Tony Soprano may have been fictional, but his taste for cigars was very real. Throughout the HBO hit The Sopranos, James Gandolfini’s character was often seen puffing on a thick, premium stogie while handling family business or enjoying a moment of solitude.
While the show never made a habit of name-dropping cigar brands, cigar enthusiasts have spent years dissecting scenes, band colors, and shapes to figure out what kind of cigars Tony Soprano smoked. And while we can’t say with 100% certainty, a few standout cigars have become closely associated with the character, and the actor himself.
Let’s break down some of the most likely suspects in Tony’s humidor.
CAO L’Anniversaire Maduro Robusto
Seen in The Many Saints of Newark, this cigar is as bold as a mob boss’ decision to whack a made guy. The CAO L’Anniversaire Maduro features a dark, oily Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper over a rich blend of Nicaraguan binder and fillers. It delivers a toasty, chocolatey flavor profile with notes of espresso, dark cocoa, and a hint of spice.
This cigar was a personal favorite of James Gandolfini, and its appearance in the Sopranos prequel is no coincidence. The CAO brand even released the CAO Consigliere line, inspired by the show’s criminal underworld. When it comes to Tony Soprano smoking a cigar, this one may be the most on-the-nose.
Partagas Serie D No. 4
In Season 3, Tony is seen a few times with a cigar sporting a red band—widely believed to be a Partagas Serie D No. 4. Hailing from Cuba, this robusto is a 4.9 x 50 powerhouse wrapped in a deep reddish-brown Cuban wrapper. The flavor profile leans earthy, with hints of cedar, leather, and pepper, finishing off with a creamy smoke.
The Serie D No. 4 has long been considered one of Cuba’s benchmark cigars. Bold and full-bodied, it fits the persona of a man who ran North Jersey with a steel fist and a sensitive soul. When asking, "What kind of cigars did Tony Soprano smoke?" this one certainly earns its place.
Montecristo No. 2
In one episode, Tony gives Dr. Cusimano a whole box of Cuban Montecristos, and he’s seen smoking one with a brown band—likely a Montecristo No. 2. A torpedo-shaped Cuban classic, this cigar measures 6 1/8 inches with a 52 ring gauge. It uses all-Cuban tobacco: wrapper, binder, and filler.
Smooth and complex, the Monte No. 2 delivers notes of cedar, spice, nuts, and creamy cocoa. It’s regarded as one of the finest cigars in the world and has been a favorite among cigar smokers since the 1930s. For a man like Tony, whose life was equal parts chaos and contemplation, this balanced Cuban makes perfect sense.
Macanudo Cafe
At the high-stakes Executive Game, someone makes a point that they’ve got Macanudos on hand. That probably refers to the Macanudo Cafe—a light-bodied Dominican cigar with a Connecticut Shade wrapper and a Mexican binder.
Mild and approachable, the Macanudo Cafe is known for its smooth draw and creamy, nutty profile with subtle hints of sweetness. It’s not as intense as the others on this list, but maybe that’s the point. Even a mob boss needs a break from full-bodied smokes. When the pressure’s on and millions are at stake, a light, dependable cigar might be just the thing.
CAO Consigliere
No list of Sopranos cigars would be complete without the CAO Consigliere. Inspired directly by The Sopranos (and originally released under a licensing agreement with HBO), this cigar is a tribute to the underworld charm and grit of the series. A Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper surrounds a blend of Colombian, Nicaraguan, and Dominican fillers with a Honduran binder.
Expect bold flavors—earth, spice, coffee, and a lingering sweetness. It’s a medium-to-full-bodied cigar that looks and feels like something Tony would smoke after a Sunday dinner at Vesuvio.
Conclusion
While it may never be confirmed exactly what cigars Tony Soprano smoked on-screen, these picks are the closest thing we have to a made list. Whether it was a Cuban classic, a bold Nicaraguan blend, or a Sopranos-themed smoke, Tony had good taste in cigars. For fans of the show, lighting one of these is more than just a smoke, it’s a tribute.
