Commentary: Love It or List It
13 Mar 2013
By now, everyone’s had a chance to read and consider the seemingly endless list of top cigars of 2012. I know I have. And they’ve led me to a few new smokes I’m eager to try.
I have to say, though, I’m not really a fan of annual cigar rankings. Sure, tell me what cigars you really like and why, tell me the ones that blew you away. Heck, I’m also interested in the cigars that disappointed you. But I see no reason to try to turn smoking into a contest.
I understand it from a manufacturer’s point of view, particularly when it comes to the annual list by the industry giant, Cigar Aficionado. Whether you like it or loathe it, you cannot deny the magazine’s impact on cigar sales.
Inclusion can boost sales like nothing else. On the other hand, making the grade is no guarantee of success. Anyone smoke a Warlock lately? (No. 9 last year.)
I know there’s a general obsession with lists and ranking, but trying to reduce something as subjective as individual taste to a scoresheet seems to me a doomed practice. It’s also highly unlikely anyone could have smoked all the vitolas of all the cigars that could be ranked.
For instance, as I type this, I have Cigar Journal’s “Finest 25 Cigars of 2012†on my desk. At the bottom of the list is the Ashton VSG Robusto. I can’t help but wonder, did the same person sample each of the other 12 sizes in that blend to determine the Robusto is the best? Or who’s the lucky smoker who tried all 10 of the Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series to award honors to the Exclusivo Natural?
Frankly, I wish the compilers would provide more information. I’m still sorry Cigar Aficionado dropped the annual production figures from the standard data a few years back, though it’s included in some descriptions.
All that said, I do find the listings useful. One of my current favorites, the Aging Room Small Batch M356, came to my attention solely from last year’s CA listing. And this year I have at least three want-to-try smokes heading my list:
Kristoff Corojo Limitada Torpedo, CA’s No. 11. I not sure I’ve ever smoked a Kristoff, being baffled by the many variations on display in the humidor. But I’ll keep my eye out for this small-production stick.
CyB, the Joya de Nicaragua release that was No. 8 on Jerry Cruz’s list at Stogie Review.
Rodrigo La Fortaleza, the top pick at retailer PipesandCigars.com, which raved about it. Luckily, a Tampa shop I visit once in a great while carries this line.
Anything from all the lists make your must-try list?
photo credit: N/A
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
I'm not a huge fan of list rankings either, George. But I must admit I read them, somewhat as a guilty pleasure. That said, I still need to try the Tatuaje Cojonu 2012 Sumatra and (because Cigar Aficionado said so) the Flor de las Antillas Toro.
I too happened upon the Aging Room Small Batch M356 (just the size I like) in a B&M and went back to pick up a couple more after smoking one. Very nice.
I finally got to try a Diamond Crown Maximus #5 and it really was a great cigar, even though they are a little out of my price range I will have to stock a couple in my hunidor for special times.
Don't pay much to the listings except to see if there was anything I had smoked and if my evaulation was the same or not. Bottom line: if I like it I don't really care if someone else did or not.
CA's list to me is 50/50. Some bombs and some gems. The AB Prensado was ok but not for me. I have been smoking the Flor de las Antillas for over 6 months now and I like it very much. Should it be #1 hardly but it's a nice smoke. My new favorites are in no order – Mi Amor Reserva, Headley Grange, Edge Habano, Fuente Anejo #77 The Shark, Four Kicks, Aging Room F55, LFD Natural OSCURO, Wynwood, Edgar Hoill, Padron #4, La Riqueza, Herrera Esteli & Viaje Super Shot to name a few. Long Ashes Boys…
Also really like Mi Amor Reserva. And agree the AB Prensado doesn't strike the right chord for me.
Lo I hear ya!