Todays 10 Best Cigars for a Special Occasion | Paired with Premium Whiskey
Some moments demand more than the ordinary. A milestone birthday. A deal closed. A quiet evening that deserves to be remembered. These are the cigars you reach for when cost is no object and only the finest will do — each one paired with a whiskey from our collection to elevate the experience further.
1. Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series Torpedo (Maduro)
£54.95 | Shop Now →
Few cigars carry the legacy of the Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series. Crafted to commemorate José Orlando Padrón's 1964 founding of the brand, this box-pressed Torpedo is a masterclass in Nicaraguan craftsmanship. At 6.4" x 52-ring, it delivers a long, unhurried smoke — full-bodied, with a sun-grown Maduro wrapper that has been aged for a minimum of four years. Expect deep notes of dark chocolate, espresso, roasted nuts, and a whisper of natural sweetness that only a properly aged Maduro can produce. The draw is effortless, the burn impeccable.
Whiskey Pairing: Holladay Soft Red Wheat Bourbon (£69.95) — The creamy mouthfeel and dark cacao notes of this Bottled-in-Bond Missouri bourbon mirror the Maduro's richness perfectly. Neither overpowers the other; they simply amplify one another.
2. Padrón 60th Anniversary | Cigar Aficionado 2025 Cigar of the Year
£49.00 | Shop Now →
The Padrón 60th Anniversary is a landmark cigar celebrating six decades of excellence from one of the most revered names in premium cigar craftsmanship. Meticulously blended using aged Nicaraguan tobaccos, this limited-edition release delivers a rich, complex smoking experience worthy of the occasion.
Expect deep notes of dark chocolate, espresso, cedar, and a subtle natural sweetness, with a long, satisfying finish. Whether enjoyed as a personal milestone or gifted to a fellow aficionado, the Padrón 60th Anniversary is a true collector's cigar.
Whiskey Pairing: Traveller Whiskey by Buffalo Trace (£26.95) — The approachable sweetness and vanilla-forward character of this Buffalo Trace collaboration provides a gentle counterpoint to the 1926's intensity, letting the cigar remain the star.
Rum Pairing: Ron Santiago de Cuba 20 Year Old Extra Añejo Gran Reserva | 2023 | 40% Abv | 30ml Sample
— A rare opportunity to explore one of Cuba's most celebrated aged rums. The Ron Santiago de Cuba 20 Year Old Extra Añejo Gran Reserva is a masterclass in tropical maturation — two decades in oak have produced a spirit of extraordinary depth and refinement.
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Rich dried fruits, dark chocolate, toasted oak, and a whisper of tobacco leaf
- Palate: Velvety smooth with layers of molasses, vanilla, espresso, and candied orange peel
- Finish: Long, warming, and gently spiced with lingering caramel and cedar
3. Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series Exclusivo (Natural)
£44.95 | Shop Now →
The natural-wrapper sibling to the Torpedo Maduro, the Exclusivo presents a different but equally compelling face of the 1964 Anniversary Series. At 5.5" x 54-ring, it is box-pressed and beautifully constructed, with a sun-grown Nicaraguan Natural wrapper that delivers a slightly lighter, more nuanced profile than its Maduro counterpart. Expect notes of toasted oak, leather, almonds, and a subtle earthiness — full-bodied but refined, with a long, clean finish. A cigar that rewards patience and attention.
Whiskey Pairing: Holladay Soft Red Wheat Bourbon (£69.95) — The orchard fruit and toffee notes in the Holladay complement the Exclusivo's almond and oak character beautifully, creating a pairing that feels effortlessly cohesive.
4. Davidoff Winston Churchill Robusto
£41.95 | Shop Now →
Named in honour of Britain's most celebrated statesman — himself a legendary cigar aficionado — the Winston Churchill Robusto is a fitting tribute. Crafted in the Dominican Republic with an Ecuadorian Sun Grown wrapper, this medium-to-full-bodied cigar delivers roasted oak, dark spice, leather, and a subtle sweetness on the finish. At 5" x 50-ring, it is the ideal length for a considered evening smoke — long enough to develop complexity, short enough to remain focused. The construction, as you would expect from Davidoff, is flawless.
Whiskey Pairing: Traveller Whiskey by Buffalo Trace (£26.95) — The gentle sweetness and smooth character of this Buffalo Trace expression softens the Churchill's spice, creating a balanced, approachable pairing with genuine depth.
5. Davidoff Aniversario Special 'R'
£40.95 | Shop Now →
The Aniversario line represents Davidoff at its most celebratory — and the Special 'R' is a standout. Dominican Republic puro with a Natural wrapper, medium-to-full in body, delivering dark chocolate, coffee, dried fruit, and warm spice in a seamlessly integrated blend. The 'R' vitola offers a generous ring gauge that ensures a cool, even draw throughout. This is a cigar for those who appreciate the Davidoff house style — precise, elegant, and deeply satisfying — but want something with a little more muscle than the classic White Label range.
Whiskey Pairing: Holladay Soft Red Wheat Bourbon (£69.95) — The dark cacao and fig notes in the Holladay echo the Aniversario's dried fruit and chocolate profile, making this one of the most harmonious pairings in the collection.
6. Liga Privada No. 9 Belicoso Fino
£34.95 | Shop Now →
Drew Estate's Liga Privada No. 9 is one of the most celebrated New World cigars of the modern era — and the Belicoso Fino format is arguably its finest expression. At 6" x 52-ring, the tapered head concentrates the flavours beautifully on the first third before opening into a full, complex smoke. The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, paired with a Brazilian Mata Fina binder, delivers dark earth, espresso, black pepper, and a rich, almost syrupy sweetness. Full-bodied and unapologetically bold — this is a cigar for those who know exactly what they want.
Whiskey Pairing: Holladay Soft Red Wheat Bourbon (£69.95) — The creamy, sweet profile of the Holladay provides the perfect foil to the Liga Privada's intensity, smoothing the edges without diminishing the cigar's power.
7. Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 (Cuban)
£34.95 | Shop Now →
The Epicure No. 2 is one of Cuba's most beloved Robustos — and for good reason. At 4.9" x 50-ring, it is the quintessential after-dinner Cuban: medium-to-full in body, with a Colorado wrapper that delivers notes of cedar, cream, roasted coffee, and a gentle earthiness that is unmistakably Vuelta Abajo. The construction is typically excellent, the draw effortless, and the burn slow and even. If you are introducing someone to the world of premium Cuban cigars, this is where you start. If you are a seasoned aficionado, this is where you return.
Whiskey Pairing: Traveller Whiskey by Buffalo Trace (£26.95) — The vanilla and caramel sweetness of this Buffalo Trace expression is a classic companion to Cuban tobacco's creamy, cedar-forward profile. A timeless pairing.
8. CLE Asylum 13 Hercule (70 Gauge)
£49.95 | Shop Now →
Not for the faint-hearted. The Asylum 13 Hercule is a statement cigar in every sense — 7" in length, 70-ring gauge, and a two-to-two-and-a-half-hour smoke that demands your full commitment. The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper delivers a full-bodied experience of dark earth, leather, black pepper, and a rich, lingering sweetness. This is the cigar you light when the evening is yours and the world can wait. The sheer size ensures a consistently cool draw and an evolving flavour profile that rewards those patient enough to see it through.
Whiskey Pairing: Holladay Soft Red Wheat Bourbon (£69.95) — A cigar of this magnitude needs a whiskey with genuine character. The Holladay's depth, complexity, and long finish are more than a match for the Hercule's power.
9. Padrón Serie 1926 No. 35 (Maduro)
£34.95 | Shop Now →
The No. 35 brings the prestige of the Serie 1926 into a slightly more accessible format — a 6" x 52-ring vitola with a sun-grown Nicaraguan Maduro wrapper aged for five-plus years. Full-bodied and richly complex, it delivers dark chocolate, espresso, leather, and a subtle sweetness that builds beautifully across the smoke. Box-pressed, impeccably constructed, and carrying the full weight of Padrón's reputation. If the No. 9 is the sprint, the No. 35 is the marathon — a longer, more expansive journey through the same exceptional terroir.
Whiskey Pairing: Holladay Soft Red Wheat Bourbon (£69.95) — The Maduro's dark chocolate and espresso notes find a natural partner in the Holladay's creme brulee finish and dark cacao palate. A pairing built for long evenings.
10. Davidoff Winston Churchill Belicoso
£16.66 | Shop Now →
The most accessible entry on this list — but make no mistake, the Winston Churchill Belicoso punches well above its price point. The tapered Belicoso format concentrates the Ecuadorian Sun Grown wrapper's cedar, dark chocolate, coffee, and warm spice notes into a focused, elegant smoke. Medium-to-full in body, with Davidoff's characteristic precision of construction and consistency of burn. This is the cigar you reach for when you want a special-occasion experience without committing to a full evening — a 45-to-60-minute smoke that delivers genuine luxury at a remarkable price.
Whiskey Pairing: Traveller Whiskey by Buffalo Trace (£26.95) — The Traveller's smooth, approachable sweetness is the ideal companion to the Belicoso's spice and chocolate notes, creating a pairing that is greater than the sum of its parts.
A Final Note on the Occasion
The cigars above represent the finest of what we currently have in stock — from the legendary Padrón 1926 and 1964 Anniversary Series to the bold New World power of the Liga Privada No. 9 and Asylum 13 Hercule. Each has been paired with one of two exceptional whiskeys: the Holladay Soft Red Wheat Bourbon for those seeking depth and complexity, and the Traveller Whiskey by Buffalo Trace for those who prefer a smoother, sweeter companion.
Whatever the occasion, smoke slowly. These cigars deserve your full attention.
Browse our full cigar range at blackpoolbourbon.com