Cigar of the Year Journal
Championship analysis and official tournament insight from Cigar of the Year — written for the competition, not republished from elsewhere.
Official 2026 Rankings
Best Cigars of 2026 – See the Official Rankings
103 cigars evaluated, 32 in head-to-head competition, and one champion. Ashology™ scores, tasting notes and results for every cigar that reached the Top 16.
New series
Top Cigars of the Past: 2001–2025
Twenty-five unranked editorial retrospectives — ten cigar selections for each year. These are historical editorial choices, not awards issued in those years.
How the Competition Works
October 20, 2026
What a Close Cigar Matchup Can Tell You Beyond the Final Score
See what a close cigar scorecard reveals about the deciding difference, using the 2026 championship between Padrón and OpusX Angel's Share.
How the Competition Works
October 11, 2026
Why Liga Privada T52 Earned the 2026 Master Ashologist’s Choice
Liga Privada T52 finished third at 6–1 and earned the 2026 Master Ashologist’s Choice for the complete smoking experience across seven evaluations.
How the Competition Works
October 4, 2026
Why the Highest-Rated Cigar Isn’t Always Your Favorite
A championship evaluates tournament performance. Your favorite cigar reflects what you enjoy. Learn how to use scores, tasting notes and occasion without treating the winner as your only choice.
How the Competition Works
September 14, 2026
How to Choose a Cigar from Award Results
A practical guide to turning cigar award results into a short list that reflects your own preferences.
How the Competition Works
September 13, 2026
What Does “Cigar of the Year” Really Mean?
Discover how CigarOfTheYear.com reviewed 103 cigars, selected a 32-cigar tournament field, and named the Padrón 60th Anniversary Perfecto the 2026 champion.
Competition Journal
September 7, 2026
Why CigarOfTheYear.com Uses Head-to-Head Competition
Founder John Burton explains the 2026 Cigar of the Year tournament, Ashology™ and the consumer-voted Connecticut Cigar Bracket Challenge.
How the Competition Works
September 4, 2026
How Is Cigar of the Year Chosen? Inside a Head-to-Head Cigar Championship
Learn how CigarOfTheYear.com reviews 103 cigars, selects an Official 32, and uses group play, Ashology™ scoring and head-to-head rounds to crown a champion.
Competition Journal
August 26, 2026
Why the Padrón 60th Anniversary Perfecto Won the 2026 Cigar of the Year
Discover why the Padrón 60th Anniversary Perfecto earned a perfect 7-0 record and became the official 2026 Cigar of the Year.