What was your favorite Regional Release?

[rock]

I know most of you think the regional editions have been a major let down. The cigars are not as good as you would expect for the price point, but if you had to choose 3 RR's what would they be?

Mine would be

1. PL robusto (07)

2. JL Maximo (08)

3. VR petit robinana (09)

[ChanceSchmerr]

I've had the Chance (haha) to try a number of RR's. I love the idea but have to admit they are extremely hit and miss. Also, they don't tend to follow my current broad preference for thinner ring-gauge cigars. Of the one's I've tried...

Ramon Allones Estupendos, RE Asia Pacific - I had high hopes for this one, and the singles I tried just didn't live up to my expectations. Reasonable smokes, but nothing special or memorable.

Juan Lopez Obus RE France - Characteristic JL taste, light on the fireworks. Like smoking a regular production JL. Problem is, I don't much care for regular production JL......I was hoping for a different take on the blend. Not a fan.

Por Larranaga Robustos RE Asia Pacific - Excellent Robusto. A size I don't normally reach for, but a cigar work a smoke for sure. Very very nice smoke, with a sweet flavour I enjoyed.

Bolivar Simones RE Canada - The first Bolivar I've liked (Joined now by the BBF). This is the kind of experience I hoped for with the Obus - a different take on a blend that didn't do much for me. I appreciate more now as I gain more experience, the grassy notes and sharpness that Bolivar exhibits, but this had these traits muffled by a more well-rounded sweetness and honeyed taste. Loved it!

Ramon Allones Grandes RE Spain - Blockbuster smoke. This cigar had such depth that it's a rare amazing-now cigar that I know will get even better....but I just can't keep my hands off them! I bought a 10 box in July...and I have 5 left now. Fantastic smoke if you can find it

Por Larranaga Belicosos Extra RE Asia Pacific - Even better than the PL Robustos! Honey sweetness abounds, enveloped in a smooth mild-to-medium taste that left me begging for more. One of my favorites!

Ramon Allones Celestiales Finos RE Asia Pacific - A cool size, and a punchy smoke - I actually thought it would blow me away, but the strength (while formidable) was not so overpowering that I didn't get to enjoy the earthy wood and rough spice of the cigar. One to definitely age, I should have picked up a box!

Punch Platino RE India - Definitely one I wanted because of the cool wrapper. I prefer the Punch DC to this one......which is saying something because I don't even like the Punch DC that much!!! A middling cigar, could be just the youth.

Vegas Robaina Petit Robaina RE Canada - Bought a single on a while cause it was an RE - I hate the vitola, personally. Short and fat, what's the point, right? This little guy proved me wrong again - what a flavourful smoke! Chocolate, Sweetness and a caramel aspect abounded, if I remember correctly. I throughly enjoyed this cigar, and would definitely buy it again!

Saint Luis Rey Pacificos RE Asia Pacific - An excellent example of how good RE's can be. Like a Serie A on Steroids, this was bigger, bolder and tastier than most other SLR's I've had, and as soon as I can get over the sticker shock from a 25 box, I'll pick up some to age for a few years. Wonderful smoke.

Ramon Allones Petit Unicos RE Canada - A spicy little torpedo that was neck and neck with the Celestiales Finos for best RA from 09 that I had. Enjoyable, just not as good as that VR PR.

Punch Diademas Extra RE Italia - I love the Diadema size. Too bad Cuabas are so damned disappointing. This one was better than any Cuaba Diadema I've had, but nothing exceptional. A definite 'Meh'

Punch Grand Robusto RE Spain - Bought these in Spain in July and smoked 2 of them - a delicious sour fruit taste that I loved, but rough around the edges. After another year or two, these should be just ripe. In the meantime, they are very good smokes right now, even with the roughness.

There remain RE's that I'm dying to try, like the PL Encantos, Bolivar Especiales No.2, Edmundo Dantes El Conde and PL Magnificos, but I think with the Magnificos and RA Belicosos from this year, I've probably missed the boat. I won't lose any sleep on it - I'm much more keen to grab discontinueds that I love before they are gone, than to stock up on RE's that proliferate a little more each year - but as opportunistic cigar purchases, they can be quite stellar, or maddenly mediocre. It really is like flipping a coin!

My Top 3

1. Por Larranaga Belicosos Extra RE Asia Pacific

2. Ramon Allones Grandes RE Spain

3. Bolivar Simones RE Canada

My Bottom 3

3. Juan Lopez Obus RE France

2. Ramon Allones Estupendos, RE Asia Pacific

1. Punch Platino RE India

[MPS]

I haven't tried them all but from what I have smoked:

1. LGC Deliciosos

2. RA Estupendos

3. ED Conde 109

Honrable mention: RA Beli Germany

[Colt45]

As a marketer, I understand a consumer's knee-jerk reaction to being "marketed-to" and targeted. Everyone loathes marketing, it seems. This is not to be confused with the product.

We all are marketed to every day - tv, radio, magazines, internet. If you're trying to sell me a mule, don't try to pass it off as a thoroughbred. With regard to

REs and ELs, in my opinion, there's always been an underlying pretense of superior / exceptional quality which I've not found to be the case.

And though I can't ever recall Habanos trying to push that notion, I also can't recall them trying to dispel it, and I feel pricing (for the most part) has reflected

that. I realize that the distributors set pricing, and I imagine that they must take their cost into consideration, but from both sides, why not just call them what

they are - sizes not normally found in the particular line, and price them accordingly?

Especially these days with rollers out of work and cuts in production, I would think everybody making a little money would be better than nobody making any.

[Stalebread]

I can make specific comments on only a few regionals.

Generally, I think it's an interesting program, I like the idea. But I'm finding myself less-and-less interested in them as the program continues. It keeps us talking, and debating, and speculating but it seems to me that it's has been overdone and never really reached it's potential. Unless, of course, one of the goals of the program is to keep us talking, and debating, and speculating, in that case it's successful.

The ones that standout for me are the '05 UK Ramon Allones Belicosos and the '07 Spanish Vegas Robaina Maestros.

I didn't particularly care for the '08 UK la Gloria Cubana Gloriosos but I did like the Punch D'oro from the same year.

So far my box of RA Celestials Finos has not been so good but I have hopes that will change. In fact, it's about time to try another one.

There are others that I had one or two of, some were good, some were not. All taste is subjective.

For sure, I am looking forward to trying the yet-to-be-realeased Por Larrañaga Encantos.

[Stalebread]

I just went back over peoples' "hits" and "misses" and see that some cigars appear in both lists.

Isn't that the way it usually ends up?

[brian1]

I have not tried them all, and echo the coments of stalebread above. The more they keep churning out the less interested I become.

Of the ones I have tried the standouts are:

1. First release Edmundo Dante Conde 109 mexico (I think these will become legandary in future years)

2. RA Phoenicios Lebanon

3.Punch Serie Dor #1 UK

Honorable metion: RA Estupendos which I have high hopes for.

Misses:

Too many to list.

[joeypots]

I'm not in love with most of the RR stuff, too expencive for me.

Of those I have , the RA Belicoso, '05 stands out, as does the Por Laranaga Lonsdale '06.

I'm sitting on the Bolivar Especials, '09 Germany, and I have high hopes.

[prshah25]

My top 3 till date..

Ramon Allones Phonecias (libanon)

LGC Deliciosos(cuba)

Bolivar Salomanes Armania (China)

[mazolaman]

Tried a few RRs,most of which were entirely unmemorable.

Only one hit the right spot for me;

Bolivar Legandarios 2008 Switzerland-fantastic,quite smooth,nutty,developing strength and richness.

[strayvector]

Top three in order for me:

1. VR Maestro (Spain)

2. PL Magnificos (UK)

3. PL Lonsdale (Germany)

[investandprosper]

I haven't had many RRs, but the Ramon Allones Petit Unicos were a direct hit. Very nutty and smooth.

Smoking an RA Portugal right now, looks to be a petit robusto. Just lit it up, not much to speak of yet

[CanuckSARTech]

Top three in order for me:

1. VR Maestro (Spain)

2. PL Magnificos (UK)

3. PL Lonsdale (Germany)

Stray, I gotta tell ya, since we're all talking about marketing and such....

Everytime I see one of your posts, I get aroused and thinking that I'll buy whatever you're selling. Has nothing really to do with what you say - I'm so-so paying attention to that part. I think it has to do with your avatar....

[cigcars]

*The very top Regional that put me in LaLa Land was the Ramon Allones Beritones Libano Regional. THAT mutha was honeyed DEEP brandywine loveliness! The one that I found light and flavorful was the Por Larranaga Belicoso Asia Regional. The one that was really IT for me next was the Bolivar Simones. I've had the Bolivar Alemenia Regional Especiales...it wasn't really on for me. Maybe some aging will improve. Am awaiting the Saint Luis Rey Pacifico Torpedo's arrival now - along with my Tampa and Czar Customs!

[rock]

The Bolivar B-2 is a wonderful smoke and is truly a limited edition cigar. Grab one if you get a chance.

[kjellfrick]

1. PL Magnificos

2. Edmundo Dantes

3. RA Grandes

And of course there's the PL Lonsdales, RA Maestros, RA Gran Robusto close to the top

[Professor Twain]

I love my RA Estupendos. I'm smoking one now, they are rich and good and smooth as can be. Costly but I'm glad I have a box.

[drake2k]

Edmundo Dante Conde 109 mexico is hands down the best cigar I've every smoked. I've got two boxes, and wish I had 20.

[habanablue]

smoking a VR Adriatico 08 right now ans so far impressed. Very nice. Slighly sweet, no spice or pepper on the nose...

[bassman]

Haven't smoked them all of course, but from what I've had my favorite 3...

Edmundo Dantes 109

RA Phoenicios

RA Beli (German)

The worst...

Boli DC

Boli Colasales

Those 2 Bolis are so flavorless I stopped buying Boli REs. No point to it with so many great cigars in their regular production.

[melies]

I know this is and old question, but still here are mi 2 cents in no particular order

Edmundo Dantes conde 109

RA Phoenicios

ERDM choix de L epoque (My box is wonderfull)

and i have yet to try the new PL Encantos that have just arrived and look incredible

[CohibaBehike]

I have not smoked all of them, probably not even half, but of the ones I have smoked I really enjoyed:

-Bolivar Simones Canada 2007

-Ramon Allones UK 2005

[Firewiz25]

Bolivar - Germany - Especiales No.2 – 38 x 192 - Delicados

I liked this cigar so much I picked up as many boxes as I could. Awesome flavor and I think it will age great.

[michael69]

Edmundo Dante Conde 109 mexico is hands down the best cigar I've every smoked. I've got two boxes, and wish I had 20.

wish I had one of your boxes of the dantes....

I've only got a single.

I do have a 25 box of the PL Magnificos, and VR Maestros, and - best so far - two 15 boxes of RA Phoenicios Lebanon.

I also have a box each of Gloriosos (pretty good), Boli Libertador (excellent, much better than petit)

[RonLA]

Stray, I gotta tell ya, since we're all talking about marketing and such....

Everytime I see one of your posts, I get aroused and thinking that I'll buy whatever you're selling. Has nothing really to do with what you say - I'm so-so paying attention to that part. I think it has to do with your avatar....

GIRLS GONE WILD LOL!