2006: Best Ever?

[GlennC]

Greetings all,

I've seen a few references around the net and on this forum about "bad" and "good" years. I suppose that as with any agricultural product this is to be expected. 2006 has been hailed as an outstanding year.

My question: is this purely a result of "natural" causes, or are there "other" considerations (e.g. the South/Central product suffered when the boom hit in the 90s and unskilled rollers were producing substandard cigars)?

If this has been covered previously, a pointer to relevant info is appreciated. I've searched the forum and haven't really found what I'm looking for.

TIA

Regards,

Glenn

[Cam]

I think its also due to increased quality controls, and an exceptionnel growing year due to higly fertile soils and so fourth. I would like to note Cuban coffee seems to be getting better also...

[Colt45]

Something that's always been on my mind - we talk about great years, but if we say

'06 has been a great year for example, what harvest are we talking about?

Of course we have to consider construction quality and associated human elements,

but it seems we don't often discuss the tobacco used for these "great" years.

[Jimmy2]

I think 06 is the best year i have seen most of the cigars that i smoked and there has been alot.

Have been tasty right out of the box when was the last time you could say that about CC?

CC cigars has always been about aging them and they will get better but this is not the way it is today i think.

I am not saying they will not get better with age but what i am saying is they are good out of the box fresh.

Also i think its the aged tobacco that Cuba is using has made a big impact with the flavor in late 05 to present.

There still is some inconsistency with some of CC in 06 as far as blends from time to time but its very limited.

Also so i never taste that ammonia or smell that used to be with CC before late 05 which to me is a plus.

Over all i think they are going in the right direction and i am happy i can smoke a CC fresh or aged and still be happy on both ends.

2006 IT WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR:ok:

[winelover]

Great year for RASS

[chrisguinther]

I've found the 06's to be great so far. The Boli. RC, RASS, Monte. Petit Edmundos, and Boli. PC's have been outstanding for me.

[shrink]

As others have noted, the big plus for 2006 is "approachability", i.e. how well they smoke young. There is no doubt that 2006 is superior in this respect.

But "Best Ever?". A few years will put this question into perspective. I have certainly been enjoying a lot of '06's, favoring issues from ENE, FEB and MAR. My favorites to date:

Partagas has been outstanding, almost across the board. Picks:

898 Varnished - best cigar I've smoked from 2006

P2 - nearly as good as the first charge in 2005, quite approachable now.

Serie du Connaisseur - great potential for aging.

PSD4 - some fair, some great. aged tobaccos have changed the profile of this cigar.

Coronas - good now, will be highly sought after in a few years. Remember the Partagas lonsdales and RA Coronas?

Cohiba produced some excellent stock in early 2006:

Siglo II

Siglo IV

Robustos

Bolivar has been somewhat more variable, but if you choose carefully, you can get some excellent boxes:

Petit Coronas - strong, earthy, and tasty ROTT. If you can age 'em, go for it.

Coronas Gigantes - real flavor bombs.

Coronas Extra - not ready yet, but they've got what it takes.

Diplomaticos have been tremendous:

No. 3 - best young Dip I've ever smoked, a mocha spice bomb.

No. 2 - strong and flavorful

Juan Lopez, early 2006:

Seleccion No. 2 - what a great cigar.

Coronas - still young, but excellent for aging.

Montecristo has seen enormous improvement:

No. 2 - gets my vote for the most improved cigar of 2006. These will age into all-time classics.

Especiales - pretty good now, with age they'll really shine.

Por Larranaga continue to be very good:

PLPC - what can I say? I can't wait until 2008 (oh yes I can)

Ramon Allones, especially early 2006 Specially Selected:

RASS - lots and lots of depth and flavor potential.

Romeo y Julieta:

Short Churchill - this one hit the jackpot. AT's are the ticket.

Cazadores - excellent, strong, but actually smokeable young!

[El Presidente]

Filler for 2006 was 2003/2004.

Any comment would need to be a generalisation. However IMHO 2006 was the best years release since 1996.

[Ethernut]

Shrink, thanks for the summary. You da man!

[jakebarnes]

» As others have noted, the big plus for 2006 is "approachability", i.e. how

» well they smoke young. There is no doubt that 2006 is superior in this

» respect.

»

» But "Best Ever?". A few years will put this question into perspective. I

» have certainly been enjoying a lot of '06's, favoring issues from ENE, FEB

» and MAR. My favorites to date:

»

» Partagas has been outstanding, almost across the board. Picks:

»

» 898 Varnished - best cigar I've smoked from 2006

» P2 - nearly as good as the first charge in 2005, quite approachable now.

» Serie du Connaisseur - great potential for aging.

» PSD4 - some fair, some great. aged tobaccos have changed the profile of

» this cigar.

» Coronas - good now, will be highly sought after in a few years. Remember

» the Partagas lonsdales and RA Coronas?

»

» Cohiba produced some excellent stock in early 2006:

» Siglo II

» Siglo IV

» Robustos

»

» Bolivar has been somewhat more variable, but if you choose carefully, you

» can get some excellent boxes:

»

» Petit Coronas - strong, earthy, and tasty ROTT. If you can age 'em, go for

» it.

» Coronas Gigantes - real flavor bombs.

» Coronas Extra - not ready yet, but they've got what it takes.

»

» Diplomaticos have been tremendous:

» No. 3 - best young Dip I've ever smoked, a mocha spice bomb.

» No. 2 - strong and flavorful

»

» Juan Lopez, early 2006:

» Seleccion No. 2 - what a great cigar.

» Coronas - still young, but excellent for aging.

»

» Montecristo has seen enormous improvement:

» No. 2 - gets my vote for the most improved cigar of 2006. These will age

» into all-time classics.

» Especiales - pretty good now, with age they'll really shine.

»

» Por Larranaga continue to be very good:

» PLPC - what can I say? I can't wait until 2008 (oh yes I can)

»

» Ramon Allones, especially early 2006 Specially Selected:

» RASS - lots and lots of depth and flavor potential.

»

» Romeo y Julieta:

» Short Churchill - this one hit the jackpot. AT's are the ticket.

» Cazadores - excellent, strong, but actually smokeable young!

I wholeheartedly agree with the assessments of the Partagas line (outside of my Serie du Conn. #1... which are busy getting some age on them). The 898v is fantastic right now, the P2 is very very approachable (its been my go to piramide lately), and the coronas great.

I'd even venture to add the Edmundo from 06 onto this list as I really enjoyed one out of a box i have right now.

I'm no expert, but there have been a lot of bright spots to 06.

[Mel]

Wow Did I get the flat box of Partagas 898?? I would say these are the least ready to smoke 06s I have. Other than that I am very pleased with the new cigars that I have. Best ever??? that is a tall order and who remembers what the flavors were like fifty years ago.

[Colt45]

» Wow Did I get the flat box of Partagas 898?? I would say these are the

» least ready to smoke 06s I have.

You mean you may actually let them sit for a while?!

[Mel]

» » Wow Did I get the flat box of Partagas 898?? I would say these are the

» » least ready to smoke 06s I have.

» You mean you may actually let them sit for a while?!

Well I should. It ain't like I'm outta cigars.;-)