Cigar Aficionado Cigar of the year is......

[Bad-Yeti]

Flor de las Antillas Toro


See here:

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/cigars/top25detail/year/2012/rank/1

The complete list is:

1) Flor de las Antillas Toro
2) Cohiba 1966 Edici?n Limitada
3) Romeo by Romeo y Julieta Piramide
4) Padr?n Family Reserve 85 Years (Natural)
5) Arturo Fuente Rosado Sungrown Magnum R Vitola Forty-Four
6)H. Upmann Royal Robusto
7)Ashton Heritage Puro Sol Belicoso No2
8)Rocky Patel Fifty Robusto
9)Tatuaje Cojonu 2012 Sumatra
10)Nat Sherman Timeless Collection No. 2

As for my thoughts, well last year's winner wasn't too great, good but not awesome.
I will get a box in and do another split for anyone who wants to try one.
Interesting that the only 2 CCs are limited editions, my thoughts are:
a) No idea will wait til I try.
b) I'm not really into Cohibas as I think they are massively overpriced and overhyped.
c) Oh dear god.....really?
d) A fine cigar, had had a couple and loved them.
e) Will pick up a couple on the next trip.
f) Wonderful cigar, loved the 5 i've had so far but need some age.
g) Again, had a few, enjoyed them though certainly wouldn't say they set the world on fire.
h) No idea.
i) Oh god, who is making these lists.
j) I have enjoyed other Nat Shermans as a budget outside the pub smoke......nothing more.

[Puff Scotty]

CA lists are a joke..everyone knows they are bought by advertising revenue..they have no right to call themselves aficionado's whilst they can be bought...they give cigar smoking a bad name...that list is shite from any perspective & I for one wouldn't use it as a purchasing guide...

[spirit_of_will]

It's only the 2 token Cubans that stop me short of accusing CA if publishing their top 10 of highest advertising spend!

Interesting that James Suckling has recently published his top 10 for 2012: http://www.jamessuckling.com/my-best...s-in-2012.html

A much more worthy top 10 in my view but at least I've tried 5 of them so ill be biased...

[DavidD]

I've only smoked the H Upmann Royal Robusto from the list - a very good smoke, without a doubt - but I've smoked better. I take precious little notice of these 'aficionado' lists as they are -as has already been mentioned - heavily biased by current commercialism. Everyone's top ten would be different as personal taste is paramount in judging a smoke and no-one's going to tell me what I SHOULD be smoking !

[spirit_of_will]

I've only smoked the H Upmann Royal Robusto from the list - a very good smoke, without a doubt - but I've smoked better. I take precious little notice of these 'aficionado' lists as they are -as has already been mentioned - heavily biased by current commercialism. Everyone's top ten would be different as personal taste is paramount in judging a smoke and no-one's going to tell me what I SHOULD be smoking !

Spot on about everyone's top 10 being different! These lists are only good to create some debate...

[Bad-Yeti]

CA lists are a joke..everyone knows they are bought by advertising revenue..they have no right to call themselves aficionado's whilst they can be bought...they give cigar smoking a bad name...that list is shite from any perspective & I for one wouldn't use it as a purchasing guide...

Whoa steady on fella, just saw that no one had posted it so thought it#d be good to put up for a giggle.

[TJCoro]

Where Do We Go From Here?

It's only the 2 token Cubans that stop me short of accusing CA if publishing their top 10 of highest advertising spend!

Interesting that James Suckling has recently published his top 10 for 2012: http://www.jamessuckling.com/my-best...s-in-2012.html

A much more worthy top 10 in my view but at least I've tried 5 of them so ill be biased...

Several years ago, CA's top ten sticks used to be a bit more genuine when the top sticks were the Padron 1926, Bolivar Royal Corona, and Monty Edmundo and No. 2. But clearly the list has become more biased in recent years with questionable top picks like the Casa Magna and the Alex Bradley Prensado...IMO, of course.

Senor Suckling appears to be a much more reliable source (thanks for the link, senor will); CA's top picks seem to be a bit more skewed since he left.

But what the hell do I know!

Perro, el Perro

[Puff Scotty]

Whoa steady on fella, just saw that no one had posted it so thought it#d be good to put up for a giggle.

Wasn't having a pop at you old mate....just CA's bending over to commerce, & to have the upmann RR as their 2nd best CC...well! what a load of horse!
Makes me wonder what other 'shit' these fella's smoke.....

[Puff Scotty]

Senor Suckling appears to be a much more reliable source (thanks for the link, senor will); CA's top picks seem to be a bit more skewed since he left.

Well thank god it's only Sucky wucky's opinion...lot's of us average smokers would struggle to get our hands on half that list...but you're right..since he left CA they don't seem to get the high end CC's they used to...perhaps LCdH should help them out a bit more...

OOOH Yeah....the Casa Magbum was top crap...I wouldn't give it room in the bin...just my opinion of course which is not biased by free gifts or ring tickles!