StogieGuys.com’s Top Cigars of 2014
31 Dec 2014
This was a good year for good cigars. Five scored our top five-stogie rating, and 15 ranked superbly at four and a half stogies.
Unlike last year, when I was the only one to award five-stogie ratings, each StogieGuys.com contributor had at least one top-ranked smoke in 2014.
Pete Johnson’s Tatuaje brand, which has had numerous high-scoring smokes through the years, scored two five-stogie ratings this year. The other three winners also represented brands with excellent track records: RoMa Craft, La Palina, and Paul Garmirian. Here are all five, listed in no particular order:
Tatuaje 10th Anniversary Bon Chasseur: This fat robusto was called a “remarkable smoke†and “simply one of the best new releases in recent memory,†by Patrick A.
Tatuaje Black Corona Gorda: Joey J found the flavors in this 2013 re-release “intense and varied… full-flavored all the way down to the nub.â€
RoMa Craft Intemperance BA XXI A.W.S. IV: Patrick A’s other five-stogie cigar. He wrote of its “tremendous†balance, noting that the Lonsdale was “a joy to smoke.â€
La Palina Collection Mr. Sam Robusto: After starting as a limited edition, Mr. Sam was added to the regular line and Patrick S called it “an impressive cigar full of flavor… that will be enjoyed by all types of cigar smokers.
Paul Garmirian Reserva Exclusiva Churchill: This quickly became my “newest favorite cigar,†an incredibly pleasing stick that displayed “subtlety and complexity.â€
The following 15 cigars (listed in no particular order) came close. All you’ll see, they represent a wide array of companies, countries, prices, and profiles:
RoMa Craft Aquitaine Mode 5: “At $7, the Aquitaine Mode 5 is an incredible buy.â€
Drew Estate Nirvana Toro: “There is something to love here for everyone.â€
E.P. Carrillo 5th Year Anniversary Limitada: “It characterizes the best of E.P. Carrillo: flavorful, complex, and affordable.â€
God of Fire Don Carlos 2009 Robusto: “I may only light up a God of Fire by Don Carlos cigar a few times a year, but when I do it’s always special and worth the high price.â€
Illusione *R* Rothchildes: “This small, value-priced Illusione is outstanding.â€
Illusione Epernay L’Excellence: “Illusione makes some very fine cigars, but the Epernay line is the pinnacle—Giolito’s highest achievement.â€
Joya Red Robusto: “The Robusto is classic with traditional tastes and plenty of balance and complexity.â€
L’Atelier Imports LAT46 Selection Spéciale: “At the midway point it becomes clear this is a complex, balanced cigar with lots to offer (especially to attentive smokers).â€
My Father No. 1: The second time this cigar scored a four-and-a-half-stogie rating. “No simple sledgehammer. It has the subtlety and nuance that seasoned cigar smokers look for in cigars in this price range.â€
Partagas Benji Homage Toro: “If you’re a fan of bold boutique smokes, check out the Homage.â€
Reinado Grand Empire Reserve Ecuador Edition Petit Lancero: “One of the best Ecuadorian Connecticut-wrapped smokes I’ve had in a long time.â€
Tatuaje The Jekyll: “The Jekyll is an excellent, well-balanced smoke that’s well worth the $13 price and worthy of the Monster Series name.â€
Tatuaje Pudgy Monster Tiff: “It’s dominated by sweet creaminess, along with roasted nut and woodiness, and hints of paper, graham, and spice.â€
Viaje Oro Reserva VOR Aficionado: “A special spice-forward, interesting cigar worth finding.â€
Drew Estate Herrera Estelà Piramide Fino: “This is an outstanding belicoso… a truly wonderful value at $10.â€
Padrón Family Reserve No. 50 Maduro: “A model of restrained strength with full flavors.”
If this list isn’t enough to keep you busy for a while, you can peruse all the Stogie Guys reviews back to 2006 at our archive. We also break out the five-stogie rated sticks here. And the details on our rating system are here.
photo credit: N/A