Cigar Aficionado releases their Top 25 cigars of 2011

I have to be honest when I say I was taken by surprise that the AB Prensado won Cigar of the Year. Although a solid cigar, I think there are better smokes within AB’s own brand. But this is all my opinion. Most of the Top 10 smokes on CA’s list are solid sticks. The Warlock through me off, but it’s no pushover of a cigar neither (but Top 10?). Most hard core cigar smokers know about CA’s practices of only smoking the 1st inch of cigars for their reviews ( a practice that Gordon Mott and David Savona have protected publicly). Although I don’t agree with the practice, and i firmly believe that a cigar is much more than the first inch. (What if the cigar turns to wet cardboard after the first inch?).

I do like how the Cabaiguan Guapo finally got it’s do. That is one of my all time favorite smokes, and a legend among modern day cigars. I know that it is one of the most talked about releases in the last few years among my smoking buddies. The Partagas Serie P2 was amazing cigar that I love and keep a box in the humi (especially 2010 & 2011 box dates). Casa Magna is always a solid stick but I think it has been outdone by it’s premium cousin the Domus Magnus. Rocky Patels continue to bore me unfortunately and I continue to wait until he breaks out of his mold and does something different from his usual line of smokes. What more can I say about the Epernay line though,…..simply one of the most balanced and versatile smokes to be paired with drinks and cocktails. My favorite combo is Sauternes and an Epernay. Keep smoking my friends!

Would you believe maths was my best subject at school? That should of course be an 8(eight)% representation not 4!

A lot of love coming from CC lovers. I feel almost every year is a misrepresentation of cubans on the CA list. Although my specialization on this site is NC’s, I do enjoy cuban cigars greatly. The last commentor I believe is correct in saying 2011 was incredible year for Cuban tobacco. I also think late 2010 box code cigars are very good as well. I haven’t smoke a lot of cubans this year so if anyone has any tips on some hidden gems I should look out for, let me know.
So far I am loving the PSD4, VR Famosos (my favorite), Partagas Serie P2, Cohiba robusto, Bolivar Belicosos Finos & Royal Coronas, + a few regional editions and LE’s thanks to some generous BOTLs.

LOL. Thanks for pointing this out, I should stop sipping on that bottle of Green Label those long winter evenings.

I live in the US and do not care a thing about Cubans. Also, the few that I have had..maybe two dozen…most have had horrible construction and similar flavor and are very expensive for what they are. IMO, make a great cigar for a decent price…it’s what the customer deserves. Those surprised must not know how much profit is built into cigars these days…not everyone charges retail and very good smokes are out there for a fraction of what a “cuban” would cost. I had a prensado when first released, and was so pissed for what I paid I have not have one since.

It all comes down to money period, as is everything else on this planet. NO WAY in heck did they get that list right, but then again that’s my opinion as is cigar Aficionado’s top cigar. How can you smoke an inch and decide its an amazing cigar??? It’s like watching the first 30 minutes of a movie and stating its the best picture of 2011. In the end AB spent the most money advertising and quietly sliding it under the door to get that top spot. As far as second place what a horrible choice CA Magazine has turned into an advertising machine and if you put enough money into the machine you’ll get top spot.