What cigar has impressed in the last year?

[Ssmith114]

PL Encantos

I had one a few months ago and really enjoyed it.. So much I ordered a box earlier this week!

[michaelhealy]

R&J Short Churchill. Every one I have smoked has been glorious.

Love them. One of my favourites

[sharks]

H Upmann Royal Robusto.

Cohiba Robusto 2004

[Nicko]

Really enjoyed the first royal robusto I had. Also had my first gold medal which was amazing.

Had my first aged Boli lonsdale and a Yolanda canonazo which both stood out amongst everything else over the past year.

[sabourin]

Had my first RA Beritus RE Lebanon 09 a few weeks back- awesome from start to finish

[jrb5783]

VR Maetros, trini Reyes, Hdm epi 1, and 05 mag 46 for me

[Dimmers]

Cat 1: Upmann Robusto Travel Humidor 2007 (ie the TraHuRo!) - …..just wow! Only 3 sticks left oh no.

Cat 2: Upmann Mag 48 EL - my first one in around a year yesterday, absolutely wonderful! Don’t remember it being this good.

I haven’t been the biggest fan of the Upmann profile generally , so nice surprises on both counts. Cant wait to try the Royal Robusto as well.

[Surucipe]

Cat 1: Another vote for the TraHuRo, 2 down, 4 left.

Cat 2: Epi 2

[petey]

Looks like the H Up Royal gets some votes so how about a brief description as to why, such as is it light to medium flavor as described, ready to go since it was a 2011 release, etc. thanks!

[Jeremy Festa]

1.) Quai D'Orsay Superiores

2.) Cohiba Esplendidos

[Andrew11]

Had my first bolivar royal corona a month ago, very delicious.

[gersonmorelli]

Cat. 1: PL Regalias de Londres

Cat. 2: HdM Epi 2

[CanuckSARTech]

Which cigars have impressed you in the last 12 months? There are two categories here;

1). New cigar that you haven't tried before. Could be a Monte 520, Behike or even just the first RASS you ever had and it impressed you.

OR

2). Cigar that has come back to impress you. Perhaps you have felt the JLS2 had been off for a while and are now back to greatness.

1 - Aged Cohiba Siglo V, from 2005, from Mons' Club Habana LCDH during the last Cuba trip. Haven't had that particular stick before, but I was talked into giving one a try, and it was a grand experience on such a wonderful trip with 2 dozen or so fellow international travellers.

That, and the new VR RE Canada. This will be amazing in due time, I believe.

2 - Aged Montecristo Especial, from 1998, from the same Cuba trip, supplied by Rob Fox for an aged tasting we did at Ayala's place. It's been a long time since I've had a really great Monte Especial, and this aged one shows the capability of such a cigar. The fresher ones I've had from 2008 and newer have a lot of the same characteristics that I vaguely remember about this format from samples I had back in the late 90's that were from the mid 90's. This gives me great hope that, especially with the stuff coming out in 2011 and 2012, that these will again see their epic-ness return shortly.

[NMJoe]

The 520 I had in Mexico was quite good, although it showed its youth in the back half.

wish I could get my hands on more.

[Hohenthal]

From category 1: '09 Rafael Gonzalez Corona Extra.

Could not agree more!

[Hohenthal]

As for category 2:

R&J Exhibition 4, RAS NOV 09,

a one of a kind box, just as R&J E4 should be:

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=109869&hl=%2Bexhibition+%2B4

[Colt45]

+1! Nov. '09

Could not agree more!

I guess I should add that Ray attempted to get me to try these some time ago, and that the cigars I mention were courtesy of visiting friends end of last year - great cigars

[investandprosper]

The Ramon Allones CF was a first for me this year. I had read mixed reviews prior to trying it, but all four I've smoked over the past month have been glorious.

A cigar that continues to impress has been the QdO Corona. I've smoked from several boxes, and each one has been consistently good. It reminds me of a nice spiced Christmas dessert. It's hard to find that kind of consistent quality.

[Guest rob]

I guess I should add that Ray attempted to get me to try these some time ago, and that the cigars I mention were courtesy of visiting friends end of last year - great cigars

Dirty rotten smugglers!

[Fuzz AI]

1. Cohiba 1966

2. Partagas 898

[CBL]

I'm terribly unoriginal, but I too was immensely impressed by the H. Upmann Royal Robusto. Glad I have a box resting, although I don't think they need a lot of rest. Waiting for the weather to change so I can try one out.

No cigar that I used to dislike that has impressed me much this past year, I've had a pretty uneventful cigar year so far.