Cigar Aficionado Top 25, 2022 guesses

[Cigar Surgeon]

It's that time of the year again when everyone starts posting their top 25 of 2022 lists. Cigar Aficionado posts their list starting Monday, and here's the best I could come up with.

One thing to comment on: The CA website search function has improved dramatically. I also noticed that they have started including the box dates for Cuban cigars, which has raised my eyebrow on a few reviews where the cigars are more than 4 years old but in the 2022 lists.

What are your guesses?

[Jackdani7401]

Similar to the Golf Digest Hot List, I take these reviews with a grain of salt. It’s very difficult for a publication to remain unbiased when it relies on these companies for advertising dollars. As a company, would you pay for advertising in a publication that negatively reviews your product?

On that note, I’m interested to see how things stack up. 

[Arabian]

I guess any peppery hit in the face cigar.

[bmac]

[NSXCIGAR]

So a $10 NC beats out a $300 CC. Used to be the other way around. 

[jakebarnes]

1. Cigar with highest advertising budget

2. Another one with a great budget

3. Obligatory cuban cigar they wax poetic about but is middle of the road. 

et al

[SMELTZ]

CA usually has three Cubans in their top 25. Guaranteed to be in their list are the two highest rated Cubans, the H. Upmann No. 2 (96), the R&J Churchill (95). Some of their 94 rated CC’s are RASS, PL Galanes, Bolivar RC-Tubo and  PD5-Tubo. 

[HoyoFan]

Totally agree with the above. Given past advertising + past winners, some of my guesses would be:

Padron 1926 Anniv
Rocky Patel latest
EP Carillo
Something from AJ Fernandez


 

[Cigar Surgeon]

8, 9, 10 are up and I only managed to get one right and it was not in the correct position:

https://www.cigaraficionado.com/top25/2022

[HoyoFan]

I should've guessed rare pink! Doh! Forgot how much Fuente spends on marketing

[Capn_Jackson]

Anyone ever had a sophisticated ..... Nevermind.

[Stoyan]

I guess there will be 2 pardons and 2 Fuentes in the top 10 if they are “so low” in the list. Opus X and padron 1926 in the top 5. I think this year they might put a cuban n1 just to support the price hike. There was a video last year by some guys that guessed almost everything. I was shocked by the accuracy.

[Welder92]

I couldn’t believe the R&J Reserva Real Nicaragua was on there again. Don’t get me wrong I think it’s a great blend but that line is soooo riddled with construction issues.

[gustavehenne]

I'd second the Padron and Fuente predictions (likely 1926 Anniversary and 80th Anniversary or Opus X Oscuro). I'd also be hugely surprised if the My Father No. 4 Lancero makes it - one of the worst Lanceros I've ever smoked (and I've made my way through several boxes) and I've never heard great things about it.

Pepper bomb...

[Ford2112]

My prediction is they will shill whatever they get paid to like the charlatans they are.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just kidding. Maybe...😁

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cigaraholic]

At least I know where I can find a sophisticated hooker I can afford.

[Chas.Alpha]

Upmann #2 is #1

[NSXCIGAR]

3 hours ago, Chas.Alpha said:

Upmann #2 is #1

Hasn't been a CC #1 since 2013 so maybe we're due. I would be shocked if it was HU2. 

[Bagman]

On 12/11/2022 at 8:52 AM, Cigar Surgeon said:

 I also noticed that they have started including the box dates for Cuban cigars, which has raised my eyebrow on a few reviews where the cigars are more than 4 years old but in the 2022 lists.

They have always had the dates.  This isn't a recent addition.  A few years ago it fell off for a few months for some reason, but for the most part, the dates have always been there.

[Cigar Surgeon]

Some shockers this morning with the reveal:

[MPS]

13 hours ago, Chas.Alpha said:

Upmann #2 is #1

Agreed 👍 

[Islandboy]

3 hours ago, Cigar Surgeon said:

Some shockers this morning with the reveal:

Looks like the usual suspects to me.

[BoliDan]

I always find it funny that their overall top 25 is always dominated by NC, but when you go the back of the magazine to ranked vitolas, Cuba is almost always in the top 3.

I'll go with la plasencia alma fuerte for #1

[Puros Y Vino]

From your initial guess list @Cigar Surgeon I've only smoked 1 Topes and 2 Galanes.  I would have no clue where to start on any NC candidates. If I were to pick a Cuban or two to make an appearance I would guess one of the 55th Cohibas, A Montecristo 1935 or  Punch DC.  Maybe even the E2. 

[SMELTZ]

Upmann No. 2 will be in the top 5 maybe R&J Churchill