Your Personal Top 10 for 2016

[planetary]

Having been summoned by @JohnS, I am at your service.   This year's ongoing top 10 list results are being tabulated here:  https://goo.gl/R6y7Eg

We have 21 respondents so far, a little under half of where last year's tally ended up -- so I will keep it updated as votes continue to roll in...

[Notsocleaver]

Okay, limiting it to cigars that I have smoked multiples of from boxes 2013 or newer:

1 LGC MdO #4 2015/2016

2 Quai D'orsay Coronas 2014/2015

3 H.Upmann Royal Robusto LUB 2014

4 Punch - Punch 2013

5 Cuaba - Salomon 2014

6 Bolivar - Petit Coronas 2014

7 Montecristo - No.5 2015

8 El Rey Del Mundo - Demi Tasse 2014

9 Diplomaticos - No.2 TOS 2015

10 H.Upmann - Magnum 50 2013

[David88]

1 - Partagas Anejados Corona Gorda
2 - San Cristobal La Fuerza (14)
3 - Partagas Shorts (14)
4 - Cohiba Siglo IV (13)
5 - Partagas Lusitania (14)

6 - Diplomaticos No.2 (unknown)

7 - Cohiba Siglo VI (13)

8 - Punch Double Corona (14)

9 - Hoyo De Monterrey Epicure 1 (15)

10 - Montecristo Number 4 (15)

[MrGlass]

It's great to see you back @planetary   It's incredible how you can make a spreadsheet exciting.

[dicko]

I'll only do a top 5 because I want to keep it to cigars I really enjoyed and smoked a good fair few and from 2013 onward. There was some standout singles that I won't list but were jaw droppingly outstanding such as Diplomatico Bushido, Cohiba 1966 (thanks Trevor) and Partagas E2 (thanks Rob).

 

1. RASS - old faithful. Perfect after dinner smoke with any drink. Reminds me of an old library in an English country manor (not that I've visited any!!)

2. Connie 1 - I actually only tried these this year but I've made up for lost time. An instant classic in my world. Tasty but complex.

3. Monte PE - "go to" daytime smoke with a coffee. Never the best cigar but consistently 89-91 scores for me.

4. CORO - smoked a bundle in the first few months of the year but slowed down when the prices shot up and concerns over medium term availability hit. I don't care about the Cohiba band but I love the flavour profile.  

5. Quintero Favoritos -  a cheap and cheerful for the list.  Tasty and great burn. cheap. Only complaint is ugly as sin and the short filler can leave bits in your mouth. 

 

Yes I love robustos. 

[Akela3rd]

In no particular order:
*Monte 2 - classic
*Davidoff Escurio Gran Toro - spectacular
*Partagas Shorts - of course
*Quintero Favoritos - love 'em
*Monte 5 - possibly my favourite
*Por Larranaga Panatela - surprisingly good
*RA Club Allones - beautiful
*PDS2 - classic
*Sancho Panza Non Plus - didn't think I liked them at first but got through a whole box this year
*Tabaquero by Hamlet Robusto - a big stick of meat
Disappointed by BCJs on the whole, but still good.

[Morgan]

On 11/28/2016 at 4:47 PM, 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

Those are Beautiful Pictures!!!

[Morgan]

8 hours ago, planetary said:

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

 7. Juan Lopez #2 

9. Quai D'orsay Corona 

 

[PigFish]

On 11/28/2016 at 3:44 PM, treberty said:

... 

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...

 

I saw this and could not help but take notice. I have not smoked a Seleccion Privada this year and must remedy that. It is an all time favorite of mine! -Piggy

[PigFish]

6 hours ago, Akela3rd said:

In particular order:
*Monte 2 - classic
*Davidoff Escurio Gran Toro - spectacular
*Partagas Shorts - of course
*Quintero Favoritos - love 'em
*Monte 5 - possibly my favourite
*Por Larranaga Panatela - surprisingly good
*RA Club Allones - beautiful
*PDS2 - classic
*Sancho Panza Non Plus - didn't think I liked them at first but got through a whole box this year
*Tabaquero by Hamlet Robusto - a big stick of meat
Disappointed by BCJs on the whole, but still good.

 

... glad to see another fan of the smaller cigar. -Piggy

[godpheonix]

i actually ha a lot of great ones this year, i just can't remember them all right now so i've done a list of ten i do recall.

1- Partagas D4 2007 - pure marshmallows!

2- Cohiba Siglo IV 2012 - Honey in spades!

3- Coronado by la Flor Double Corona 2006 - Toffee, sweet spice and everything nice!

4- Punch Serie D'oro No1 2008 - spectacular\ like cc's of old.

5- Diplomaticlo Bushido TOS 2015 - Classy and smooth!

6- Partagas 898 2013 - cookies and cream!

7- Monty no2 2011 - like vanilla birthday cake!

8- Bolivar BBF 2011 - sweet leather and dark chocolate on steroids!

9 -Partagas Lusi 2011 - sweet spices and depth wrapped in class

10- PL Robusto 2007 - pure PL flavors, didn't miss a beat!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ComancheKeen]

I'll give this a try and keep it as recent as possible.

#1 - Partagas Serie D No. 4 (ESO OCT 14)

#2 - H Upmann Magnum 56 LE (15')

#3 - San Cristobal El Principe (EML JUL 15)

#4 - Montecristo No. 4 (MUL JUL 14)

#5 - Ramon Allones Small Club Coronas (ULA JUL 15)

#6 - Por Larranaga Panetelas (LAU ABR 16)

#7 - HdM Du Prince (Unknown date/code)

#8 - Ramon Allones Club Allones LE (RAE JUL 15)

#9 - H Upmann Half Corona (Various 15')

#10 - Bolivar Belicosos Finos (Various 15')

[planetary]

So far (tally):

FOH Respondents	28
Votes Cast	263
Cigars Mentioned	109

Got a few non-Cubans and custom rolls in the mix as well.

[JohnInCleveland]

Not in order (too hard for me to rank)

 

Siglo IV (15)

Sir Winston (14)

Diplomaticos Bushidos (15)

Punch Serie d'Oro (it was aged a few years, only a single but otherworldly)

SLR DC (a few years old, maybe 13)

Monte 2 (15)

SCDLH La Fuerza  

SCDLH El Principe

RA Superiores

Bolivar Royal Coronas (1 aged 8 years, multiple 15)

 

 

I suck at this game bc I don't keep good records of my inventory or of what I smoke.  I should, but I probably won't.  I spend enough time doing things I don't want to at work.  

 

Don't rely on my dates, they're off the top of my head.

 

[aes8]

In no particular order

1-10) 02 RA Petit Corona

(drops mouse and walks away from keyboard)

 

[BonVivant]

the year is not over, but here it goes 

in alphabetical order

2013 Cohiba Esplendidos and Exquisitos

El Rey del Mundo Grandes de España 

2013 Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial

Enrique Mons Monsdales

2013 Montecristo No. 2 and Double Edmundo

2013 La Gloria Cubana Médaille d’Or no.2 

2009 Partagas Serie D no.4

1998 Punch Monarcas

2006 Quai d’Orsay Grand Coronas and Panetelas

2009 Trinidad Fundadores and Robusto Extra

[Slyclient]

This is my top ten for 2016. Meaning these are boxes that are generally 2015/16 and maybe a 14 mixed in. In the order that I feel were the best on my palate.

1) Vegas Robaina Famosos

2) RASS

3) BRC

4) PLPC

5) Siglo IV

6) BCG

7) MAG50

8) SC La Fuerza

9) RA Superiors

10) RA Gigantes

Runner Up) Punch Punch Cabs

 

Sad to say I was disappointed with Sir Winnies this year. Two boxes with a firm draw that just kills the experience. I prefer the MAG50 over them. The LGC Caribe are still around and one of my personal favorites but I did not buy another box in 2016 since I went deep last year therefore I didn't put them in the top 10. Was disappointed in the MAG56 as most were also a firm draw and I also just don't like the RG. The HDM San Juan is probably a good runner up this year but they still need more of a nap. Preferring the RA superiors over the Club Allones because I just don't love the dark Maduro wrappers.

If you haven't picked up a recent box of the VR Famosos you are fool! These are a little mongrel now but still so damn good its hard to smoke anything else. They will be spectacular in a couple years. The RASS Cabs this year have also been spectacular. IMO the most consistent stick coming out of Cuba year after year.

Good to hear. Just picked up a box of VR Famous from the last 24 24. Can't wait to get them now

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

[Mattb82]

Mag 56, Monty 2, PSD4 seem to be making a strong showing 

[Cigarsandmalts]

My list, all with 2014 to 2016 box codes (except #8):

1. Dip 2's TOS 15

2. Cohiba Robusto AMO 15

3. HdM Epi 2 OMS 16

4. Monte Petit Edmundo SOM 15

5. PL Montecarlo EML 15

6. RyJ Exhibiccion No. 4 GEO 14

7. Bolivar Belicoso Fino ULA 15

8. RASCC AME 13

9. SLR Regio ORG 15

10. Monte Regata ARG 15

Should really have been a Top 5 since they were leaps ahead of 6-10.  The Epi 2 was a stunner for being so young, which hopefully bodes well for its aging potential. 

[Randolph]

On 28/11/2016 at 11:20 PM, JohnS said:

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?

 

I have to say John we have the same taste. Great top 10 and no need for me to repeat

[JohnS]

3 hours ago, Randolph said:

I have to say John we have the same taste. Great top 10 and no need for me to repeat

Mind you, like yourself no doubt, I've had some brilliant cigars outside of these current production ones this year (you know, discontinued and aged stuff), but in the whole I think these were the best for me.

I didn't have enough of the Partagas Serie D No.4, H.Upmann Connossieur A or Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Prince and haven't they been great the last 12 months (if not longer). I hope to rectify that soon!  

[tomhsu]

RA Gladiator LE Andes
Bhk 56
RyJ Capuletos LE
Trinidad Topas LE
Upmann Magnum 56
Partagas Lusitanias
Siglo VI
Montecristo Churchill Anejados
Upmann Royal Robusto
HdM Epicure 2; 2014





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[tomhsu]

RA Gladiator LE Andes
Bhk 56
RyJ Capuletos LE
Trinidad Topas LE
Upmann Magnum 56
Partagas Lusitanias
Siglo VI
Montecristo Churchill Anejados
Upmann Royal Robusto
HdM Epicure 2; 2014





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...almost forgot my no 1 cigar in 2016: Monte 80 year Anniversary LE


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[Philc2001]

So hard to do top 10s in cigars because many people don't even purchase 10 different boxes in a year or even two years. Then of course you all have individual tastes.

But here it goes:

1- Monte Esp. #2
2- RyJ Cedros de Luxe #1
3- Monte #5
4- Bolivar PC
5- LGC MdO #4
6- RASCC
7- HU Mag46
8- Partagas SD #4
9- HU Connie A
10- PL Montecarlo

Box dates are mixed, going back to 2014. I have some recent acquisitions that are acclimating and some inbound that I expect will make this list once they reach smoking conditions, including Partagas 898V, Monte #1, Fonseca #1, Hoyo Epicure Especiales and Cuaba Divinios.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kuma]

The list please.  Now these range from 2011 - onward to today!

Tough choice not going to list what is first or second just the year they were boxed

because just being on this list made them outstanding.

  *Trinidad Fundadores MSE JUN 11 - Sancho Panza Molinos ABR OCT 11 - Monty Esp (Hq) LTB Oct 12,

  *HDM Dbl Corona (PSP) MOB AUG 14 - RyJ Wide Churchill (PSP) LUB Sep 14,

  *Monty. #1 BUM ABR 15 PSP/HQ -  RyJ Ex.#4 MUL NOV 14 PSP - Monty. #1 BUM ABR 15

  *Partagas Series E2 AMU May 16 (PE), La Gloria #4 ETP FEB 16 PSP/HQ,

  *RyJ Cazadores MOE MAY 15, RyJ Cazadores MOE ABR 15 HQ.....

There is more on my list but here is just a random sample survey.  All cigars listed came from are

eagle eyed host, thanks Mr. Rob.