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Posted
  On 12/18/2013 at 1:13 AM, El Presidente said:

The accepted system for rating wine is the same. For a wine to be say an 84 (and ken can correct me) it would need to be technically flawed.

This is true. And Marvin Shanken, the owner of the magazine, also owns Wine Spectator. That's interesting because I don't hear as much crap about their wine top 100 as I do about the cigar list.

My opinion is that (at least in North America) this list drives the market. Without Cigar Aficionado, the cigar boom probably doesn't reach as many people as it did. A LOT of people (at least outside Habanos) can thank CA for their livelihood. They have generated millions for the industry over the years.

In regards to the list. It's their list. They smoke and rate how they feel fit. If you don't like it, then smoke what you do like! That's the beauty of this awesome hobby. What one guy hates, the other loves.

Cheers and happy smoking! (and bs - ing about this list!)

:)

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I think there has always been civility here in regards to CC and NC discussion. We should always ensure that continues. The thing about Cuban Cigars is that you will one day hit that "brilliant cigar

Posted

Dang, that reminds me, I haven't done my top 25 for the year. Please send at least one each of your favorite CCs. Yes, only CCs, because SOMEBODY has to give a more accurate list!!

It's a lot of work, but I'm gonna go ahead and assume that role... ; )

No, really, The top 25 has lost its stronghold with me as well. It's not so much that I don't put value into their opinion, but more so (as someone mentioned earlier) that I get a better sense of what's what from all of you. Here it's not uncommon for even the Pres to warn of bad sticks or those that are in a sick period (which is a term I've only learned this year after ten years of smoking). Perhaps NCs don't deal with as many quality issues, but I've definitely had my share of those that were good one day, and awful the next.

I'll keep an open mind, but if I want an unfiltered opinion on something I'll just click FOH.

Posted
  On 12/18/2013 at 2:15 AM, pbibby said:

This is true. And Marvin Shanken, the owner of the magazine, also owns Wine Spectator. That's interesting because I don't hear as much crap about their wine top 100 as I do about the cigar list.

My opinion is that (at least in North America) this list drives the market. Without Cigar Aficionado, the cigar boom probably doesn't reach as many people as it did. A LOT of people (at least outside Habanos) can thank CA for their livelihood. They have generated millions for the industry over the years.

In regards to the list. It's their list. They smoke and rate how they feel fit. If you don't like it, then smoke what you do like! That's the beauty of this awesome hobby. What one guy hates, the other loves.

Cheers and happy smoking! (and bs - ing about this list!)

:)

Haha Yea but I think What we call in question is their appraisal of Cuban Cigars. It appears price also lowers the rating of those cigars. But if their source of Cubans is only the UK they will never be affordable any which way.

Posted
  On 12/18/2013 at 2:39 AM, BrutustheBuckeye said:
How's the Casa Magna smoking these days?

I like em...... Bahahahahahahahahahahaha

Posted

I look forward to this list, simply for entertainment reasons.

So, do you think if we all pitched in a buck or two, we could buy... er... Get a Czars custom on the list for next year? All we need is a catchy logo and a splashy band, and I'm sure we would all have a blast putting out a few full page glossy adds, if we could settle on one that wouldn't be sensored :lol:

Posted

I would love to hear what Smithy and the crew at Friends thought of the Flor de las Antillas. I sent them some a while ago, never heard since, good or bad.

Posted

I have to note: The European based Cigar Journal came out with a top 25 in 2012. Only TWO were Cuban! That really shocked me. I don't see why they would have a pro US slant, as I assume they cater more to the European market. Any thoughts?

Posted

I never use the CA list to make significant purchases but it may encourage me to try a single every now and then. There are always a few good sticks in the line-up despite some cigars I don't think I would smoke if they were gifted to me.

I had to think about my subscription status after seeing a Gurkha in the top 10, but I wouldn't smoke it myself so I can't say it's complete bunk with any authority.

What bothers me about their rating system is they don't smoke complete cigars yet judge based on vitola. Makes little sense to me from an objective standpoint. They can make whatever excuse for it they want, but it still won't make any sense to me.

Sent from my mind using telekinesis and Tapatalk.

Posted

As mentioned a big factor is the Cuban brands can't advertise so no upside but a but a downside if they don't include and support the brands that generate all their revenue.

Another issue is they like to bring out the top cigars at the Big Smoke events and they can't include the Cuban cigars so best just to throw in a token CC or two to help legitimize the list with out complicating their business model.

Posted

The few top non cubans that I bought years ago are still sitting in my humis! What does that tell you? They really should make a cuban and non cuban list of top 25s, but it will never hapen! ! $$$$$$$$$$$ ! BHK 54 #5. RIGHT!

Posted
  On 12/18/2013 at 3:03 AM, srbbones said:

I have to note: The European based Cigar Journal came out with a top 25 in 2012. Only TWO were Cuban! That really shocked me. I don't see why they would have a pro US slant, as I assume they cater more to the European market. Any thoughts?

Friends, money.

Posted

Here is a thought..

Connoisseur Corner, in CA Mag. 99.0% of cigars cuban. NC usually lowest rated, if they are even there. Marvin Shanken humidor room full of mostly cuban cigars. CA Magazine full of non cuban cigar ads, as that is all they can put in it.

Posted
  On 12/18/2013 at 1:15 AM, hdryder said:
A Gurka at #9. I think Smallclub is right about their taste buds being barbecued.

Well to be fair, it's an Abe Flores blend, not their standard crap. Kudos to Abe, I like his stuff.

Posted
  On 12/18/2013 at 4:39 AM, sw15825 said:

Here is a thought..

Connoisseur Corner, in CA Mag. 99.0% of cigars cuban. NC usually lowest rated, if they are even there. Marvin Shanken humidor room full of mostly cuban cigars. CA Magazine full of non cuban cigar ads, as that is all they can put in it.

I agree with that. It is frustrating to see the lists sometimes, especially when they place Flor De Las Antillas Toro above the Cohiba 1966.

They have to promote the NC as their readers need to read about something that they are able to buy legally. My hey sometimes however place the CC in the top with the bhk 52 for example.

Posted
  On 12/18/2013 at 5:47 AM, lexvero said:

I agree with that. It is frustrating to see the lists sometimes, especially when they place Flor De Las Antillas Toro above the Cohiba 1966.

They have to promote the NC as their readers need to read about something that they are able to buy legally. My hey sometimes however place the CC in the top with the bhk 52 for example.

If a Cuban ends up at the top - I will be happy, whatever it is

Posted
  On 12/17/2013 at 11:17 PM, Avrus said:

Here's my beef with a rating system:

How many cigars do they have rated in the 60s? The 70s? If all your cigars are rated from 80-100 then why do you have a 100 point system?

*When their magazine first started in 1992, in their review section they listed the "Penamil" cigar from I believe the Canary Islands with a 69 rating. They obviously didn't like it. I'd had the Penamil a few times and didn't find myself disappointed by it mellow.png

Posted
  On 12/18/2013 at 1:13 AM, El Presidente said:

The accepted system for rating wine is the same. For a wine to be say an 84 (and ken can correct me) it would need to be technically flawed.

Wine Spectator's 100 points system breaks down like this:

95-100 Classic: a great wine

90-94 Outstanding: a wine of superior character and style

85-89 Very good: a wine with special qualities

80-84 Good: a solid, well-made wine

75-79 Mediocre: a drinkable wine that may have minor flaws

50-74 Not recommended

The problem is that score inflation is rampant and wines now need to get over 90 to be deemed acceptable. 89 doesn't cut it in the wine aisle!

85 should really be a very good wine and 80 should be a decent wine, but no one who buys on score wants to touch them. You essentially get 50 just for turning up, so 50-74 would be flawed according to the scale. You can argue that you shouldn't get flawed wines these days but that's another issue!

Posted

Do you ALL still believe the B.S. list of the "C.A.'s top 25 of the year' ? Well,You're the only one . All in all, who believes them anyways ? Gurkha ?

Posted

I know there are very good non-Cuban cigars out there, I've had a couple, I've always had a soft spot for VegaFina, for example.

But for so many to show up in a top 25 list, I don't know..

I took part recently in an annual "trans-national" cigar tasting, this year was the first it was not a Cuban cigar, a Davidoff Puro d'Oro Magnifico, I paid 22 euro for it here. Looked fine, draw was fine but flavour went from soapy to boring. I'd never buy one again.

I'm suspicious of any "top-25" cigar list that is less than 10% Cuban.

I'm not saying it's money, advertising, influence, I don't know. I am suspicious that those ratings (where Cubans end up representing less than 10% of the list) could be based solely on enjoyment of the cigar.

Posted

I read the list every year for entertainment, thats it. Taste is different to everybody. I however do not believe CC are superior to NC, just different. Padrons are in the top 5 every year because they are consistently good and obviously fit there taste profile.

Do wish they would take price out of it though, to give the My Father the win over the 1966 in 2012 and the Casa Magna over the Padron 80yr in 2008 is just ridiculous.

Posted

I'm actually glad to see a Hererra Estelli in there this year though. Decent cigar.

I also enjoy all the Rocky Patel advertising..... Good to see they spend their cash on something! Blending cigars not so much.

Posted
  On 12/18/2013 at 12:55 PM, Duxnutz said:

I'm actually glad to see a Hererra Estelli in there this year though. Decent cigar.

I also enjoy all the Rocky Patel advertising..... Good to see they spend their cash on something! Blending cigars not so much.

Agreed, I think It was one of the top NC releases of the year. For me other honorable mentions:

1502 Ruby Robusto

Nomad Esteli Lot 1386

San Lotano Maduro Toro

Ortega Serie D Maduro

Posted
  On 12/18/2013 at 12:55 PM, Duxnutz said:

I'm actually glad to see a Hererra Estelli in there this year though. Decent cigar.

I also enjoy all the Rocky Patel advertising..... Good to see they spend their cash on something! Blending cigars not so much.

Classic

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