What do you consider the most exceptional Regional Release that you have smoked?

[El Presidente]

What do you consider the most exceptional Regional Release that you have smoked?

This is a discussion that came up last week. 

We are not talking about "one off" exceptional Regionals....but that release/box/boxes that are consistently exceptional 93+ point cigars. 

Do you own such a box?  Do you own more than one? Which one nudges out the others. 

Let us know 

[TBird55]

I am not as well-versed in regards to regionals, as many are, but I would put the Sir David at the top of my list. Out of the 10 I have smoked, all were mid 90's. Have one cab, sorced from a member here, put away. 

[KCCubano]

RA Phoenicio from 09. RA Estupendos and what some consider the first RE ever. RA Belicoso UK although they came with no RE bands. 05. IMO the flavor profile of the RA RE's in general are very true to the marca. All 3 mentioned above were spectaluar examples. I have a few boxes of the RA Perfecto Mexico but have yet to sample

[Islandboy]

In general I’ve had significantly better experiences with Regionals than Limitadas, so I’ve definitely gone after them and have several "big hitters”, so to speak (Bushidos, Eslavos, Orgulosos, for example). But my favorite box is definitely Bolivar Tesoros, everything about that cigar is in my wheelhouse every time.

[Paladin865]

I don't own any boxes of regionals, but I smoked several types of regionals. One I really enjoyed was La Gloria Cubana Gran Britannia 

[Justins123]

I stopped chasing after REs around 2015 or so when the prices started to go out of control and the number of releases each year went crazy. So I can’t speak to anything recent. I also found REs to generally be underwhelming, at least from the perspective that they’re “special” cigars. 

But the 50 cabs of Simones are among the best cigars I’ve smoked. Went through two cabs, have one left.  Still improving despite getting up there in age. 

[KCCubano]

17 minutes ago, Justins123 said:

I stopped chasing after REs around 2015 or so when the prices started to go out of control and the number of releases each year went crazy. So I can’t speak to anything recent. I also found REs to generally be underwhelming, at least from the perspective that they’re “special” cigars. 

But the 50 cabs of Simones are among the best cigars I’ve smoked. Went through two cabs, have one left.  Still improving despite getting up there in age. 

Had a 50 cab as well. Superb but mine took a deep dive at 5 yr mark for whatever reason and sold them off. Purchaser liked them tho

[Glass Half Full]

La Escepcion Selectos Finos ER Italia -- IMO, the best period; hands down.

Many others are notable, though in a different category and for differing reasons:  El Diputado ER Belux was one of the better mild cigars I can ever remember from HSA; great complexity for a subtle cigar.  Edmundo Dantes Conde Belicoso ER Mexico and Juan Lopez Malecón ER Andorra are both beautiful for their complexity IMO.  ...There are many ER's that I find very compelling, but none hold a candle to the La Escepcion.  

[CaptainQuintero]

Asia Pacifico PL Robusto has to be up there surely

[targa88]

5 minutes ago, CaptainQuintero said:

Asia Pacifico PL Robusto has to be up there surely

Also the 2011 PL Encantos

VR XV Anniversario 2012 

[chris12381]

I don't buy many anymore.  When considering the extra cost, I've found almost all to be a dissapointment.  My new rule (guidance really) is to only buy them if I'm in the country where they are sold. 

With that said, in no particular order:

Vegas Robaina Maestros España 2007

Ramón Allones Phoenicio Libiano 2008

Por Larañaga Encantos Asia Pacifico 2011

Punch 8-9-8 Asia Pacifico 2018

Diplomáticos Excelencia Cuba 2015

[NSXCIGAR]

I've only had a few that I've smoked enough of to form an opinion that I would consider outstanding. Dip Bushido, ED Belicosos would be the two that come to mind. There are others that I've only had one or two of that were outstanding but the sample size would be too small. LE Don Jose, Dip Excelencia, SLR Marquez and SP Eslavo would be examples of those. 

[Fuzz]

2 hours ago, CaptainQuintero said:

Asia Pacifico PL Robusto has to be up there surely

Have to second this. Every cigar I had in 2 boxes were fantastic. Not a single dud so far. Same goes the Encantos.

[mprach024]

Well…..none to come to mind actually

[Fugu]

Boli Especiales No. 2.

[Tstew75]

Without a doubt, my favorite 2 ever are:

• RA Phoenicio 35
• LGC Caribe

Both are mindbogglingly great.

[Islandboy]

51 minutes ago, NSXCIGAR said:

I've only had a few that I've smoked enough of to form an opinion that I would consider outstanding. Dip Bushido, ED Belicosos would be the two that come to mind. There are others that I've only had one or two of that were outstanding but the sample size would be too small. LE Don Jose, Dip Excelencia, SLR Marquez and SP Eslavo would be examples of those. 

I’m with you on SLR Marquez, all have been outstanding from a box I’m sadly almost done with.

[BrightonCorgi]

For cigars within the last 5 years I really like (guess I like figurado's)

Sancho Panza "Gran Quixote"
Diplomáticos El Diputado
Rafael González 88

 

[Ford2112]

I have yet to smoke one that has wowed me. Some have been duds. Just smoked a LGC Orgullosos that was very good. Some construction issues though, a bit flame retardant of a wrapper.

[Chucko8]

Emundo Dantes Conde 109 has been the best of them thus far for me.

[SirVantes]

RA Grandes and JL4. Honourable mention for RA Estupendos. 

[NSXCIGAR]

4 hours ago, Islandboy said:

I’m with you on SLR Marquez, all have been outstanding from a box I’m sadly almost done with.

I've had a few Pura Vida and they aren't close to the Marquez although I've heard some good things about the Herfing. Have heard mixed things about the Tesoros and interestingly they're still pretty available.

 

4 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

Sancho Panza "Gran Quixote

I was seriously eyeballing these when they were $250. Should have jumped on it. Is there a bad Romeos? Would love to see these as a regular production in 10s. 

[Edicion]

Went through boxes of SLR Herfing, Dip Ammunition and they have all been great.

ERDM Tainos are amazing too.

Edited August 29, 2022 by Edicion
Added Tainos

[Duxnutz]

PL Asia pacific bell’s. Fantastic. Robusto was good too but prefer these. Had one just the other day. 

[KCCubano]

11 hours ago, Fugu said:

Boli Especiales No. 2.

The 09 RE Alemania were very good if you were able to get a decent draw. Half of my box was totally plugged. Even worse for me were the PL Lonsdales