Best Kentucky Derby Cigars
The Kentucky Derby is one of those sports, like boxing, that instantly kindles the aroma of cigars among its spectators. Puffing a cigar and sipping a mint julep are as mandatory for watching the “Run for the Roses” as wearing a seersucker suit or an oversized Derby hat. The legendary Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville draws around 165,000 to its stands to witness what is called by Forbes one of the “greatest bucket-list sporting events” in America. And there are areas where cigar smoking is allowed. The competition dates back to 1875 and surpasses every other major sporting event in the country for attendance, except for the Indy 500, which hosts over 400,000.
The Derby is more than two minutes of thoroughbreds dashing for the finish line. Fans and celebrities flock to what is equal parts fashion show and horse race, with many wagering small or large sums of money on their favorite horses. Nothing will calm your nerves when you’re gambling like a good cigar. Place your bets on this year’s top contenders, which include horses named Journalism, Luxor Café, Sandman, and Sovereign, but first pick out a premium smoke from our list of the best cigars to smoke during the Kentucky Derby.
1. La Aroma de Cuba Noblesse
La Aroma de Cuba Noblesse is a rare and opulent smoke blended by award-winning cigarmakers Pepin and Jaime Garcia. A dark and toothsome San Andrés Oscuro wrapper leaf surrounds vintage Nicaraguan long-fillers harvested in Estelí, Jalapa, and Namanji. Succulent notes of dark chocolate lava cake, espresso bean, and Turkish fig resonate with hints of salt and black peppercorn throughout a classic smoke handcrafted in four meticulous sizes. Savor this sophisticated specimen with a sip of Woodford Reserve during the Derby.
2. Ashton VSG
The 94-rated Ashton VSG is a bold and iconic smoke, perfect for watching the “Sport of Kings” when the starting pistol fires. A thick, dark Ecuador Sumatra wrapper leaf harbors the finest Dominican long-filler tobaccos grown, matured, and blended by legendary cigarmaker Carlito Fuente in twelve traditional sizes. VSG boasts robust notes of cedar, espresso bean, earth, leather, and spice throughout an impressive and succulent profile. Hints of sweetness linger on the edges of a Dominican masterpiece that naturally complements a vintage bourbon or single malt.
3. Padrón 1926 Series Maduro
Following several years of aging, special reserves of the finest Nicaraguan binder, filler, and wrapper tobaccos go into Padrón 1926 Series cigars. The blend is available in a Natural and Maduro wrapper leaf. The 1926 Series commemorates the birth year of late brand founder José Orlando Padrón. This toothy Nicaraguan classic develops with notes of cedar, dark cocoa powder, coffee bean, and spice throughout a meticulously box-pressed collection. Pair it with a few fingers of Angel’s Envy and enjoy the Derby with this prestigious, 96-rated smoke.
4. Davidoff Winston Churchill Late Hour
Davidoff Winston Churchill Late Hour cigars are named for the late hours Winston Churchill spent writing, reflecting, and strategizing during his illustrious career. This deep and resonant smoke imparts robust notes of coffee, wood, and spice with hints of whiskey and earth. An oily Ecuador Habano wrapper leaf covers a binder from San Andrés and long-filler tobaccos from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, some of which have been matured in former Scotch casks to create more complexity. Enjoy a stronger Davidoff cigar during the Derby this year.
5. Oliva Monticello
Oliva Monticello is an exclusive cigar handmade in small batches from the brand’s oldest reserves of premium tobacco. A gorgeous Nicaraguan Maduro wrapper covers a vintage recipe of Nicaraguan long-fillers matured for optimal smoothness. Luscious notes of dark cocoa, cashew, and coffee bean mingle with hints of cinnamon and spice throughout a medium to full-bodied profile perfect for pairing with whiskey during the Kentucky Derby. Choose from five flawless sizes crafted by expert cigar rollers at the Oliva factory in Estelí.
6. Perdomo 30th Anniversary Sun Grown
Brand founder Nick Perdomo blends the Perdomo 30th Anniversary series from some of his oldest tobaccos, including Nicaraguan long-fillers aged for up to fifteen years. The Sun Grown blend features an oily, reddish-brown Nicaraguan wrapper leaf. Nick ages his tobaccos in bourbon barrels to achieve a woody sweetness in the flavor. Tasting notes of oak, almond, cayenne, leather, and pepper culminate in a medium to full-bodied cigar that tastes wonderful with a sip of Basil Hayden. Pick up the 30th Anniversary Sun Grown from Perdomo before the starting gates are loaded.
