Boutique cigar brands are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. With a strong focus on creating small batches of well-crafted sticks, boutique cigar brands offer a level of quality unmatched by many of the market’s mass producers.
Here, we explore the ‘why’ behind the growing popularity of boutique cigar brands and highlight some of the best small-batch producers in the industry right now.
What are boutique cigars?
While there’s no set definition, boutique cigars are produced by small manufacturers that prioritize quality over quantity.
Boutique cigar brands value attention to detail, innovation, and creating distinctive blends that stand out from the crowd. The best boutique brands use high-quality ingredients, including top-flight Nicaraguan tobaccos and lavish wrappers with satisfying aesthetics and striking aromas.
Many boutique cigar producers also use artisanal production processes like hand-rolling, hand-binding, and tobacco aging. These techniques elevate the smoking experience, resulting in high-quality cigars with a real sense of exclusivity.
Why boutique cigars are gaining popularity
Many smoking enthusiasts are being drawn to boutique cigar brands. A number of factors help to make these smaller manufacturers stand out from the crowd, including unique flavors and one-off batches.
Let’s explore the main drivers behind the continual rise of the industry’s best boutique cigar brands.
Originality
The best boutique cigar brands focus on blends with unique flavor profiles that are bold, satisfying, and more complex than their mass-produced counterparts.
Boutique cigar producers take extra care when selecting tobacco for their blends. In addition to choosing a variety of high-quality tobaccos to create well-rounded flavors, most boutique producers hand-wrap their cigars in small batches for an exceptional burn that enhances the flavor.
As some boutique cigars are carefully hand-wrapped, each one can differ ever so slightly in form. The fact that a box of boutique cigars may not be uniform makes them more original, creating a personal touch that, for some smokers, adds to the smoking experience.
Authenticity
Many boutique cigar brands have interesting origin stories or strong ties to a specific region, making them more approachable and authentic than some big-name producers.
- Warped Cigars founder Kyle Gellis honed his Cuban cigar-making abilities with the mentorship of his father, Reynaldo, before venturing out on his own.
- Rising boutique brand Room 101 Cigars was founded by former U.S. Marine and sound engineer, Matt Booth. Known for its experimental style and striking cigar names like The Big Payback, this brand is as edgy as it is authentic.
As boutique cigars are usually crafted with care by hand, many smoking enthusiasts feel a personal connection with the brand when enjoying one of their sticks.
Exclusivity
Some of the best boutique cigars are produced in limited batches, making them exclusive and collectable.
Discerning beer drinkers love discovering new microbrews, and cigar lovers are no different. The growing number of small-batch cigars now available means smoking enthusiasts can also enjoy the variety that comes with boutique sticks.
Limited product runs are exclusive and exciting, something that could continue to drive the popularity of boutique cigars in the not-so-distant future.
Plus, with stogie-loving big-name celebrities including Dennis Rodman, Snoop Dogg, and East Coast rapper Nas having launched their own successful sticks, there’s certainly a hunger for exclusivity in the cigar world.
Top boutique cigar brands to try
While there are a number of boutique cigars to choose from, we’ve picked out our three personal favorites to give you a solid starting point.
HVC Cigars
Founded in 2011 by master blender Reinier Lorenzo, HVC Cigars is committed to keeping the Cuban tradition alive with carefully crafted sticks made from vintage Cuban seed tobaccos and irresistible blends.
HVC’s eclectic range is known for its striking flavor profiles, which include cedar, spices, citrus notes, and inviting floral tones.
For a satisfying introduction to this popular brand, try the mellow-to-medium HVC Pan Caliente.
Tatuaje Cigars
Since 2003, Tatuaje Cigars has established itself as one of the industry’s most iconic boutique cigar brands.
Founded by Pete Johnson, Tatuaje boasts bold flavor profiles that emulate top-shelf cigars, but with an innovative twist. It’s known for weaving unmistakable notes of unique spices, coffee, raisin, and smoked wood into its ever-expanding range.
Tatuaje’s Cubanesque boutique cigars are revered among smoking enthusiasts from all walks of life. We recommend the 10th Anniversary Belle Encre Capa Especial as a mellow introduction to this leading boutique cigar brand.
Warped Cigars
Launched in 2009 by Kyle Gellis, Warped Cigars is known for its sophisticated blends, exceptional attention to detail, and modern take on traditional flavor profiles.
Since Warped Cigars’ highly sought-after Serie Gran Reserva 1988 blend set the industry alight in 2017, the brand has risen in popularity with its growing range of palate-livening concoctions.
To get started with Warped Cigars, try the zesty, medium-bodied Maestro Del Tiempo.
Crowned Heads
As somewhat of a cult icon, Crowned Heads is a gem of a boutique cigar brand. Blending artisanal tradition with experimental innovation, Crowned Heads has a stick to suit every cigar lover.
While it may be less well-known than Tatajue or Warped, Crowned Heads boasts some of the best boutique cigars on the market, and we can’t wait to see what it produces next.
To get acquainted with Crowned Heads, we recommend giving the well-rounded, medium-bodied Coroneta Habano a whirl.
The future of boutique cigar culture
A steady rise in cigar lounge culture and a shift towards brands that value quality over quantity means that the future is looking bright for the boutique cigar market.
The best boutique cigar brands will likely push the envelope with their flavor profiles while placing sustainability at the heart of their manufacturing processes.
Cigar lovers are becoming all the more discerning, and boutique cigars are increasingly ticking all the boxes in terms of flavor, craftsmanship, and originality. We hope to see more boutique cigar brands emerge, crafting exclusive small-batch sticks with exceptional construction and ingredients.
For insider advice on caring for your boutique sticks, read our guide on how to tell if your cigars are too dry and how to resolve the situation.