CA Top 25

Well, 1-10 have now been unveiled. I've never been a fan of Cigar Aficionado's Top 25, but I can't help but still peek at what wins each year. This year was pretty lame, IMO.

None of My Father's new blends were featured, including La Promesa, which I thought was superb. And of course, there were the usual suspects of Padron 1926, Cohiba and Opus X. I always find it strange when such old blends still get recognized. Yes, the 1926 is a great cigar. Let's move on. And the Oliva V? Really? How long has that lancero been out? 15 years? With all of the great cigars coming out each year, it's rather boring to still see all of these at the top.

It was nice to see a Warped in the Top 3. I haven't had that particular one, so I'll see if I can get my hands on it soon. Overall, CA favors their bread and butter clients who have advertised in their magazine for 40 years and their top rankings reflect that. It also seems like their flavor palate is more old school, favoring more medium-bodied habano-type flavor profiles rather than bold, dark Nicaraguan stuff.

https://www.cigaraficionado.com/top25/2019

Yeah I tend to pay 0 attention to this list other than to take a peek. It seems like there are so many great boutique cigars that never even end up on the list as a brand. Hard to believe really.

When Rocky Patel finishes ahead of the Opus X it leads me to believe it’s a bit skewed

I agree about the CA top 25 & most of their reviews in general being skewed to the old more "prestigious" cigars.

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Originally Posted by AlanS

When Rocky Patel finishes ahead of the Opus X it leads me to believe it’s a bit skewed

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A lot of people seem to be raving about RP ALR. Have you tried one yet?

I have not, but can’t imagine getting more enjoyment from it than the Tat or the Fuente. When I see one if the RP tag doesn’t scare me off the price tag probably will
At over $200 a box all I can do is laugh and say enjoy

I glance at it but it seems to be greatly influenced by advertisers as to actual cigars. Never ever have I seen a Crowned Heads on the list and rarely a Tatuaje. Happy to see a Warped, and that one ranked high on Cigar Journal's list as well. Their #1 was the Bellas Artes Maduro Robusto

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Originally Posted by CentralTimeSmoke

It also seems like their flavor palate is more old school, favoring more medium-bodied habano-type flavor profiles rather than bold, dark Nicaraguan stuff.

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I fully agree with this statement. I watch for the list each year but I don't put anything on my "to try" list just because of this point. I am not a big habano guy myself, so their recommendations/results don't do a ton for me. That being said, Padron 1926 and Oliva V are phenomenal smokes. I may be in the minority on this, but Opus X doesn't do anything for me. Now, a Fuente Anejo on the other hand, delicious.

Then we have the advertising aspect as well which certainly seems to produce some odd results. Remember the CAO Flathead being #2 a few years ago? While that is a darker smoke, it is one I've tried a couple of times and it wasn't memorable for me.

Perhaps the DogRockets Top 10 should become a list.

The last time I agreed with the list was when Carrillo had the #2 spot, and I can't even remember the cigar that had that rank

I quite enjoyed the Aging Room Quattro Nicaraguan but I don't think I would rate it anywhere close to the #1 spot. I am glad that Tat Nuevitas made it up there, that was a great one.