The Most Expensive Cigars in the World in 2024: From Cuban Smoke to Gurkha Royal Courtesan Cigar

What is the most expensive cigar in the world? It’s Gurkha Royal Courtesan Cigar at $1 million. Infused with Remy Martin Black Pearl Louis XIII, each cigar gives you the high in luxury. Here’s a complete and updated list of most expensive cigars in the world this 2025.

1. Gurkha Royal Courtesan Cigar – $1 million
2. Mayan Sicars – $507,000
3. Double Corona Regius Cigars Ltd – $54,000 for 1 cigar
4. Gran Habano #5 El Gigante – $185,000
5. Gurkha Black Dragon – $115,000 per box
6. Arturo Fuente Opus X Ltd – $30,000 per box
7. Cohiba Behike – $18,000 per box
8. Gurkha His Majesty’s Reserve – $15,000 per box
9. Fuente Don Arturo AnniverXario – $7,500 per box
10. Arturo Fuente Opus X BBMF – $55 per cigar

Successful men are known to flaunt their confidence as well as their cigars. Who can forget the pictures of the indomitable Winston Churchill plugging away at his beloved cheroots as he plotted the downfall of the Nazi empire? Many men smoke cigars while enjoying a good time with their friends, to portray an image of sophistication, or to celebrate a happy occasion. The best cigars are crafted by specialist hands and made from top quality leaves. For these reasons, leading cigar brands command a hefty price tag.

Persistencemarketresearch.com reports that the global market size for cigars and cigarillos is growing at a good pace thanks to the popularity of flavored cigars and cigarillos among young adults, especially women. From 2015 to 2025, the global cigars and cigarillos market is expected to grow at compounded rate of 2.8% to reach $23.8 billion by 2025, rising from $17.7 billion in 2014. On top of that, Strategyr.com estimates that global market for cigars will top $20.1 billion sticks by 2024, fueled by increasing consumption among the young and rich sector.

What makes a cigar stand out among the pack? A lot of considerations come into play such as the quality of leaves, the history of its makers, and the country of origin, among others. All these factors combine to determine the final quality and price of a cigar product. So are you willing to dig deep into your wallet to shell out a princely sum to gain a heady smoking experience? For your general information, here is the list of the most expensive cigars in the world in 2025.

#10 Arturo Fuente Opus X BBMF – $55 per cigar

These popular cigars are always in high demand but are difficult to find. They are manufactured by the renowned cigar maker Arturo Fuente. Each cigar has BBMF carved on them due to their seven-inch length. If you are lucky, you can find a piece for $55.  These cigars were introduced in 1995 but because they are much sought after, they are hard to locate. This explains the premium price each cigar commands.

#9 Fuente Don Arturo AnniverXario – $7,500 per box

This cigar is made with delectably aged tobacco rolled in either sun-grown or natural wrappers. A box of these heavenly delights will set you back by $7,500. It is a limited release and one humidor of these amazing rolls hosts 96 cigars with 46 in alternative wrappers. Arturo Fuente Cigar Company unveiled this line in 2001 to celebrate its 100^th anniversary. The tobaccos utilized in these fine cigars were aged seven years to give them a distinctive and strong punch and experience.

The Fuente Don Arturo AnniverXario cigars are manufactured with exquisite wrapper leaves obtained from the Chateau de la Fuente in the Dominican Republic. These cigars sell fast so it is difficult to get your hands on them. The legendary Fuente family is known for producing high quality cigars with painstaking handcraftsmanship and patience. The end products are satisfying, well-balanced, and rich in taste.

#8 Gurkha His Majesty’s Reserve – $15,000 per box

This brand is made with 18-year-old tobaccos and it boasts rich chocolate undertones. To add to the taste, each roll is enhanced with the premium and rare Louis XIII Cognac. A box with 20 pieces is priced at $15,000 which means you need to pay $750 per cigar. The Gurkha company makes less than 100 boxes of this amazing product each year and the enterprise’s president decides to whom they should be allotted.

Gurkha is called the Rolls Royce of the cigar industry for its unique blends of premium tobaccos crafted by expert rollers. His Majesty’s Reserve lives up to the company’s reputation as its blend of filler tobaccos are covered in rare aged Dominican wrappers. As mentioned earlier, the infusion of the Louis XIII Cognac complements the flavor of the aged tobacco leaves. You will surely remember the amazing aroma and taste of this exquisite cigar for a long time.

#7 Cohiba Behike – $18,000 per box

Famed Cuban cigar manufacturer Cohiba released this brand in 2006 to celebrate its 40^th anniversary. It was named Behike to honor a noted chieftain of the Taino Indians. The cigars are made with select tobacco and only 100 humidors were made, each hosting 40 rolls. Because they proved to be very popular, Cohiba released less expensive versions of this product later.

The tobacco for these cigars was cultivated and blended at the El Laguito Cohiba factory. Each piece has ring size of 52 inches and is 7.5 inches long. This brand includes several varieties from Cuba’s Vuelto and Pinar del Rio regions. A box of these fine rolls is said to have cost up to as much as $18k. The exquisite humidor with skate skin, bone, and ebony was made by French manufacturer Elie Bleu. Expert roller Norma Fernandez Sastre made all the 4,000 cigars of this product line.

#6 Arturo Fuente Opus X Ltd – $30,000 per box

The Arturo Fuente Tobacco Company produced this line in 2003 to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the original Opus X. They produced 100 Forbidden X humidors (10 with macassar veneer, 40 with yellow eye maple, and 50 with a red madrona veneer. Each humidor has 100 Opus X cigars.

The limited edition humidors were offered in a selection of finishes and colors. This cigar’s taste is vouched by connoisseurs to be world class. Each box was sold for about $10k in 2003, but today the price has risen to a whopping $30k per box.

#5 Gurkha Black Dragon – $115,000 per box

The Gurkha Black Dragon cigar packs a robust punch as it is made from fine tobacco leaves that are rolled in Honduras. Each leathery and peaty cigar measures 8.5 inches by 52 ring gauge. The cigars are placed in limited edition handcrafted camel bone boxes with 100 pieces in one box. A single cigar costs an astronomical $1,150.

The Gurkha Black Dragon has a unique flavor and is super rare because it is very hard to find. This brand of ultra-premium blended tobaccos is designed for discerning cigar connoisseurs. The 5-year aged cigar features a blend of cured Dominican long filler along with an aged Cameroonian binder and is wrapped in a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro. It offers a leathery smoke with a hint of spice and buttery notes that is not matched by any other cigar.

#4 Gran Habano #5 El Gigante – $185,000

This masterpiece was created as a display item. It is a 19-foot long and 3-foot wide giant roll of tobacco for which an aficionado based outside the US shelled out $185k. The huge cigar has been made with 1,600 pounds of tobacco leaves which is equal to about 25k regular-sized cigars. This giant magnum opus is placed in a 900-pound wooden crate that is designed to resemble a steam locomotive.

#3 Double Corona Regius Cigars Ltd – $54,000 for 1 cigar

Regius Cigars Ltd created this special edition Double Corona cigar and sold it to a businessman named Callum Jones for a whopping $54k in 2013. Why is this cigar so expensive? Along with the fine flavor and taste, the makers also provided Mr. Jones a guided private tour of their factory in Nicaragua so that he can witness the manufacturing process firsthand.

In addition, for the $54k, the purchaser also receives 1,000 custom-rolled smokes along with naming rights and boxes. If their quality is good, Regius Cigars will even market them as part of their range. The cigar is full flavored and medium bodied and the best part is the buyer will get to witness the whole production from beginning to end. This ultra-premium cigar is available at Nat Sherman 5^th Avenue in New York, Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong, and Davidoff of London.

#2 Mayan Sicars – $507,000

The ancient Mayans smoked tobacco and this is proved by the discovery of 800 pre-Columbian cigars in Guatemala in 2012. The cigars were dated back to 600 years ago, but they were still fit to be smoked even today. This led to a melee among tobacco enthusiasts to land the prize catch.

The Mayan sicars were discovered by a team of archeologists from Tampa University. The expert diggers were astonished that the cigars were still in prime condition. The reason is they were buried well below the surface in sealed clay pots. A collector named Gary Liotta who is the proprietor of Santiago Cigar Factory in Rochester, New York took home the entire collection by shelling out $507k.

#1 Gurkha Royal Courtesan Cigar – $1 million

Gurkha Cigars created this tour de force with the finest care and ingredients and at $1 million apiece it tops our list of most expensive cigars in the world. Each hand-rolled cigar is infused with the delectable Remy Martin Black Pearl Louis XIII, which sells for $165k a bottle. To ensure perfect production quality, only selected hand rollers are permitted to lever the cigars. In addition, all the artisans are blindfolded to heighten their senses so that their movements are natural with minimal distractions.

The Royal Courtesan cigar is filled with rare Himalayan tobacco that has been watered only with Fiji water. Each piece is wrapped in gold leaf and the band is embellished with diamonds totaling up to five carats. If you can afford it, a messenger wearing spotless white gloves will hand deliver this opulent cigar to your place. Sit back and enjoy this royal cigar like a king for the ransom you paid for it.

What are the best ways to enjoy premium cigars?

Enjoying premium cigars is an art that enhances the overall experience of smoking. Here are some tips to savor the flavors and nuances of high-end cigars:

• Choose the Right Environment: The setting can significantly affect your cigar experience. Find a quiet, comfortable place where you can relax without distractions. Ideal locations include a private lounge, a backyard, or a designated smoking area.
• Pairing with Drinks: Complement your cigar with the right beverage. Classic pairings include whiskey, rum, and fine wine. The flavors of these drinks can enhance the cigar’s taste, making the experience richer. For instance, a robust bourbon can pair well with a full-bodied cigar, while a light white wine might complement a milder option.
• Use Proper Lighting Techniques: Lighting your cigar correctly is crucial. Use a wooden match or a butane lighter, avoiding regular lighters that can alter the taste. Toast the foot of the cigar by holding the flame close without touching it, then take a few gentle puffs to ensure an even burn.
• Take Your Time: Savoring a premium cigar is about the journey, not just the destination. Take slow, deliberate puffs and enjoy the aroma and flavors. Rushing can lead to an uneven burn and a less enjoyable experience.
• Cutting the Cigar: Use a proper cutter to avoid damaging the cigar. A clean cut will enhance airflow and allow you to draw the flavors more effectively. You can use a straight cut, a V-cut, or a punch cut, depending on your preference.

Key Insights

• Most Expensive Cigar: Gurkha Royal Courtesan Cigar tops the list at $1 million, featuring luxurious elements such as Remy Martin Black Pearl Louis XIII infusion and Himalayan tobacco watered with Fiji water.
• Historical Cigars: Mayan Sicars, discovered in Guatemala and dating back 600 years, were sold for $507,000, highlighting the historical significance and preserved quality of ancient cigars.
• Premium Brands: Renowned brands like Gurkha, Arturo Fuente, and Cohiba dominate the list with their high-quality, meticulously crafted cigars that command premium prices.
• Exclusive Craftsmanship: Limited production and unique crafting processes, such as blindfolded rollers and special infusions, significantly contribute to the high cost of these cigars.
• Market Growth: The global market for cigars is growing, driven by increasing consumption among young adults and affluent individuals, with an expected value of $23.8 billion by 2025.

FAQ

1. What factors contribute to the high cost of premium cigars? Premium cigars are expensive due to a combination of factors including the quality of tobacco leaves, the expertise of the cigar makers, the historical significance of the brand, limited production, and unique craftsmanship techniques such as special infusions and rare wrapper leaves.
2. Why are Gurkha cigars often listed among the most expensive? Gurkha cigars are renowned for their luxury and exclusivity. They use rare and aged tobaccos, unique blends, and are often infused with premium spirits like Louis XIII Cognac. The meticulous craftsmanship and limited production also add to their high cost.
3. What makes the Mayan Sicars so special? The Mayan Sicars are historically significant as they are 600-year-old pre-Columbian cigars discovered in Guatemala. Their preservation in sealed clay pots kept them in prime condition, making them a rare and valuable find for collectors.
4. How does the market trend affect the popularity of cigars? The global market for cigars is growing due to rising popularity among young adults, especially women, and increasing consumption among the affluent sector. The demand for flavored cigars and cigarillos is also contributing to market expansion.
5. Can you explain the significance of limited edition cigars like the Arturo Fuente Opus X Ltd? Limited edition cigars like the Arturo Fuente Opus X Ltd are significant because they represent milestones or anniversaries of the brand. They are produced in small quantities, often with unique features and packaging, making them highly sought after by collectors and aficionados.
6. What is the role of craftsmanship in determining the price of a cigar? Craftsmanship plays a crucial role in determining the price of a cigar. Expert rollers, unique production techniques, and meticulous attention to detail ensure that each cigar is of the highest quality. This level of craftsmanship justifies the premium price tag of these cigars.

By Nestor Gilbert

Nestor Gilbert is a senior B2B and SaaS analyst and a core contributor at FinancesOnline for over 5 years. With his experience in software development and extensive knowledge of SaaS management, he writes mostly about emerging B2B technologies and their impact on the current business landscape. However, he also provides in-depth reviews on a wide range of software solutions to help businesses find suitable options for them. Through his work, he aims to help companies develop a more tech-forward approach to their operations and overcome their SaaS-related challenges.