In 2013, Cigar Aficionado named the My Father Le Bijou 1922 Petit Robusto the #1 cigar of the year. It wasn't a fluke. In the decade since, the Le Bijou 1922 has continued to land on year-end lists, earn high-90s ratings, and develop a devoted following among smokers who think they know what a great Nicaraguan cigar tastes like. The Le Bijou 1922 is the rare cigar that earns its mythology.
This guide breaks down what makes it so highly rated — the family story, the blend, the tasting profile, and how to choose between the available vitolas.
The short version
The Le Bijou 1922 is a full-bodied Nicaraguan blend built around a Habano Oscuro wrapper from the Garcia family's own farms in Esteli. It earned its #1 Cigar of the Year ranking in 2013 and has remained one of the most-decorated cigars of the modern era. If you're new to it, start with the Petit Robusto — the vitola that put it on the map.
Who makes Le Bijou 1922?
Le Bijou 1922 is the flagship release from My Father Cigars, the family operation built by José "Pepin" Garcia and his sons Jaime and Janny Garcia. The name itself — "Le Bijou" means "the jewel" in French — honors Pepin's father, who was nicknamed Le Bijou. The year 1922 commemorates the year of his father's birth.
This isn't an outsourced or licensed cigar. Every step of production happens within the Garcia family operation. The tobacco grows on family-owned farms in Esteli, Nicaragua. It's fermented and aged at family-owned facilities. It's rolled at My Father Cigars S.A. in Esteli, the family's own factory. The Garcias control every leaf from seed to final roll — a level of vertical integration that's rare in modern cigar production and impossible to replicate by any operation that doesn't grow its own tobacco.
The blend
- Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro — a darker, oilier expression of the Habano leaf, grown on Garcia family farms
- Binder: Nicaraguan
- Filler: Nicaraguan — a blend of leaves from multiple Garcia farms, including ligero (the strongest, top leaves) for fuller body and complexity
- Body: Full
- Strength: Full
- Aging: Multi-year, family-managed
The blend is the family's most ambitious. Where Flor de Las Antillas leans medium-bodied and elegant, Le Bijou hits with full power — dark, rich, complex, with the kind of layered development that makes a 90-minute smoke feel like it ends too soon.
Tasting profile
Le Bijou opens with notes of dark chocolate, espresso, and toasted earth. Through the first third, the flavor develops into something denser: leather, baking spice, sweet cedar, and a touch of black pepper that lifts the finish without overwhelming it.
The middle third is where the cigar earns its reputation. The blend layers richly — you'll catch notes of cocoa, cinnamon, dried fruit, roasted coffee, and a creamy sweetness that anchors everything. The smoke is dense and full-bodied without ever feeling heavy.
The final third deepens. Dark chocolate, ash, caramelized sweetness, and a long, lingering finish that's clean despite the cigar's intensity. The Le Bijou doesn't fade or get harsh in the final third the way many full-bodied cigars do — it actually peaks late, rewarding the patient smoker.
The vitolas
Le Bijou 1922 is offered in several vitolas, each with a slightly different expression of the same core blend.
- Petit Robusto (4½ × 50) — The most awarded vitola. Named Cigar Aficionado's #1 cigar of 2013. Compact, intense, perfect 45–60 minute smoke.
- Torpedo (6× 52) — The headlining vitola. The tapered head concentrates the smoke and refines the draw. Longer smoke, fuller experience, more time for the blend to develop.
- Toro (6 × 54) — The fuller-format option. A 75–90 minute smoke that gives the blend its most patient delivery.
- Robusto (5 ½ × 50) — The classic. The right balance of body and burn time for most smokers.
- Box-Pressed Petit (4½ × 50) — The box-pressed take on the Petit Robusto. Tighter draw, slightly different burn dynamics.
How to smoke it
Le Bijou rewards patience. The blend develops through three clear thirds, and rushing the burn (over-puffing, drawing too frequently) collapses the structure of the smoke. Aim for 1–2 draws per minute. Give yourself the full 60–90 minutes for the smoke to unfold.
The Le Bijou pairs beautifully with aged spirits — bourbon, rye, smoky scotch, dark rum. It also stands up well to dark coffee (espresso, French press), and some smokers like it with a dessert wine for a contemplative after-dinner smoke. It's powerful enough to hold its own against bold drinks; aim for something with character.
Storage: keep at 65–70% RH. Le Bijou benefits from additional rest — a year or two of additional aging deepens the blend even further, and the cigar holds up beautifully in a humidor.
Why was it Cigar Aficionado's #1 cigar of 2013?
Three reasons. First, blend. The Petit Robusto delivered the kind of layered, evolving complexity that's usually reserved for much more expensive cigars. The Garcia family's tobacco quality is the difference — they grow their own leaves on their own farms, which means they can experiment with primings, fermentation times, and aging in ways most brands can't.
Second, construction. The Le Bijou Petit Robusto draws perfectly, burns evenly, and holds its ash with the kind of consistency that comes from skilled torcedores rolling tobacco they've worked with for years.
Third, value. At its 2013 price point, the Le Bijou Petit Robusto delivered an experience that competed with cigars costing twice as much — and it was widely available. That combination is rare. It's still rare.
Frequently asked questions
How does Le Bijou compare to Padron 1926?
Both are full-bodied Nicaraguan cigars at the top of their respective brands. The Padron 1926 leans cleaner and more refined; the Le Bijou is denser, darker, more powerful. Many smokers keep both in the humidor for different moods.
What about Le Bijou Box-Pressed vs. the round version?
The blend is identical. The box-pressed shape concentrates the flavors slightly and changes the draw dynamics. Some smokers prefer the box-pressed for its tighter, more focused burn; others prefer the classic round for the more open draw. Try one of each if you can.
Should I age it?
Yes, but it's not required. Le Bijou is enjoyable straight out of the box, and benefits from 1–2 years of additional rest in a humidor at 65–70% RH. Beyond 3–4 years, the changes become subtle. Most aficionados keep a rotating stock and rest cigars for at least a few months before smoking.
What other My Father cigars should I try?
If you love Le Bijou, work your way through the My Father lineup. Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial is the medium-full step down from Le Bijou — still rich, still complex, but more approachable for a daily smoke. Flor de Las Antillas is the medium-bodied option that earned Cigar Aficionado's #1 in 2012. The Judge is the bold, aggressive newcomer. Each shows a different side of the Garcia family's blending.
Where to buy Le Bijou 1922
Tinder Box carries the full My Father lineup including the Le Bijou 1922 in multiple vitolas. We rotate aged singles for collectors interested in tasting older releases and hold limited allocations as they become available.
