What has been a pleasant surprise in 2014?

[dowjr1]

Folks are always interested in what is smoking well and on the mark. Obviously, something with 10 years on it will likely be pretty good. But what stogie have you smoked this year (with low expectations) that turned out to be a winner?

[soutso]

Monte 5s

Consistent, tasty little fockers

[LeafLover]

Punch Punch

[PapaDisco]

Punch DC!

My Punch Punch continue to be hit-or-miss. Sometimes spectacular, sometimes an abject failure to draw. The new ones with the consistent draw fail to deliver on the Punch Punch honey/molasses sweetness IMHO; so a difficult time all around in Punch Punch land . . . but those Double Coronas! Man-oh-man! Everything Ken and Loud-Shirt-Guy said on the video is true! Me and my homies burned through a box a few weeks back like addicts! We were even ignoring the 15 year old HdM Churchills in favor of the 2013 Punch DC's. Glorious!

Also had surprising good luck with the Partagas E2's despite a rocky start last year. These evened out and are really smoking well despite the appearance of light filling.

[Skyfall]

Women

[Laxman]

Partagas E2's have been a pleasant surprise for me. Has started to become my go too cigar.

[PapaDisco]

Partagas E2's have been a pleasant surprise for me. Has started to become my go too cigar.

Yeah, those suckers started out so acidic and bad, but 9 months or so later became real pleasant smokes!

Skyfall: "Women." Touche!

[Chargerfan]

CoRo from my Nov 13 box. I cannot believe how much I've enjoyed these with no real age whatsoever.

I've read quite a few posts where folks have said they're 2013 sticks are outperforming ones from their 2011/2012 boxes. I believe it.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[dowjr1]

I have some Coros from last yr as well...might have to break em out!

[ajgagnon]

Summer. First one in years!

[DWC]

Quintero - Nacionales. A lot more palatable than I expected. Not a great smoke, but it was a 'pleasant surprise' seeing my expectations were so low.

I'm always looking for C&C's. I liked the price and the size so I figured I'd give them a try. Smokable fresh (Oct '13) but I'm sure they'll be better with time.

Dan

[Cohiba007]

Des Dieux. Finally enjoying these. One of the very few cigars that I don't enjoy young.

[Webbo]

Pleasantly surprised that the 2009 EL Bolivar BF I am currently smoking is the only one I have (had) in my humidor.

A brief review;

Started poorly

Faded quickly

Least said about the end the better.

In conclusion; the worst single I have bought since Joe Dolcie "shuddupa your face" (ps it kept Utravox "Vienna" off the top spot in the UK charts, I apologise)

[fokker4me]

I love the way PL Monte Carlos are smoking.

[elam370]

Cohiba Robustos.

These things have been ridiculously fantastic as of late. An early blast of flavor and a pleasant smoking experience until the last third. Given that they're only about 2-3 months rested, I'd say I'm quite happy with them.

Absolutely smashing sticks.

I'd also say the SCdlH El Principes have been doing me absolute solids as of late. A 4 month old box from mid 2013? Short, flavorful, and brilliant.

Shame they go out so easily, but it's a small price to pay for what is a brilliant minuto.