Best harvest/cigars years since 2000?

[Olga]

Hello FOH

In your experience, what years delivered the best harvest/cigars since year 2000?

Thanks for your feedback everyone!

Cheers

[NSXCIGAR]

I personally believe that as a whole, 2013-2015 have been the best since 1999. That's not to say there weren't cigars that were smoking great or even better at various points--07-09 was a great period as well. But as for the overall quality of all Cuban marcas, this last few years have been very, very good IMO.

[topdiesel]

I agree with NSXCIGAR. For the years other than 2013-15 I have really liked 2004, 2008/9. I am guessing that you will get every year there is.

[PuffDaddie]

Stick with 2015-2015 you can't miss.

[avaldes]

Interesting. I have had some great cigars from every year. But I do remember '07 and '09 having some exceptional smokes. I had some really great cigars in late 2002/early 2003 too, though a lot of people complain about '03. I remember '03 and '05 generating a lot of boxes with REALLY nice wrappers. At least for me they did.

PS- I remember getting several boxes of flat tasting cigars in '06 and '10.

[kuma]

Hello Olga,

I have not been smoking very long started around maybe 2008-09 .

All I remember was when on vacation in Nassu the Bahamas went to a old hotel

with a little old man sitting behind a desk and glass inclouser. He had filler,

binder and all the tabac you would need to roll a cigar. The person I

was with took a camera shot of myself standing next to that very impressive

man. I think the hotel was called Gray----- and the mans name I think was Laura

The cigar I remember he rolled for me was a torpedo smooth and medium

strength. If anyone knows the name of the hotel or the old mans name please

feel in sharing that info.

[dvickery]

Cigars with box dates '03 ( in my opinion the best year since '97/'98 )... Just now they are starting to " elevate " themselves into something special .

Of course others think differently ... That's the beauty of aging your own cigars .

Derrek

[vinnyvega]

For my edification, harvest is two years prior to vintage??

[luv2fly]

2015 YES! Have to say that the cigars I have from 2012 - 2013 are quite nice now.

[Duffer]

Hello Olga,

I have not been smoking very long started around maybe 2008-09 .

All I remember was when on vacation in Nassu the Bahamas went to a old hotel

with a little old man sitting behind a desk and glass inclouser. He had filler,

binder and all the tabac you would need to roll a cigar. The person I

was with took a camera shot of myself standing next to that very impressive

man. I think the hotel was called Gray----- and the mans name I think was Laura

The cigar I remember he rolled for me was a torpedo smooth and medium

strength. If anyone knows the name of the hotel or the old mans name please

feel in sharing that info.

My guess is you're possibly remembering the Graycliff? My wife and I go to Paradise Island every 5 years for our anniversary. So we've been there 6 times including our honeymoon.

The Graycliff is without question my favorite restaurant that I've ever been to. It is also a hotel. They have a torcedor rolling cigars as you walk inside the building. I am not sure of his name, but they have had a few there in the past 26 years. They have sold there own brand boxes over the years, though I'm not sure whether or not they distribute them to other dealers.

As for the original question in this thread. I recently began smoking cigars after a nine year hiatus, so I wouldn't have an educated answer. However, judging from the product our Pres has been receiving lately, I'd find it hard to believe the 2014-15 harvests weren't some of the best.

[El Presidente]

2006-2008

2013-2015

Every year has good cigars. Every year has some ordinary cigars. These periods were well above average on the curve.

[busdriver]

Where is 2016 falling in the spectrum so far. I knowthere is scarcity in some brands but what about quality in what is being produced?

[sjmistry]

Question for the experienced or in the know.

I was reading the following article:

https://www.jamessuckling.com/cubas-2014-2015-cigar-harvest-best-in-recent-years.html

Based on that info, when would this tobacco be used in the factories and when would those cigars be released?

[El Presidente]

Question for the experienced or in the know.

I was reading the following article:

https://www.jamessuckling.com/cubas-2014-2015-cigar-harvest-best-in-recent-years.html

Based on that info, when would this tobacco be used in the factories and when would those cigars be released?

Wrapper....12 months onwards

Volado......same

seco..........2 years onwards

Ligero 2 1/2 years onwards.

[Smallclub]

Where is 2016 falling in the spectrum so far. I knowthere is scarcity in some brands but what about quality in what is being produced?

AFAIK cigars with 2016 box codes are not available yet.

[El Presidente]

Where is 2016 falling in the spectrum so far. I knowthere is scarcity in some brands but what about quality in what is being produced?

Have only seen ENE and FEB 16 to date.

Much to like about it so far. Continuation of 15 in terms of quality.

[Corylax18]

Wrapper....12 months onwards

Volado......same

seco..........2 years onwards

Ligero 2 1/2 years onwards.

Does any one know what type of added time Cohiba's additional fermentation adds to the process, or is this a secret?

[NSXCIGAR]

Does any one know what type of added time Cohiba's additional fermentation adds to the process, or is this a secret?

MRN states that the seco and ligero is aged for an additional 18 months in cedar wooden barrels.

[Habana Mike]

Hello Olga,

I have not been smoking very long started around maybe 2008-09 .

All I remember was when on vacation in Nassu the Bahamas went to a old hotel

with a little old man sitting behind a desk and glass inclouser. He had filler,

binder and all the tabac you would need to roll a cigar. The person I

was with took a camera shot of myself standing next to that very impressive

man. I think the hotel was called Gray----- and the mans name I think was Laura

The cigar I remember he rolled for me was a torpedo smooth and medium

strength. If anyone knows the name of the hotel or the old mans name please

feel in sharing that info.

Avelino Lara and his legacy

Born in Havana on March 20, 1921, Lara worked in the cigar business all his life, he trained and mastered the art of a torcedore at a young age. Once Fidel Castro’s personal roller, Lara was famous for his creations at the El Laguito Factory outside of Havana, where he created blends for Cohiba and Davidoff, among others.

In 1996 Lara having retired from El Laguito, moved to Nassau to roll cigars at Graycliff Restaurant. His cigars were such a success, that Graycliff officially began the Graycliff Cigar Company to sell and market the cigars.

“With Avelino we had the idea of creating a cigar to sell in the restaurant to fuel my passion of finding the perfect cigar to complement our 5-star dining experience,” said Enrico Garzaroli, Chairman and founder of the Graycliff Cigar Company. “With him we created the award winning Graycliff Original blend, beating some of Avelino’s former Cuban cigar creations in blind tastings. He had a passion for his art that no one can replicate.”

Although Lara retired from the Graycliff Cigar Company a few years ago, and returned to his native Havana, he was still very much in touch with the Graycliff Cigar Company product line. He sampled the new cigar blends and suggested modifications.

“Avelino [who passed away in October 2009] will be sorely missed. Even though he was no longer present in the rolling room each day, the torcedores continue to refer to his passion, knowledge and his constant testing of their skills,” said Paolo Garzaroli, President and Co-Founder of the Graycliff Cigar Company. “I will personally miss his dedication to our company, his drive for perfection, and his many wisdoms which he shared with me.”

Lara’s passion is continued at the Graycliff Cigar Company through his son, Abel, and the other torcedores.

[jfire]

08,13,10,09,03

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mk05]

Hello FOH

In your experience, what years delivered the best harvest/cigars since year 2000?

Thanks for your feedback everyone!

Cheers

Hmmm, this is a question best suited for Suckling.

As for myself, I would say that every year offered something terrific, and something equally atrocious. The answer really depends on your preference of cigars. However, I think the best production year for all Habanos was 2013. I would equate 2013 in Habanos with 2009 for European wines. In no other year in history other than '61 has there been pan-European success. Generally, if Cohiba is on fire, it's a great year. I truly believe that Cohiba is the most precise blend - all the stars need to align to make Cohiba perfect, otherwise, it's just another cigar with a band on it.

[earthson]

07/08 by far. Some of the '13 I've had have been good, but not quite as good as the 07 RASS, Bolivar and Upmann. Haven't seen cigars of that quality before or since.

[RijkdeGooier]

For me 1998, 2003, 2007 have been excellent. ??

[kuma]

Thanks for the added info on the Graycliff and Mr. Lara.

[BonVivant]

Olga: this is from HSA Executives, via CA, so I think you will get more info out of this statement - Cuba, its distributors, vendors and weather service do not like this kind of information - this was published a while ago

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