Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Culture

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The 10 best Dominican cigars I’ve tried and tested in 2024

By
Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.
Asael Pena / Unsplash

Every seasoned cigar lover has a preference for where their cigars come from. Cuban and Cuban cigars are the more obvious choices, but there is also Nicaraguan tobacco, Central African, Indonesian, Mexican, Ecuadorian, and Dominican. Some tobacco is even grown in the United States. Each region has a distinct flavor profile that adds a little something extra to the tobacco grown locally, as well as the cigars made there. The Dominican Republic is prized by many connoisseurs because of exactly this — a rich, unique profile that enhances Dominican-grown cigars. That’s in no small part due to the fertile soil and thriving climate of the region, which is ideal for tobacco growth and cultivation. If you’ve never tried a Dominican cigar, you’re in for a real treat, there are some fantastic options out there.

The best Dominican cigars I’ve tried

EP Carillo Encore cigar up close and personal by Briley Kenney from The Manual.
Briley Kenney / The Manual

Out of all the cigar guides I’ve put together so far, this one was one of the more interesting experiences for me. I had a great time trying out Dominican cigars, and I’ve definitely come away with an appreciation for blends made in the region. I’d also like to point out that Corey Suarez helped recommend some of these. If you haven’t tried the JR Cigars or Cigars.com concierge service yet, you really should. Here’s a little more about all of the best Dominican cigars I’ve tried:

Ashton Symmetry

Ashton Symmetry Belicoso size best Dominican cigars
Ashton
  • Strength: Medium to Full
  • Recommended Size: Robusto or Prism (Corona)
  • Box or Single: Box

I wavered back and forth between the and the Ashton Symmetry for this mention, as both are fantastic cigars. Ultimately, I went with the Symmetry because it’s medium to full-bodied, and the tangy flavors are unreal. You’ll also notice some dried fruit, coffee, and a hint of cocoa. It features an Ecuadorian Habano Rosada leaf wrapper.

Related

Caldwell The King is Dead The Last Payday

Caldwell The King is Dead The Last Payday, best Dominican cigars
Caldwell
  • Strength: Full-bodied
  • Recommended Size: Torpedo
  • Box or Single: Box

Caldwell is known for using rare and sought-after tobacco in its cigars, and The Last Payday continues that tradition. The Dominican Negrito wrapped is from 2008, aged, obviously, and mature already when you grab one of these cigars right out of the box. You’ll taste lots of woodsy flavors, like cedar, plenty of pepper and spice, and a pleasant sweetness that rolls off the tongue.

Chinchalle by Warped

Chinchalle by Warped Cigars, best Dominican cigars
Warped Cigars
  • Strength: Medium
  • Recommended Size: Robusto
  • Box or Single: Box

Chinchalle means “small factory” in Cuban, which is very fitting. Warped is a smaller company, but don’t let that fool you; they definitely keep pace with the bigger brands. Kyle Gellis from Warped tapped Hostos Fernandez Quesada and Tabacalera la Isla to craft this one. It’s pretty darn sweet, with some notes of licorice, earthy, spice, and floral undertones.

Davidoff Yamasa

Davidoff Yamasa in Toro size, best Dominican cigars
Davidoff
  • Strength: Full-bodied
  • Recommended Size: Robusto or Toro
  • Box or Single: Single first, then box

Davidoff’s Yamasa is one of the greats. It’s tasty and pairs well with any sweet beverage, whiskey or otherwise. The oily wrapper is stunning to look at. It’s the type of cigar that just looks delicious before it’s even lit. And delicious it is, thanks to the Dominican Yamasa wrapper. All the way through, you’ll be tasting citrus, leather, earth, wood and — you guessed it — spice.

EP Carrillo Encore

Encore by EPC in Majestic size, best Dominican cigars.
EP Carillo
  • Strength: Full-bodied
  • Recommended Size: Majestic (Robusto)
  • Box or Single: Single first, then box

I briefly considered including the on this list but figured I should let Encore have the limelight this time. Either way, you get a creamy, delicious smoke. It’s buttery, too, with some toastiness, sweetness, and spiciness to compliment the darker flavors.

Fuente Fuente Opus X

Fuente Fuente Opus X in Perfecxion size, best Dominican cigars.
Arturo Fuente
  • Strength: Full-bodied
  • Recommended Size: Robusto or Petite Lancero
  • Box or Single: Single

Good luck finding one. It’s tough! Fuente cigars can be difficult to find as-is, but the Opus X line is notoriously difficult. It’s popular and tends to sell out fast, of course, but that’s also because it’s a phenomenal cigar. It has high ratings from Cigar Aficionado, with a blend that makes masterful use of the Rosado leaf wrapper. Most cigar sellers limit how many you can buy at a time because they’re so rare, so keep that in mind. If you can get your hands on one, it’s worth all the fuss.

La Aurora Preferidos Gold Dominican Corojo

La Aurora Preferidos Gold Dominican Corojo in Robusto size.
La Aurora
  • Strength: Full-bodied
  • Recommended Size: Robusto or Toro
  • Box or Single: Box

This full-bodied cigar has a remarkable blend with a Dominican-Corojo wrapper and Cameroon, Brazilian, and Peruvian longfillers. It’s an earthy cigar, so if you don’t like that flavor, avoid it. But it will also inject your nostrils with lots of leather, cedar, nuttiness, and subtle spice — if you retrohale. I liked it a lot, and I’m probably going to keep some of them in my humidor to celebrate special occasions.

La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero

LFD Double Ligero best Dominican cigars.
LFD
  • Strength: Full-bodied
  • Recommended Size: Toro
  • Box or Single: Single first, then box

LFD’s Double Ligero is a powerbomb. The Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper and Dominican fillers make this one a full-bodied smoke, but I’m going to avoid sharing some of the flavors because I don’t want to spoil the experience. If you like full-flavored cigars, it’s a damn good one. Give it a try. Spoiler: Spice, coffee, cocoa, pepper, caramel, and leather.

Montecristo White Label

Montecristo White Label in Churchill size, best Dominican cigars.
Montecristo
  • Strength: Mellow
  • Recommended Size: Robusto, Toro or Churchill
  • Box or Single: Single first, then box

The Montecristo White series doesn’t do anything particularly special, but that’s okay. It’s sweet and offers many complex flavors, and it’s probably one of the most accessible cigars on this list—nearly every cigar seller carries them. Don’t mistake my description for indifference; it’s an excellent cigar, especially if you want a mellow smoke.

Romeo by Romeo y Julieta

Romeo by RyJ best Dominican cigars
Romeo y Julieta
  • Strength: Full-bodied
  • Recommended Size: Robusto
  • Box or Single: Box

The Romeo is a lot more full-bodied than most Romeo y Julieta cigars are known for, mainly because of the dark Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. It’s sweet, peppery, creamy, and you’ll taste loads of dark chocolate, coffee, and earth. Going by the experience, Romeo would make Juliet proud.

Get to know our expert

Close up of Southern Draw Kudzu box of cigars in humidor
Briley Kenney / The Manual

Why should you listen to me? It’s a valid question. I smoke cigars all the time, and I have many recommendations and plenty of advice to share with others. But none of those things qualify me as an expert. Instead, it’s the years of experience, the time I’ve invested in the world of cigars, the excellent connections I’ve made with cigar makers and sellers, and the vast wealth of knowledge I’ve gained during that time. I know what goes into an excellent cigar, and I’ve certainly earned the right to recommend some to others, whether you’re a beginner and this is your first time smoking or have your own cabinet humidor stocked and maintained. Instead of waxing poetic, I’d rather let my recommendations speak for me.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Briley Kenney
Briley Kenney
Senior SEO Copywriter

Briley has been writing about consumer electronics and technology for over a decade. When he's not writing about deals for Digital Trends or The Manual, he's writing how-to content and guides for other online publications. He's also a ghostwriter for more than one confidential SEO marketing agency. In his downtime, he's either spending time with his family, playing games, or enjoying a good ol' stogie.

Send all editorial inquiries HERE.

Cigar expert recommends: The 10 best cigars for beginners
Close up of cigars in humidor at home - Briley Kenney from The Manual

If this is your first time smoking a cigar, or you smoke occasionally, and it has been a while, you want to ease into it. In other words, you don't want to dive in headfirst and start smoking something strong, like a full-bodied smoke. Not only will the flavors and experience overwhelm you, but the high nicotine concentration in the stronger cigars might also be a bit too much for you.

If you're curious, you can read a brief guide on what a cigar is supposed to taste like. The experience is different for everyone, and your taste buds may pick up more or fewer flavors than others, but that's okay. The rich, nuanced tastes will come across even in milder cigars, that is, if you choose the right one. But don't you worry. That's precisely why we're here. We'll ensure you are introduced to flavorful, enjoyable cigars ideal for beginners and novice smokers. Let's discuss.f
The best cigars for beginners

Read more
The 10 best Nicaraguan cigars I’ve tried and tested in 2024
Maduro cigars in a lineup ready to smoke.

Most people love Cuban cigars, but I'm not most people. I won't argue that Cuban cigars are bad; they're definitely not, but I will say they're usually popular because of the forbidden fruit situation. I would describe them as airy and light on flavor. Not bad flavor, just not particularly strong. Dollar for dollar, there are a lot of other cigars made elsewhere that are worth spending your money on because they are delicious. If I had to choose, I would go Nicaraguan almost every time.

Most Nicaraguan tobacco is grown in the small town of Esteli, and the local soil gives the tobacco its rich, complex, and full-bodied flavor. It's on my bucket list of places to visit, and I'd love to get a first-hand look at how they grow, ferment, and produce cigars -- some of the best in the industry. Nicaraguan tobacco is about as good as it gets if you like your cigars strong and memorable. And because they're so flavorful, Nicaraguan cigars are super versatile. You can smoke them in the morning with coffee, after lunch, or late in the evening, and they pair nicely with a wide variety of beverages. Moreover, they come in various strengths, sizes, and blends, from mild and medium to some of the most full-bodied cigars you'll have the pleasure of tasting.

Read more
The 8 best cigars for golfing, recommended by a cigar expert
Men drinking and playing golf, the best cigars for golfing.

 

Golf and cigars are a fantastic match, like peanut butter and jelly, chips and salsa, or chicken and waffles. You're outdoors, on the green most of the time, if you're a good shot anyway, and, hopefully, basking in beautiful weather. So, it's a great time to light up and enjoy a puff or two between swings or while driving around on a cart. Of course, there's always the point that you're usually multi-tasking, so you probably don't want to light up a super expensive cigar -- you won't get to enjoy it as much. What cigars are good to light up while golfing? You'll be putting it down a lot, so it needs to burn reliably and offer a relaxing, enjoyable smoke when you do puff, but also, you don't want it to break the bank and make you feel like you're missing out if you can't baby it the whole time.

Read more