Your Personal Top 10 for 2016

[El Presidente]

I will come out with my top 20 in a few weeks but most of you already know my top 13 

So fill us in as to what were your Top 10 of the year ......the 10 cigars (or less if need be) that consistently rocked your world, floated your boat. 

If you can ...keep it from 2013 to now in terms of production.  if you have to slide an older stick in...no problem as this is really about what has been sensational for you this year. 

Looking forward to reading your thoughts!

[Mattb82]

1. 2014 Conny A

2. 2014 Coro 

3. 2016 VR Famosa 

4. 2016 PSD4

5. 2014 Monty 2

6. 2014 HDM Epi 2 

7. 2013 RASS 

8. 2008 conny 1 

9. 2013 cohiba Magico 

10. 2013 Monty 4 

sitting in an airport or I would include box codes 

[zeedubbya]

1.) Sir Winston--ARG DIC14

2.) MAG56--SOM, TOS Codes

3.) Bushidos--TOS NOV15

4.) Siglo 6--ARG JUN15

5.) Connie A--LUB, MEG 15 

6.) VR Famoso--OPS and SLE  2015 Code 

7.) PSD4--AMO Code

8.) BCG--ESO Code

9.) Siglo 2--RAE JUN15

10.) RASCC--Various Codes

 

 

 

[JohnS]

My Top 10 Cigars for 2016...

 

1) H.Upmann Magnum 56 LE 2015 LUB Jun 2015 (Thanks Jimmy)

I didn't want to like this, believe me! The reason? That 56/64s of an inch ring gauge. I used my Credo 3-in-1 punch cutter and used the largest punch (14 mm - for cigars up to 60rg!) to sip on the head. Man, oh man, you can't believe the smoke I got per draw! And the flavour? Aplenty! H.Upmann toasted tobacco and shortbread, chocolate, licorice, pepper, spice. Thank you @jimsta10 for allowing me to review this earlier this year!

 

2) Por Larranaga Petit Coronas GMA Mar 2014 (Thanks Jimmy - again! )

Yet again, I need to thank @jimsta10 for the opportunity to sample these cigars. You'd have to think that the chance of being gifted two of the best current production cigars from the same person is like finding a needle in a haystack. What can I say? For this one, I didn't want to touch it! Why? Because I like my Por Larranaga aged, I love that caramel, and I didn't want to touch this before they were 3 years old (about 4 months away). I was looking for a mild, sweet smoke last week, and I was fearing a young strong toasted tobacco PLPC here, but boy was I wrong! Complexity to the core (a mix of wood, cream, honey, tobacco, caramel and toast), mild, I didn't want it to end. Heck, I was thinking and tasting it two days later!

 

3) Cohiba Robustos MUO May 2014

I had the chance to enjoy this when Alex or @ATGroom, the proprietor of Cuban Cigar Website, was up in Sydney in February this year. It was full of cream, plus the ubiquitous Cohiba honey and grass helped to make it memorable well into March!

 

4) Partagas Shorts GEO May 2014 (Thanks Nick!)

Gifted by my brother-in-law @Cuzz, I couldn't get enough of that Partagas sourdough and leather. I've been searching for the same perfection ever since. Thankfully, Partagas Shorts are such a consistent smoke, construction and flavour-wise, that they very rarely disappoint or let you down. (It's) A fantastic 'go-to' cigar!

 

5) Montecristo No.2 OPG Jun 2015

I bought these as a 'clearance' box of 10s and I think I hit the jackpot! Ok, so the wrappers a slightly pale for Montecristo, but heck, I love them! Each cigar from the box has that true Monte DNA...cocoa, leather, toasted tobacco, nut, a hint of coffee and cream. Oh thank GOD, I have 2 left to last me until Christmas!

 

6) Diplomaticos No.2 TOS Dic 2015

Yes, you know these are good. Mine have been a medium-mild mix of sourdough, a hint of cinnamon and spice. I have another box resting because I need them milder for my palate. They're good now, but I know they'll be sensational later!

 

7) Ramon Allones Club Allones AUM Jul 2015 & RAE Jun 2015 (Thanks Rob and Steve)

I couldn't split these. One was gifted to me to try by @El Presidente. What does one say when offered a cigar by El Pres himself, "no"? (As if!) Ok, so I think I was rolling on the floor enraptured shortly after the first third, or perhaps I was dreaming about it that night after sampling it. Okay, so I figure I should try Steve's one a few days later. You know what? Yep, the same thing. I thought to myself, "how could Habanos S.A. hit a 'grand slam' on two Limited Editions?" They're a fuller-bodied cigar, but it's that delicious Ramon Allones stewed fruit profile that I love in these. Some of you have 12 boxes in your home humidors. Is that enough?

 

8) San Cristobal de La Habana La Fuerza TOS Mar 2016

I think, or at the very least, I plan to die with a San Cristobal de la Habana El Principe in my mouth...it's a 'go-to' smoke that I can't do without. I was a little skeptical about the La Fuerza due its dimensions (it's a gordito at 50 rg x 141 mm)...is it as flavoursome as my beloved El Principe? You bet it is! Yeah, it's got that quintessential SCdLH coffee, cocoa, tobacco and molasses, only how beautifully refined is it?

 

9) Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo San Juan OLM Oct 2014

I have a few of these in my humidor. About every 6 to 9 months I pull one out to see how they are progressing. Each time I do, they get more and more creamier, a little at a time. Coupled with that HdM cedar and being light-bodied, I think these will be brilliant at 3 to 5 years onwards. I have a box resting, but in the meantime I enjoy these singles from time-to-time too!

 

10) Montecristo No.5 AUM Jul 2014

Again, the wrappers are a little paler than perhaps your standard Montecristo offering, but hey, I don't mind, I like them that way I suppose. I think this was graded 'PE' on a 24:24 sale. Well, they've been just fantastic. I've enjoyed the strong hit of Monte cocoa and coffee that these have provided in a 35-minute smoke. I stopped smoking them a few months ago because I really want to enjoy the last 5 I have in this box, I might do so in a few months time.

 

And for reference purposes, the FoH Top 10 for 2015 and @planetary's FoH 2015 Top 10 Cigars Tally. I wonder which cigars will be voted the highest this year?

 

[skalls]

#1 2014 Lusitania

#2 padron 1926 Churchill (I know not a Cuban but I love these)

#3 2014 Diplomatico #2

#4 2011 Monte 1

#5 2015 Fonseca #1

#6 2014 Monte petit edmundo

#7 2014 psd#4

#8 2012 scdlh el morro

#9 2014 ryj Churchill

#10 2014 brc

[Teq43]

-1) cohiba behike 56

-2) cohiba siglo VI

-3) h.Upmann magnun 46

-4) cohiba lanceros

-5) por larranaga picadores

-6) por larranaga montecarlos

-7) h.Upmann magnum 56

-8) h.Upmann magnum 50

-9) partagas serie d n4

-10)saint luis rey regios

 

[backbone]

#1 2015 Cohiba Robusto

#2 2014 Monte #4

#3 2015 HDM Epic 2

#4 2014 R&J EX #4

#5 2015 Hupmann Connie 1

#6 2015 Punch Punch

#7 2015 RASCC

#8 2015 SLR Regios

#9 2015 LGC do #4

#10 2014 PLPC

[foursite12]

Top 6--After that it his harder for me to split them. In no particular order:

Trinidad Vigia SUE May 15.  Received these in trade for some LGC M d'O 4. Funny. The No. 2 pencil for the obese. Anyway, although the size is somewhat off putting and the cost is high, the flavors and construction are as close to perfect as I found in any cigar I've had this year.

Hoyo de Monterrey le Hoyo du Prince TOR Nov 15. Further proof that great things come in small packages and that Cuba does the PC-ish formats better than anyone. The descriptor that comes to my mind for this cigar is "bracing". Like a splash of water from a mountain stream or a shot of your favorite agave-based blanco, it will snap you out of whatever particular funk you're in. Several cigars seem designed for the "last smoke of the day" slot; this one is a great morning choice. To me it is worth the pricing premium over others in the very competitive "PC" field.

Partagas Shorts OPG Jun 14.  Some deeper, richer tones than the Prince, this is an espresso hit masquerading as a cigar. Often taken for granted--perhaps due to its size and cost--this cigar is no one-trick pony. I had one the other night that was as complex a smoke as any I've had all year.

Diplomaticos No. 2 EML Jul 14.  Well before the deserved accolades came pouring forth for the late year TOS 15 boxes, I was enjoying the hell out of these.  Due to the extra year-plus of age, I have been preferring them while the TOS are napping. Just a great cigar with that sourdough tableau. When Rob describes a "driftwood" flavor to something, this is what I think he might have in mind.

Ramon Allones Club Allones LAU Sep 15.  Yep, I'm on the RACA bandwagon along with so many others. This is a cigar that is definitely full-flavored but at the same time,  elegant and smooth. This smoothness is especially evident in the middle half, before the cigar gains noticeable power toward the end. In the last month, I have had two and both had evolved quite a bit over those I smoked early-mid summer.  Depending on how you like them, if you haven't had one in awhile you may wish to check in on these to assess their progress. 

Quai d'Orsay Coronas ULA May 14.  I find this to be a criminally under-mentioned cigar.  Yet it appears that so many of us stock it, probably because they are insanely enjoyable and so unlike anything else out there.  Looking for a mid-summer twilight, glass-of-champagne cigar?  Look no further.

[Puros Y Vino]

In no particular order.

• RACA
• Connie A (2013/14 codes)
• RyJ Exhibicion No 4 (2014)
• PSD4 (2014)
• HUHC (2015)
• Sir Winston (2014)
• Partagas Privada No 1 EL (2014)
• La Escepcion Don Jose
• Montecristo Petite Edmundo (2014)
• LGC No 2 (2014)

 

[PigFish]

... I don't know about cigars, but I am pretty damn happy that we no longer have to speculate about what happens when El Jefe dies!!! -LOL

Got to be a 10 best of something on a cigar board!!!

My smoking never really changes much unless I run out of a cigar.

Great cigars this year included:

RAPC, RGCE, Partagas Lonsdales, Diplomatico #1, HdM du Roi, QdO Coronas, RGPC's and Monte Esp #1. Believe it or not, I found that I enjoyed quite a few '08 Monte #2's as well. An honorable mention might go to the '06 HdM Petit Robusto. I did not smoke a lot of the ERdM Grandes de Espana this year, or they would have made the list certainly.

-Piggy

[Morgan]

As of now this is my list but I have the following boxes incoming Cohiba Lanceros AMO 16, Cohiba Genios with siglo 6 wrapper that Rob stated is a 96, Monte Especials that I hope will be included but for now

1. H Upmann Mag 56

2. H Upmann Connie A

3. RACA

4. Monte #2 TOS 15

5. Partagas Series E No 2 AMO 15

6. HDM Epicure Especiales TOS 15

7. Juan Lopez SEA OCT 15

8. R y J Churchill 2014

9. Quai D'orsay 2015

10. H Upmann Petite Corona 2014

[RijkdeGooier]

1. Cohiba Reserva Piramide - 2003

2. Davidoff No.1 - 1992

3. Montecristo #2 - 1998

4. Montecristo #1 - 2002

5. Hoyo Doble Corona - 1998

6.  Hoyo Epicure #1 - 2006

7. Partagas Lusitania - 2003

8. H.Upmann #2 - 1999

9. Romeo y Julieta Churchill - 2003

10. Montecristo Salomones II - 2004

[ChefBoyRG54]

For me...

Some recent ones

2014 CCE (ill gladly buy 5 more boxes if anyone dislikes them)
2014/15 Hdm San Juan
2014 Monte Especial
2014/15 PL Picadores
2014/15 Hdm Epi1
2014 Punch Punch
2014 RA Sur Libano
2013 UPE JUL Connie A
2013 LGC Mdo No2 (something special brewing)

Some older that i loved...
2009 Boli Fabulosos Benelux
2010 Boli CE (prob smoked more of these this year than anything else)
2008 Cohiba Siglo VI
1998 Monte Especial
2008 Partagas 898v

Some flat out fails for me...
RA Club Allones EL
H Upmann Mag56 EL
Cohiba Robustos Supremos EL
Just all muddy tasting garbage. Typical for ELs in my experience. Fair to say, not a fan

[treberty]

Here's my list, in no particular order as these cigars were all almost equally memorable... could not stop at 10

Monsdale 2006 - wonderful

Bolivar Corona Extra LE

RA Superiores 2015

Bolivar PC 2013 - can't get enough of them

Punch DC 2000

HU Connie 1 2011

SLR Serie A 2000 

Partagas Seleccion Privada No. 1 1999 - outstanding

Bolivar Gold Medal 2011- still great 

HU Connie A

RAG - always delivers

HdM San Juan (as much as I hate to admit it)

I thought I would add a short list of cigars that I remember being way below my expectations... BRC (probably just a bad box), the QdO Coronas, Dip Excelencia (but could have just been too young) and Trinidad Fundadores (it was in the perfect setting in Havana and just boring), recent Monsdales - blend is just not what it used to be IMO...

 

[Tommyz]

Off the top of my head, probably missing a few but these ones stand out to me. 

2014 JL1 

2014/15 Bolivar Petit Corona 

2012 Party Shorts 

2014 MUO and ULA CoRo 

2012 CCE 

2014 BBF 

2014 HdM Petit Robusto 

2013 MdO 2 (Thanks Chef) 

2015 PL Picadores 

2014 PSD4 

[Bohn007]

In no particular order. 

1. Ramon Allones Superiors LCDH MUR OCT 12

2. H. Upmann Royal Robusto LCDH TUO JUN 12

3. H. Upmann Connie 1 USE NOV 11

4. Ramon Allones Specially Selected SAB SEP 12

5. Montecristo 520 EL UPE AGO 12

6. Montecristo No. 2 SLP MAY 08

7. Montecristo Petite Edmundo OBM FEB 16 HQ

8. H. Upmann Magnum 46 RAL OCT 11

9. Cohiba 1966 EL 2011

10. Ramon Allones Gran Robusto TEB AGO 08

Honorable mention. Trinidad Vigia BMP ABR 16 PSP

[cigcars]

3 hours ago, RijkdeGooier said:

1. Cohiba Reserva Piramide - 2003

2. Davidoff No.1 - 1992

3. Montecristo #2 - 1998

4. Montecristo #1 - 2002

5. Hoyo Doble Corona - 1998

6.  Hoyo Epicure #1 - 2006

7. Partagas Lusitania - 2003

8. H.Upmann #2 - 1999

9. Romeo y Julieta Churchill - 2003

10. Montecristo Salomones II - 2004

 

          Wow, you've got access to some mighty excellent smokes there!  

[MrGlass]

My standouts for 2016 in no particular order would be:

H.Upmann Magnum 56 LE - I have never been as bothered by the large ring gauge cigars as many others here (although I do have a preference for the long skinnies), but this was pushing things even for me.  On a positive note, it is impossible cut this one too deep given that it doesn't fit in my cutter.  That aside, this was a fantastic smoke that felt like it was only going to get better with age.  I could only get my hands on five and I'm so glad I did.  

H.Upmann Connoisseur A - This one took me by surprise even though everybody was raving about them.  I only picked up a sampler but I'll be looking at grabbing a box in the new year.

Punch Punch - My prior experiences with these had been underwhelming and I had all but given up on these until the wonderful example I smoked this year.  I don't know if it's me that changed or the cigar, but I'll be keeping my eye out for a box regardless.

Cohiba Siglo IV - I picked up a three pack of these on a work trip and we didn't get off to the best start.  The first stick was plugged so badly it proved that either they don't draw test everything or they don't care what the results are.  But that second stick was absolutely amazing, leaving me to wonder how they could get it so right and so wrong in the same pack.

Partagas Serie D No. 4 - This was another cigar I historically overlooked but picked up again purely for the sake of the review contests.  It turned out to be a fantastic stick, and the fact that I won that week only made it more memorable.  

[subport]

Juan Lopez SeleccionNo2 (16)
Bolivar Corona Gigantes (15)
RyJ Churchills (14)
Juan Lopez Seleccion No 1 (15)
Partagas Lusitanias (15)
SLR Regios (16)
RyJ Cazadores(15)
Ramon Allones Superiors (14)
Ramon Allones Club Allones(15)
RyJ exhibition no4  (14)

 

[RijkdeGooier]

12 hours ago, cigcars said:

 

          Wow, you've got access to some mighty excellent smokes there!  

Nothing special Just dilligent in collecting I guess.

Patience has its rewards. Today you can buy tomorrows classics. 

[Guest photorob]

Hard to put these in order but off the top of my mind;

- Upmann Mag 56 (TOR DIC 15)

- RASS, 2008

- Upmann Noellas (MEG NOV 15)

- Trinidad Fundadores, 2011

- Cohiba Lancero, 2010

- Custom Roll Lancero from Milagro at Hotel Nacional (MAY 15)

- Partagas D4 (PMU JUN 15)

- Bolivar Petit Belicoso EL 2009 

- Rafael Gonzales Lonsdale (PUC JUL 00)

- Diplomaticos no 2, 2014

[TheMonk]

Let's take a crack at this then:

1. Partagas Lusitania (2014 and 2015)
2. Upmann Mag 50 (2014 and 2015)
3. Upmann Mag 56 (2015)
4. RASS (2014)
5. Upmann Sir Winston (2014)
6. Trini Fundadores (2014)
7. Partagas Shorts (2014)
8. Upmann Connie A (2014)
9. Trinidad Coloniales (2014)
10. San Cristobal La Punta (2013)
11. Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 2 (2014)
12. Vegas Robaina Unicos (2014)

[aes8]

On 11/28/2016 at 1:40 PM, Hutch said:

HU ConnA

PL Picadores

HUMag50

PL Regalias de Londre

HUHC

PL Montecarlos

HUPC

PL Panatelas

HUConn#1

Partagas Shorts

In no particular order, but definitely see a pattern

You do know there is more than 2 Marcas' right?

[Duffer]

1  HU Mag 56

2  RyJ Churchill

3  CORO

4  Bolivar BF

5  SCDH La Fuerza

6  Hoyo DC

7  Trinidad Vigia

8  Cohiba Sig I

9  Monte 2

10  Bolivar RC

 

[planetary]

On 11/28/2016 at 0:40 PM, Morgan said:

7. Juan Lopez SEA OCT 15

9. Quai D'orsay 2015

Morgan, can you clarify which cigars you intended to select for #7, and #9?