Who Makes the World’s Highest-Rated Cigars?
(based on CIGAR AFICIONADO ratings)
Cigar Aficionado has been rating cigars since 1992 and published about 23,000 ratings.
Seven brands have received a 96 or higher rating at least three times. Here are the facts: four of the seven brands received exactly three such ratings, while two brands received four 96 or higher ratings. One brand did this 9 times!
Receiving exactly three 96 or higher ratings are: Fuente (Opus X twice and Don Carlos Anniversary Edition once), My Father (Flor de las Antillas, Le Bijou 1922 and The Judge, each once), Rocky Patel (ALR 2nd Edition twice and Sixty once) and Cuban Cohiba.
Receiving exactly four 96 or higher ratings are: E.P. Carrillo (Encore 3 times and Pledge once) and Oliva V Melanio (4 times)
Receiving nine 96 or higher ratings is: Padron (1926 Serie with six,1964 Anniversary twice, and 60th Anniversary Perfecto.)
In fact, we have every cigar ever rated 96 or higher in stock (legal for sale), as well as nearly every 95 rated cigar still in production.
This rating analysis includes ratings up through January 2026.
Seven brands have received a 96 or higher rating at least three times. Here are the facts: four of the seven brands received exactly three such ratings, while two brands received four 96 or higher ratings. One brand did this 9 times!
Receiving exactly three 96 or higher ratings are: Fuente (Opus X twice and Don Carlos Anniversary Edition once), My Father (Flor de las Antillas, Le Bijou 1922 and The Judge, each once), Rocky Patel (ALR 2nd Edition twice and Sixty once) and Cuban Cohiba.
Receiving exactly four 96 or higher ratings are: E.P. Carrillo (Encore 3 times and Pledge once) and Oliva V Melanio (4 times)
Receiving nine 96 or higher ratings is: Padron (1926 Serie with six,1964 Anniversary twice, and 60th Anniversary Perfecto.)
In fact, we have every cigar ever rated 96 or higher in stock (legal for sale), as well as nearly every 95 rated cigar still in production.
This rating analysis includes ratings up through January 2026.
