There have never been as many options for Cameroon cigars as there are now, and I wanted to clue everyone in on the families, brands, and regions that are making excellent use of Cameroon tobacco. Let’s discuss what’s new, what’s exciting, and why you should try each of these Cameroon cigars.

Caldwell Long Live the Queen (Instant Classic)

The very first time I lit up the Queen, I knew that it was an instant classic. This cigar was immediately cemented in my mind as being the new standard for Cameroon blends. It is exceptionally well balanced, maintains the earthy and sweet spices combination that Cameroon is known for, yet foregoes any hints of minerality that sometimes accompanies this leaf.

Long Live the Queen also received three reviews from Cigar Aficionado, each earning an impressive rating of 94 points. This blend calls for an African Cameroon wrapper over an Indonesian Sumatra binder with filler leaves from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.

Tasting Notes: Cedar, Pepper, Caramel, Chocolate, Nuts, Cereal Grain

Meerapfel Cigar Richard (The O.G.)

If you weren’t aware, the Meerapfel family has been involved in cigars since 1876 and established Cameroon tobacco as we know it. Richard Meerapfel was the first to introduce tobacco to Cameroon and assisted the Fuente family in bringing Don Carlos – the longest lasting Cameroon cigar – to the world. Without the Meerapfel family’s tireless efforts over several generations, we wouldn’t even have the opportunity to know and love Cameroon cigars. Even as recently as 30 years ago, the world almost lost Cameroon tobacco forever until Richard Meerapfel once again interceded.

A few years ago, Jeremiah and Joshua Meerapfel began creating their own cigar blends using vintage Cameroon wrappers with a focus on craftmanship and luxury. The first release, Richard, topped halfwheel’s Top 25 Cigars for 2023 and was consistently excellent across six total samples.

Tasting Notes:  Allspice, Toffee, Earth, Cream, Nuts

Aladino Cameroon (The Game Changer)

But what would happen if we grew seeds from Cameroon in another country like Honduras? The Eiroa family asked themselves that very same question, and years ago began cultivating Cameroon seeds on their farms in the Jamastran Valley. These seeds, like many other varietals and growing regions, originally came from Sumatra, Indonesia before being optimized to grow in Africa. The Aladino Cameroon was, as far as I know, the first Honduran puro in the world that uses a Cameroon wrapper grown in Honduras.

Cameroon tobacco tends to be expensive and limited due to the way it’s grown in Africa. There aren’t just a handful of prolific growers like there are in Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, and Cameroon operates more like Mexico with many smaller operations. Bringing this seed to Honduras allows the Eiroa family more control over the total experience, stable prices, and ample supply. The wrapper leaf used on the Aladino Cameroon was aged for two years to effortlessly meld with the Honduran Corojo binder and filler leaves.   

Tasting Notes: Earth, Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, Cream, Floral, Mild Umami

A.J. Fernandez New World Cameroon (The Underdog)

A.J.’s take on Cameroon is bolder than the rest, opting for Nicaraguan binder and filler leaves exclusively underneath an African Cameroon wrapper. Each size is also box-pressed, ensuring that every cigar draws effortlessly. This is particularly helpful with Cameroon wrappers because the leaf is so thin that you don’t want to be fighting a resistant draw.

I’ve handed this cigar to several people over the years and it always outperforms the ratings. The New World Cameroon is one of the most affordable Cameroon options in recent years and also an easy transition for those that naturally gravitate towards more robust flavor profiles.

Tasting Notes: Cedar, Dark Chocolate, Pepper, Earth, Espresso, Citrus

Arturo Fuente Hemingway (The Standard)

While everything else on this list was created in recent years, Fuente’s Hemingway series is the uncontested champion of Cameroon cigars. This cigar continues to rake in the accolades, with a recent 95-point rating from Cigar Aficionado in 2023 – that’s 40 years after they were first introduced to the world.

What distinguishes the Hemingway series is the delightful introduction of baking spices, graham cracker, and the tiniest hint of orange zest. You’ll still find the Hemingway in humidors all across the U.S. because of this unique profile achieved by an African Cameroon wrapper over Dominican binder and filler leaves for a charming, approachable experience.

Tasting Notes: Cinnamon, Graham Cracker, Butter Cream Icing, Cedar, Peppercorn, Orange Zest