Cigar Aficionado Score Radar: 5 Hidden 90+ Point Gems In Stock

Smart move getting in early — legendary blends that are both highly-rated and in stock don't last. Welcome to the inaugural episode of Score Radar, where we scan the humidor for five certified masterpieces carrying the coveted 90+ point score.

Seasoned connoisseur or curious newcomer, this lineup delivers: flawless construction, serious flavour complexity, and — best of all — it's actually available. From the creamy elegance of an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade to the dark power of an all-maduro heavy-hitter, we've got the full spectrum covered.

Grab your cutter, find your chair — five hall-of-fame smokes, ready to secure right now.

1. Davidoff Signature 2000

91 POINTS  |  5" × 43  |  CORONA  |  MILD TO MEDIUM  |  ~45–60 MIN

The Signature 2000 is Davidoff's benchmark — and one of the most consistently elegant cigars produced anywhere in the world. It has been in continuous production for decades for a simple reason: it delivers exactly what it promises, every single time.

Construction and tobacco

Wrapped in a flawless, golden Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade leaf, the Signature 2000 is built over a Dominican binder and a carefully curated Dominican filler blend. What distinguishes this cigar within the Signature line is its higher proportion of Piloto Cubano tobacco in the filler — a Cuban-seed variety that brings slightly more body and depth than the slimmer Signature 1000 and 1500 without crossing into medium territory. The wrapper is shade-grown under cheesecloth canopies (tapados) to produce a leaf that is thin-veined, silky to the touch, and noticeably oily.

Construction is impeccable. The seams are tight and nearly invisible, the cap is perfectly applied, and the cold draw before lighting should feel open and effortless — a small test that consistently confirms Davidoff's quality control.

First third

The opening draws are immediately creamy and smooth — barley, toasted bread, and soft cedar, with a gentle sweetness that coats the palate without any harshness. This is the quality that made Connecticut Shade the benchmark for approachable elegance: a profile that is immediately accessible yet clearly refined.

Second third

As the cigar settles, the profile develops quietly. Subtle nuttiness emerges alongside delicate floral undertones — a reflection of the Piloto Cubano leaf's contribution. The creaminess never wavers. The burn line remains laser-straight, producing a firm, pale grey ash that holds well.

Final third

A whisper of white pepper makes its first appearance toward the end, adding just enough complexity to keep the final draws interesting without disrupting the cigar's elegance. The finish is clean, silky, and long — leaving a pleasant sweetness rather than any bitterness.

Perfect pairing

Morning: A cappuccino or café latte is the natural companion. The milk mirrors the cigar's sweet creaminess while softening any trace of pepper. Avoid strong, dark espresso here — it will overwhelm the Signature's subtlety.

Evening: A dry Brut or Blanc de Blancs Champagne is a surprisingly perfect match. The crisp effervescence lifts the cigar's floral and cedar notes, while the acidity contrasts cleanly against the creaminess. A light, dry Fino Sherry works equally well for those who prefer something still.

2. Blackened M81 Toro by Drew Estate

95 POINTS (Corona size — #7 Cigar of the Year 2023)
6" × 52  |  TORO  |  FULL-BODIED  |  ~90 MIN

The M81 is not a subtle cigar, and it makes no apology for it. Born from a collaboration between Metallica frontman James Hetfield, Blackened American Whiskey master distiller Rob Dietrich, and Drew Estate's Jonathan Drew, this is an all-maduro construction from the outermost leaf to the deepest filler — a bold, dark, intensely complex smoke built for those who want their cigar to make a statement.

Construction and tobacco

Every layer of the M81 is maduro. The outer wrapper is Mexican San Andrés — one of the most prized maduro leaf sources in the world, known for its deep chocolate-brown colour, natural oils, and distinctive dark sweetness. Beneath it sits a Connecticut River Valley Broadleaf Maduro binder, chosen for elasticity and combustion. The filler blends Nicaraguan and Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro leaves — both slow-burning, dense tobaccos that contribute body, strength, and a savoury depth that builds across the length of the cigar.

At a 52 ring gauge and 6 inches, the M81 is a substantial cigar with a generous draw and a cool, slow burn that rarely needs attention. The wrapper is applied without visible seams, and the triple cap holds firmly under a straight cut from a guillotine cutter.

First third

Immediate and assertive — dark cocoa, black coffee, and a rich leathery earthiness from the very first draw. There is no warming-up period here. The smoke is full and thick, the retrohale delivering a wave of dark spice and espresso. Smoke slowly and let the flavours settle; aggressive puffing pushes this cigar into harsh territory quickly.

Second third

This is where the M81 shows its most complex face. The dark chocolate and leather layer with a savoury smokiness and a low note of molasses sweetness that emerges from the all-maduro construction. The burn stays even and cool, and the grey-charcoal ash holds in long, firm segments. The strength builds noticeably here, so pace yourself deliberately.

Final third

The richest and most intense section. The molasses sweetness comes fully forward, integrating with espresso and leather into a dense finish that lingers well after the cigar is set down. Smokers who paced themselves through the first two thirds will find this section genuinely extraordinary.

Perfect pairing

Whisky: The M81 was practically designed to accompany a glass of Blackened American Whiskey — the collaboration's own spirit — whose char and vanilla notes align precisely with the cigar's dark cocoa and smoky sweetness. Any robust, high-proof bourbon achieves a similar effect. Browse the whisky collection for options.

Beer: A rich Imperial Stout or Belgian Quadrupel brings enough roasted malt complexity to match the cigar without being overwhelmed. This is one of the few cigars that pairs as well with beer as with whisky.

Timing: Emphatically an after-dinner cigar. Its full body and 90-minute commitment make it unsuitable for a quick afternoon smoke — if you have less time, see our 45-minute selection instead.

3. Tatuaje Black Label Private Reserve

90 POINTS  |  5⅝" × 46  |  CORONA GORDA  |  MEDIUM TO FULL  |  ~60–75 MIN

Pete Johnson's Black Label Private Reserve is one of the most consistently acclaimed Nicaraguan puros in production — a cigar that manages to be both immediately accessible and genuinely complex. The Corona Gorda is the vitola the cigar community returns to as the definitive expression of the blend, and it earns that reputation fully.

Construction and tobacco

As a Nicaraguan puro, every component comes from a single country, which gives it a coherence that multi-country blends often trade away in pursuit of balance. The wrapper is a Sun Grown Criollo leaf — dark, textured, oily — that immediately signals a medium-to-full profile. Sun-grown rather than shade-grown, this leaf develops more oils and natural sugars than a protected crop, which translates directly into flavour intensity.

The filler layers Nicaraguan tobaccos from multiple growing regions, drawing on the distinct profiles of Estelí (robust and peppery) and Jalapa (sweeter and more aromatic) to build a balanced yet full-flavoured core. Construction throughout is meticulous — Pete Johnson and the team at My Father Cigars, which produces the Black Label, are known for quality control, and it shows in the firm, even roll and the clean cold draw.

Cold draw

Before lighting: earth, cocoa, and a faint underlying sweetness — an early hint of the complexity that follows.

First third

Once toasted properly, the Black Label opens with a rich, assertive backbone of earthy Nicaraguan spice and black pepper — a characteristic aficionados associate specifically with Estelí leaf. Dark chocolate and roasted coffee emerge quickly behind the pepper, and the smoke body is immediately full. Not a subtle opening, but an exciting one.

Second third

The heart of the Black Label's reputation. The pepper integrates and softens slightly, and the secondary notes reveal themselves: leather, toasted cashews, and the first hints of dark dried fruit — plum, specifically — that separate this cigar from simpler Nicaraguan blends. The retrohale carries a rich, earthy spice that lingers between draws.

Final third

The warmest and most complex section. The dried fruit becomes more pronounced — plum and a hint of dark cherry — integrating with leather and earth into a long, multi-layered finish that rewards smoking slowly.

Perfect pairing

Scotch: A peaty Islay single malt — Laphroaig or Ardbeg — meets the Black Label's spice and earth on equal terms, creating a pairing where both bring genuine complexity to the conversation.

Non-alcoholic: A strong, dark-roast espresso — ideally a single-origin Ethiopian or Guatemalan bean with good body — pulls out the chicory and cocoa notes in the filler without competing.

4. Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2

93 POINTS (#9 Cigar of the Year 2016)
4⅞" × 50  |  ROBUSTO  |  LIGHT TO MEDIUM  |  ~50–65 MIN

A titan among Cuban robustos, the Epicure No.2 is one of Havana's most celebrated cigars — and one of the most instructive smokes for understanding what Cuban tobacco does that no other terroir quite replicates. It is simultaneously a connoisseur's cigar and a beginner's entry point into serious Cuban smoking.

Construction and tobacco

The Epicure No.2 is made entirely from Cuban tobacco — a genuine Habano puro. The wrapper is a medium-brown, silky Habano Colorado leaf grown in Cuba's Vuelta Abajo region in Pinar del Río, widely regarded as the finest tobacco-growing soil on earth. Binder and filler are also Vuelta Abajo, selected for the gentle, creamy, earthy profile that has made this blend one of the most recognised in the Cuban portfolio.

At 4⅞" × 50, the robusto format keeps smoking time manageable at around an hour, while the 50 ring gauge brings enough filler to support a multi-layered development that would be impossible in a thinner vitola. Construction — when purchased through a verified authorised Habanos channel — is consistently excellent.

First third

The Epicure opens with a sweetness that immediately distinguishes it from New World cigars. Creamy cedar, toasted almonds, and a delicate honey quality greet you in the first few draws — gentle, refined, and completely free of the pepper-forward assertiveness of Nicaraguan tobacco. Beneath it, a subtle earthiness grounds the profile without adding roughness.

Second third

This is where the Vuelta Abajo terroir reveals its depth. Almond and cedar deepen into roasted coffee and soft leather, while the honey threads through as a connecting element. Delicate floral notes, faint dark fruit, and an almost imperceptible touch of dried herbs add layers that reward slow, attentive smoking. The draw remains effortless, and the classic pale, almost white Cuban ash holds in firm segments.

Final third

The finish is long, clean, and creamy — a quality that is distinctly Cuban and rarely replicated outside Havana. Dark fruit and leather deepen slightly, and the smoke temperature stays cool to the last draw. No bitterness, no harsh transition, just a gradual conclusion.

Perfect pairing

Rum: An aged Caribbean rum. The sweetness and oak depth complement the cigar's honey and cedar without competing with its more delicate floral elements.

Whisky: A Speyside single malt — dried fruit and gentle oak mirror the Epicure's second-third profile beautifully. The Macallan Double Cask is a reliable choice.

Daytime: A well-made flat white is a near-perfect morning pairing — the milk softens the cigar's subtle earthiness while the espresso base provides just enough contrast.

5. H. Upmann Magnum 46

92 POINTS  |  5⅝" × 46  |  CORONA GORDA  |  MEDIUM  |  ~60–75 MIN

The Magnum 46 is often called the connoisseur's choice within H. Upmann's Cuban production — and it earns that reputation through one quality above all others: the progression. Few cigars at any price point develop as deliberately and as gracefully from first third to last.

Construction and tobacco

The Magnum 46 is a classic Cuban Corona Gorda. The wrapper is a velvety Colorado Claro leaf: medium brown, lightly oily, smooth to the touch — a shade that signals a balanced, medium-bodied profile without the earthier intensity of a Colorado or the sweetness of a maduro. At 46 ring gauge, the wrapper contributes proportionally more to the flavour than it would on a wider vitola.

First third

A remarkable smoothness — dry cedar, clean wood, and freshly roasted hazelnuts, underpinned by a gentle creaminess characteristic of aged Vuelta Abajo filler. No pepper, no assertive spice, no roughness whatsoever. An opening designed to earn your trust before asking anything of your palate.

Second third

Where the Magnum 46 reveals its full character. Wood and hazelnut deepen into cocoa powder and caramelised sugar — a subtle sweetness that reads as sophisticated rather than dessert-like. Soft leather and a gentle nuttiness layer in behind, with a creamy texture coating the palate between draws. This section most clearly demonstrates the quality of the blend's ageing: complex but completely integrated, with no single note dominating.

Final third

A gentle but unmistakable lift — a touch of white pepper and cedar spice that adds welcome complexity to what has been a predominantly smooth experience. The pepper is never harsh; it functions as a closing flourish rather than a change of direction. The finish is long, clean, and warm.

Perfect pairing

Whisky: A 15- or 18-year single malt is the ideal companion. The aged Scotch's marmalade, dried fruit, and gentle oak spice amplify the Magnum 46's almond and caramelised sugar. Avoid heavily peated expressions — the smoke would overwhelm the cigar's more delicate qualities.

Wine: A crisp, dry Chablis or a light Albariño serves as an excellent palate cleanser between draws. For a richer option, a lightly oaked white Burgundy matches the cigar's texture and subtle stone fruit gracefully.