Head-to-head competitions recognize premium excellence and exceptional value; Liga Privada T52 and Oliva Serie G Robusto receive Master Ashologist honors
WAKEFIELD, R.I., Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CigarOfTheYear.com and ValueCigarOfTheYear.com announced the champions and Grand 8 honorees of their 2026 cigar competitions. The Padrón 60th Anniversary Perfecto earned the 2026 Cigar of the Year championship, while the Cohiba Rubicon Box-Pressed Robusto captured the 2026 Value Cigar of the Year title.
Both competitions used group play followed by head-to-head elimination rounds. The premium field included 32 cigars selected from more than 100 evaluated. The separate Value field included 32 cigars priced at an MSRP of $9 or less for the exact vitola entered.
Fuente Fuente OpusX Angel’s Share finished as the premium championship runner-up, followed by Liga Privada T52 in third place and E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic as the Final Smokeout Finalist. Davidoff Millennium, Davidoff Year of the Horse Limited Edition 2026, My Father Cigars Blue Label, and Oliva Serie V Melanio Figurado completed the premium Grand 8.
In the Value championship, Oliva Serie G Robusto earned runner-up honors, Arturo Fuente Chateau Fuente Natural finished third, and Aganorsa Leaf New Cuba Corojo Robusto was the Final Smokeout Finalist. Charter Oak Habano Rothschild, La Gloria Cubana Classic Wavell, Partagás Classic Sabroso, and Rocky Patel The Edge Corojo Robusto completed the Value Grand 8.
The Master Ashologist’s Choice in the premium championship went to Liga Privada T52 by Drew Estate. The Master Ashologist’s Selection in the Value competition went to Oliva Serie G Robusto. These independent editorial honors recognize cigars that made a distinct impression through the Ashology™ evaluation method in addition to their tournament results.
“Every round matters,” said the CigarOfTheYear.com editorial team. “The champions and honorees advanced through demanding fields by delivering the construction, burn, draw, flavor, balance, and finish expected from a complete smoking experience.”
Official rankings and cigar profiles are available at CigarOfTheYear.com and ValueCigarOfTheYear.com. Ashology™ and cigar education resources are available at Ashologist.com.
About CigarOfTheYear.com
CigarOfTheYear.com is an independent annual championship evaluating premium cigars through group play and head-to-head elimination rounds to identify the cigar that performs most consistently across the competition.
About ValueCigarOfTheYear.com
ValueCigarOfTheYear.com applies the championship format to cigars priced at an MSRP of $9 or less for the entered vitola, recognizing smoking performance and exceptional value.
About Ashologist™
Ashologist.com is an independent editorial cigar authority and the home of Ashology™ — The Study of Cigars. Its framework considers product quality, construction, flavor and consistency, customer demand, retailer confidence, and long-term staying power.
Media Contact:
John Burton
CigarOfTheYear.com
421804@email4pr.com
888-244-2704
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SOURCE CigarOfTheYear.com
