The "most improved " and "going backward" awards

[El Presidente]

Taking 2017/2018 stock into account. 

Your nominations (from your experience) as to:

1. The "most improved regular production cigar" award in terms of quality

2. The "going backwards since 2016 regular production cigar " award in terms of quality. 

We look forward to your nominations 

 

 

[Hammer Smokin']

i don't have enough experience to weigh in, but I'm going to be interesting in reading the comments

[OZCUBAN]

For me the best thing out of Cuba in the last twelve months are the QDO 50’s and 54’s 

awsome ??

[JohnS]

1. Most improved....perhaps Romeo y Julieta Churchills. I also think recent Trinidad Fundadores has been outstanding.

2. Going backwards...where did the Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No.4's disappear to? They were 'hot, hot, hot' on this forum during 2014/15 but they've been barely seen since. Also, perhaps others can weigh in here as I'm not a prodigious Hoyo de Monterrey standard line smoker, I predominantly favour the Le Hoyo series, but I seem to recall more instances of quality Epicure No.1 and No.2 prior to 2016.

[kalibratecuba]

Isn't everything, to varying degrees, up right now? It looks like the next few years will yield some consistency. I'm just a plebe though.

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[El Presidente]

1 hour ago, kalibratecuba said:

Isn't everything, to varying degrees, up right now? It looks like the next few years will yield some consistency. I'm just a plebe though.

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Unfortuanately not the case. 

It has been a lean time for quite a few in terms of quality compared to 2016.  HDM Epi 2 and R&J E4 being two clear cut cases. 

[dowjr1]

I was going to say Epi 2s and Rome Wide Churchills on the down. On the up, I’d say the Monte Double Edmundos have been more available along with some more from the Trinidad and QDO line showing up.

[luckme10]

monte 2 and RASS have regressed. Agree about the hoyo epi 2. 

Punch punch had gotten better.

[IanMcLean68]

For the best come back, I would nominate RyJ Churchills  along with Punch Punch, along with a general upswing for a lot of regular production.

It's good to see the iconic Churchill come in from the cold.

For a fast come back in the last few months, I would award that to Montecristo. The quality in 2's and 4's the last few months has been phenomenal.

Going backwards, Hoyo de Monterrey. The Le Hoyo line is dwindling out of existence, and the Epi1 & 2 have had a rough year.

[dvickery]

My skewed answer to this question ...

on the upswing ... ‘97 to ‘03 are now in the realm of “vintage” cigars ... or will be soon ? ... balance (strength and flavours) is there .

On the downswing ... custom rolled cigars in Havana (when smoked fresh) ... just not what they used to be (15 or 20 years ago).

derrek

[El Presidente]

8 minutes ago, crking3 said:

Everyone is saying epi 2 has been rough but I keep seeing rob rave about current product being is good in the 24/24 I’ve over the last several months ...whats going on?


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Simple. 

Last two months : good to very good. 

Previous 14-18 : way too much bad. 

Has been covered in various commentary both in 24:24 listings and elsewhere. 

[El Presidente]

1 hour ago, luckme10 said:

monte 2 and RASS have regressed. Agree about the hoyo epi 2. 

Punch punch had gotten better.

RASS had a tough 17 early 18 but rebounding somewhat.  Monte 2 you need to look hard for great examples but that has always been the case.  Agreed on the Punch Punch. 

[El Presidente]

1 hour ago, dowjr1 said:

I was going to say Epi 2s and Rome Wide Churchills on the down. On the up, I’d say the Monte Double Edmundos have been more available along with some more from the Trinidad and QDO line showing up.

Spot on. 

Wide Churchills have regressed. Double Edmundos are on the upswing as are the Fundadores (not seeing it so much in the Reyes/coloniales).  Keep in mind Double Edmundos started at a very low quality base. They were appalling. 

[Notsocleaver]

1 hour ago, El Presidente said:

RASS had a tough 17 early 18 but rebounding somewhat.  Monte 2 you need to look hard for great examples but that has always been the case.  Agreed on the Punch Punch. 

I feel like people have been talking about Punch Punch being on an upswing for the last 2-3 years. Was there a rough patch in there somewhere I missed or are they just getting better and better?

[IanMcLean68]

17 minutes ago, Notsocleaver said:

I feel like people have been talking about Punch Punch being on an upswing for the last 2-3 years. Was there a rough patch in there somewhere I missed or are they just getting better and better?

IMO, only really come back since 16. Many very bad examples for an entire decade previous, it really looked like it had gone to the dogs.

[canadianbeaver]

The brand, the band, the whole shebang. QDO 50 has been a winner for me with the original in mid 2017 or so.

Other 2017 cigars, no matter how early are  Cohiba Medio Siglo. A lovely alternative to Robustos to mix things up a bit.

In terms of regular, everyday cigar, cut a San Cristobal Principe any time of day or night.

CB

[Vortigan]

On the up, La Fuerza. And as an entire marque, Bolivar, for me, has done very little wrong for 3, maybe 4 years now. But I'm afraid the Epi 2 is getting another downvote here, it's been very, very frustrating. 

[Tommy_Tao]

Didn’t buy many new cigars so found no obviously upward ones.

Downward ones did appear some times: Hupmann Anejados is the most delicious marca out of Anejados line but its recent quality has been inconsistent; Hoyo Petit Robusto was loved by many but some recent ones from 17 I smoked are trash; Hoyo E1 being the same (like many have mentioned).

[Tommy_Tao]

11 hours ago, El Presidente said:

RASS had a tough 17 early 18 but rebounding somewhat.  Monte 2 you need to look hard for great examples but that has always been the case.  Agreed on the Punch Punch. 

I have a 50 cab of  RASS from early 18, can’t remember exact box code though. I bought it at sale price, and flavor is good for young cigars while the wrapper looks shity. How would you define this? Good one or bad one?

[dicko]

I have a 50 cab of  RASS from early 18, can’t remember exact box code though. I bought it at sale price, and flavor is good for young cigars while the wrapper looks shity. How would you define this? Good one or bad one?

In my opinion flavour & construction always trumps appearance but of course it is nice if they look good too!


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[BrightonCorgi]

Juan Lopez and Punch Punch are the most improved cigars in the last two years.  Honorable mention for Mag 46

[HopeUgood]

Im watching this thread, I need to find something in a shorter format, less expensive side for a daily smoke. 

[HopeUgood]

1 hour ago, crking3 said:

I would not recommend rascc to fit the bill now...they need time...a lot of ppl site the principe as good now and shorter ....also plmc which are a bit bigger but still a good shortish smoke


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that brings up another good point, something that is a good smoke young....maybe my checklist is getting to long haha. 

[JZBdano]

10 hours ago, HopeUgood said:

Im watching this thread, I need to find something in a shorter format, less expensive side for a daily smoke. 

AGO 16 Por Larrañaga Panetelas I'm smoking are great right now, short and inexpensive.

As @canadianbeaver mentioned, San Cristobal El Principe are really good.

Partagas Shorts are always a great smoke if your looking for something with a little more oomph than the two mentioned above.

'14/15 H Upmann Half Corona were a favorite of mine but the two '16 boxes I've smoked have been mediocre at best.  I'm hoping to hear good reports of the recent production so I can get them back into my rotation.

 

[HopeUgood]

3 hours ago, JZBdano said:

AGO 16 Por Larrañaga Panetelas I'm smoking are great right now, short and inexpensive.

As @canadianbeaver mentioned, San Cristobal El Principe are really good.

Partagas Shorts are always a great smoke if your looking for something with a little more oomph than the two mentioned above.

'14/15 H Upmann Half Corona were a favorite of mine but the two '16 boxes I've smoked have been mediocre at best.  I'm hoping to hear good reports of the recent production so I can get them back into my rotation.

 

Nice, thank you.  I sat on my hands when San Cristobal's were on 24:24 the other day : /  Such is life,  I got an epic sampler yesterday, happy with that. Disappointed to hear about the H. Upmann Half C, they were on the list. This may out myself for the noob I am, but I actually enjoyed the RJ #2 for a cheapie. Argh , so many cigars, so little time
I do wanna start sticking some away to let age, and would like to start with a good cigar on the front end for that as well.