....and the Cigar Afficianado #1 for 2012 is...

[jluck]

I have only smoked one Flor de las Antillas (robusto) and it was one of the best cigars I had last year.I will get more to compare
YMMV.

[RobR1205]

Originally Posted by T.G

The list isn't formed from all the cigars out there, just all the cigars that they tested that year, typically new stuff, or new sizes in existing lines. Past that, it's just multi-round blind or double-blind (not sure which they use offhand) tasting & elimination.

Ah I see now. That makes sense...probably the reason why the top 25 don't keep coming back every year in more or less the same order.

[omowasu]

Originally Posted by T.G

The list isn't formed from all the cigars out there, just all the cigars that they tested that year, typically new stuff, or new sizes in existing lines. Past that, it's just multi-round blind or double-blind (not sure which they use offhand) tasting & elimination.

Agreed, I received a CA 20th Anniversary issue which had an article all about their blind tasting and rating process, and it all appears to be legitimate. For the past few years, it does not appear to be driven directly by ad revenue (Davidoff example is good).

That said, I often wonder why Habanos have relatively poor showings in the Top 25. Yes, there are a few here and there, but by and large they are a third rung. Thankfully there are two in this years top 10. I think this may be the effect of both the USA market of Cigar Aficionado as well as the smoking of relatively young Habanos.

Their Connoisseur's Corner cigar section has much, much more qualitative ratings for aged Habanos and other aged varieties.

[RevSmoke]

I think it is funny that every year, just after the release of the CA to 25, within a few days, the #1 cigar sells out in the online retailers very quickly.

Personally, I do not understand numbers 1, 3, or 8. Of course, I only had my first FDLA last night. It was a good Robusto. #1 though? I do not know. It did have a unique flavor. I would smoke a couple more. Would I buy them? At about $5.00 a stick, yes. At much more than that? Probably not.

Peace of The Lord be with you.

[Lexxxus]

I agree with Dozer... the La Duena is a great smoke and it deserves to be on the list.

W

[Sumatra Samurai]

I don't mind the decision for #1, but Romeo for #3?

[riverdawg]

This cigar at #1 really points out the peculiarity of individual taste in cigars. I've seen the Flor de las Antillas discussed in a couple of other places and it very much seems to be a cigar you like a lot or just don't get what others are seeing in it. I fall on the like it a lot side. By the same token, and this'll get my butt jumped on I'm sure, I don't get all the hullaballoo over the LP#9... honest.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by riverdawg

This cigar at #1 really points out the peculiarity of individual taste in cigars. I've seen the Flor de las Antillas discussed in a couple of other places and it very much seems to be a cigar you like a lot or just don't get what others are seeing in it. I fall on the like it a lot side. By the same token, and this'll get my butt jumped on I'm sure, I don't get all the hullaballoo over the LP#9... honest.

No butt jumping necessary....smoke what you like, like what you smoke.