FOH Members "Humo d’Oro" (Golden Smoke) Awards 2025

[El Presidente]

FOH Members Humo d’Oro  (Golden Smoke) awards 2025! 

5 Categories. Share your nominations with us 

1. Humo d’Oro – Your Singular Finest Cigar Experience of the Year
   The one cigar experience of 2025 that topped all others. 

2. El Señor Confiable – Mr Reliable Cigar of the Year
   The cigar you reach for when you don’t want to think. This cigar always delivers.

3. La Sorpresa – Most Surprising Cigar of the Year
   The cigar that you weren't expecting too much from, but it truly exceeded expectations!

4. Best New Cigar into your Regular Rotation. 
   New cigar to you in 2025 that forced it's way into your rotation on sheer performance. 

5. Best Value Cigar of the Year
   Outstanding quality relative to price.

 

[loose_axle]

1. Humo d’Oro – Your Singular Finest Cigar Experience of the Year
   Davidoff Year of the Ox - unbelievable the flavours out of this one. 

2. El Señor Confiable – Mr Reliable Cigar of the Year
   Diplomaticos No 2 - pretty much the workhorse for me this year and an almost full box in Jan 25 now almost empty. 

3. La Sorpresa – Most Surprising Cigar of the Year
   SLR La Cuna - didn't expect much from a regional this young but it was very good. Still a bit rough but good. 

4. Best New Cigar into your Regular Rotation. 
   Bond Roberts 109 

5. Best Value Cigar of the Year
   Bond Roberts 109 - I can see the BR replacing a lot of NCs for me in time if they keep hitting the spot the way they are. 

[westg]

1. Cohiba Behike 56 with Miner and Joker.  Sensational. 

2. Montecristo Especiales 

3 Rafael Gonzalez coronas de Lonsdale.  Amazing wasn't expecting much at all primarily a fishing stick. Blew me away in flavour and complexity that box is now gone.

4. Ramon Allones No 3 gorgeous and love the size. 

5  Hoyo de Monterrey No 3. 62 notes a stick in Aus is a bargain. 

[tbelle7]

Humo d’Oro – Your Singular Finest Cigar Experience of the Year
Cohiba 55th - SER AGO 22

El Señor Confiable – Mr Reliable Cigar of the Year
Partagas P2

La Sorpresa – Most Surprising Cigar of the Year

BBF

Best New Cigar into your Regular Rotation. 

Esmeralda

Best Value Cigar of the Year
D4 - hard to beat for the (relatively) low price

[JohnS]

1. Humo d’Oro – Your Singular Finest Cigar Experience of the Year
Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.1 circa 2010

2. El Señor Confiable – Mr Reliable Cigar of the Year
Partagas Serie D No.4 - 2019

3. La Sorpresa – Most Surprising Cigar of the Year
Partagas Presidentes - 2023

4. Best New Cigar into your Regular Rotation. 
Juan López Selección No.1 - 2024

5. Best Value Cigar of the Year
Juan López Selección No.1 - 2024

[Montezüma]

1. Humo d’Oro – Your Singular Finest Cigar Experience of the Year
   I had a rendezvous in Paris for a reunion of 25 years of friendship with a group of 5 gents. Lit this Siglo II for the occasion. Nuff said

2. El Señor Confiable – Mr Reliable Cigar of the Year
   Fortunately the Ramon Allones Small Club Corona remains as consistent performer.

3. La Sorpresa – Most Surprising Cigar of the Year
   Por Larranaga Lotus ER Macau is a wonderful cigar and have picked up more!

4. Best New Cigar into your Regular Rotation. 
   PLPC is the cigar that has forced it's way into my rotation on sheer performance. 

5. Best Value Cigar of the Year
   Partagas Lusitania, when they are available are tremendous value for what they are.                     

[Gemini_Man]

Humo d’Oro – Your Singular Finest Cigar Experience of the Year

'23 QDO Imperiales from Travel humidor. An unforgettable journey.

El Señor Confiable – Mr Reliable Cigar of the Year

'24 Trinidad Vigia. Perfect balance for those morning/early afternoon indulgences.

La Sorpresa – Most Surprising Cigar of the Year

'23 Raphael Gonzalez Corona De Lonsdales. So much Cuban twang it smoked like two Monte 2s mashed together.

Best New Cigar into your Regular Rotation. 

Bond Roberts 109 (both Lines)

Best Value Cigar of the Year

Ok, don't hate FOH... but these Monte Open Masters just deliver every time! 2024 and 2023 boxes mostly.

[Çnote]

1. Canada RE from @Rushman thank you again! 

2. Tatuaje Black

3. Quesada Keg c2015

4. Bond Roberts 

5. Nudies.

[Li Bai]

Humo d’Oro – Your Singular Finest Cigar Experience of the Year

Montecristo N°1/Quai d'Orsay 52 

 

El Señor Confiable – Mr Reliable Cigar of the Year

JL 1 as always 

 

La Sorpresa – Most Surprising Cigar of the Year

Cuaba Distinguidos/Punch 48 

 

Best New Cigar into your Regular Rotation. 

Nudie Queen Corona 

 

Best Value Cigar of the Year

Nudie Queen Corona 

[griller]

Humo d’Oro – Your Singular Finest Cigar Experience of the Year

Montecristo Especial N°1 from 2019

 

El Señor Confiable – Mr Reliable Cigar of the Year

JL 1 (seems my palate matches @Li Bai)

 

La Sorpresa – Most Surprising Cigar of the Year

Yerandy Gomez Double Robusto (farm roll; blew my mind)

 

Best New Cigar into your Regular Rotation. 

BR Petit 109 Linea D No.6

 

Best Value Cigar of the Year

Nudie Lonsdale

[Li Bai]

1 hour ago, griller said:

JL 1 (seems my palate matches @Li Bai)

 

[El Niño]

1. Humo d’Oro – Siglo III
2. El Señor Confiable – N7 Ninfa
3. La Sorpresa – HdM Coronation
4. New Regular Rotation – Draw: Bond Roberts Petit 109 and N3 Carlota
5. Best Value  – N3 Carlota

[gormag38]

1. Humo d’Oro – BRE JUN 18 HU Connie B
2. El Señor Confiable – HU2 (so dang good, from 2020 - 2022)
3. La Sorpresa – Sovereign Sun. I was stunned when I pulled this as a 'yard gar'.  Not much work got done to say the least
4. New Regular Rotation – AF Short Story. While not 'new' to me, it was indeed a more permanent fixture for me. My time is certainly limited and these fit the bill. 
5. Best Value  – Sovereign Sun. I don't really think any CC could fit this bill for me. But the MoFOH/Nudie line fits this perfectly. 

[Chibearsv]

Humo d’Oro – Your Singular Finest Cigar Experience of the Year

99 point CPE Tubos 2018

El Señor Confiable – Mr Reliable Cigar of the Year

Bolivar Royal Corona 2021

La Sorpresa – Most Surprising Cigar of the Year

H Upmann Magnum 46 2024

Best New Cigar into your Regular Rotation. 

Nothing new yet - 2021 N1 until they run out which is sadly very soon

Best Value Cigar of the Year

Nudie Ninfas

[Goldeneye]

Humo d’Oro – Your Singular Finest Cigar Experience of the Year

22 PLPC 

El Señor Confiable – Mr Reliable Cigar of the Year

FOH Trinity Robusto

La Sorpresa – Most Surprising Cigar of the Year

2023 Partagas Mille Fleur 

Best New Cigar into your Regular Rotation. 

FOH Sovereign Suns

Best Value Cigar of the Year

Tie; Trinity Robusto and Sovereign Suns, my go to daily cigars that I really enjoy at a great price point

[barrygoodvibes]

1. Humo d’Oro – Your Singular Finest Cigar Experience of the Year
   2023 Partagas Lusitanias - it tasted so much more aged than a 23, it had all of my favorite Partagas flavors with an immense amount of that beautiful cinnamon that I always pray I get blasts of when lighting up a D4 or Lusi. 

2. El Señor Confiable – Mr Reliable Cigar of the Year
   Partagas E2 - this has been the most reliable for me, it never has draw issues, it always has the same flavor, and produces tons of smoke to get lost in.

3. La Sorpresa – Most Surprising Cigar of the Year
   LGC Turquinos - flavor bomb, insane insane flavors of cinnamon and floral goodness.  I was blown away.

4. Best New Cigar into your Regular Rotation. 
   Cohiba Siglo II - I was able to get a couple of boxes at a great price and I have been having at least one per week. 

5. Best Value Cigar of the Year
   Davidoff Churchill Belicoso in the tin - what a classy little cigar with solid flavor every time.

[VasileDulap]

1. Humo D’Oro: La Gloria Cubana Medaille D'Or Especial Edición Regional Belux

2. El Senor Confiable: Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 2 / Por Larranaga Montecarlos 

3. La Sorpresa: RyJ Petit Royales - I was shocked how good this cigar was at under a year old.

4. Best New Cigar in Rotation: RyJ Petit Royales

5. Best Value: Por Larranaga Montecarlos - In Romania this is the cheapest long filler Cuban, so what more can I say?

[Boxer31]

1. Humo d’Oro – Your Singular Finest Cigar Experience of the Year
   2019 Lusi
2. El Señor Confiable – Mr Reliable Cigar of the Year
   D4
3. La Sorpresa – Most Surprising Cigar of the Year
   2021 N1 both - getting even better!
4. Best New Cigar into your Regular Rotation. 
   La Aroma de Cuba Robusto/DC 
5. Best Value Cigar of the Year
    La Aroma de Cuba Robusto

[Hoosh]

Humo d’Oro – Your Singular Finest Cigar Experience of the Year:

The Castle 919 Belicoso by Stolen Throne. From the chocolate covered hay nose to the initial pepper blast that was followed throughout its entirety by sweet roasted coffee, green pepper, cedar, and leather, this cigar is a straight winner!

El Señor Confiable – Mr Reliable Cigar of the Year:

The LFD Double Ligero 700. Strength AND flavor. Every. Single. Time.

La Sorpresa – Most Surprising Cigar of the Year:

The Puro Desnudo N7. If I’m being honest, after smoking the N5, the N1, the N9, the MOFOH Spada Gorda, and the BR No.1, this is the one that has stood out to me for being something other than a CC “replacement” (As a long suffering NC smoker, it bothers me when makers “try to mimic” CCs when, IMO, the right NCs are just as good, especially when not limiting oneself to just “flavors.” But I digress.🙂). From its sweet, almost candy like cold draw through the cinnamon/nutmeg, creamy mid body flavors, the yeast forward retrohale, and the beautifully baking spice ending, this cigar, even ROTT, was very surprising!

Best New Cigar into your Regular Rotation:

The RoMa Craft Neanderthal HN. Oak, dry earth, sweet dried cherries, big dark chocolate, lots of coffee and strong to boot, this is smoked by me at least twice a week. This is a phenomenal cigar, and I’ll stand on that hill…

 

Best Value Cigar of the Year:

The Paul Stulac White Blinding Light Torpedo. At $125 for 25 ($5 per cigar) everyday (ie., no special codes, no sale price, or discounts needed), this, IMO, is super tough to beat. Lots of heavy chocolate, spice, cookie dough, and earthy white pepper flavors, coupled with great construction, make this the best value of the year for me.

[zeedubbya]

• Humo d’Oro – Your Singular Finest Cigar Experience of the Year
  Tang Upmann Coronas 2002

• El Señor Confiable – Mr Reliable Cigar of the Year
  Partagas P2/D4 Tie, both always deliver, young or aged.  Most reliable Marca forever, perhaps?  

• La Sorpresa – Most Surprising Cigar of the Year
  Hoyo Epicure 3–a really excellent Hoyo, surprised me.  

• Best New Cigar into your Regular Rotation. 
  QDO 52, I guess it would be in my rotation if I could just find more of them!  

• Best Value Cigar of the Year
  The PLPC Has been this for years, going through different years has always been a joy, and this year is no different. Obtained some 2008s for a very reasonable price to go with the 10 year olds and the 3 year olds. Different experience in each one but each and every one is a superb cigar for the money.  

[WestCoastSmokin]

1. Humo d’Oro – Your Singular Finest Cigar Experience of the Year
   H. Upmann Connie A: SUL DIC 22. Fantastic cigar that I’ve dipped too much into on my one and only box. That has to change in 2026! 

2. El Señor Confiable – Mr Reliable Cigar of the Year
   Oliva Serie V Melanio. I love smoking this cigar especially the box pressed one. Great flavors and I never have any issues with em. 

3. La Sorpresa – Most Surprising Cigar of the Year
   MOFOH Robusto Trinity- I smoked a 5 pack at the end of last year into the current year and #4 and #5 really blew me away! It convinced me to purchase a bundle of these!

4. Best New Cigar into your Regular Rotation. 
   
   I’d like to put two down for this one: first off the Davidoff Escurio. It really fits my flavor pallet well and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the ones that I’ve smoked, I believe they are here to stay. 
   The second one I’d like to say that is about to enter my rotation are the MOFOH Robusto Trinity, I fully expect to be smoking these regularly from now on. 

5. Best Value Cigar of the Year
   Juan Lopez #2: This has to be my favorite CC Robusto. It delivers every time, construction on these are great, I have not come across any draw or burn issues on the box I’m smoking. For the price of 25 I’d say they are hard to beat in the CC Robusto lineup. 

[Boss Hog]

 

1. Humo d’Oro – Your Singular Finest Cigar Experience of the Year
   Cohiba Behike 54.

1. El Señor Confiable – Mr Reliable Cigar of the Year
   H. Upmann Magnum 56.

1. La Sorpresa – Most Surprising Cigar of the Year
   Romeo y Julieta Línea de Oro Nobles.

1. Best New Cigar into your Regular Rotation. 
   San Cristóbal de la Habana El Príncipe.

1. Best Value Cigar of the Year
   Por Larrañaga Petit Corona.

[Capn_Jackson]

1. Humo d’Oro – Your Singular Finest Cigar Experience of the Year
   Probably this MdO 1 f(2002)

1. El Señor Confiable – Mr Reliable Cigar of the Year
   BBF, always and always. 

2. La Sorpresa – Most Surprising Cigar of the Year
   Aladino Vintage Habano Elegantes

3. Best New Cigar into your Regular Rotation. 
   Guardian of the Farm Apollo Seleccion de Warped

4. Best Value Cigar of the Year
   Curivari Seleccion Privada Coronations, Cazadores