As I approach the announcement of 2010 Cigar of the Year and runner-up, I thought it would be interesting to see what other people are listing as their top cigars. Everyone had different criteria. While some people included Cubans, I opted not to since they are not generally available. The amazing thing is how different […]
Cigar Review: Padilla Cazadores
Lately I’ve been exploring Ernesto Padilla’s line and I have made some very good discoveries. The Padilla Cazadores is the latest in the Padilla brand that I managed to try. What I discovered was a pretty good stick at a real good price. I consider a “value priced” stick in the $5.00-$7.00 range. Pretty much, […]
Cigar Review: La Gloria Cubana Artesanos de Obelisco
If you have read Cigar Coop on a regular basis, you probably know that I feel General Cigars had a heck of a year – particularly the La Gloria Cubana brand. In fact, on my Top 30 list, La Gloria Cubana placed 3 of the Top 16 cigars. Thus far I have covered reviews on […]
Cigar Review: Viaje Oro Reserva VOR #5
January 4, 2011 will be a day Indie Cigar Maker Andre Farkas will never forget – it was the day his company Viaje Cigars was put on the map in the cigar world. It was also the day Cigar Aficionado magazine named the Viaje Oro Reserva VOR #5 its #2 Cigar of the Year. In […]
Opinion Page: Cigar Aficionado’s #11-25
While most of the gripes I’ve had with Cigar Aficionado’s Top 10 are still valid, there were some pleasant surprises in the remainder of the Top 25. I was pleased there were at least two of my Top 30 sticks to be mentioned. I didn’t go and comment on every stick, just the ones that […]
Cigar Review: Gran Habano Azteca
Gran Habano Azteca Aguila There is a myth out there – Mexican tobacco makes a bad cigar. This could not be less true. My selection for 2010 Cigar of the Year, the Avo LE10, makes uses of a Mexican binder. Another cigar that made my Top 15, the La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor makes […]
Cigar Preview: Avo LE 11 in the Works
Great news for Avo Cigar fans – and especially me. I saw Edward Simon post on Twitter that an Avo LE 11 is in the works! I’ve put the Twitter post below. Forget what that publication says about a Cigar from Cuba being the 2010 Cigar of the Year. Hands down in my book – […]
Opinion Page: Cigar Aficionado’s Cigar of the Year 2010
We all had this one wrong. We were fully expecting another Cigar to be Cigar of the Year by Cigar Aficionado. In fact, last week I had heard in New York (from multiple sources) that Alec Bradley’s Family Reserve T11 was going to take the honor. Instead the Cigar World is shocked that the Cohiba […]
Cigar Review: Tatuaje Gran Cojonu 2009
The second review for 2010 is the cigar that I ranked the #2 Cigar of the Year in my Top 30, the Tatuaje Gran Cojonu 2009. This might be one of the most impressive big ring gauge cigars I ever had. The Tatuaje Gran Cojonu 2009 was a late release in 2009. It came out […]
Opinion Page: Cigar Aficionado’s #2 – #5 Cigars
Yesterday, I was actually pleased with the way Cigar Aficionado started their Top 10 list with the selections that were made. Today, for the most part (with the exception of one surprise), I feel Cigar Aficionado regressed to the same old stuff. If you remember, there have been three primary reasons that I am critical […]
