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Before Joe Burrow made cigars a postgame tradition, there was Michael Jordan. Long before social media turned every celebration into a viral moment, Jordan was already the template for what an athlete with a cigar looked like.
Jordan has been a devoted cigar smoker since 1993 and enjoys a premium cigar while golfing, fishing, and even sitting in a locker room to embrace the feeling of success after a game.
Here’s the full story of how it started, what he actually smokes, and what’s realistic for you to buy if you want to follow the same path. Your Elegant Bar
How It Started: The Drive to the Game
I’m sitting in a car for almost an hour and a half, and I’m very tense. I’m worried about the traffic. So I started smoking a cigar going to the games. In 1993. It became a ritual for every home game.
At the time, I started out with the Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona.
That’s the origin story in Jordan’s own words. Not a celebration. Not a victory lap. A way to manage pregame nerves during a long commute to the United Center. The Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona is a large-format Cuban cigar known for a full-bodied, complex profile – not a casual choice for someone just starting out, but Jordan wasn’t exactly a casual person about anything.
During his NBA career, Michael Jordan would smoke a cigar frequently, especially after every home game. This ritual became a part of his routine, allowing him to unwind and celebrate his accomplishments on the court.
The pregame cigar became part of the larger ritual. Drive to the game, smoke, play, win, smoke again. Jordan won six championships during this era. The cigar was there for all of them. Smoking Hub + 2
The Jerry Reinsdorf Connection
Jerry Reinsdorf, the owner of the Chicago Bulls, has had a notable influence on Michael Jordan’s cigar choices. He gifted Jordan cigars, including premium brands, which helped shape Jordan’s appreciation for high-quality smoking experiences.
Reinsdorf was already a serious cigar collector before Jordan’s career took off, and the relationship between owner and star player extended into shared appreciation for premium tobacco. This connection matters because it explains how Jordan’s palate developed so quickly toward Cuban classics rather than staying with whatever was convenient. Refined Traditions
What Cigars Does Michael Jordan Smoke?
This is where the story gets interesting, because Jordan’s collection isn’t a single signature cigar the way Joe Burrow has the La Flor Dominicana Mysterio. It’s a rotation of some of the most respected names in Cuban cigar history.
Cohiba Siglo VI
Jordan’s preference leans towards cigars that offer a full-bodied experience, filled with depth and character. This preference is mirrored in his choice of the Cohiba Siglo VI. The Siglo VI is celebrated for its smooth yet bold flavor profile, providing a smoking experience that is both luxurious and commanding.
Cohiba Siglo VI is often called “The Canon.” This cigar undergoes an additional third fermentation in oak barrels, creating a legendary smoothness.
The Cohiba Siglo VI is one of the most recognizable names in Cuban cigars and represents the brand’s flagship large-format offering. The extra fermentation step is genuinely unusual and produces a depth of flavor that’s difficult to replicate. WHIO TV 7 and WHIO RadioFOX Sports
Cohiba Behike
Cuban Cohiba Behike: Known for its exquisite taste and craftsmanship, the Cohiba Behike is a top choice for Jordan, reflecting his appreciation for luxury and quality.
The Behike line sits above even the Siglo series in Cohiba’s lineup and is widely considered among the most prestigious cigars in the world. This is the kind of cigar that gets discussed in the same breath as fine wine vintages. Yahoo Sports
Partagas Lusitania
Michael Jordan is known for his love of premium cigars, with favorites including Partagas Lusitania and Cohiba Siglo II.
With a ring gauge of 49 and length of 7 5/8, the Partagas Lusitania is one of the lengthiest Cuban cigars on offer. Known for its full body flavor of earth and pepper, it’s best enjoyed slowly to let the whole experience unfold across your palate.
Partagas Lusitania (Cuban): The gold standard. A full-bodied powerhouse.
Having established his brand in 1848, the Partagas Lusitania has been around long enough to be considered one of Cuba’s most classic cigars. Refined Traditions + 3
Montecristo No. 2
Montecristo No. 2 (Cuban): The world’s most famous torpedo. Its tapered head allows for a concentrated draw, intensifying the creamy cocoa and spicy cedar notes.
You’ve got me smoking these Montecristo No. 2s, and these are so strong. If I hadn’t had anything to eat, I wouldn’t touch this.
Jordan’s own comment about the Montecristo No. 2 is one of the most telling quotes in this entire story. Even MJ, with a palate built on years of Cuban classics, acknowledges that a Montecristo No. 2 on an empty stomach is a serious commitment. That’s a useful data point for anyone tempted to start with this cigar. FOX SportsSmoking Hub
Arturo Fuente Opus X 20 Years Celebration
Fuente Fuente Opus X 20 Years Celebration: A true collector’s item, this cigar is crafted to perfection and brimming with complexity.
This is the one non-Cuban entry in Jordan’s documented collection, and it’s significant. The Opus X is widely regarded as one of the best cigars ever produced outside of Cuba, grown using Dominican-grown wrapper tobacco that was previously thought impossible to cultivate successfully. Its presence in Jordan’s rotation alongside Cuban legends says something about where the Opus X sits in the broader cigar world. Yahoo Sports
The Numbers Behind the Habit
Smoking six high-end cigars a day requires an immense inventory. To prevent his collection from drying out or losing its essential oils, Jordan utilizes custom, medical-grade ventilation and massive climate-controlled storage solutions.
Jordan’s storage philosophy is simple: consistency is king. Fluctuations in humidity can cause the tobacco to expand and contract, leading to wrapper cracks. By keeping his humidor at a steady 65-68% humidity, he ensures that every Partagas or Cohiba performs exactly as the torcedor intended.
The 65 to 68 percent humidity range Jordan maintains is the same standard recommended across the industry for proper cigar storage, regardless of whether your collection is six cigars a day or six cigars a month. If you’re working on your own storage setup, our guide on best humidors under $100 covers how to achieve the same consistency without the medical-grade ventilation system. FOX SportsFOX Sports
What This Means for You
Here’s the honest reality. Most of what Jordan smokes is Cuban, which means it’s not legally available for purchase in the United States. The Cohiba Siglo VI, Cohiba Behike, Partagas Lusitania, and Montecristo No. 2 are all Cuban-made cigars subject to the US embargo.
That doesn’t mean the experience is out of reach. It means the path looks different.
If You Want the Jordan Experience Legally
The Arturo Fuente Opus X 20 Years Celebration is the one cigar on Jordan’s list that’s fully legal and available in the US. Brands like Macanudo and Arturo Fuente offer varieties that are perfect for easing into the world of cigars, providing a gentle introduction without overwhelming the palate. The standard Opus X line is more accessible than the 20 Years Celebration specifically, but both represent the same Dominican wrapper innovation that earned Jordan’s attention.
For non-Cuban alternatives that capture similar full-bodied, complex profiles to Jordan’s Cuban favorites, look at Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series or My Father Le Bijou 1922. Both deliver the depth and intensity that define Jordan’s palate without requiring travel outside the US to obtain legally. WHIO TV 7 and WHIO Radio
If You’re New to This
You’ve got me smoking these Montecristo No. 2s, and these are so strong. If I hadn’t had anything to eat, I wouldn’t touch this.
Take Jordan’s own words seriously. Nothing on this list is a beginner cigar. The Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona that started his ritual, the Partagas Lusitania, the Montecristo No. 2 – these are all full-bodied, large-format cigars that assume real experience.
If you’re just getting started, our best cigars for beginners list is the right place to build a foundation. Work through mild and medium options first. The full-bodied Cuban classics and their non-Cuban equivalents will mean a lot more once your palate is ready for them. Smoking Hub
The Bigger Picture
After he retired from the NBA in 2003, Jordan has had plenty of time to explore other passions, including his love for a quality Cuban cigar.
What Jordan did for cigar culture is similar in scale to what Burrow has done more recently, just over a much longer timeframe. The image of Jordan with a cigar after a championship became as iconic as the championship itself. Six rings, six cigars, a ritual that started as a way to manage nerves on a drive to the United Center and became part of how an entire generation pictured success.
Michael Jordan didn’t just make cigars look cool. He made them a standard for excellence. He proved that a cigar isn’t a distraction, it’s a tool for meditation and a reward for success. Your Elegant BarFOX Sports
Our Verdict
Jordan’s cigar collection is aspirational rather than immediately replicable for most smokers, and that’s fine. Most of what he smokes is Cuban, expensive, and represents decades of palate development.
What’s actually useful here is the philosophy, not the specific cigars. Take your time with it. Treat it as a reward, not a habit to rush through. Keep your storage consistent. And build toward the full-bodied classics rather than starting there.
The Arturo Fuente Opus X is your most direct legal connection to Jordan’s collection. Everything else on this list is a destination, not a starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cigar does Michael Jordan smoke?
Michael Jordan’s documented cigar preferences include the Cohiba Siglo VI, Cohiba Behike, Partagas Lusitania, Montecristo No. 2, and the Arturo Fuente Opus X 20 Years Celebration. His cigar habit started in 1993 with the Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona, which he smoked on drives to Chicago Bulls home games.
When did Michael Jordan start smoking cigars?
Jordan started his cigar ritual in 1993, smoking a Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona during the drive to Chicago Bulls home games to manage pregame nerves. The ritual continued throughout his career, including postgame cigars to celebrate wins, and became closely associated with his championship years.
Are Michael Jordan’s favorite cigars legal to buy in the US?
Most of them are not. The Cohiba Siglo VI, Cohiba Behike, Partagas Lusitania, and Montecristo No. 2 are all Cuban-made cigars and are subject to the US trade embargo on Cuban products. The Arturo Fuente Opus X 20 Years Celebration is the one cigar on Jordan’s list that is fully legal and available for purchase in the United States.
What is a good alternative to Michael Jordan’s Cuban cigars?
For smokers in the US who want a similar full-bodied, complex experience to Jordan’s Cuban favorites, Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series and My Father Le Bijou 1922 are excellent non-Cuban alternatives. Both are widely available, highly regarded, and deliver comparable depth and intensity.
Is the Cohiba Siglo VI a good cigar for beginners?
No. The Cohiba Siglo VI is a full-bodied, large-format cigar with a complex flavor profile built for experienced smokers. Jordan himself has described some of his regular cigars, including the Montecristo No. 2, as too strong to smoke without eating first. Beginners should start with mild to medium cigars and work up to this level over time.
How many cigars does Michael Jordan smoke per day?
Reports indicate Jordan smokes up to six high-end cigars a day, which requires significant climate-controlled storage to maintain freshness across such a large rotation. He maintains his humidor at 65 to 68 percent humidity, which is the same standard recommended for any properly maintained cigar collection regardless of size.
What is the Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona?
The Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona is a large-format Cuban cigar known for a full-bodied, complex flavor profile. It was the first cigar in Michael Jordan’s pregame ritual starting in 1993 and represents one of the most respected names in traditional Cuban cigar production.
How should I store cigars like Michael Jordan does?
Jordan maintains his collection at a steady 65 to 68 percent relative humidity, which prevents the tobacco from expanding and contracting and causing wrapper cracks. This is the standard humidity range recommended for any cigar collection. For home setups, our guide on best humidors under $100 covers how to achieve consistent storage conditions without an industrial setup.
New to cigars and want to build toward the full-bodied classics that defined Jordan’s collection? Our best cigars for beginners guide is the right place to start.
