Best Cigars of 2014

[mjolnir01]

I guess I'm a little later with this than usual, but it's that time of year again.  What were your favorite cigars of 2014?  What did you smoke that stands out in your mind?  Top ten lists are always snazzy & encouraged...
 
Here's mine; hope you guys enjoy:
 
Montecristo Edmundo
Smoked several vintages thanks to a generous BOTL here, and all had a great cedar flavor with hints of chocolate-covered espresso bean and lots of twang.
 
Casa Fernandez Lancero
The best lancero AGANORSA makes, even better than my old-favorite, the Illusione hl.  Caramel and brown sugar sweetness with some coffee notes.  It's also a bargain at less than $6 a stick if you shop around.
 
Liga Privada T52 Flying Pig
From the first wave a few years ago, this cigar got lost in my humidor.  It was a flavor bomb with lots of cedar and brown sugar notes. 
 
Padron 1964 Anniversary Natural Toro TAA
Excellent smoke with a signature Padron profile... smooth with a light sweetness and a bit of peppery spice.
 
Illusione Singulare 2013 Rose Croix
Oak core with herbal touches, nuts, and honey sweetness.  Holds my attention better than the Singulare 2010 Phantom.  That's right I said it; the Rose Croix is better than the Phantom.  Best of the year for me.
 
Ramon Allones Small Club Corona
Purchased in November '10, it was ridiculously complex.  Leather, cocoa, cinnamon, orange peel & root beer... there was a LOT going on in this tiny smoke.  RASS and the Gigantes were also excellent this year, but the RASCC was phenomenal.
 
Caldwell Long Live the King Petit Double Wide Short Churchill
The only new release to wow me this year.  You have to love it for the name alone, but this cigar delivered a creamy, cedary smoke with some slight spices and tons of cinnamon in the first third.
 
Quesada 35th Anniversary
By all accounts this cigar was a dud when it first came out, and I didn't even care much for it in 2013.  When I tried it again if February, it had finally come into its own.  It had little hints of spice, but an overwhelming chocolate chip cookie dough flavor throughout.  Gustatory hallucinations?  Probably, but I don't care; this thing was tasty.  I think it's also a commentary on how age can make even a NC cigar better.
 
Oliva Serie V Melanio Figurado
This cigar was on my radar for this list before Shanken and his cronies anointed it their #1 of the year, so back off!  Just kidding... it had a salty, nutty lip-smacking profile with some hints of coffee in the second third.  Delicious.
 
Vegas Robaina Famosos
Purchased in October '10, this cigar was smooth and twangy with some light cocoa flavors and a pronounced coriander note.
 
 
 
Alright, so what wowed the members of Cigar Pass in 2014?

 

[Gavin]

I don't think I have a full top ten for you, Barry, but the Rose Croix would definitely be on my list. The first one I tried, I thought was only okay, but they've really grown on me. The cigar I probably enjoyed the most over the last year was Crowned Heads Angel's Anvil. I took a chance on a box before even trying one, and I ended up buying a second box after trying one. As far as Habanos go, Quai d'Orsay Imperiales really knocked my socks off.

 

[BlindedByScience]

I was lucky enough to smoke some fantastic cigars in 2014.  The ones that stick in my mind were;
 
Hoyo de Monterrey Grand Epicure Edición Limitada 2013
Cohiba Robusto
Bolivar Royal Corona
Cohiba Behike 52
 
There were other great ones, to be sure, but those were the ones that came to mind immediately when I thought back on the "best" of the year.....

 

[madurotrout]

I am not sure if my reply is what you had in mind, but this what I thought of when I read your thread title. My best smokes marked occasions and/ or events for me in 2014 which I remember with fondness.

Bolivar Confradia 654 Oscuro at Trout Camp for the Opening Day of PA Trout in Bedford,PA.

Punch Rothschild Maduro on the first day of vacation in Sarasota, FL.

Several Padron 3000's Maduro on the Saturday afternoon of July 4th weekend while golfing with my father and brother on the course I grew up on in Oakland,MD.

Padron 64 Exclusivo Maduro paired with a Sam Adams Summer Ale while sitting on my front porch celebrating my birthday.

Illusione MJ12 given to me by Backslide on Columbus Day.

Padron FR 50 Maduro at a Padron event where I got to meet Jorge Padron.

 

[oke&coke]

Had to think about this a while. Since I just started cigars in 2014 the list of cigars is not as extensive or impressive as others. Some may even say, WTF, but here goes.

1. Big Jucy Drew Estate Naturals.
This was the cigar that started it all. I was at the tobacco store to get rolling tobacco for my cigarettes and decided I hadn't had a cigar in years so why not. I nubbed that thing. Had it tasted like crap I would not be here talking to you.

2. Arturo Fuente Hemingway Best Seller
This was the first cigar that ever gave me a memorable flavor sensation. Took a puff and it tasted like I just had a big swig of coffee. Unbelievable experience.

3. Illusione MC Slam.
Just a perfect cigar in my mind. Lots of strength and loads of dark flavors. Bought a box and turned into my daughters birthday cigar.

4. Bolivar Corona.
My first CC. Tasting good was a bonus.

5. CAO Brazilia Amazon Basin.
This cigar has a unique flavor for me. So unique I haven't had a cigar that comes close to that flavor. Not an everyday for sure but really good when the normal just won't cut it.

6. PDR Reserva Limitada.
Another cigar with a really great funk to it. I like "out of the ordinary."

I have had other good cigars honestly but these were the ones that stood out in my mind.

 

[CMontoya79]

In no particular order.

1) Fuente Fuente Opus X (with age)

2) Opus X Angel's share

3) Cohiba BHK 52

4)Headley Grange/ Four Kicks corona gorda tied

5) Room 101 Namakubi tiburon

Honorable mention:
Cuaba divinos (with age)

 

[Not A Nice Person]

1. Forbidden X Nacimiente.  These were simply exquisite.  
 
2. Room 101 Namakubi Ecuador Chingon.  Tasted like . . . peanut butter. Tasty, tasty, tasty stick.
 
3. Tatuaje Little Monsters Frankie.  I would buy  box after box of these if Pete offered them.  Best thing in the whole box.
 
4. La Antiguedad robusto.  Smooth, rich, beautifully constructed.  Wrapper's like silk.
 
5. Fuente WOAM.  I've had these a couple times before, but the one I had this year blew my mind.
 
6. Opus X BBMF.  Another one I finally got to try that spent almost an entire evening totally living up to the hype.
 
7. San Cristobal Fabuloso.  My longtime go to smoke.   Smoked more of these than anything else this year, just like I do every year, and once again, not a single disappointment.  I can't even begin to count how many times I've tried a new cigar only to find myself wishing I'd lit up a Fabuloso instead!
 
~Boar

 

 

[diapanos]

These are the best I smoked last year
My Father
Jaimie Garcia Reserva Especial
Bold by Nish Patel
E.P. Carrillo INCH Short Run 2014

 

[personal User]

The order in which they came to mind. Some outstanding because they are truly special. Some not that special but outstanding that I always enjoy them

Por Lrranga Encantos - was turned on to those by CigSid - if I could only have three types for the rest of my life, this would be one.

Illusione  2013 Rose Croix - bought a box a while back after I saw Barry post about how he enjoyed, really really nice.

Viaje Honey and Hand Grenades Rapier - outstanding transition and flavors

Jamie Garcia Reserve Hawaii Lancero - a friend sent me some of these and I had him pick more up.

Coronado LFD, the Hammer from 09 - really nice, the five years brings them into a richness and fullness that is special.

These last five aren't special, but have been consistently really nice smokes every time.

Illusione Holy Lance Maduro box has been quite tasty.

Tat 10th Anniversary Belle Encre

Monte #4's

Bolivar PC's

Various Illusione Epernay - I have never had an Illusione I didn't like.
 

 

[golfgar]

I kinda like this game, it makes me think about just what I did smoke last year.  I admit I smoke too many cigars, and have been averaging more per day than I would like to admit.  But here are the top 5 I smoked last year.  The only clear leader was the Ramon Allones EL 2011, an absolutely wonderful cigar and on my top ten of all time.  Maybe not everyone's choice, but it is my choice.
 
The photos are not mine but gleaned from the web.
 
1.  RA EL 2011
 
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The others in no particular order.......
 
Asylum Petite Corona 2012
Hoyo Hoyo de Dieux 1994
My Father Le Bijou 1922 Petite Robusto
AF Sugrown 858
 

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[mjolnir01]

I agree... I think it's a fun exercise.  In the few years we've done this thread, I've really drilled-down on what attributes I look for when I smoke a cigar.  It's helped me figure out what I like the best.
 
Good cigars all around, gents.

 

[Maduro Clint]

Wow, so many to choose from but the ones that stand out for me:

1. Bolivar Belicoso Fino...excellent with a cup of joe, beer or a little KY bourbon
2. Montecristo 2....this cigar made me purchase my Aristocrat humidor...and Brickhouse
3. RJ wide Churchill...a shot in the dark when I purchased...great draw and flavor
4. Tatuaje J21...my go go to cigar...never disappoints
5. Zino Platinum....an amazing cigar...didn't realize how good it was until 2nd third

The Oliva V Melanio barely missed top 5 for 2014 and had a great kick.

 

[Brickhouse]

4. Tatuaje J21...my go go to cigar...never disappoints.

Been a great cigar for a long time. Love it.

 

[bucfan444]

I've looked forward to this thread for the past couple of years to really get a good idea of what is worth trying as there is no apparent better judge than this forum's collective experience.
Here is my two cents for what it is worth. Humbly (very humbly) submitted for your review they are:
 
Number 6 -- Trinidad Robusto T, Feb 2011 box code. Damn these get better year after year. Can see these disappearing all at once at my daughters wedding reception in about 7-9 years.
Number 5 --AF Opus X Destino Al Siglo Super Belicoso. Best Opus X I had this year in terms of consistency and flavor profile.
Number 4 --My Father #3 Crema, great everyday stick.
Number 3 -- Montecristo 520 LE , Aug 12 box code, getting marginally better every year. delightful right now. should be stellar in 1-2 years.
Number 2 --A Flores 1975 Serie Privada Capa Hanano Edicion Especial 52 (Also on my cigar radar before CA endorsement) Great profile, amazing burn and the longest finish of any stick on my list.
Number 1 --Illusione Fume De Amor * In my humidor before landing on CA's top 10 list. Reminds me of warm Christmas bread (cinnamon, nutmeg, nut,) What a stick. clear transitions. flawless burn.

 

[CigSid]

My top 5 for the year was difficult to come up with, I was very fortunate last year and smoked some of the best cigars I have ever had:
 
1. Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial LE 2004 - Just an amazing cigar, always perfect from foot to head...
2. Bolivar Coronas Gigantes - 1990 - Great, creamy and smoooooth...
3. Partagas Seleccion Privada No 1 - 1993 - Amazing cigar, just love this size and flavor...
4. Romeo y Julieta Exhibición No. 2 LE - 2000 - Another great cigar, dark, oily and delicious
5. H.Upmann Magnum 50 LE - This certainly could be number 1, wow what a cigar...