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Today's Smoke 2022

So.. been in communication lately with some of the top brass at Shanken Communications, publisher of Cigar Aficionado magazine. Most here know it's that time of the year where they announce their Top 25 cigars of 2022.. with the top Cigar Of The Year (COTY) being highly heralded and sought after upon winning. We don't always agree with their choices, but it is a big deal in the industry nonetheless.

That said, I have been asked to participate in this year's process. I received my first bundle of 6 "naked" cigars for review and scoring today. Technically, they're not naked, they have generic bands with codes on them. Only a 3rd party independent auditing company knows their true identity. I will receive 6 cigars at a time, consisting of 3 different blends, 2 of each.

I will not know their identity. I will eventually, but no specific dates have been given and some cigars may be used for different purposes. I may not even know until after publication. I have my own unique ID and login password where I submit my data.

I will post pics and initial prelight thoughts here, but not my full review or score. I WILL share it all.. after and IF it goes to publication or given a greenlight. Feel free to ask questions when I post, just please understand my responses may be limited, if at all. And I know not everyone will see or read this post, so I may just post the link to it in the future as a reply.

I'm excited to do this and to be able to share what I can with you guys. That said, make sure you're a subscriber... REAL people are giving REAL reviews! I get my sub at discountmags.com, don't know if it's cheapest, but that's where I get it. And no, I'm not being paid, just the sticks.

And, with all that out of the way.. about to start my very first smoke! Gonna just go L-R over next 3 days:

20221212_155653.jpg
 
xyz123 said:
So.. been in communication lately with some of the top brass at Shanken Communications, publisher of Cigar Aficionado magazine. Most here know it's that time of the year where they announce their Top 25 cigars of 2022.. with the top Cigar Of The Year (COTY) being highly heralded and sought after upon winning. We don't always agree with their choices, but it is a big deal in the industry nonetheless.

That said, I have been asked to participate in this year's process. I received my first bundle of 6 "naked" cigars for review and scoring today. Technically, they're not naked, they have generic bands with codes on them. Only a 3rd party independent auditing company knows their true identity. I will receive 6 cigars at a time, consisting of 3 different blends, 2 of each.

I will not know their identity. I will eventually, but no specific dates have been given and some cigars may be used for different purposes. I may not even know until after publication. I have my own unique ID and login password where I submit my data.

I will post pics and initial prelight thoughts here, but not my full review or score. I WILL share it all.. after and IF it goes to publication or given a greenlight. Feel free to ask questions when I post, just please understand my responses may be limited, if at all. And I know not everyone will see or read this post, so I may just post the link to it in the future as a reply.

I'm excited to do this and to be able to share what I can with you guys. That said, make sure you're a subscriber... REAL people are giving REAL reviews! I get my sub at discountmags.com, don't know if it's cheapest, but that's where I get it. And no, I'm not being paid, just the sticks.

And, with all that out of the way.. about to start my very first smoke! Gonna just go L-R over next 3 days:

View attachment 63468
Click to expand...
Very cool 😎 keep us posted 👍
 
Jsilverhands said:
Very cool 😎 keep us posted 👍
Click to expand...

Thanks! Oh, and just fyi.. I mentioned DiscountMags.com to get a CA subscription above. Just went there thinking I'd get a subscription for my Secret Santa kid.. and it now says it's no longer available on their site! 😞🥺

Bummer.. gotten it there for YEARS. I just renewed exactly a month ago too. Hopefully it's still available somewhere for a good price. Was only 10 bucks last month! 😕

Screenshot_20221213-010535_Samsung Internet.jpg
 
xyz123 said:
Thanks! Oh, and just fyi.. I mentioned DiscountMags.com to get a CA subscription above. Just went there thinking I'd get a subscription for my Secret Santa kid.. and it now says it's no longer available on their site! 😞🥺

Bummer.. gotten it there for YEARS. I just renewed exactly a month ago too. Hopefully it's still available somewhere for a good price. Was only 10 bucks last month! 😕

View attachment 63470
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The 30th year special is a great read. 👍
 
xyz123 said:
So.. been in communication lately with some of the top brass at Shanken Communications, publisher of Cigar Aficionado magazine. Most here know it's that time of the year where they announce their Top 25 cigars of 2022.. with the top Cigar Of The Year (COTY) being highly heralded and sought after upon winning. We don't always agree with their choices, but it is a big deal in the industry nonetheless.

That said, I have been asked to participate in this year's process. I received my first bundle of 6 "naked" cigars for review and scoring today. Technically, they're not naked, they have generic bands with codes on them. Only a 3rd party independent auditing company knows their true identity. I will receive 6 cigars at a time, consisting of 3 different blends, 2 of each.

I will not know their identity. I will eventually, but no specific dates have been given and some cigars may be used for different purposes. I may not even know until after publication. I have my own unique ID and login password where I submit my data.

I will post pics and initial prelight thoughts here, but not my full review or score. I WILL share it all.. after and IF it goes to publication or given a greenlight. Feel free to ask questions when I post, just please understand my responses may be limited, if at all. And I know not everyone will see or read this post, so I may just post the link to it in the future as a reply.

I'm excited to do this and to be able to share what I can with you guys. That said, make sure you're a subscriber... REAL people are giving REAL reviews! I get my sub at discountmags.com, don't know if it's cheapest, but that's where I get it. And no, I'm not being paid, just the sticks.

And, with all that out of the way.. about to start my very first smoke! Gonna just go L-R over next 3 days:

View attachment 63468
Click to expand...
Cigar of the Year is already decided, they’re releasing it this week and aficionado.mo…whatever is not the cigar aficionado website. Something’s wrong here.
 
Well Today is Tuesday and time for a DE Undercrown Maduro. We be getting ready for a powerful batch of storms, that will be determined, but I'm sitting outside with coffee and waiting for them to roll in. Always enjoyed a good storm. Ya'all have a good day. And Chuck, Tuesday has a U in it but will leave that to you.83E9D84F-F188-4FE6-AE98-3C074E5C27E7.jpeg
 
xyz123 said:
So.. been in communication lately with some of the top brass at Shanken Communications, publisher of Cigar Aficionado magazine. Most here know it's that time of the year where they announce their Top 25 cigars of 2022.. with the top Cigar Of The Year (COTY) being highly heralded and sought after upon winning. We don't always agree with their choices, but it is a big deal in the industry nonetheless.

That said, I have been asked to participate in this year's process. I received my first bundle of 6 "naked" cigars for review and scoring today. Technically, they're not naked, they have generic bands with codes on them. Only a 3rd party independent auditing company knows their true identity. I will receive 6 cigars at a time, consisting of 3 different blends, 2 of each.

I will not know their identity. I will eventually, but no specific dates have been given and some cigars may be used for different purposes. I may not even know until after publication. I have my own unique ID and login password where I submit my data.

I will post pics and initial prelight thoughts here, but not my full review or score. I WILL share it all.. after and IF it goes to publication or given a greenlight. Feel free to ask questions when I post, just please understand my responses may be limited, if at all. And I know not everyone will see or read this post, so I may just post the link to it in the future as a reply.

I'm excited to do this and to be able to share what I can with you guys. That said, make sure you're a subscriber... REAL people are giving REAL reviews! I get my sub at discountmags.com, don't know if it's cheapest, but that's where I get it. And no, I'm not being paid, just the sticks.

And, with all that out of the way.. about to start my very first smoke! Gonna just go L-R over next 3 days:

View attachment 63468
Click to expand...
Yeah what Gavin said. There are already a few already released of the top 25 for this year. I get that they do this blind tasting, but if anyone thinks the #1 spot isn't purchased (not won), they are crazy. I can see the rest of them being voted on, but there is ZERO chance the #1 spot isn't sold every year. I also hate that they put limited release cigars into the mix. Perfect example, they already released 3 of the sticks and #10 is the Rare Pink Sophisticated Hooker. Ultra limited release, already sold out everywhere unless you want to pay well for $100 a stick from someone who got them.

Here is directly from their site..

Top 25 Reveal Schedule
Monday, December 12: Cigars 8, 9 and 10​

Tuesday, December 13: Cigars 5, 6 and 7​

Wednesday, December 14: Cigars 2, 3 and 4​

Thursday, December 15: Cigar of the Year​

Friday, December 16: Cigars 11 through 25​

 
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Pugman1943 said:
Geez Dan, almost had a heart attack... thought that was a Padron Black. I wondered if TAT enhanced that stick being a very LE.
How did you enjoy this one?
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Never had a bad Tatuaje. This came in a coffin of 2 cigars for the saints and sinners club. For full disclosure I liked the other cigar from this coffin more ( it was a maduro ) but this one kicks ass as well
 
Gavin said:
Cigar of the Year is already decided, they’re releasing it this week and aficionado.mo…whatever is not the cigar aficionado website. Something’s wrong here.
Click to expand...

It's for 2023. 2022 has long been decided.. sorry I wasn't more clear on that. And here's a couple screenshots from the rest of that url. Everything is right.

Screenshot_20221213-171736_Samsung Internet.jpg

Screenshot_20221213-171751_Samsung Internet.jpg
 
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