Quintero Favoritos Review: Cuba's Best-Kept Secret
Overview
The Quintero Favoritos is one of Cuba's most underrated and underappreciated cigars. Produced at the Fábrica de Tabacos Francisco Donatién in Pinar del Río — the heartland of the world's finest tobacco — the Quintero brand has long flown under the radar, overshadowed by the prestige of Cohiba, Montecristo, and Romeo y Julieta. That's a shame, because the Favoritos is a genuinely excellent smoke that offers remarkable value for a Habanos S.A. product. We spent time with this petite corona to bring you our full verdict.
Vital Statistics
- Brand: Quintero
- Line: Favoritos
- Vitola: Petit Corona
- Size: 4⅜ × 40
- Wrapper: Cuban (Vuelta Abajo)
- Binder: Cuban
- Filler: Cuban (Vuelta Abajo)
- Strength: Light to Medium
- Origin: Cuba (Habanos S.A.)
- Estimated Smoke Time: 30–45 minutes
Construction & Appearance — 8.0/10
The Quintero Favoritos arrives in a simple, no-frills presentation — a cardboard box of 25 or a fun 3 box of tubos, dressed in the brand's understated livery. The wrapper is a pale, natural Colorado Claro with a slight toothiness to the touch. It's not the most glamorous cigar on the shelf, but look closer and you'll find a well-rolled, firm stick with minimal soft spots and a tidy triple cap. The pre-light draw is open and easy, offering a pleasant sweetness of hay and dried grass — classic Cuban terroir.
First Third — 8.5/10
The Favoritos lights easily and settles quickly into a smooth, approachable rhythm. The first third is quintessentially Cuban: creamy hay, toasted bread, and a gentle white pepper on the retrohale. There's a delicate floral note — almost jasmine-like — that drifts in and out, adding elegance to what might otherwise be a simple smoke. Strength is firmly in the light-to-medium range, making this an ideal morning or post-lunch cigar. The burn is slightly wavy initially but self-corrects without intervention. Ash is a firm, pale grey.
Second Third — 8.5/10
As the Favoritos moves into its second act, the profile deepens pleasingly. The bread and hay notes give way to roasted nuts, a hint of honey, and a touch of cedar. The creaminess that defines the Quintero house style remains front and centre, and the draw continues to be effortless. Strength nudges toward medium but never threatens to overwhelm. This is a cigar that rewards slow, contemplative smoking — rush it and you'll miss the subtleties. The burn has evened out beautifully by this point.
Final Third — 7.5/10
The final third is where the Favoritos shows its limitations as a budget Cuban. A slight bitterness creeps in as the cigar shortens, and the pepper on the retrohale becomes more pronounced. That said, the core flavour profile — cream, nuts, and cedar — holds together admirably right to the nub. The burn tightens slightly and requires a touch-up, but this is not unusual for a cigar at this price point. Finish is medium-length with lingering notes of toasted bread and white pepper.
Scores at a Glance
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| 🏗️ Construction & Appearance | 8.0 / 10 |
| 🔥 First Third | 8.5 / 10 |
| 🎯 Second Third | 8.5 / 10 |
| 🏁 Final Third | 7.5 / 10 |
| 💨 Draw & Burn | 8.0 / 10 |
| 🌿 Complexity & Flavour | 8.0 / 10 |
| 💰 Value for Money | 9.5 / 10 |
| ⭐ Overall Score | 8.3 / 10 |
Pairing Suggestions
The Quintero Favoritos' light-to-medium profile calls for equally delicate pairings. A wheated Bourbon such as Maker's Mark or W.L. Weller works beautifully — the soft vanilla and caramel notes complement the cigar's creaminess without overpowering it. For something non-alcoholic, a flat white or cortado is a near-perfect match, echoing the toasted bread and nut notes in the second third. If you prefer Scotch, reach for a light, unpeated Highland malt — something like Glenmorangie Original.
Final Verdict
The Quintero Favoritos is Cuba's best-kept secret. It won't dazzle you with power or complexity, but it delivers a genuinely satisfying, classically Cuban smoking experience at a price that makes it one of the best-value Habanos on the market. For newer aficionados looking to explore Cuban cigars without committing to a premium price tag, or for seasoned smokers seeking a reliable everyday smoke, the Favoritos is an easy recommendation. Don't let the modest branding fool you — there's real quality in this little cigar.
Reviewed by the team at Bourbon & Cigars Blackpool.