Premium Cigars India:
The Ultimate Buyer's Guide
Premium cigars in India have never been more accessible, more authentic, or more exciting than they are right now. This is the most comprehensive guide to premium cigars in India ever written.
Across the country’s fastest-growing cities — Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Guwahati, and Chennai — a passionate community of cigar enthusiasts is discovering what the world has long known: that a truly fine cigar is one of life’s great pleasures.
Whether you are lighting your very first premium cigar or hunting for a rare limited edition to mark a milestone, this guide gives you everything you need to navigate the world of premium cigars in India with confidence, knowledge, and genuine excitement.
What Makes a Cigar “Premium”?
Not all cigars are created equal. A premium cigar is defined by three non-negotiable qualities:
100% Long-Leaf Tobacco
Every premium cigar worth its price tag is hand-rolled using whole, long-leaf tobacco throughout — wrapper, binder, and filler. This separates them from mass-produced cigars that use short-filler scraps.
Master Torcedores
The finest cigars are hand-rolled by highly trained artisans. A master torcedor ensures that every cigar rolled to specification draws, burns, and tastes exactly as intended.
Aged, Single-Origin
The tobaccos used are carefully grown, harvested, fermented, and aged — often for 3 to 5 years — before rolling. The terroir and aging contribute to the final complex character.
The World’s Finest Brands
India’s growing premium cigar market now has access to many of the world’s most celebrated brands through The Slow Draw.
Davidoff
The Pinnacle of Non-Cuban
Founded in Geneva and now produced in the Dominican Republic, every Davidoff is a masterclass in consistency. The Davidoff Grand Cru is the ideal starting point, while the Aniversario represents the brand’s absolute apex.
Cohiba
Cuba's Most Prestigious
Created in 1966 exclusively for Fidel Castro. What sets Cohiba apart is its unique triple-fermentation process resulting in unmatched smoothness. The Cohiba Behike is widely considered the greatest cigar ever made.
Montecristo
India's Favourite
Consistently the best-selling Cuban cigar in India. It delivers a rich, earthy, medium-to-full-bodied experience. The Montecristo No. 4 is one of the most smoked cigars in the world.
Romeo y Julieta
The Smooth Entry
The perfect introduction to the Cuban experience. Medium-bodied, smooth, and elegantly constructed. The Churchill is an essential cigar for any Indian collection.
Partagas
Bold, full-bodied Cuban power. Loaded with rich tobacco complexity for the experienced smoker.
H. Upmann
Elegance and heritage. Mild-to-medium bodied, creamy, and refined. The gentlemen’s choice.
Premium Cigars India — Price Guide
India’s high import duties on luxury tobacco make premium cigars significantly more expensive here than in international markets — but the experience remains worth every rupee.
Entry-Level ₹1,000 – ₹2,500
The best entry point. Covers smaller formats of Davidoff Signature, Romeo y Julieta, and select Montecristo vitolas.
Mid-Range ₹2,500 – ₹6,000
The sweet spot. Covers Davidoff Grand Cru, Winston Churchill, and excellent Habanos like full-size Montecristo and Partagas.
Luxury ₹6,000 – ₹15,000
For special occasions. Includes Davidoff Aniversario, Cohiba Siglo series, and Edición Limitada Habanos.
Ultra-Premium ₹15,000+
The pinnacle. Cohiba Behike, rare aged Habanos, and Davidoff limited releases. Available in limited quantities.
How to Buy The Right Way
Verified Retailers Only
Must be Habanos S.A. verified for Cubans, or Davidoff G.A. verified. The Slow Draw carries both.
Legal Import Status
Ensure full duty payment and GST compliance to avoid grey-market counterfeits.
Climate Control
Confirm your retailer maintains 65–70% RH and 18–21°C. Incorrect storage ruins the cigar.
Essential Storage Guide
India presents unique storage challenges, from Mumbai’s humidity to Delhi’s dry winters.
- Invest in a Quality Humidor: Maintains a stable internal environment. Spanish cedar is best.
- Use Boveda Packs: 69% two-way humidity packs are the most reliable management solution.
- Season Before Use: Wipe the interior lightly with distilled water and leave a Boveda pack for 24-48 hours.
- Never Use a Refrigerator: Cold and food odours will permanently damage the delicate tobacco oils.
- Rest Newly Arrived Cigars: Allow them to rest 48-72 hours after transit before smoking.
The Complete Pairing Guide
A premium cigar is rarely smoked in isolation — the ritual of pairing it with the right drink is central to the experience.
Indian Single Malts
Amrut Fusion alongside a Davidoff Winston Churchill is phenomenal. Paul John Bold works beautifully with a full-bodied Partagas Serie D.
Scotch Whisky
A honeyed Speyside malt elevates a Davidoff Grand Cru. For bolder cigars like Cohiba, a peated Islay malt provides a dramatic counterpoint.
Dark Rum
Often underrated, a well-aged Caribbean rum brings out extraordinary sweetness and complexity in medium-bodied Habanos like Montecristo.
Rich Coffee
A double espresso mirrors and enhances the natural tobacco flavours of a Davidoff Signature or H. Upmann beautifully for a morning smoke.
Why The Slow Draw Is India’s Home for Premium Cigars
In a fast-growing market, we stand alone as India’s most trusted, knowledgeable, and passionate retailer.
Start Your Journey Today
You now have everything you need to navigate the world of premium cigars in India with confidence. There is only one place that brings all of this together.