choice, the cigar for the banker or the golfer. They are rolled with only the finest aged Dominican tobaccos and burn well all the way to the end. Macanudo is one of the best selling premium cigars of all time and will continue to be for a long time.
In my mind, La Gloria Cubana was one of the first powerhouse Dominican cigars. Before the full bodied cigar craze really took over, La Gloria was setting the trend with the rich and full Series R. The La Gloria Series R maduro is in the pantheon of full body cigar greats, right up there with Joya de Nicaragua, Opus X, and La Flor Dominicana. This was the full-bodied smoke for people who really knew cigars. They have been able to keep pace with the newer, smaller companies by releasing several amazing, limited releases over the past few years.
Who has never had a Partagas before? If you haven’t, you don’t now what you are missing. The crew at Cigars.com are mad about Partagas. We go through more then a box a month between the few of us. The Partagas Black has long been the king of the full bodied cigar. Its dark wrapper is a mix of a sun grown and maduro, giving you the best of both worlds. Partagas was also crafted for many years by the legendary Benji Menendez, one of the most knowledgeable blenders the industry has ever known. Partagas is a must have for any aficionado.
With the exception of maybe Montecristo, Cohiba is the most well known cigar brand in the world. Cuban Cohibas have long been seen as the finest cigars in the history of the industry, and the General Cigar version is not far off. Cohiba is the height of luxury, using only the finest tobaccos in the world that have been aged perfectly for each blend. The Cohiba brand is so revered, that when legendary musician Jay-Z wished to make his own cigar, Cohiba is where he went. For a special occasion, Cohiba is the way to go.
If rich Honduran cigars are your passion, you must have smoked a Punch. Punch is the epitome of a premium Honduran cigar. Many experts feel as though Punch was responsible for popularizing the earth, leathery tones that Honduran tobacco is known for. The Grand Cru has been featured on many best of the best lists, including Cigar Aficionados Top 25. They are mostly medium to full body, so they are not for the faint of heart. However, if you are looking to expand your palate into the Honduran region, Punch is the first one you should try.
CAO was long seen as one of the original boutique cigars. The small Nashville based company was one of the driving forces behind the small batch, hand crafted smoke craze and had a devout following. Many were worried about the future of the company when they were acquired by General Cigar. However, with Ricky Rodriguez at the helm, CAO has remained one of the most popular brands on the market. Their world series, including the Brazilia, can be found in every cigar store across the country. Their recent Amazon series has garnered rave reviews, with the Amazon Basin being one of the most sought after cigars the year it was released. Keep an eye out for the newest releases from CAO, they are sure to keep you on your toes.
I hate to call El Rey del Mundo a budget cigar, because in my mind it is so much more than that. For years, it has been one of the most popular Honduran cigars on the market. Recently I’ve become a fan of aging El Reys. They aren’t expensive at all so buying a few 5packs and letting them sit for a year doesn’t hurt my wallet at all. An aged El Rey is one of the best smoking experiences you can have. There is a reason this cigar is called King of the World.
General Cigar is responsible for many of the finest and most popular cigars in stores today. For any seasoned smoker, a collection of General Cigars is almost a necessity. Check out many of their amazing lines right here at Cigars.com