There’s just something about a high-quality cigar that exudes luxury, opulence and sophistication, and indulging in one over a good glass of whisky is a beloved pastime of many wealthy men – and women – across the globe. Offering the perfect way to socialise or to wind down from a busy day, the cigar has become viewed as a status symbol and a mark of heritage and class over the years, and with this in mind, some of the finest handmade examples available come with a rather hefty price tag.
As with most things in life, with cigars, you get what you pay for – and some of the most extravagant cigars in the world have been meticulously handmade, offering a superior flavour profile and impeccable taste – but some of the most prestigious manufacturers have pulled out all of the stops to offer something truly special indeed, and that is far removed from your standard luxury cigar.
If you like to shop cigars online and are looking for a truly standout offering to enjoy or add to your beloved collection, then behold, the five most expensive cigars in the world, from some of the finest brands we all know and love.
5. My Father Humidor Deluxe – Pepin Garcia 70th Birthday Limited Edition – $10,000
The height of luxury for cigar enthusiasts, this particular iteration of the My Father Humidor Deluxe, born of a collaboration between My Father and Elie Bleu, is one of the most highly sought-after in the world today, and with good reason. Offering a full-bodied smoking experience with a complex yet balanced flavour profile, each cigar comes in its own sophisticated cedar lined humidor for the utmost in opulence, and at six-and-a-half inches in length, it features a custom-made hygrometer and lift-out tray. If you’re looking to splurge on some special cigars this Christmas as a gift from you to you, then look no further.
4. Regius Double Corona – $52,785
Upping the ante when it comes to price, the Regius Double Corona isn’t just designed for the serious smoker, but the cigar enthusiast in pursuit of the very finest cigars money can buy. Although not quite the most expensive on our list, this one packs quite the punch – but the price the most expensive iteration sold for wasn’t down to the cigar alone.
Businessman Callum Jones, who gladly parted with the cash required to get his hands on it back in 2013 was given a private tour of the prestigious brand’s Nicaragua-based factory and was able to witness his purchase being made – which alongside an impressive flavour profile and taste, was enough to convince him it was a savvy investment. As an added bonus, Jones was also given 1,000 custom-rolled smokes, complete with naming rights and boxes, making it a win-win for this particular fan of a luxury cigar.
3. Gran Habano No. 5 – $185,000
Back in 2013, the world’s largest cigar sold for an eye-watering six-figure price. El Gigante, which was an impressive six metres long, three feet thick and weighed around 725kg, was snapped up by an affluent mystery buyer with a penchant for exquisite cigars. Rolled using a weighty 1,600 pounds of high-quality Nicaraguan tobacco, such was its size that it was considered the equivalent of 25,000 normal-sized cigars. Quite how the buyer smoked it is anybody’s guess, and it’s far more likely that it was purchased as a collectible rather than to light up alongside a glass of whisky.
2. Mayan Sicars – $507,000
With a price tag topping half a million, the Mayan Sicars cigar, which was made more than 600 years ago during the Mayan civilisation, is unsurprisingly the oldest in the world, and has become a collector’s item that any luxury cigar enthusiast would be eager to get their hands on.
An impressive piece of history that can’t be rivalled or outdone by any other smoke available today, its value is set to continue increasing over time. This isn’t one to smoke, but an investment for the future, and one that deserves pride of place in your favourite smoking space.
1. Gurkha Royal Courtesan – $1,000,000
The ultimate piece of cigar royalty, the Gurkha Royal Courtesan is the only smoke in the world to date to have fetched a seven figure sum, and after selling for a cool one million, made history as it became the most expensive cigar in the world. There are several factors that make it extra special, including a rare filter sourced from the furthest and most remote corners of the Himalayas, watered by pure Fiji water, and infused with pearls. Yes, pearls – which would go some way to explaining its eye-watering value.
Presented in a lavish gold leaf wrapper and encrusted with five sparkling carats of diamond, the Gurkha Royal is an opulent cigar that is personally delivered by a white-gloved messenger. If you’re looking for the most luxurious cigar in the world, then it’s difficult to imagine another ever surpassing this one.
