Cigar brands: the 5 names to know when you're starting out

Five cigar brands are enough to help you find your way when you're discovering Cuban cigars: Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, Partagás and Hoyo de Monterrey. They are all Cuban, they are all available at French tobacconists, and each embodies a very specific style, from the mildest to the strongest. This guide presents their key features, explains the difference with non-Cuban houses, and reminds you that a good cigar cutter counts as much as the brand you choose.

What are the 5 cigar brands to know first?

The five names to remember are Hoyo de Monterrey, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, Cohiba and Partagás. Together, they cover almost the entire aromatic range of Cuban cigars, making them an excellent starting point for comparing any other house.

The table below summarizes their origin and dominant style. The strength indicated is a general trend: each brand offers several lines and formats, sometimes milder or stronger than its reputation.

Hoyo de Monterrey is the most frequently recommended entry point by cigar shops. Its mild and rounded signature gives you time to get used to the draw and combustion without being overwhelmed by the strength of the tobacco.

Montecristo is probably the most widely distributed brand in the world. Its No. 4, a petit corona with about forty-five minutes of smoking time, serves as a reference for generations of enthusiasts, and its pyramid-shaped No. 2 remains one of the most famous figurados.

Romeo y Julieta stands out for the breadth of its range: from small modules to the Churchill, a format whose name it popularized in tribute to the British statesman, a great admirer of its cigars. Its woody and floral profile remains accessible.

Cohiba, born in the 1960s and long reserved for diplomatic gifts, has become the symbol of prestigious Cuban cigars. Its cigars are more complex and often more intense; to learn more, read the full history of the Cohiba house.

Partagás, one of the oldest factories in Havana, is known for its structured cigars, with notes of spices and earth. Its Serie D No. 4 is a cult robusto, but rather one to save for when your palate is already accustomed.

What cigar brands can you find at the tobacconist?

In France, cigars are sold exclusively at tobacconists, as distance selling of tobacco is prohibited. The five Cuban brands presented above are the most common there, alongside a few major Dominican, Nicaraguan or Honduran houses.

The selection varies greatly from one store to another. A small tobacconist often has a limited display, with single cigars or small boxes. Outlets equipped with a climate-controlled humidor, sometimes called civettes, offer dozens of references, whole boxes and limited editions.

A Cuban brand created for France

Among the cigar brands sold in France, Quai d'Orsay holds a special place. This Cuban brand was launched in the 1970s especially for the French market, with a light wrapper and a mild style designed for French tastes. It can be found at most specialized tobacconists.

What to keep in mind at the tobacconist?

• State your experience: a good tobacconist will readily guide you toward a suitable strength.
• Ask for a short format: a petit corona or a robusto can be enjoyed in 45 minutes to an hour.
• Observe the wrapper: it should be supple, without cracks or mold stains.
• Buy a single cigar before investing in a full box.

Cuban or non-Cuban brands: what's the difference?

A Cuban brand exclusively uses tobacco grown and rolled in Cuba, under the protected designation of origin Habano. Non-Cuban brands blend tobacco from several countries, often the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Honduras or Ecuador, which gives them greater freedom of blending.

In practical terms, Cuban cigars are renowned for their earthy, woody and slightly spicy notes, with a great deal of variation from one harvest to another. Non-Cuban cigars often offer consistency and intensity, especially those from Nicaragua, known for their peppery strength.

Which non-Cuban brands should you know?

A few houses come up in every enthusiast conversation. Davidoff, of Swiss origin, now rolls its cigars in the Dominican Republic and cultivates a refined style. Arturo Fuente, also Dominican, is a family institution. In Nicaragua, Padrón, Oliva and Joya de Nicaragua embody denser and more aromatic cigars.

How to choose among the brands on your first purchase?

First choose a strength, then a format, and only then a brand. This method prevents judging an entire house based on a single cigar that is too strong or too long for a first time.

1. Strength: opt for a mild to medium cigar, such as a Hoyo de Monterrey or a Montecristo. Our dedicated article offers a selection of mild and light cigars ranked by intensity.
2. Format: a robusto (ring gauge 50) or a petit corona (ring gauge 42) can be smoked in under an hour and forgives draw mistakes.
3. The cigar head: a round head is prepared with a straight cut, a pyramid tip is opened more finely; plan for a cutting tool suited to the diameter of your cigars.
4. Comparison: taste two brands in the same format to truly feel the difference in style.

Write down the brand, format and your impressions in a notebook. After a few tastings, you will know whether you lean toward the mildness of a light wrapper or the character of a strong brand. Take your time too: a cigar is savored in peace, after a light meal, with a glass of water at hand to refresh the palate between two puffs. Under these conditions, the nuances unique to each house stand out much more clearly.

Where to store cigars bought at the tobacconist?

A cigar is stored at around 65 to 70% humidity. After a few days, a humidor and a reliable hygrometer prevent it from drying out or cracking.

Frequently asked questions