Five Must-Have Cigars for Autumn 2020

When you settle down this autumn to have a bonfire with your friends, to watch amber leaves fall from the trees, or even just to sit by the window and watch the rainfall – make sure you have one of these cigars by your side. 

Strong, rich Cuban and Nicaraguan tobacco fills these award-winning cigars, and they’ll turn your autumn into one that you’ll never forget.

#1 “Quai D’orsay” 

This Cuban Cigar, named after a Paris avenue along the Seine that was used as a dock in the Middle Ages, was designed exclusively with the French market in mind, giving it a milder taste than a lot of other Cuban cigars. Generally, because of the terroir of the Cuban region – the climate, topography, soil, and surrounding plants – Cuban tobacco hits harder than most other cigars. Most Cubans, then, are like heavy, full-bodied wines – while the Quai D’Orsay, like a light wine, carries with it a much lighter hit, making it a nice introduction into the world of Cuban cigars.

If you’re looking for something a little bit milder, the Quai D’Orsay might just be your best bet.

#2: “Cohiba Talisman” 

The Cohiba Talisman, another Cuban, in contrast to the Quai D’Orsay, has a slightly stronger flavor: medium-to-full. The cigars were rolled at the legendary El Laguito factory in Havana.

All Cohiba cigars are made with tobacco that’s aged for at least two years, but the Ligero and Seco, Talisman leaves, are aged for an additional 18 months on top of that. It’s close to perfection, with typical Cohiba flavors: wood, grass, earth, and lots of sweetness.

It’s one of Cohiba’s most popular cigars for a good reason.

#3: "Oliva Serie V"

Nicaraguan cigars are similar to the full-body of Cuban cigars for two reasons: 1) because of the similarities between the two countries’ terroirs and 2) because of the attention to detail that goes into the craft of each and every cigar.

The Oliva Serie V is no different. This cigar is brimming with layer upon layer, overflowing with an endless flavor of coffee, spice, wood, nut, and sweet and dark tobacco, with a dash of heavenly black coffee on the finish. It’s made from Ligero leaves from Jalapa Valley, leaving you with a potent, spicy taste.

The Oliva Serie V comes in a variety of different shapes, from Belicoso, Churchill, Corona, Double Robusto, Figurado, Gordo, Lancero/Panatela, to Torpedo – whatever your preference, you’ll be able to find one that suits you.

In 2017, the Oliva Serie V was named the #3 Cigar of the Year by Cigar Aficionado – and it’s poised to impress this year, too.

#4: “My Father Le Bijou 1922 Torpedo"

Le Bijou is French for “The Jewel,” and it’s an apt description for this rich, robust Nicaraguan cigar from My Father. The “Torpedo” is a six to six-and-a-half inch long cigar with a larger ring shaft, typically around 52-56. The larger the ring size, the longer it will take to smoke.

Why “1922”? That’s the year that Jose Don Pepin was born in Cuba. Don Pepin Garcia, along with his son, Jaime Garcia, has created numerous popular cigar brands. The original My Father cigar was conceived by Pepin’s son, as a tribute to his father, and Le Bijou continues Garcia's tradition of honoring their fathers. This cigar was made to commemorate his legacy in the tobacco trade.

The Le Bijou 1922 is smooth with a hard punch of tobacco – which makes sense given Nicaragua’s reputation for strong, aged tobacco.

In 2015, the Le Bijou 1922 Torpedo received top accolades from Cigar Aficionado: It was named the #1 Cigar of the Year.

#5: “E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic” 

This is another cigar named after a legend in the tobacco industry: Ernesto Perez-Carrillo. E.P. Carrillo is a master cigar maker. According to his website, “As young as 4 years old, he would spend countless hours with his father in the tobacco fields in Cuba’s prime growing region, the Vuelta Abajo. It was in Cuba where Ernesto began to appreciate the art of growing tobacco.” Carrillo has decades of experience crafting the finest cigars.

This cigar, the E.P. Carillo Encore Majestic, is the first one he’s created with strictly Nicaraguan leaves. The fillers inside are from Estelí, Condega and Jalapa, the primary growing areas for tobacco in Nicaragua. Naturally, the Nicaraguan tobacco gives this cigar a rich, hearty feel that hits just as hard as any other Nicaraguan cigar.

Sure enough, the E.P. Carillo Encore Majestic was named the #1 Cigar of the Year in 2018 by Cigar Aficionado. Just like the “Le Bijou,” this is a cigar worthy of commemorating a man who’s central to the cigar world.

In this article, we looked at the five must-have cigars for autumn 2020.

From the milder Quay D’Orsay to the heavy-and-hard-hitting Le Bijou 1922 Torpedo, these full-bodied Cuban and Nicaraguan cigars will perfectly complement a night in or a night out.

Make sure to stock up today.