Cigar aficianado best of 2011...

[BigAsh]

# 10:Casa Magna Colorado Diadema
MADE BY: Plascensia Cigars
FACTORY LOCATION: Nicaragua
WRAPPER: Nicaragua
BINDER: Nicaragua
FILLER: Nicaragua
PRICE: $8.95
RING GAUGE: 54
LENGTH: 6 3/4"
RATING: 92

#9 : Warlock Robusto
MADE BY: Agros Tobacos Industriales
FACTORY LOCATION: Nicaragua
WRAPPER: Ecuador
BINDER: Nicaragua
FILLER: Nicaragua, Dom. Rep.
PRICE: $6.25
RING GAUGE: 54
LENGTH: 4 3/4"
RATING: 92

#8: Punch Double Corona (Havana)
MADE BY: Habanos S.A.
FACTORY LOCATION: Cuba
WRAPPER: Cuba
BINDER: Cuba
FILLER: Cuba
PRICE: £20.76
RING GAUGE: 49
LENGTH: 7 5/8"
RATING: 93

[Blak Smyth]

Wow I didn't know the Warlock made the list. I have been sitting one one for a couple months, now I am excited about trying it.

[DaBear]

Originally Posted by Blak Smyth

Wow I didn't know the Warlock made the list. I have been sitting one one for a couple months, now I am excited about trying it.

I wouldnt hold my breath. I'm not a big fan of Cigar Aficionado's rating system. Everything is rated on the first inch and then tossed, they don't look into how a cigar holds up throughout the smoke or with how it can start off rough but finish fantastic.

[Blak Smyth]

Originally Posted by DaBear

I wouldnt hold my breath. I'm not a big fan of Cigar Aficionado's rating system. Everything is rated on the first inch and then tossed, they don't look into how a cigar holds up throughout the smoke or with how it can start off rough but finish fantastic.

While I know better than to listen to everything they say, every now and then they get one right and that is all the hope I need

[Bill86]

"The cigars that made this list have undergone a most thorough assessment"

[Taki]

Originally Posted by Bill86

"The cigars that made this list have undergone a most thorough assessment"

I had a Warlock myself a while back - mid summer maybe - dont remember much about it so I am guessing it didnt impress me much but Shane, I hope it works out for ya

[Doctorossi]

Originally Posted by DaBear

I'm not a big fan of Cigar Aficionado's rating system. Everything is rated on the first inch and then tossed, they don't look into how a cigar holds up throughout the smoke or with how it can start off rough but finish fantastic.

Where are you getting this information? As much distaste as I have for CA, I have a very hard time believing this.

[Brooks W]

Originally Posted by Doctorossi

Where are you getting this information? As much distaste as I have for CA, I have a very hard time believing this.

Yep.

"We do have a lot of cigars to review...often in a short period of time. So it would be virtually impossible to smoke every one down to the nub. Just as would be impossible to smoke four or five examples of a cigar to come up with our final tally.

I've also spoken with knowledgeable folks in the cigar business to re-affirm one of my core beliefs--that a cigar reaches a "running" state about a quarter to one half inch into the cigar. That's when the tobacco has warmed up and a taster or smoker gets a nearly complete profile of the blend and how the cigar is going to smoke. For me that reality also undermines the contention that you have to smoke a cigar more than halfway before you get to the good part...there's not a consumer product on the market anywhere that's going to be successful if you have to suffer to get to the good part. I won't dispute that cigars change as they are smoked, but I still would argue that not many people, me included, are going to hang in there through a long stretch of bad smoking.

So, how much of a cigar do I smoke. I've come up with a different answer than I gave about six months ago, and it is based on consistent observations of my smoking patterns. I spend at least 20 minutes per cigar...sometimes that's only a quarter of a cigar, sometimes it is half a cigar. I never take one or two puffs and rate a cigar. Every cigar gets a chance to show its stuff before I give a final impression."

http://forums.cigaraficionado.com/ev...032#3017072032

[wayner123]

Originally Posted by Doctorossi

Where are you getting this information? As much distaste as I have for CA, I have a very hard time believing this.

Check out my reply here:

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showpo...3&postcount=42

[irratebass]

Interesting, I haven't had any of these..................yet, I am curious about the Warlock though.

Never had any of those and no real intention of trying any of them.
Hope the list gets better.

[weak_link]

How do you know if the list is better/worse if you've never tried any of them? I haven't heard of the 10 or 9 either but it is not like I would ignore them simply for being in the CA list.

Originally Posted by weak_link

How do you know if the list is better/worse if you've never tried any of them?

CA lost a lot of credibility with me with the Casa Magna nomination. I look towards my usual suspects when it comes to new lines of cigar.

[pektel]

I would not ignore them by being on the CA list. But I would not be swayed one way or the other about trying them by that same merit either.

[DaBear]

Originally Posted by pektel

I would not ignore them by being on the CA list. But I would not be swayed one way or the other about trying them by that same merit either.

This was all I meant by my comment. I generally pay no heed to their ratings. That said, I have had a Warlock before, and while it was a good smoke, it was certainly not one of the top 25, let alone top 10, cigars I've had this year.

Mickey, if you're interested, we have a few of the Churchills and Robustos at work, I'd be happy to send some on your way if you'd like to give them a try.

[CigarSquid]

I have had one Warlock. I did enjoy it, from what I remember. I have been thinking of ordering some more..

[Blak Smyth]

The Warlock is an Omar Ortez stick that is why I purchased it, but I am excited to see that somebody in the business has thought highly of it. Everybody has different tastes and preference but it sounded good and I will try it.

[Bageland2000]

I'm not running to buy the cigars that come up on cA's top 25, but I really like reading about them. I don't discount there findings but like Peter I don't hold them in any God-like regard either. IMO, the pros of cA are a high budget to do some cool reporting and maintain a decent website. But in some ways they may be a little elitist and don't support the timeless "Smoke what you like and like what you smoke." Nor do they really maintain a community aspect AFAIK.

[lenguamor]

The description of the Punch makes it sound interesting. I generally don't smoke a cigar that big, but I would try it based on the review.

The others sound like just more of the same as what there is already enough of out there: big pepper bombs with lots of nicotine. Not for me.

[Crownedone]

I read through 4-6 different cigar publications as often as I can find them. Even through their top lists are seldom close, they have helped me find great cigars. Many of my personal favorites came from reading those reviews and having my interest peaked.