Cigar News: Stogie Press Announces Top 30 Cigars of 2025

Stogie Press Top Cigars of 2025

It’s that time of the year when folks like me publish our lists of what we feel were the best cigars of the year that we smoked. Publications from Cigar Aficionado, Cigar Journal, and Cigar Snob, along with media sites, cigar groups, and everyday cigar consumers, all share their thoughts. Stogie Press has been doing this for well over a decade. Over the years, we’ve adjusted our format, originally focusing on boutique brands and eventually paying tribute to large, medium, and small companies.

Continuing with last year’s approach, we published a single list of the Stogie Press Top 30 Cigars for 2025, while still maintaining awards for large, medium, and small company categories.

Overall Stogie Press #1 Cigar of 2025

DBL 12th Anniversary Habano Toro – Rated Outstanding 99

From the list of 30 cigars, the overall Stogie Press #1 cigar for 2025 goes to the medium-sized company, Dominican Big Leaguer (DBL) Cigars, with their 12th Anniversary Habano Box Pressed Toro.

With an outstanding 99 rating, this cigar is highly recommended for all enthusiasts. DBL has excelled in both smoking pleasure and price. Over its 12-year journey, the company has consistently produced cigars that made our list year after year, but this marks the first time they have earned the Overall Cigar of the Year title. The company is fully vertically integrated, including its own box factory, helping keep costs down.

DBL 12th Anniversary Habano Toro Review

Time is your friend in the cigar business, and the DBL Cigars 12th Anniversary Habano proves just that. The pre-light experience introduces evolving flavor notes that intrigue the palate. Once lit, the cigar opens with a bold burst of pepper, immediately engaging the senses. As the spice settles, notes of fruity jam and vanilla emerge, softening the intensity.

The smoke is thick and full, coating the palate with a rich texture. Retrohale delivers a spicy, sinus-clearing freshness. After the first inch, deeper flavors of cocoa and sweet cream develop, adding complexity.

In the second third, flavors shift toward leather and spice, bringing an earthy depth. A sweet, woody aroma enhances the experience, while fruit notes become richer and more rounded.

In the final third, fruit and spice dominate, with a lingering sweet woody aroma. Strength peaks at medium-full, leaving a balanced and refined impression.

This is one of the most worthy cigars for a box purchase. At just $13.50 per cigar, it deserves a place in every enthusiast’s rotation.

#1 Large Company Cigar of 2025

Cohiba Spectra 2025

This is an expensive and limited-edition cigar, but price is not considered when ranking top cigars. The performance and flavor profile were exceptional.

The Cohiba Spectra 2025 delivers a refined and evolving experience, transitioning from earthy and cedar notes to plum sweetness, spice, chocolate, citrus, and a creamy finish. Construction is excellent, with an even burn, solid ash, and a beautifully oily wrapper.

Retrohale is smooth and flavorful, while the aroma shifts through butter cracker, sweet nut, and toasted oak notes. This cigar is ideal for those who appreciate subtle transitions and complexity over strength. While the price may not suit everyone, it remains a finely crafted and luxurious experience.

#1 Small Company Cigar of 2025

The Schöelen Originell

Schöelen Cigars is a brand gaining recognition, led by founder Samuel Schöelen. The brand is built on a passion for handcrafted cigars that deliver exceptional quality and unique smoking experiences.

The Schöelen Originell opens with a bold burst of pepper, surprising for a Connecticut-wrapped cigar. The spice softens, revealing savory notes. A sweet, nutty aroma emerges as smoke production increases.

Burn performance is excellent, with a clean line and solid ash. In the second third, flavors of dark chocolate and raisin develop. The retrohale enhances fruit notes and adds brightness.

As the cigar progresses, vanilla cream and caramel add richness. In the final third, chocolate evolves into a lighter profile, paired with spice and raisin notes. The cigar maintains balance and complexity throughout, offering a dynamic yet controlled experience.

Stogie Press Top 30 Cigars of 2025

2025 Top Cigar Stats

• Median price: $14.10
• Most expensive: $149.99
• Least expensive: $8.49
• Top wrapper: Habano (11), followed by Mexican San Andres (7)
• Top country: Nicaragua (12), followed by Dominican Republic (11)
• Company size breakdown: Large (8), Medium (8), Small (14)
• Top factories (tie): A.J. Fernandez, Tabacalera Caballeros, Fabrica Oveja Negra

by Edson

Cigar Review: Bella Dama All-In Toro- Rated 94

by Edson

Cigar Review: Bella Dama Cigars King Toro – Rated 96

Sometimes, premium cigar brands move manufacturing from one factory to another for a variety of reasons. But in most all cases the move is one that makes sense for the brand owner. So is the case for Bella Dama Cigars, a small woman-owned premium cigar that I have talked about for a couple of years. In 2024, Bella Dama Cigars owner – Chantel Leavitt – wanted more input and a better price point to head into wholesale.

Chantel Explained:

“I switched factories in 2024. When I first started I didn’t have any direct factory connects. Two years in, factories were approaching me. I sampled with several factories before making a decision. I wanted to keep my initial 6 blends as close as possible, but elevate them. Tobacalera Aragon was the only one that smoked, dissected each cigar and really took their time blending. They sent me back sample blends and they hit the mark!”

With respect to the Bella Dama King blend, which is the subject of this review, Chantel rolled up her sleeves and went back to the drawing board twice with the King and then a 3rd time. The King was her first release and in homage to her father it needed to be on point in what she would want the King to represent—bold, unapologetic, and a winner.

Before diving into the review, I can say the revamped Bella Dama King is an excellent redo of the original.

Blend Information

Wrapper: Habano
Binder: Condega
Filler: Ometepe

The Bella Dama Cigars King is offered in a single 6 x 54 Toro vitola and comes packaged in 20-count boxes with an MSRP of $15.00 per cigar.

I revisited the original 2023 review and noted a lighter Habano wrapper in this release. The closed foot and pigtail cap have been eliminated. Ultimately, what matters most is flavor and burn performance.

Pre-Light Examination

The Bella Dama Cigars King is wrapped in a smooth reddish-brown leaf with a light sheen and minimal veins. The cigar feels well-packed with just the right amount of give along the barrel. Construction is completed with a well-applied cap.

Unlike the original version, the company now uses a single band of higher-quality paper. The logo is centered, with the word “King” printed in red at the bottom.

Running the cigar along the nose reveals notes of butter and cocoa from the foot and curing barn leaf from the barrel.

A straight cut across the shoulder opens a cold draw offering buttered popcorn notes, with a mild pepper tingle developing the more you puff.

After toasting the foot with a dual-flame torch, the first puffs are smooth and approachable.

Cigar Review Notes

• Initial puffs are smooth and easy, especially on the first retrohale

• Mild fruity tang notes quickly join the profile

• A pleasant natural sweetness emerges

• Bright white ash forms over a thick char line

• Cream notes pair with the persistent fruit essence

• Moving into the second third, café mocha notes develop

• A touch of cedar appears around the midway point

• Increased sweetness and mild spice build deeper into the second third

• Strength gradually rises to medium-full

• Spice intensifies through the final third

• Total Smoking Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Final Analysis

The Bella Dama Cigars King revamp is a significantly improved offering over the original. It presents an elegant, steadily evolving profile—starting with smooth, clean puffs and a refined retrohale before introducing fruity tang, natural sweetness, cream, café mocha, cedar, and a progressively rising spice.

Transitions are deliberate and seamless, giving the cigar a cohesive rhythm from first light to final ash. The measured progression from mild-medium to medium-full is well executed and enhances complexity without sacrificing balance.

Construction is a notable strength: bright white ash, consistent burn, and steady smoke output signal strong craftsmanship. The flavor balance, interplay of sweetness and spice, and overall smoothness make this an excellent premium option—especially for those who appreciate finesse over brute strength. This cigar is absolutely a box-worthy purchase.

Point Deductions:
(-1) Mild off-burn (no touch-up required)

Bonus Points:
(+1) Box Buy
(+1) Long Ash
(+1) Well Balanced & Rounded Profile

by Edson