Cigars of the Year - 2013

[mjolnir01]

"Top 10 *blank* of-the-year" lists are all the rage this time of year, so let's apply that to the best cigars you smoked in 2013. They don't have to be 2013 releases unless you want that criterion for yourself... I'd just like to hear what the community thought was good. What sticks made you think, "THIS is why I smoke cigars!"?

If you feel up to it, post a top 10 in the reflective spirit of the New Year's season.

 

[Slick300]

I could always put stalwarts like the LP-9, but to go with a couple of 2013 releases, I'll submit the JD Howard Reserve and that which I snuck in under the line yesterday, the Don Carlos Aniversario Destino al Siglo.

 

[Not A Nice Person]

Not sure if it qualifies as "of 2013" but the Jose Seijas Signature figurado was the best new thing I smoked this year.  I think the Flor de Antillas actually came out this year, though, and those are great.
 
~Boar

 

[opusXmarco]

So far for me it's the Casa Cuba Pre-Release from Fuente…smooth flavor.

 

[whylieineedacigar]

This must be because of a personal preference but I find the My Father Special to be an outstanding cigar. Every single time I smoke it I think to myself “This is why I enjoy cigars” the way it burns, smells and draw, just awesome in my opinion. I don’t have a top 10 list specific to 2013 releases.

 

[mjolnir01]

Don't sweat the "new release" part, gents.  If you smoked it in 2013--be it a Padron Millennium or a Nica Rustica--it's fair game for conversation.

 

[Kxthor911]

I really liked the Goldie #5.

 

[duglynukem]

Angels Share Toro. Pretty nice stick.

 

[BigBear]

The Cohiba Behike 52 was the most amazing stick for me in 2013.

 

[Tall Paul]

Bolivar Simons

But that may change on NYE!

Paul

 

[obmike]

I had my first Ashton ESG this year.  Probably one of the best things I smoked this year.  Of the new stuff, I like the LFD Mysterio.

 

[cbd]

Two that spring to mind for me are the Pitbull and La Ley, both by Nicarao Cigars. Blends of Nicaraguan/Cuban and Nicaraguan/Honduran/Cuban tobacco respectively, so not too easily available in the United States, unfortunately.
 
I'll see if I can come up with eight more later.

 

[4cbln3]

I've been amazed at the re-released El Centurion by Pepin as well as what Slick300 mentioned, the JD Howard Reserve. Both are box worthy IMHO. 

 

[Brickhouse]

The best stick I had in 2013 was a Tatuaje Cohete, followed closely by an HDM Epi #2.

 

[Tall Paul]

Bolivar Simons

But that may change on NYE!

Paul

The Simons is now second to Cohiba Behike 56!

Both are damn good but the Behike was a bit better.

 

[bluue13]

For me this year it was definitely any of the MF Le Bijou sticks, the DE Undercrown line, and the Nica Rustica.  These are definitely for right now my go to smokes that I know I can grab one from the stash and not have to question if I'm going to enjoy it or not.

 

[emoshun]

 

Bolivar Simons

But that may change on NYE!

Paul

The Simons is now second to Cohiba Behike 56!

Both are damn good but the Behike was a bit better.
 

 
Do you think if you had enjoyed these blind (finding out which was which after the 2nd cigar) the outcome would have been different?

 

[engspot]

 

 

Bolivar Simons

But that may change on NYE!

Paul

The Simons is now second to Cohiba Behike 56!

Both are damn good but the Behike was a bit better.
 

 
Do you think if you had enjoyed these blind (finding out which was which after the 2nd cigar) the outcome would have been different?
 


Simone probably had a few more years of age on them too?
I really enjoyed the Headley Grange and JD Howards this year.  The Lito Gomez Small Batch 4 was also a great smoke.

 

[Tall Paul]

 

 

Bolivar Simons

But that may change on NYE!

Paul

The Simons is now second to Cohiba Behike 56!

Both are damn good but the Behike was a bit better.
 

 
Do you think if you had enjoyed these blind (finding out which was which after the 2nd cigar) the outcome would have been different?
 
Simone probably had a few more years of age on them too?

The Simons are from 2008 and the Behike was from 2010 I think. It was a gift and can't remember if Kris said it was a 2010 or 11. If blind I would think I would have the same results however it was my first Behike and it was smoking great. So damn smooth from start to finish. I have never heard any complaints about these and don't know if there are any duds out there. I have had a few Simons out of the box I have had and 4 were really good but one was a dud for sure.

 

[emoshun]

Nice!