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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Opinion Page: Cigar Aficionado’s #6 – #10 Cigars
I’ve been pretty critical of Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 list of Cigars over the past few years. While many of us might gripe about this list, this is still the barometer for what our industry looks at. When your cigar makes this list, you have arrived. When you are a retailer and you have a […]
Best New Vitola for Existing Brand: Oliveros King Havano Black Knight Mace
Best Vitola: Oliveros King Havano Black Knight Mace One thing that I done differently from Cigar Aficionado in ranking cigars for the year is to distinguish ranking the blend from the vitola (size/shape). For my Top 30 list, every cigar represented a new blend (while Cigar Aficionado includes new vitolas in their countdown). However, there were […]
Cigar.com – “Best of” Awards
This is an interesting link. Click on each of the categories. While cigar.com is probably looking to drive sales, I do think they made some interesting selections. A lot of love for AJ Fernandez who had his footprint on Diesel, Man O’War, and Ave Maria. Fernandez’s career has only just begun…. Note: These links may […]
2010 Cigar of the Year – The Honorable Mentions
“30 Cigars in 31 Days” is now in the annals of history. The Avo LE 10 is my winner for 2010 Cigar of the Year. 2010 was truly one of the greatest years the cigar industry as ever seen. There were plenty of new releases, and the race for Cigar of the Year as […]
2010 Cigar of the Year Countdown: #1: Avo LE 10 (Limited Edition 2010) – Cigar of the Year
#1: 2010 Cigar of the Year – Avo LE 10 This is the final installment of “30 Cigars in 31 Days” – my review of the Top 30 Cigars for 2010. We have reached the final selection and the best is saved for last – the 2010 Cigar of the Year. My selection for 2010 […]
2010 Cigar of the Year Countdown: #2: Tatuaje Gran Cojonu 2009
#2: Tatuaje Gran Cojonu 2009 “30 Cigars in 31 Days” is coming to its conclusion. In my review of the Top 30 Cigars it is time to reveal the runner-up for 2010. In this case, the expression “Close but no cigar” could not be less true. Coming in at #2 – for the runner-up slot […]
