Celebrating a tradition that began in 1992 by Two Guys Cigars, The Cigar Authority proudly announces the winner of The 2025 Cigar of the Year: Perdomo Legacy Nicaraguan Shade Grown Gran Belicoso.
The Perdomo Legacy Nicaraguan Shade Grown Gran Belicoso is the result of nearly five years of development and represents a significant achievement in tobacco cultivation and blending. At the core of this cigar is a rare Nicaraguan Shade Grown wrapper developed exclusively by the Perdomo family at their Finca Natalie farm in Estelí, Nicaragua. This unique hybrid wrapper, a cross between Cuban-seed and Cameroon-seed tobacco first developed in 2014–2015, delivers a distinctive profile that sets it apart in the modern cigar landscape.
“The Legacy project represents years of work and innovation for our family,” said Nick Perdomo, President and CEO of Perdomo Cigars. “Developing a new wrapper is not something taken lightly, and this Nicaraguan Shade Grown tobacco reflects our commitment to pushing boundaries while staying true to quality, consistency, and tradition. We are deeply honored to receive the Cigar of the Year recognition.”
Reflecting on more than three decades of naming The Cigar of the Year, David Garofalo, founder of Two Guys Cigars and host of The Cigar Authority, commented, “There is only one number one each year, and for 2025, it is the Perdomo Legacy Nicaraguan Shade Grown Gran Belicoso.” Garofalo extended congratulations to Nick Perdomo and the entire Perdomo team for their continued dedication to excellence and innovation in premium cigar making.
This marks the fourth time Perdomo has earned the Cigar of the Year distinction, following previous wins in 1998 for La Tradicion Perdomo Reserve X, in 2020 for the Perdomo 10th Anniversary Maduro, and in 2024 for the Perdomo 30th Anniversary Sun Grown Epicure. With its 2025 selection, the Perdomo Legacy Nicaraguan Shade Grown Gran Belicoso joins an elite and historic list of past winners, further solidifying Perdomo’s enduring legacy and its impact on the premium cigar industry.
