Top 10 according to CA--need some opinions.

[bman75]

6 hours ago, JohnInCleveland said:

They always include a few cubans. 

 

4 hours ago, Fugu said:

What's so surprising exactly?!

It's the usual yearly game, that only one or two CCs make it on their Top10 list.

 

Definitely a formula at this point.  Their claims of blind tastings have nothing to do with it.  Their top 10:

- Always one of the higher-end Padrons

- Always one Fuente (non-Gran Reserva lines)

- Always one Oliva.

- Always 1-2 50+ rg Habanos - not based on this year's quality of stock, but ones they want to make the reader familiar with.

- Always one value offering (Punch Gran Puro this year)

- Always one from a hot/trending NC company (Drew recently, Pepin before that)

- Always one head-scratcher as a conversation starter (Rocky this year)

I will say that I haven't seen a pattern on their #1 selection and I give them credit for mixing that up year to year with different companies, CC/NC, price points.

 

 

[CdnLimitada]

Of the NC I have only tried the Olivia Melanio a couple times.  It was okay.  Maybe a 6/10.  My favourite NC is the 2010 Olivia V Maduro.  A fantastic cigar.  That is partially why I wanted to try the new Melanio.  Not even close to as good IMO.  The epi2 is a great cigar.  Tried one E2 and it was really good.  Found it more mild than most other Partagas.  

I have no inclination to try any on the list.  Every RP I have tried was just garbage.  No idea how that company is still in business (and apparently doing well).

 

 

 

[zeedubbya]

For the record I appreciate everyone trying to keep this as un-hostile as possible.  I realize there's a strong inclination to do so.  There is from me too, but all the posts so far have been on point.  One thing I would like to mention is it's amazing what this ranking does here in the US for the company who wins this award--sell out in about 5 hours of all stocks.  It would be interesting to see if the Embargo had never happened how this list might be different.  Or even more interesting if a Cuban cigar were to win the top spot would HSA see a huge spike in sales like LFD just did?  The sway the magazine and it's people have over the average US cigar consumer is unreal, it really is. 

 

[JohnInCleveland]

19 minutes ago, zeedubbya said:

For the record I appreciate everyone trying to keep this as un-hostile as possible.  I realize there's a strong inclination to do so.  There is from me too, but all the posts so far have been on point.  One thing I would like to mention is it's amazing what this ranking does here in the US for the company who wins this award--sell out in about 5 hours of all stocks.  It would be interesting to see if the Embargo had never happened how this list might be different.  Or even more interesting if a Cuban cigar were to win the top spot would HSA see a huge spike in sales like LFD just did?  The sway the magazine and it's people have over the average US cigar consumer is unreal, it really is. 

 

What I can say for NC's is that cuban cigars, in my personal experience, have much greater variations in quality control and consistency.  We use FOH specifically bc it requires a quality control department outside of Cuba to sift thru the stuff coming from SA.  I've bought blind both in Cuba and from other sources, and I dont know that the same variation is as common with reputable NC's.  

[PigFish]

2 hours ago, zeedubbya said:

For the record I appreciate everyone trying to keep this as un-hostile as possible.  I realize there's a strong inclination to do so.  There is from me too, but all the posts so far have been on point.  One thing I would like to mention is it's amazing what this ranking does here in the US for the company who wins this award--sell out in about 5 hours of all stocks.  It would be interesting to see if the Embargo had never happened how this list might be different.  Or even more interesting if a Cuban cigar were to win the top spot would HSA see a huge spike in sales like LFD just did?  The sway the magazine and it's people have over the average US cigar consumer is unreal, it really is. 

 

... well I don't resist getting a little hostile!!! A goodly number of PCs beat the flavor performance of robustos with consistency. Do these guys even try Cuban PCs???

I am convinced that these guys don't actually smoke cigars. They just play cigar smokers in 'pictures.'

Sorry Zaney!!! -LOL -tP

[Lotusguy]

Same discussion every year.

[Hurltim]

Back in the day (mid 90's) Cubans ruled the roost in the Top Ten at CA.
http://www.cigaraficionado.com/webfeatures/show/id/All-Time-Top-Cigars_8290

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

[zeedubbya]

2 hours ago, PigFish said:

... well I don't resist getting a little hostile!!! A goodly number of PCs beat the flavor performance of robustos with consistency. Do these guys even try Cuban PCs???

I am convinced that these guys don't actually smoke cigars. They just play cigar smokers in 'pictures.'

Sorry Zaney!!! -LOL -tP

Ray--You put up a PC meter in your sigtag like me then you'll be more legit than the guys at CA--Hahahaa!!! 

 

 

[Cigar Surgeon]

21 hours ago, irratebass said:

Not CA Bashing, but this is my kind of list 

 

http://cigar-coop.com/tag/2016-cigar-of-the-year

 

Now of the CA list here is what I have had:

10,9,8,7....not sure about 6,...can't afford 5, 4...nope, & 3...that's it. 

Of this list, I think I would move Epi 1 to the top 5 & disregard the rest from being top cigars....I mean #8 & #7 are three & two year old cigars.

I'm with you, I trust Coop's palate over CA. The Norteno is a great cigar, and it made my list too. But that was 2014.

[Cigar Surgeon]

1 hour ago, ericdriscoll said:

Really? They don't rate any Cubans at all. Ever. And there's a candela at #26 called Pickle Juice. So a Cuban-less line-up with green cigars is your kind of list? Ok.

Pickle juice was one of the most highly regarded candela releases in recent years.

[PigFish]

9 hours ago, zeedubbya said:

Ray--You put up a PC meter in your sigtag like me then you'll be more legit than the guys at CA--Hahahaa!!! 

 

... I live by example baby. -the Pig

 

[PigFish]

You guys want a laugh... Watch the video review of the "1" cigar! I am paraphrasing: "... this is a powerful cigar, you can taste the saffron...." I think this dude should clean last night's bouillabaisse out of his chin whiskers!!!

...'taste saffron,' horse pucky....

-Piggy 

[zeedubbya]

I just realized something about this entire top 25 list.  I believe (and someone correct me if I am wrong) every single cigar on this list will be potentially eliminated per the new FDA Regulations?  

Hmmmm....wonder if there's any relevance to this.  I believe they were all made post 2007 (not two of the Cubans but still non-exempt).  

[Dave001]

and there we have it just as I predicted (Nostradamus eat your heart out LOL ) theres a cohiba on the list omg stop the presses!!

LOL ok enough jokes at CA for this year !!

[Hedgehog]

Ring gauges this year.  Funny

64
50
54
52
52
47
54
52
50
52

Average = 52.7

 

 

 

[zeedubbya]

6 hours ago, SenorPerfecto said:

No that's not how it works.

I re-read the document a bit and it seems ALL of the cigars on the list will have to go through one of three "pathways" to approval and will be allowed to be continued to be sold until a decision is made by the FDA based on information submitted by the cigar companies who made new blends between Feb 15, 2007 and August 8, 2016.  So in my interpretation these cigars will be allowed to be sold until the FDA rules on the applications submitted by the companies in question.  So ultimately it will be up to the manufacturer and then the FDA.

Shaking my head repeatedly....that's all I'll say about that.  

[Stogieninja]

[quote post="740900" timestamp="1481858287" name="zeedubbya" userid="28755.  Or even more interesting if a Cuban cigar were to win the top spot would HSA see a huge spike in sales like LFD just did?  The sway the magazine and it's people have over the average US cigar consumer is unreal, it really is. 

 



Monte 2 won; somehow I doubt it had a major impact, given it's already overwhelming popularity

[oliverdst]

http://www.cigarjournal.co/complete-list-top-25-of-2016-cigar-journal/