Would you pay $100 for a single cigar? Executive editor David Savona and managing editor Gregg Mottola light up two of them (the Rocky Patel Conviction and the Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Doble Diamante, both rated 95 points) to find out what's driving cigar prices to record heights. They trace the trend from Davidoff's $500 Oro Blanco to the 2022 Cohiba price hikes that ended bargain hunting in Havana, share three decades of pricing data from Cigar Aficionado's blind tastings, and reveal the most expensive cigar on the market today: a Trinidad Fundadores humidor that runs $60,000. Plus, why you still don't need to spend big to smoke great, and where to find the best values from Padrón, Fuente and more.

Executive Editor David Savona and Managing Editor Greg Mottola discuss the rapidly changing situation in Cuba, the birthplace of the premium cigar industry, in the newest edition of the Cigar Aficionado Podcast. From the energy crisis to the oil embargo and the declining availability and soaring prices of Cuban cigars, Episode 2 offers an entertaining and educational look at the challenges facing Cuba today, and how the geopolitical forces and trials of nature have affected Cuba’s legendary cigar industry. Perfect for cigar lovers and anyone interested in the world of Cuba and its famed cigars.

Step into the world of blind tasting as the hosts of the Cigar Aficionado podcast put their palates — and instincts — to the test. In this debut episode, the conversation explores the art, psychology, and surprises behind tasting without labels, discussing how perception, experience, and expectation can dramatically influence flavor. From unexpected favorites to humbling misidentifications, Episode 1 offers an entertaining and insightful look at what really separates a great palate from a confident guess. Perfect for cigar lovers, spirits enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by sensory experience and expert opinion.