Staff Picks

Miguel's Top Picks	Norman's Top Picks	Johnny's Top Picks	Matt's Top Picks
Cream Machine by Caldwell	Stolen Throne Crook of The Crown	Powstanie Justice	Warped La Hacienda Superior
What I love about this one is how the flavors evolve as you smoke it. You get hints of vanilla and a bit of nuttiness, which makes it interesting without being too complex. It’s a great choice for beginners and those who appreciate mild to medium smoke that’s easy on the palate.	This cigar by far was the cigar I chased the most when it was first released 5 years ago. I remember the first time I smoked it, I frantically went online trying to find more and searched and searched for 6 months till it finally came back in stock. This is an every day smoke for me.	The balance this broadleaf adds to the Ecuadorian Connecticut is truly impressive. There's a subtle sweetness that I really enjoy, and for a morning cigar—or anytime I don't want something too bold—this one hits the spot perfectly.	Now, for those who know me, it's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Aganorsa tobacco and production. When I came around to trying the Warped Nicaragua portfolio, the Hacienda was one of the first cigars that I fell in love with, only being edged out by the now discontinued Maestro Del Tiempo. Kyle Gelis really knew what he was doing when he came up with this blend at the TABSA factory. This cigar is the best of the best when it comes to Aganorsa tobacco. Using a dark Jalapa shade grown Corojo '99 with the classic Aganorsa fillers of Corojo '99 and Criollo '98, this blend provides a great medium bodied experience with notes of earthiness, leather and a low amount of spice.
10th Anniversary by Rojas	Casdagli Traditional Cottontail	Warped La Hacienda	Espinosa Knuckle Sandwich CT Short Churchill
The construction of this cigar is impeccable. It burns evenly and produces a nice, smooth draw every time. The balance of flavors makes it a great choice for both beginners and more seasoned smokers looking for something with a bit of depth without being too strong. Every time I light up a 10th Anniversary, it feels like a special occasion. It's perfect when you want to treat yourself to something a little extra without going overboard. This cigar has definitely earned its place as a staff favorite here at The Cigar Vault, and I highly recommend giving it a try.	I remember someone once told me that Casdagli should be consider the Davidoff throughout Europe. The more I have enjoyed this stick the more complex the flavors have built up. This smoke at first might not be a shape or size you are familiar with but its a banger that is enjoyable. This is a much longer smoke than it looks given the larger gauge at the front of the cigar	When I think of La Hacienda, the first thing that comes to mind is pure classy sophistication. The wrapper has a smooth, leather-like texture, and the nutty, earthy flavors are simply fantastic. Sweet, flavorful, and absolutely one of my all-time top ten cigars.	I love a good morning smoke with some great coffee. With that said, I typically like to start my day with a milder cigar. I'm not a fan of the super mild [company names redacted] Connecticut (CT) blends that flood the market. I like my CT blends with a good amount of flavor and to be very dynamic. This cigar fits that bill exactly. A decent amount of strength in the morning with notes of cream and bread. I will say, this blend absolutely shines in this boxed pressed short Churchill. The construction is also on point coming from the famous San Lotano factory.
Vault Reserva Habano Behike	Powstanie Justice	Viaje Vampire Dust	Foundation Olmec Claro Corona Gorda
What stands out to me about this cigar is its bold flavor profile. It starts with a robust earthiness and then unfolds into layers of spice, leather, and a hint of sweetness. Each puff is like discovering a new facet of its character, making it a truly enjoyable experience from start to finish.	It was hard for me to figure out which Powstanie stick to put in my list because I really enjoy the entire line that Mike creates. I went with the justice just because if I looked at my top 6 and I felt it brought balance. Even though this is a Connecticut wrapper, the PA Broadleaf under it gives this stick some kick. Its fantastic.	Viaje is anything but subtle. I’ve always appreciated the bold, in-your-face flavors it delivers, never failing to impress. The Vampire Dust has a sense of inherited elegance, thanks to the fine, exquisite tobaccos selected for this blend. The wrapper feels satin-smooth, with a refined taste that’s present in every draw. Savor it, enjoy it, and immerse yourself in the experience—this is a cigar you can’t easily replace. It’s one you’ll remember long after you’ve smoked it.	Ah, the Olmec Claro. One of my all time favorites. When this cigar first came out, I fell in love with the Claro version. It was still a beautiful, toothy San Andres but provided such a unique smoke to what most people were doing with the wrapper. It feels like 99/100 San Andres cigars only use the maduro and hardly anyone uses the claro. Most people just kept buying the maduro Olmec, so that left all the claro for me to horde. Then, of course, CA had to ruin it by putting it on their Top 25. The Olmec Claro is one of my go-to after dinner cigars. It's got some of my favorite notes of espresso, cashew, vanilla, with just a little bit of white pepper. Medium to medium-plus coming from one of AJ Fernadez's Tabacalera factories.
Plum Pudding by Seattle Pipe Club	Tatuaje Loki	Vault Reserva Maduro CB	Crowned Heads Coroneta Habano
What makes Plum Pudding special is its robust blend of Latakia, Orientals, Virginias, and Perique tobaccos. It delivers a smoky, spicy, and slightly sweet profile that evolves as you smoke. The Latakia provides a smoky backbone, while the Orientals add spice and the Virginias contribute sweetness. The Perique adds a touch of peppery zest that completes the blend. The blend is well-balanced, allowing each component to shine without overpowering the others. It burns cool and smooth, providing a relaxing and contemplative smoking experience.	As a person that smokes a ton of tatuaje, I wanted to make this about a core line product product instead of the monster series. This stick to me is probably one of my all time favorite Tatuajue that are produced and is created out of Miami. Its just a completely balanced stick that has pepper but the dark cocoa that comes out is always front and center. Its just a great cigar and never disappoints.	What I love about this cigar is its ability to be both delicious and satisfying in any situation. With notes of cocoa, espresso, and just a touch of pepper on the retrohale, it’s a cigar worth stocking up on. You’ll soon find yourself wondering why you’ve spent more on other cigars that promised the same experience but at a much higher price. Who needs a fancy box or band when you know you're smoking something this good? Every penny that could’ve gone to marketing or packaging has been invested in crafting this exceptional cigar.	Imma go out and say it, this cigar should have gotten #1 Cigar of 2024. This may (or may not be) a controversial opinion, but the top Cigar lists should only have cigars that were released from thay year. Anyway, the CH Coroneta Habano made at the NACSA factory did such an incredible job with this blend. With notes of cream, cedar, leather and a little hay, this is a great morning cigar substitute if you didn't want a Connecticut.
Leather Rose by Deadwood	Caldwell Long Live the Queen	BAMF Green Tip Maduro	Big Sky Bitterroot
What stands out about the Leather Rose is its blend of flavors that include hints of cocoa, coffee, and a subtle sweetness. These elements come together to create a rich and satisfying smoke that's both enjoyable and memorable. This is a cigar I turn to when I want to indulge in something that’s both flavorful and aromatic.	Following back up on a nice late morning smoke this would be one I tend to reach for. It burns fairly slow and is subtle but full of depth. It is an extremely smooth cigar where you can get a creamy smoothness, with secondary hints of coffee bean. Again, first stick of the day you would not be disappointed.	BAMF didn’t skip a beat in crafting this fantastic cigar. From the bold, robust Ligero to the sturdy Volado leaf, and finishing with a touch of sweet candela to balance everything out, every element plays its part. The nutty flavors, reminiscent of a handful of cashews, blend beautifully with the earthy undertones to create a truly perfect smoke.	I've only had this cigar by pure happenstance. I was talking to someone I had just met and we started talking about what we wanted to do when we retired. I told him that I'd love to move to the middle of Montana and just fly fish the rest of my days on a random river in the middle of nowhere. I didn't think anything of that conversation until a couple of weeks later where I received a random package in the mail. It was a full box of the Bitterroot. He wrote a beautiful note and told me how awesome these cigars were. I tried one as soon as I could and was in awe. Tasting some sweet almond, carmel and toast, I fell in love. This is the only cigar on this list with a ring gage bigger than 48. This 6x54 violation is amazing.
West Tampa Red by West Tampa	Traficante Brooklyn	Casdagli Cottontail	Wildfire Artaios
What I enjoy most about the West Tampa Red is its rich, earthy tones complemented by hints of spice and a subtle sweetness. It’s the kind of cigar that evokes a sense of nostalgia while still delivering a satisfying smoke that’s enjoyable in any setting.	Rounding off my selection is a bomb that Traficante. Even before you light the cigar you will get cocoa when smell it. Its is full of pepper and dark chocolate. Its a strong stick and definitely one to close out the night or late afternoon. Smoke it slow to not burn the final 3rd	They call me Johnny Cottontail.	This is probably the strongest cigar on my list. You can probably notice a trend, I like small ring gage, medium bodied and strength, notes of cream, nuts and a little spice. This cigar is no different. HOWEVER, this does use an Indonesian binder that does provide a unique umami flavor that I cannot quite put my finger on. Wildfire is one of those companies that 99% of people just pass over when they absolutely need to be looked at.