ICC News
Dec 22, 2023
Industrial Cigar Co.'s Totally Biased, Uncorrupt, Unofficial Official Top 25 Cigars of 2023 - Top 10 Cigars
About the List
Looks, there's a reality to Top 25 lists, they're all biased. And ours is no different, except we tell you about it. Based on the votes by our customers, owners, and sales figures, we create a power score system that ranks the top cigars of the year based on how they were enjoyed and how many people returned to them continuously. To see all the cigars, check out our entire collection.
“There are some surprises on this list, if I'm honest. For the most part, I think people will say "yeah, that makes sense," but there's a reality that when over 350 people vote on cigars - you get some nice surprises”
- Dave Frakes, Co-Owner
#10 Crux Bull & Bear
There's one cigar that has made the top 25 since year one - the Bull & Bear. Our least profitable cigar, thanks to Nathan smoking about 3 of them a day, the Bull & Bear has 4 different sizes, and every one of them landed in our top 20 in unit sales this year. This really should be a $17 cigar, but don't tell that to Crux... if you're looking for an excellent outdoor cigar, with the nuance to smoke well in the lounge, don't walk past the Bull & Bear.
#9 Luciano Maria Lucia
A very special cigar, the Maria Lucia was made with respect for Luciano's late mother. The label wears artwork created by his daughter from a dream she had about Luciano's mother. Ask us more about this story, because it will give you goosebumps. The blend, full bodied and bright. The experience - picture a Latino mother, full of love and the perfect blend of spice!
#8 Gran Habano XX Aniversario
The XX is a testament to partnership we have with George Rico. While most retailers were given access to 5 boxes per quarter, our customers and members fell in love with this blend so much we went through our quarterly allotment weekly. But thanks to George, he opened the vault to ICC for us to have open access throughout the year. This is supremely smooth and tasty. It's a tame and balanced cigar that has the capacity to make you look at it in your hands and say, "woah, that's nice!"
#7 Principle Decienne
Principle and E.P. Carrillo teamed up to create the Accomplice 10th Anniversary cigar. This cigar is like an accomplice and an aviator had a baby. Supreme, delicate, with a TON of change from front to back. Don't like the first .25" - wait 2 minutes and it comes to life for the remainder of the cigar.
#6 Alfonso Añejos
Last year's number 1 cigar of the year finds itself in a respectable #6 position. This cigar is the favorite of the ownership team, who have used words like "perfection" and "wtf, how is this so good?" when describing it. If an Atabey is too light, and a Byron is a touch too full, welcome to the world of Alfonso. It's impossibly good.
#5 Crux Epicure Habano
Proof that everything worth having takes time. The Crux Epicure Habano was stalled by nearly a year due to supply chain issues on their packaging. But while that happened, these cigars received an extra rest of age on them. If you like something with gobs of change from front to back, this is it. The beginning starts off with a pop, then about 7 draws in, it reveals the magic you know in a Crux Cigar.
#4 Cavalier LE2023
While the remainder of the world received about 15 boxes of these cigars, our ICC Family gobbled up nearly 150 boxes, thanks to Sebastien skimming off some inventory headed to Europe. This cigar is big, rich, and beautiful, as all the Cavalier LE's are. There's no joke about it, though, this is the best LE Cavalier has ever produced. If anyone remembers the 2019 version, this is honestly better in all aspects of the game.
#3 Definition Cigars Gen413
Wow, just wow. Get ICC member Jamond Hackley together with Luciano for a few weeks in Nicaragua, and this is what you get. The Gen413 (or genesis) is the perfect medium cigar. Nuanced and floral, with the most excellent balance of flavor and strength as we've ever seen. It's just the beginning for Definition, who we have had the disctinct pleasure of watching grow his brand into something special right in front of our eyes (actually in the ICC Private Lounge).
#2 Foreign Affair
Earlier this year, we welcomed Frank Cossio and Mike Dounoulis into the ICC family with this new line of cigars produced by Luciano in Nicaragua. And it's no surprise the foreign affair is comfortably on the podium. Like the #3 Genesis, it has an elegant balance of flavor and power. This cigar is created, quite literally, to bring people of different countries and cultures together (hence Foreign Affair). From our estimation, the world would no longer have wars if the world powers got together to burn a Foreign Affair.
#1 Atabey Black Ritos
The absolute show stopper for 2023 was the Atabey Black Ritos. Never have we seen a blend like this in the decades we have been smoking cigars. There are almost no words how to describe this blend other than being the Apex preditor of its kind. When Nelson comes out with something that impresses even himself, you know you're in for a treat. We sold all 25 boxes we were allotted in less than a week, but don't fear - Atabey tells us we will have more in February. Until then, if you have friends who bought one during the presale, buy one for them, pour a drink, and take in the majesty of the Atabey Black Ritos.