My current "Worst Top 10" Cuban Cigars

[El Presidente]

I often get asked what are my favourite "Top 10" cigars right now (current production and I will cover that in a different thread) but rarely do I get asked the "Worst Top 10" cigars/Shame File.

It is fortunate to be in a position to smoke current stock month to month from different boxes and codes. it does give you an insight that few can really have. From the list below you will get some exceptional boxes but in general they have been disappointing. These are cigars that are generally readilly available.

10. Partagas Presidente

They just can't get construction right. There can be no other reason except for the fact that for the price point they just don't care. It is a Figurado. They need to apply better rollers to the construction. When you get a Hayleys comet box which is of mainly perfect construction they are decent cigars but I have never had an exceptional one.

9. Romeo y Julieta Churchill

What in Gods name are they doing to this cigar. A lot of love has gone out of R&J since the factory was progressively shut down in 04/05. I find this one of the toughest cigars to get anything near HQ and PSP quality. We are talking around 5% at this level, well below the main.

8. Trinidad Fundadores

There has been a slight recovery and the right box is truly magnificent. However do I really need to go through 10 boxes to pull a great one? Underfilling still a concern although predominantly 07/08 boxes. This should be a great cigar every bloody time.

7. Trinidad Robusto Extra

The shift to Pinar Del Rio from El Laguito in 05 was no help to the Robusto Extra or the Fundadores. What confuses the hell out of me is how the Robusto "T" can be such a great cigar and yet the Robusto Extra remains to be so consistently wed to a paper flavour profile. There are exceptions but the blender here on most days is clueless.

6. Partagas Salomones

What a travesty. The box failure rate on these is a joke. Underilled/overfilled. When you get a great one it is a sublime cigar but one shouldn't have to work this hard to do so.

5. Cohiba Siglo VI

Probably the biggest victim of overproduction in Cuba today. I can generally find great boxes due to the amount of stock to choose from but the deterioration in wrappers over the past two years for this cigar is a cause for concern. When they get the right seco in the blend it is magic (honey nuances/cream/citrus edge) but the cigar is currently being produced from so many different factories that consistency in blend is a crapshoot.

4. Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill

They nailed this cigar at release. It has gone downhill ever since. Initially they had those beautiful thin and tensile rwd brown wrappers and an at cold aroma of sweet cherry tobacco. You still ocassionally see them but rare. Box after box is inspid.

3. Vegas Robaina Famosos

I am a lover of the Famoso. 06/07 and periods of 08 I had rich chocolate sticks. This last 10 months has seen a collapse in overall quality that I didn't think was possible to achieve. Someone at HSA pull a stick to the factories producing them.

2. Sancho Panza (Any).

If you don't want to produce them DON'T! Some of the rubbish coming out in the Belicoso, Non Plus etc is plain embarrassing.

1. Montecristo Open

I force myself to smoke the range once a quarter just to see if they are improving. Yes, I have had solid 88 point cigars. I have never had anything higher and the majority are between 82-84 points. The wrappers are generally fine and far more consistent than any other cigar. However, the blend is simply insipid with a complete lack of complexity/evolution or depth. It is the most "un-Cuban" of any cigar being produced in Cuba today.

[Ken Gargett]

I often get asked what are my favourite "Top 10" cigars right now (current production and I will cover that in a different thread) but rarely do I get asked the "Worst Top 10" cigars/Shame File.

It is fortunate to be in a position to smoke current stock month to month from different boxes and codes. it does give you an insight that few can really have. From the list below you will get some exceptional boxes but in general they have been disappointing. These are cigars that are generally readilly available.

10. Partagas Presidente

They just can't get construction right. There can be no other reason except for the fact that for the price point they just don't care. It is a Figurado. They need to apply better rollers to the construction. When you get a Hayleys comet box which is of mainly perfect construction they are decent cigars but I have never had an exceptional one.

9. Romeo y Julieta Churchill

What in Gods name are they doing to this cigar. A lot of love has gone out of R&J since the factory was progressively shut down in 04/05. I find this one of the toughest cigars to get anything near HQ and PSP quality. We are talking around 5% at this level, well below the main.

8. Trinidad Fundadores

There has been a slight recovery and the right box is truly magnificent. However do I really need to go through 10 boxes to pull a great one? Underfilling still a concern although predominantly 07/08 boxes. This should be a great cigar every bloody time.

7. Trinidad Robusto Extra

The shift to Pinar Del Rio from El Laguito in 05 was no help to the Robusto Extra or the Fundadores. What confuses the hell out of me is how the Robusto "T" can be such a great cigar and yet the Robusto Extra remains to be so consistently wed to a paper flavour profile. There are exceptions but the blender here on most days is clueless.

6. Partagas Salomones

What a travesty. The box failure rate on these is a joke. Underilled/overfilled. When you get a great one it is a sublime cigar but one shouldn't have to work this hard to do so.

5. Cohiba Siglo VI

Probably the biggest victim of overproduction in Cuba today. I can generally find great boxes due to the amount of stock to choose from but the deterioration in wrappers over the past two years for this cigar is a cause for concern. When they get the right seco in the blend it is magic (honey nuances/cream/citrus edge) but the cigar is currently being produced from so many different factories that consistency in blend is a crapshoot.

4. Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill

They nailed this cigar at release. It has gone downhill ever since. Initially they had those beautiful thin and tensile rwd brown wrappers and an at cold aroma of sweet cherry tobacco. You still ocassionally see them but rare. Box after box is inspid.

3. Vegas Robaina Famosos

I am a lover of the Famoso. 06/07 and periods of 08 I had rich chocolate sticks. This last 10 months has seen a collapse in overall quality that I didn't think was possible to achieve. Someone at HSA pull a stick to the factories producing them.

2. Sancho Panza (Any).

If you don't want to produce them DON'T! Some of the rubbish coming out in the Belicoso, Non Plus etc is plain embarrassing.

1. Montecristo Open

I force myself to smoke the range once a quarter just to see if they are improving. Yes, I have had solid 88 point cigars. I have never had anything higher and the majority are between 82-84 points. The wrappers are generally fine and far more consistent than any other cigar. However, the blend is simply insipid with a complete lack of complexity/evolution or depth. It is the most "un-Cuban" of any cigar being produced in Cuba today.

you have deliberately not included any cuaba's just to annoy me.

and god help you if you think those are bad and you ever come across one of those toxic dog turds found masquerading as monte C's.

[Matt Day]

i would agre with the r and j atm the minis from a few boxes i had tasted like trupentine and are genrally unspiring and the last regular r and j i had tasted bland and unispeiring wich was the no2 had better cheap ncs in all honesty

[Habanakane21]

Good insight Boss. I agree with the RyJ Short Churchill. I even wrote that on a thread earlier today. They were great when the first came out. Now...blah! I have a box of '08 RyJ Churchills and they weren't good last year, but smoked one a couple weeks back and they actually are coming around. Good to hear your input on the Trinidad Robusto Extra...I was thinking I was missing something by the way everyone was raving about them.

[mkz]

3. Vegas Robaina Famosos

I am a lover of the Famoso. 06/07 and periods of 08 I had rich chocolate sticks. This last 10 months has seen a collapse in overall quality that I didn't think was possible to achieve. Someone at HSA pull a stick to the factories producing them.

Sad to hear this, as I am a big fan of these.

Had an 08 this evening and it was all about the chocolate. Yummy! Have had 12 from this particular box and the construction has been almost flawless and the taste perfect on every one. I hate to hear that this is changing to the worse...

[El Presidente]

you have deliberately not included any cuaba's just to annoy me.

and god help you if you think those are bad and you ever come across one of those toxic dog turds found masquerading as monte C's.

Monte C's not in current production or readily available.

Cuaba Tradicionales/Generosos would have filled 11 & 12. Just dipped out due to the fact more expected from the others. Excluding Distinguidos and Divinos the others would be in the top 20.

[Ken Gargett]

Monte C's not in current production or readily available.

Cuaba Tradicionales/Generosos would have filled 11 & 12. Just dipped out due to the fact more expected from the others. Excluding Distinguidos and Divinos the others would be in the top 20.

fair point.

absolutely nothng expected of cuaba.

[adic88]

Perhaps add the PSD4s in the stable of "inconsistent" greats. Seems like it takes quite a bit of luck to find a good stick nowadays.

[Dbone]

I'm with mkz, very disappointed to hear the quality drop on the VR Famosos. I thoroughly enjoy my JUN 08 box.

LPM JUN 08 Famosos Review

[pocket9s]

I often get asked what are my favourite "Top 10" cigars right now (current production and I will cover that in a different thread) but rarely do I get asked the "Worst Top 10" cigars/Shame File.

It is fortunate to be in a position to smoke current stock month to month from different boxes and codes. it does give you an insight that few can really have. From the list below you will get some exceptional boxes but in general they have been disappointing. These are cigars that are generally readilly available.

10. Partagas Presidente

They just can't get construction right. There can be no other reason except for the fact that for the price point they just don't care. It is a Figurado. They need to apply better rollers to the construction. When you get a Hayleys comet box which is of mainly perfect construction they are decent cigars but I have never had an exceptional one.

9. Romeo y Julieta Churchill

What in Gods name are they doing to this cigar. A lot of love has gone out of R&J since the factory was progressively shut down in 04/05. I find this one of the toughest cigars to get anything near HQ and PSP quality. We are talking around 5% at this level, well below the main.

8. Trinidad Fundadores

There has been a slight recovery and the right box is truly magnificent. However do I really need to go through 10 boxes to pull a great one? Underfilling still a concern although predominantly 07/08 boxes. This should be a great cigar every bloody time.

7. Trinidad Robusto Extra

The shift to Pinar Del Rio from El Laguito in 05 was no help to the Robusto Extra or the Fundadores. What confuses the hell out of me is how the Robusto "T" can be such a great cigar and yet the Robusto Extra remains to be so consistently wed to a paper flavour profile. There are exceptions but the blender here on most days is clueless.

6. Partagas Salomones

What a travesty. The box failure rate on these is a joke. Underilled/overfilled. When you get a great one it is a sublime cigar but one shouldn't have to work this hard to do so.

5. Cohiba Siglo VI

Probably the biggest victim of overproduction in Cuba today. I can generally find great boxes due to the amount of stock to choose from but the deterioration in wrappers over the past two years for this cigar is a cause for concern. When they get the right seco in the blend it is magic (honey nuances/cream/citrus edge) but the cigar is currently being produced from so many different factories that consistency in blend is a crapshoot.

4. Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill

They nailed this cigar at release. It has gone downhill ever since. Initially they had those beautiful thin and tensile rwd brown wrappers and an at cold aroma of sweet cherry tobacco. You still ocassionally see them but rare. Box after box is inspid.

3. Vegas Robaina Famosos

I am a lover of the Famoso. 06/07 and periods of 08 I had rich chocolate sticks. This last 10 months has seen a collapse in overall quality that I didn't think was possible to achieve. Someone at HSA pull a stick to the factories producing them.

2. Sancho Panza (Any).

If you don't want to produce them DON'T! Some of the rubbish coming out in the Belicoso, Non Plus etc is plain embarrassing.

1. Montecristo Open

I force myself to smoke the range once a quarter just to see if they are improving. Yes, I have had solid 88 point cigars. I have never had anything higher and the majority are between 82-84 points. The wrappers are generally fine and far more consistent than any other cigar. However, the blend is simply insipid with a complete lack of complexity/evolution or depth. It is the most "un-Cuban" of any cigar being produced in Cuba today.

Good Lord.... So many of these from your list fill my humidor. While some I agree with you, others are gems to me. Here's my take:

10. Presidentes- My box of 09's have been phenomenal. Construction is an A+. Granted I haven't visited these since last summer, but they were just like a bigger version of Shorts. I consider these a steal for what I paid for them.

9. RyJ Churchill- Never had but I hear the same thoughts as you from many others.

8. Funadores - I agree with you that the few I've tried were nothing special. In fact any Trinidad I've tried has left me wondering why these are so popular.

7. See above ^

6. Salomones - The ones that I've tred out of my box were flawlessly made. I guess I got lucky. The only quarrel I have with this massive cigar is that it could be a bit more Partagas-esque. Very mild.

5. Siglo VI - I was stunned to see this in your list to be honest. My box of 08's are the crown jewels of my humidor. Just looking at these is cigar porn at its finest.

4. Short Churchill - I've heard so many bad things about this cigar. I got a box (10ct) of these shortly after they came out (07). I was really impressed with them. But I held back on getting a 25ct. Now I wish I had as the quality on these appears to have tanked.

3. Famosos - I'm pretty limited with this cigar. But the one I had was very good. I like the VR marca as a whole.

2.Sancho Panza- I have mixed fellings on this. The box of Bachilleres I have are duds. But the Non Plus is what really turned me onto this marca. I admit I haven't had any recent production. So your comments have me scared Rob.

1. Open - Luckily I never bought into the hype of this line. I trusted online reviews first and they were bad from day 1. This is the flop of HSA if you ask me.

[petey]

This list should be provided on an ongoing basis! Very helpful, thanks!

[El Presidente]

I didn't mean to slam all on the list!!!!

The list is just reflective of what I see, smoke and experience. I get to open some 10,000 - 12000 cigars a month.

Bar one or two I can pick great boxes from the list posted. What I tried to put across is the "general" situation I see.

[BobLobLaw]

Very interesting list, thanks for your thoughts.

I have been chomping at the bit lately for some cigar weather. After moving a bit out of the city I really have no place to smoke during winter. Luckily the place I moved has a large terrace so summer is going to be fantastic!

[CanuckSARTech]

I didn't mean to slam all on the list!!!!

The list is just reflective of what I see, smoke and experience. I get to open some 10,000 - 12000 cigars a month.

Bar one or two I can pick great boxes from the list posted. What I tried to put across is the "general" situation I see.

All understood, Pres. Thanks for sharing - these "top lists" from you are always a treat to see. A retailers insight is always an advantage when looking into the Habanos crap shoot.

Make sure you keep an eye out for any pre-2005 / El Laguito Trinidad Fundadores for me. Lisa's got the head's up that I'm looking for this - trying to find some more of the original banded, El Laguito exclusive stuff, before they branched those Fundadores out. I'm pretty sure that finding any 1998 original releases is likely out of the question at this point, without spending MAD cash on them. But any 2004 and earlier stuff would be a treat to find also. The 2009 ones that I have are just great, and by everything at cold, the 2010 stuff that I saw was nice as well.

[MIKA27]

Great post Prez.

It's always welcome to read anothers opinions on whats good and whats not regardless if it is only one persons opinion. In this case, I'd say your view is most valuable to read and take in the information and would be indicative of others comming choices. Namely mine.

I normally love Siglo VI's but must admit I have not had a GREAT Siglo VI in some time now. They have been 'Good' but not as great as the once used to be where they were almost always consisant in flavour profile etc.

Thanks again mate.

PREZ: Would it be worth you posting such news every quarter/half yearly of both whats 'Good' and whats 'Bad' (Top 10 of each)?

[CanuckSARTech]

...PREZ: Would it be worth you posting such news every quarter/half yearly of both whats 'Good' and whats 'Bad' (Top 10 of each)?

Good call, Mika. Pres, I know it's not like you already have enough on your plate, what with babysitting Piggy, Ken, sometimes me ( ), and now it seems, even yourself . But I completely agree with Mika's request, and would like to +1 that.

A quarterly review of the good, the bad, and the Ken.

[ZAZ]

Thanks for sharing this list Rob. Definitely helpful.

[ZAZ]

A quarterly review of the good, the bad, and the Ken.

+1

[pocket9s]

After some thought I feel the Bolivar Gold Medal should be added to the list at some point. They seem to have hit the downside of the slope.

[MIKA27]

Good list, will probably save me some dough.

I guess I got luck a few years ago with a box of RyJ Churchills a friend brought me back from Cuba. The sticks were very dark and velvety and were soaking with oils. They tasted amazing right off the plane and didn't last very long in my humidor. They were the best box of cigars I ever purchased.

One of the best things I loved about the R&J Churchills as well as the Short Churchills were their silky/velvety wrappers. Haven't seen those in some time.

[Savoy]

Great info.....glad i'm not crazy the sig 6's have really been sub par.

[Savoy]

Now list the 10 best in current production so we can start spending...

[cigaraholic]

Rob, thanks for the list!

As I joked last time can't wait to see the prices fall on these sticks.

I do have some Siglo VI, RyJ Churchill, Partagas Salomones, Trinidad Robusto Extra and Partagas Presidentes but have only tried the Partagas. Been thru half an 08 box and I can't complain about construction but nothing fantastic.

You made me feel good, Sancho Panza only brand I don't have anything of right now.

[ChanceSchmerr]

And this is why I defer to your eyes and nose when I buy my cigars!

I Have an HQ box of Presidentes and PSP SP Belis in my locker, mainly because I don't trust the cigars in the mainstream to buy blind - it's so hard to find good ones!

That said - I'm the only one I know who likes the Party Presidentes. Proof Positive I'm off my rocker.

It's also likely why RyJ is my least favorite of all Marcas - Have smoked cigars from the marca that range from 1998 to present, now even the Prince of Wales turns me off - I hate 'em all! Short Churchill, Churchill, the LEs, Cedros, Coronas, just all taste like Maybe it's just that they really are all lousy now!

[ksblazer]

I was kind of suprised to see the VR Famoso on your list. While I haven't smoked any of recent ones. I haven't heard much talk about them either? Now I know why. Hopefully the will make a comeback. I like a good VR and Famosos where one of my first box purchases. So I kind of have a soft spot in my heart for them.