Favorite Cuban Cigar Brand (Poll)

[s1911]

My top three would be :

1. Partagas
2. H. Upmann
3. Montecristo

[subport]

Its hard to pick only one as I like more. Went with the Bolivar. As of late the first 5 is very very close to eac other. Would be

Bolivar

Romeo Y Julieta

Partagas

Ramon Allones

LGC

[Bohn007]

I would go Cohiba, Upmann and then Ramon Allones. 

[rxavier1979]

My top 3 would have to be

1. Partagas
2. Bolivar
3. Cohiba

But even that's not always true and they sometimes disappoint. I've had an AMAZING Upmann No. 2 with a few years on it a while back so I know that they have an amazing flavor profile if you're patient enough. 

[s1911]

2 hours ago, Hutch said:

Picked HUpmann. Would have been a more difficult decision if Por Laranaga was on the list.

Fixed!

[PigFish]

... as recently stated in another thread, a Cuban 'brand' represents a 'brand name' only (MHO). I find this something like which car brand has the best tires! As tires are not dependent on car brands, the quality of a Cuban cigar is not dependent on branding, factory or year... All, again, just my opinion.

I did not vote, yet I have reasons to vote for RG, Diplomatico, Upmann, SLR, Partagas, Ramon Allones, Montecristo, Bolivar.... and the list goes on! Even Cohiba could be on the list...

I have to wonder as people make choices, if the do based on one cigar, three, or the whole line? I am wondering if (just academically speaking) if the person that says it is brand X, means that the brand X robusto (just as an example) is his/her favorite cigar? 

Cheers! -Piggy

[cigcars]

3 hours ago, Hutch said:

Picked HUpmann. Would have been a more difficult decision if Por Laranaga was on the list.

   ** Por Larranaga is on the list!

[clutch5150]

I usually hate polls, in this case with a CC it's even more meaningless as tastes change based on ones palate etc.  2 months ago, I smoked a 2008 Cohiba Piramides that I thought was the best smoke I've had. In October during my visit to Cuba had a local blend rolled for me that was Octobers best!  2013 Siglo VI was tremendous except for several too tight.  Then broke out a Partagas Grand Reserva on my Cubbies world series win that was the best I had in awhile.  Just last week I broke out a Punch Supremos Swiss Regional Production 2015 that had the best cream in awhile. Then a La Gloria Caribbean edition a few days ago that was the best of the week!   As I write this a 08 Monte #2 that is incredible with gobs of smoke with the Monte's distinct favor that has never changed and this box has NEVER let me down.  And to add several boxes of my Trinidad Robustos T's from 2008 that continue to impress with the rest like no other.

I think a more meaningful poll may be what CC my palate consistently has not liked. So far,

R&J Grand Reserva - Every damn one so far I had in my case is too damn firm too draw and not very flavored.

R&J Belicocos - Maybe needs more time, but several have been harsh thus far.

Behike 56 - Surprise to some I'm sure but the 52 and 54 are so much better with the 52 the grand daddy of them all IMHO.

...And speaking of cream, let me not forget my aged RA's SS's and my extensive boxes of Anejados from HDM, Partagas (amazing), and H. Upman Grand Reserva the best I had 6 months ago. Damn I hate polls and useless when talking CC's and our last election was a FINE example what polls mean! 

[GrouchoMarx]

1 Cohiba (just because of sig6, and bhk)
2 Monte (lots of vitolas that I love)
3 Ramon allones (RASS rules!)
4 H. Upmann
5 partagas
6 punch
7 Trinidad

4-7 is pretty much a tie

I'm GrouchoMarx and I approved this post.

[Danimalia]

Hmmm. Most of those lines have rocked my world with a cigar here or there. If I had to pick one, I'd go with Upmann. They're consistently great in my experience, and they offer cigars in just about every vitola you could want. Even the "cheaper" Upmanns like the Majestic are really good smokes. 

[clutch5150]

Damn, I better hit the Trinidad button now (spoke too soon), cause these young Vigia's Tubos from my recent Cuba trip are rocking my world...It's that damn wrapper I tell ya! Polls, polls, polls....

 

 

 

[s1911]

4 hours ago, PigFish said:

... as recently stated in another thread, a Cuban 'brand' represents a 'brand name' only (MHO). I find this something like which car brand has the best tires! As tires are not dependent on car brands, the quality of a Cuban cigar is not dependent on branding, factory or year... All, again, just my opinion.

I did not vote, yet I have reasons to vote for RG, Diplomatico, Upmann, SLR, Partagas, Ramon Allones, Montecristo, Bolivar.... and the list goes on! Even Cohiba could be on the list...

I have to wonder as people make choices, if the do based on one cigar, three, or the whole line? I am wondering if (just academically speaking) if the person that says it is brand X, means that the brand X robusto (just as an example) is his/her favorite cigar? 

Cheers! -Piggy

I'm going strictly based on the whole line and what is constantly good in the line over the course of many years. Certainly some brands tend to be better than others. I have unbelievable tasting Juan Lopez #2 boxes, but as a brand I couldn't say they're my favorite. What's odd is thus far Cohiba is ahead, for me Partagas has a better line, better consistency and better flavor profile across most formats, even their EL's are good... but that's just me. 

[Bohn007]

4 hours ago, PigFish said:

I have to wonder as people make choices, if the do based on one cigar, three, or the whole line? I am wondering if (just academically speaking) if the person that says it is brand X, means that the brand X robusto (just as an example) is his/her favorite cigar? 

Cheers! -Piggy

I looked at the question from the standpoint of if I was on a deserted island, like Australia, LOL, which box would I bring. Of course, if I was in Australia, I would then visit Rob and then go down pretty much the same list you described. 

[Bohn007]

9 minutes ago, s1911 said:

I'm going strictly based on the whole line and what is constantly good in the line over the course of many years. Certainly some brands tend to be better than others. I have unbelievable tasting Juan Lopez #2 boxes, but as a brand I couldn't say they're my favorite. What's odd is thus far Cohiba is ahead, for me Partagas has a better line, better consistency and better flavor profile across most formats, even their EL's are good... but that's just me. 

And that is where everyone's tastes are different vs one line being better. I am not a fan of Partagas. It would probably be one of the last that I would pick but obviously lot's of people love it. 

[Bohn007]

1 hour ago, clutch5150 said:

Damn, I better hit the Trinidad button now (spoke too soon), cause these young Vigia's Tubos from my recent Cuba trip are rocking my world...It's that damn wrapper I tell ya! Polls, polls, polls....

 

 

 

However if I had to choose my favorite brand or that ashtray, I would pick the ashtray. 

[Bohn007]

2 hours ago, clutch5150 said:

I usually hate polls, in this case with a CC it's even more meaningless as tastes change based on ones palate etc.  2 months ago, I smoked a 2008 Cohiba Piramides that I thought was the best smoke I've had. In October during my visit to Cuba had a local blend rolled for me that was Octobers best!  2013 Siglo VI was tremendous except for several too tight.  Then broke out a Partagas Grand Reserva on my Cubbies world series win that was the best I had in awhile.  Just last week I broke out a Punch Supremos Swiss Regional Production 2015 that had the best cream in awhile. Then a La Gloria Caribbean edition a few days ago that was the best of the week!   As I write this a 08 Monte #2 that is incredible with gobs of smoke with the Monte's distinct favor that has never changed and this box has NEVER let me down.  And to add several boxes of my Trinidad Robustos T's from 2008 that continue to impress with the rest like no other.

I think a more meaningful poll may be what CC my palate consistently has not liked. So far,

R&J Grand Reserva - Every damn one so far I had in my case is too damn firm too draw and not very flavored.

R&J Belicocos - Maybe needs more time, but several have been harsh thus far.

Behike 56 - Surprise to some I'm sure but the 52 and 54 are so much better with the 52 the grand daddy of them all IMHO.

...And speaking of cream, let me not forget my aged RA's SS's and my extensive boxes of Anejados from HDM, Partagas (amazing), and H. Upman Grand Reserva the best I had 6 months ago. Damn I hate polls and useless when talking CC's and our last election was a FINE example what polls mean! 

Is there such thing as cigar ADHD? You are all over the board my friend....

[clutch5150]

22 minutes ago, Bohn007 said:

Is there such thing as cigar ADHD? You are all over the board my friend....

Is there meds for this?   I think it's called another trip to the closest country island we know....

[Bohn007]

2 minutes ago, clutch5150 said:

Is there meds for this?   I think it's called another trip to the closest country island we know....

Just a bowl of sugar and well..... more cigars

[NSXCIGAR]

Can't vote on this one. As Piggy likes to say, you have to smoke what HSA gives you these days. Any vitola of any brand on any given day can be the best cigar in the world. The consistency just hasn't been anywhere close for me to have a favorite brand over the last 18 years, or even for me to think any brand is wholly superior to any other during that time.

Prior to 1998, however, my favorite brand would have been Bolivar, hands down, followed by Partagas, and then RyJ.

[LordAnubis]

At the moment my preferences lean towards

H Upman with 1-2 years box age.

Bolivar with 2-4 year age.

Punch with 4-7 years age.

Interesting poll. Didn't realise upmann was so popular.

[TheMonk]

Piggy is right, but I'm just voting for the marca I've overall been enjoying more these past years, and that would be Upmann.

[TomF]

I chose LGC because the MdO #4 is by far my favorite cigar in terms of flavor, although both Upmann and Partagas run a very close second and have a much more varied set of vitolas. It's really sad that LGC is down to only one vitola. I have a few MdO #2's left which I am holding on to for dear life hoping more will appear one day.

[DWC]

OK.  I'll be the first to vote for RyJ,  mostly because of the EX 4, MF, Cazz, PC, Romeo No.1, etc.     Granted I've only been smoking RyJ for a few years now and missed out on their "bad years"  but current production has been very good to me.  (remember the POU '13 EX 4's?)

 Now I'm not brand loyal at all.  I smoke and enjoy a lot of others, like:  PL, Boli, Part, H.U., SCdlH, Punch, SP, RG, Monte, ... even cohiba.

   I just didn't want RyJ to be left out.

 

         -Dan

[BrightonCorgi]

My top three in no order:

 

1.  Upmann

2.  La Gloria Cubana

3.  Bolivar

[JohnS]

14 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

Can't vote on this one. As Piggy likes to say, you have to smoke what HSA gives you these days. Any vitola of any brand on any given day can be the best cigar in the world. The consistency just hasn't been anywhere close for me to have a favorite brand over the last 18 years, or even for me to think any brand is wholly superior to any other during that time.

Prior to 1998, however, my favorite brand would have been Bolivar, hands down, followed by Partagas, and then RyJ.

Those 3 marcas stood out then, and when you mention Partagas I think of 'old school' Partagas. As for Romeo y Julieta, well, there were barren years thereafter, no?

3 hours ago, DWC said:

OK.  I'll be the first to vote for RyJ,  mostly because of the EX 4, MF, Cazz, PC, Romeo No.1, etc.     Granted I've only been smoking RyJ for a few years now and missed out on their "bad years"  but current production has been very good to me.  (remember the POU '13 EX 4's?)

 Now I'm not brand loyal at all.  I smoke and enjoy a lot of others, like:  PL, Boli, Part, H.U., SCdlH, Punch, SP, RG, Monte, ... even cohiba.

   I just didn't want RyJ to be left out.

 

         -Dan

Good on you! I wonder if Romeo y Julieta has changed in blend from its former 'glory' days (in the '90s and before) prior to Cohiba coming along and taking over as a 'premium' marca.

10 hours ago, LordAnubis said:

At the moment my preferences lean towards

H Upman with 1-2 years box age.

Bolivar with 2-4 year age.

Punch with 4-7 years age.

Interesting poll. Didn't realise upmann was so popular.

Yes, H.Upmann regularly tops these polls on our forum, well at the least the ones conducted in the last 12 to 24 months. What's interesting, and has been discussed in other topics is that brands such as Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta and Jose L. Piedra account for maybe 40-50% of all annual sales of Habanos cigars (exact figures are not released by Habanos S.A so these numbers can viewed as speculative). Cohiba and Partagas account for maybe 10% each, yet H.Upmann may be lucky to be 2-3% and Bolivar and Ramon Allones, which figure in top 6 or 7 consistently in these polls amongst cigar enthusiasts, account for even less, perhaps around 1-1.5% each!