It didn’t take long after my Top 5 Special Occasion Cigars post to start getting requests about what are some of my top choices for a everyday cigar. I was a bit conflicted on what price point to focus on for an everyday cigar. What I may feel comfortable paying for a cigar can vary from what others may feel comfortable with. Finally I decided to focus on cigars in the $5 to $8 range and are widely available. Your mileage will vary with price. I thought about using MSRP pricing but figured I’d be more realistic and base it on pricing at my local B&M. Why Top 7? Easy, there are seven days in a week, one everyday smoke for everyday of the week. The below list is in no particular order so when you can’t decide what to smoke, consult this list. Enjoy!
Brickhouse by JC Newman Cigar Company (Robusto) ($5.25) – While the Davidoff Special R has made a run lately for most appearances in the Week in Smoke series, the Brickhouse still has it beat. It is easy to write off cigars from JC Newman. Brands like Cuesta Rey and Diamond Crown (outside of their lounges) aren’t cigars I see being smoked with regularity. I’m not shy to say that and neither should you. Like I said, its easy to say those things so you can easily dismiss their cigars. The Brickhouse on the other hand, out of their Nicaraguan factory, has surprised me. Solid medium bodied, toasty, nutty and woodsy flavor range.
CAO La Traviata (Animado) ($5.65) – A staple in my humidor and rotation. Along with the Brickhouse its one of the cigars that I automatically turn to when I’m just not sure what I want to smoke. Classic cigar with a enjoyable crisp, toasty flavor profile. The La Traviata is like a faithful companion, it’ll always be true and never let you down.
Padron 3000 Maduro ($6.60) – This is one of my favorite cigars to smoke. You more than get your monies worth. Easy on the wallet with lots of flavor, slow burn and consistent each and every time. When I smoke a Padron 3000 Maduro I always find it hard to buy something in the Anniversary line. When you talk about flavor, balance and consistency the Padron 3000 Maduro can go head to head with the Anniversary line and at the same time; save you some dollars.
La Riqueza #5 ($7.55)- I’ve said it many times, the La Riqueza line by Pete Johnson is the most underrated line in his arsenal of cigars. Beautiful Connecticut Broadleaf Wrapper with a balanced flavor profile and body. The richness really pops in the small #5 format. If you see the La Riqueza #5, give it a try.
Arturo Fuente 8-5-8 Sun Grown ($6.35) – I use the phrase “classic cigar” a lot and have a hard time explaining what I mean. When you smoke a 8-5-8 Sun Grown you will know it. A little bit of everything. The complexity and assortment of flavors astonishes me. No one flavor dominated but instead they all came together to create a unique flavor. Clean, crisp, balanced…smooth. You name it and the 8-5-8 Sun Grown had it. Classic cigar…
EPC New Wave Connecticut (Brillantes) ($6.00) – Undoubtedly its hard to think of a cigar thats created such a wave of enjoyment than the New Wave Connecticut. It doesn’t get much better than this and I’m not just talking in the context of Connecticut Shade wrappers. The New Wave Connecticut impressively smokes uniquely different than any other Connecticut Shade out there. With its fully defined and complex flavor profile you’d never guess this was a Connecticut. Plenty of woodsy flavors with a nice smooth buttery texture. Mmmmm…Ernesto has the hottest hands right now and those hands have redefined the Connecticut Shade wrapper.
La Aurora 107< (Robusto) ($7.35) – The 107 is consistent, dependable and never fails to deliver. I know, I just said three things that all mean the same thing. Flawless construction and woodsy to the core. The Lancero is a dreamy cigar but the Robusto is easier to find, falls into the $5-$8 range and still delivers a great smoking experience.
Contemplated getting a Brick House today but wasn’t sure. Now I can buy one with confidence. Thanks Jerry!
Great selection and I could not agree more that these cigars (haven’t tried the Padron 3000 Maduro though) are really top notch and will give anyone a very enjoyable experience.
An excellent selection. Have enjoyed each of the cigars on the list but in my opinion the Padron 3000 Maduro and the Arturo Fuente 858 Sungrown lead this pack.
Awesome list! Agree totally on the New Wave and 107. Those are two of my favorites.
I agree whole heartedly with you about La Riqueza. It is the most undervalued Tat cigar. I realy don’t understand it given how flavorful and smooth it is.
Jerry, it sure seems like we have the same flavor profile. I was sitting in a rest area when I read this write up. I started to laugh because in my travel humidor I have a least three of the cigars mentioned. I love the AF 858 sungrowns. That cigar goes great with a little Glenrothes scotch. The Padron maduro is one of my regulars. I’ve gone through boxes of those. The la Riqueza is an excellent smoke and can be purchased at a decent price. You are definitely right that it is underrated. Although that may not be a bad thing. Leaves more for us right. 🙂
First time ever I have had everything on your list… guess that means I’m an everyday guy!!! haha. Great List Jerry I couldn’t agree more with you about the La Riqueza, and the La Traviata is always on my list of Daily smokes
Thanks for the list, Jerry. I actually think the Churchill maduro is the better choice in the standard Padron lime, but that’s a small quibble. Gotta try that New Wave Connecticut. Love the new Short Run connie.
nice list!!! some of those ive been meaning to try!
I have had all of the cigars on this list with the exception of the La Riqueza #5. I agree with all the choices with the exception of the Brick House. I enjoy everything else from the JC Newman lines but just don’t like the Brick House. Personally I think that swapping the Brick House out for a Perdomo Lot 23 would make this a perfect list.
I know you didn’t ask, but just my 2 cents worth.
Thanks for the list and keep up the good work.
Another spot on list? I guess for Top $5 and Under Cigars we will have to have Mike do that one? I don’t see you tackling that one. LOL.
Brickhouse, Padron and 107 have been in my rotation for awhile now.
Great list, Jerry. I just picked up another Brick House to revisit, since the first one I had a while back didn’t do it for me.
Had the second robusto and I have to admit it was good. Thanks Jerry for making me take another look at it. There will be more in my future..
YES, nice pick Jerry!
” THE BEST TGT CIGARS” GO MANNN…….
Excellent selection!
Wow! You smoke 7 cigars everyday? 😉
I don’t remember those 858’s being so cheap. Used to sell them for around the $20 mark at a shop I use to manage. Doesn’t really scream everyday for me.
I did a search online and even found three stores asking $18. Shrug. I’m definitely not confusing them for Hemingways.
Man Steve…we have to be talking about two different cigars. I’ll double check with my local but even some of the other blogs who have reviewed the 8-5-8 Sungrown have it closer to my price than yours. Even our review of the Sungrown has a MSRP of $6.95:
https://stogiereview.com/2012/01/11/arturo-fuente-858-sun-grown/
I agree with your list, I keep most of those on hand. 107s & La Requiza are the ones I buy by the box.
I can always get an Undercrown for under $8 so I think that should have been on the list, and personally I would trade the CAO OSA Sol lot 50 for the La Trviata. A very nice list though. Let’s see what you can do on the below $5
Thanks Tom…Undercrown at my local shop is $8.20 which was above the hard limit I set of $8. I wanted to add the Ashton Heritage but it came in at $8.05.
Okay after all this Brickhouse talk I picked one up the other day. I had the Mighty Mighty size and boy was it a let down. Am I supposed to be trying a particular size cause the Mighty Mighty is rubbish.
Yeah, when I’m short on cash I’ll reach for either the Fuente GR or a Perdomo Lot 23. Can’t go wrong with those two.
I liked them all but the LA Traviata. That was the one I wanted to try the most. Terrible tast with lingering after math. I bought two and giving the second one to an enemy!