FOH Top 20, 2020

[El Presidente]

2020 was a disastrous year in all but Cuban cigars. 

In terms of quality and consistency, 2020  is the finest year that I have seen since 1996.

It makes sense. Tabacuba had plenty of great leaf to play with and all the time in the world to roll it with half of their export markets shut down and no domestic tourism.  The end result.....quality goes through the roof. 

My top 20 is based solely on quality and flavour and only regular production. I weight toward volume seen which is roughly equivalent to volume produced.  As an example, the quality of HDM DC is higher on average than Monte 4, however I will see 100 boxes of Monte 4 for each box of HDM DC.

It was tough on the H. Upmann Magnum 46 and Connie B to miss out. The Por larranaga Petit Corona had a poor early year but a strong finish. It wasn't enough. Same can be said for the Punch Punch and HDM Epicure 1 and Bolivar Petit Corona. There are many more. 

Consistency and Flavour are king however....and that is what this list is based on  

 

 

1.     Montecristo Number 2

2020 saw the best year for Monte 2 that I can remember. We all know that there are a ton of them made from many different factories and consistency has always been an issue. Well late 2019 and 2020 production has been consistently excellent and the flavour profile absolutely spot on. 

It takes out top spot for being one of the  "heavy lifters" of the Cuban cigar world while reaching new heights in consistency this year 

 

 

2.   Cohiba Siglo V

Consistently the best cigar that I have smoked in 2020. It doesn't matter whether they are tubed or SLB, they simply provide a class Cohiba experience that sets a benchmark for what a premium cigar should be. 

 

 

3.   Bolivar Belicoso Fino

Great year for the BBF. 

Consistency has been excellent and the flavour rich and bold. 

 

 

4.   Bolivar Libertador

This cigar knocks most higher priced regionals out of the park and pushes big ticket specialties to the limit. 

One of the best kept secrets of the Cuban cigar world. 

 

 

5.    Cohiba Siglo III

I could live on Siglo V an Siglo III. 2020 Siglo III were exceptional. 

 

 

6.      Quai d’Orsay 54

They increased the price and it didn't slow down global sales by one iota. The QD 54 continues to power on. 

 

7. Hoyo de Monterrey Rio Seco

This is such a distinct Hoyo with a personality very different to it's similarly sized San Juan.  Love the gingerbread spice. 

Quality wise, they have had a superb year. 

 

 

 

 

8. Trinidad Esmeralda

Came from nowhere to become the hottest Trinidad offering on the market.  It deserves the kudos it is getting.

 

 

 

9.     Montecristo Number 4

Much like the Monte 2, it has been a bellwether year for the Monte 4. Consistency in construction and flavour has been excellent in 2020. This is one cigar that is deservedly clawing itself back into members regular rotations.

 

 

10.       Punch Short de Punch

This is the sort of cigar that we want HSA to release more often. Big flavours, consistent and relatively inexpensive.  I have been blowing it's horn most of the year as one of the best bang for buck cigars in the HSA line-up. 

 

 

 

 

11.  Partagas Serie P Number 2

The highest compliment that I can pay the P2 is that it challenges the BBF for my attention when I lift the home desktop.  All Piramids in 2020 have had a good year but in terms of blends, the P2 has gone to a whole new level. 

 

12. Cohiba Robusto

 

Excellent year for CORO. Put them away until 2025 and you will be richly rewarded. 

 

 

13.      Partagas Serie D Number 4

Smoking the house down! How good have they been in 2020!

Yo really don't have to put them down for too long outside of the 90 day rest period. Some of the best in years. 

 

 

 

14.     Ramon Allones Specially Select

 

The fruit is back in RASS! They have been consistently excellent throughout 2020 both in cabs and dress boxes.  They will benefit form 24 months down but keep an eye out that you don't rest them too long. 

 

 

 

15.     Montecristo Number 1

Good year for Monte all around but the number one continued to power on after a stellar 2018. 

We should all smoke more number 1's from 2019/20.  Drop dead gorgeous on the eye, in the hand and on the palette. 

 

 

16          Romeo y Julieta Churchill 

Back to back very good years. They are consistently nailing that Rosado wrapper which is the essence of great Romeo y Julieta cigars. 

 

17.       Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona

The quality has been exceptional in 2020.  if we had seen a few more they would have been in the top 5. Best Hoyo DC in years. 

 

 

 

18.          Bolivar Royal Corona

The big comeback cigar of 2020. They are now cocoa laden. Chocolate milkshake in a Robusto. Quality has been outstanding as has consistency. 

 

19.             Trinidad Media Luna 

Trinidad can't put a foot wrong at the moment. It was only 2016/17 where they had lost their way completely. 

The Media Luna is turning out to be their biggest selling cigar and that is largely because their flavour and quality consistency is spot on. 

 

20.               H. Upmann Number 2

Much better year for the Upmann Number 2. Consistency is way up. I am enjoying seeing the use of Colorado rosado wrappers on many of them. 

 

 

 

 

 

What are your personal top 5 for 2020? 

 

[glaesthetic]

Siglo V was easily the best cigar I smoked this year. Just wish we would see some come up for sale soon. 

[mprach024]

For quality for me no surprises really as the quality has been so consistent it seems everyone seeing same thing.  All the pyramids were stellar for sure.  The big surprise to me was the Epi 1, and maybe I’m over hyping it because the rest of these cigars have been stellar but were always in my rotation, the Epi 1 was not for over a decade, now it’s a weekly pull from my humidor.  Here’s my list for the ones I can’t remember the last time I had a example:

Monte 2

Partagas P2

Mag 46

Epi 1

Coloniales

Honorable mentions:  JL2, RAG, BBF, Up2, Siglo IV, Ex 4, any of these honestly could have made my list.  

[cmbarton]

I’m surprised JL2 missed the list!  This was the year I came back to JL2 after being disappointed in previous years.  Now I’m grabbing them up as fast as I can!

[El Presidente]

6 minutes ago, cmbarton said:

I’m surprised JL2 missed the list!  This was the year I came back to JL2 after being disappointed in previous years.  Now I’m grabbing them up as fast as I can!

Wasn't too far off the top 20 pack. Dropped back in the pecking order only due to a poor run of mastercases early on. Last quarter has been excellent again. 

[Bri Fi]

How much further would you put the Siglo 6? The video review you and Ken did was glowing. 

[Markspring1978]

I’m shocked, I’m stunned, I’m absolutely flabbergasted that Party Lusis aren’t on the list. Best I’ve seen in a long time. I got several cabs this year, they look like they got lathered in oil and the aroma and flavor is outrageous. 

[deadpair71]

anyone have any thoughts on how the 2020 PSD4's are smoking compared to the 2018's?  Wondering if I should pick up some 2020's to put down while finishing off the current box.

[El Presidente]

16 minutes ago, Bri Fi said:

How much further would you put the Siglo 6? The video review you and Ken did was glowing. 

Simply a mater of quantum seen throughout the year. You have to discount on numbers. 

Much the same could be said for the V and III. However both were available for most of the year in at least tube form. 

[El Presidente]

17 minutes ago, Markspring1978 said:

I’m shocked, I’m stunned, I’m absolutely flabbergasted that Party Lusis aren’t on the list. Best I’ve seen in a long time. I got several cabs this year, they look like they got lathered in oil and the aroma and flavor is outrageous. 

Excellent they were!

They would have made the list but they have gone MIA this last quarter.  One of the great production own goals  Even my good mate Ravi is out. 

 

[vhampl03]

My top 5 this year:

1.  Medio Siglo: love these....easier to pay $13/stick in the spring as opposed to $18 now, but they’re worth the money....can almost always get a good 75 min or more of pure enjoyment.

2.  BBF: consistent quality and flavor...that malt taste is right in my wheelhouse

3.  HU #2:  really like these....love the A’s as well but the #2 has a little heft I enjoy

4.  P2:  really love a good D4 and my P2s have been an extended and classier D4

5.  Topes: don’t think this gets the same love as the ML and Esmeralda but it suits me

-Vance

[Chas.Alpha]

The Bolivar Petit Coronas were perfect this last year! 
 

Of these 3 boxes, two are now gone! Flawless...

[Chas.Alpha]

Those are the RC’s. Sorry. These are the PC’s...

[Markspring1978]

1 hour ago, El Presidente said:

Excellent they were!

They would have made the list but they have gone MIA this last quarter.  One of the great production own goals  Even my good mate Ravi is out. 

 

Okay, but if production availability is a pre-requisite for inclusion on the list, how are Siglo V number 2 on the list? They seem to have been unobtainable for most the year. I will say this, those Sig V in the pic are as sexy as a cigar can be. 

BTW- love these lists, thanks for taking the time to put this together, even if we see it differently. 

[El Presidente]

3 minutes ago, Markspring1978 said:

Okay, but if production availability is a pre-requisite for inclusion on the list, how are Siglo V number 2 on the list? They seem to have been unobtainable for most the year. I will say this, those Sig V in the pic are as sexy as a cigar can be. 

BTW- love these lists, thanks for taking the time to put this together, even if we see it differently. 

True to a point and these lists are largely subjective. 

Siglo V have been available relatively consistently in tubes most of the year. SLB not so. 

[Chas.Alpha]

4 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

True to a point and these lists are largely subjective. 

Siglo V have been available relatively consistently in tubes most of the year. SLB not so. 

And to an even greater point, thank you Rob, Diana, Lisa, John (and the other moderators) and even Ken, for making this great and fun for all of us! This has been a tough year. You helped all of us pull through it! ?

A great 2021, mates!!! ?

[mprach024]

15 minutes ago, Chas.Alpha said:

And to an even greater point, thank you Rob, Diana, Lisa, John (and the other moderators) and even Ken, for making this great and fun for all of us! This has been a tough year. You helped all of us pull through it! ?

A great 2021, mates!!! ?

Nice looking cigar lounge, if that’s in your basement my jealousy pains are strong ?

[Chibearsv]

My top 5 2020 smoking great right now in no particular order

Punch Short de Punch 

H Upmann No.2

Hoyo Rio Seco

Trinidad Esmerelda

Esplendidos - sorry, they're always on my list

 

[MrBirdman]

18 hours ago, glaesthetic said:

Siglo V was easily the best cigar I smoked this year. Just wish we would see some come up for sale soon. 

I’d go on a hunger strike to get some Siglo V’s like that on 24:24. 

[Gamehawker]

I am amazed and sad to see that only one H. Upmann made and barely made the top 20 list this year. ???

[mprach024]

12 minutes ago, Gamehawker said:

I am amazed and sad to see that only one U. Hupmann made and barely made the top 20 list this year. ???

Agree, Upmann has been great this year but I do get that we are spoiled for choice with great quality this year.

[Puros Y Vino]

Haven't had much 2019 let alone 2020 stock. Though I did recently light up a MAR 2020 RyJ Churchill and it was horrible.  Tasted alright, but very underfilled, needed constant relights and the wrapper seemed fire resistant.  The amount of charring was unsettling.  Very similar to the EL's of old.

[Tstew75]

At $40 a pop, Sig 5s better be good ?

[ElJavi76]

Esmeralda

D4 

BRC 

Rio Seco / SJ

Medio Siglo

[zigarrenziggy]

Just to confirm, this list is based on 2020 box codes, correct?