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Discussion Contest: Your Favorite Cigars of 2019

Discussion Contest: Your Favorite Cigars of 2019

Happy Monday, folks! 

As we near the end of the year and begin the preparations for our 2019 Editorial Awards, I’m super curious to hear your thoughts!  Some things will be easy such as the top-rated Blind Reviews, but picking the Top 10 Cigars of the year always includes a mixture of excitement, nervousness, and a pinch of wonder. 

What were your favorite cigars of 2019? 

Login and comment below for a chance to win a Small Batch gift card this Sunday!

Some years are tough because there are too many winners to narrow it done while other years are hard because the field feels too sparse.  Thinking back on 2019, though, I feel like there seems to be just the right amount of distinguished cigars to choose from.

 

Top Cigars of 2018

View Last Year's Awards

 

I’ll be a little tight-lipped on this one myself since we’re just starting to put together our own list and samplers, but please don’t let that stop from you typing away! 

  •      What were your favorite new cigars of 2019? 
  •      Did you find other favorites that were released prior to this year? 
  •      Did you have a favorite factory that you pulled from this year? 
  •      How would you rate 2019 overall for new releases?

I hope everyone’s having a wonderful December and are gearing up for an amazing Holiday season! 

DISCUSSION CONTEST DETAILS

One of the comments below will win a $25 gift card.  The gift card will automatically be sent to the email address that you login to comment with, so please use your regular sign-in.   

I’ll be randomly selecting a comment below this Sunday after sending out the Weekly Newsletter. The winner can expect a comment with his or her name in it, a congratulations email, and an email with the $25 gift card information.  The actual gift card email takes some time to generate from the system and may lag behind by up to 48 hours. 

Only available to U.S. customers.

 

 

 

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Comments

12/9/2019 7:03 AM
Hmm
Archetype Sacred Scales
Crowned Heads Le Carême Belicoso Fino 2019
Crowned Heads Court Reserve Full Court Press
Foundation Tabernacle Havana Seed 142 Lancero
Casdagli Daughter of the Wind Robusto
12/9/2019 7:03 AM
For me La Coalicion hands down was my favorite.  I've enjoyed a ton of cigars out of Aganorsa. I will also say Blackbird cigars has surprised me with all of his lines as well.  I don't think 2019 was that great of year for new stuff overall, I was greatly disappointed in the Baka, that did not even come close to the hype.
12/9/2019 7:23 AM
Looking through the list of 2019 releases, these stand out to me, personally:
-Daughters of the Wind Pony Express
-Guardian of the Farm Claude le Chien
-Highclere Castle Victorian
-Joya de Nicaragua Numero Uno
-La Aurora 115th Anniversary Limited Edition Belicoso
-Las Calaveras 2019
-Patina Precipitation Habano
-Psyko Seven Nicaragua
-Room101 10th Anniversary
-Viaje Honey & Hand Grenades

Overall, I think 2019's best cigars were excellent. I think 2019's average cigars were noticeably worse than the average new releases from previous years, especially from some brands I would not have expected that from.

Random fun question: can the Avo Unexpected series be considered a new release in 2019 for lists like this?
12/9/2019 7:37 AM
This year I'm in love with all things JSK and Casdagli. Namely the DOTW Lancero and JSK Nuggs series, though the Bucs were a pleasant addition to the line as well. Saka's #nlmtha lancero was perfection. Indiana Ortez's Psyko Seven Nicaragua has me at the edge of my seat, salivating for more blends from her. An unexpected treat was Rocky's ALR, which I only even tried because trusted palates encouraged it. They were right. And Emperor's Cut is probably my favorite super small/up-and-coming/new to the scene boutique brand out right now. There's so much I have yet to try - and I'm sure I'm forgetting others that I did -  but these few from the year really stand out.
12/9/2019 8:00 AM
Viaje Scotch bonnet
Viaje GP 10.31 2019
Las Calavaras 19
Mule Kick 19
Viaje Super Shot
Balmoral Dueto
Actually a 2015 cigar but new to me is Balmoral Anejo XO-Outstanding smoke.
Note: Every cigar I listed is 10$ or less.
12/9/2019 8:02 AM
I think that a lot of the 2019 releases I tried missed my palate. Some standouts for me are the DOTW Pony (I think it may have been released late last year but I’m counting it cause it’s awesome), the CH Le Careme Belicoso Fino was great this year (better than last), the 2019 Mule Kick is great, the Cavalier LE 19 is good, I smoked the Aganorsa Leaf Signature Maduro Blind and it was awesome.

Those are standouts for me. The biggest let down for me was the Baka, but I’ve only smoked 2, so maybe I’ll come around when I try more.
12/9/2019 10:06 AM
My top ten are:
1. Joya de Nicaragua Numero Uno
2. Dunbarton Sobremesa Brûlée
3. Bespoke DOTW Robusto
4. Blackbird Raven
5. Stolen Throne Crook of the Crown
6. Viaje Honey & Hand Grenades
7. Southern Draw Kudzu Lustrum
8. CAO Flathead Camshaft V19
9. HVC Serie A Perlas
10. Aladino Connecticut

Have not tried the DOTW Wind Pony yet, still resting, but have a feeling it will be near the top for 2019.
12/9/2019 10:46 AM
The Herrera Esteli Lancero Edicion Limitada 2019--my first lancero.
12/9/2019 1:07 PM
Fuente 858 sungrown. Kinda scare but I was able to scoop up 2 five packs from SBC
12/9/2019 1:37 PM
I had a really great Montecristo Vintage White Series given to me by a good friend... something about the fact is was gifted made it even better!
12/9/2019 3:32 PM
Ok, here it goes:

Maybe my overall favorite was the Foundation CT 142 - what a great cigar with a truly unique flavor profile! Really also loved Bishop’s Blend by BLTC. Crux Limitada PB 5 was also very enjoyable. Powstanie Habano was a nice new discovery, as well. So many cigars, so little time....
12/9/2019 4:46 PM
2019 was a great year for many cigars!

1.) Davidoff Robusto Real Especiales <<7>>
2.) Joya De Nicaragua Numero Uno

3.) Eiroa Jamastran 11/18

4.) Montecristo Cincuenta

5.) H. Upmann 175th

6.) Crux Gunner

7.)  La Palina Goldie Churchill

8.)  DOTW Lancero
12/9/2019 9:07 PM
Favorite new: Illusione Oneoff
Favorite old: Room 101 Payback Connecticut
No favorite factory, and fantastic 2019 releases were less in number than 2018.
12/10/2019 7:02 AM
BLK WKS S&R
12/10/2019 8:09 AM
So I had packed an All Star line up of cigars for my wedding/honeymoon (Opus X, H. Upmann Magnum 46, Tatuaje 51th, Padron 1964, etc), but the best cigar(s) I smoke this year were from Rodriguez Cigar Factory in Key West (1984 Series) and El Titan de Bronze (some 2nds or overruns that came in a bundle).
12/10/2019 1:43 PM
Sobremesa Brulee was my favorite of the year by a mile. In a distant second was La Careme Belicoso Fino 2019. In third would be HVC Serie A.
A very good year overall. Hoping 2020 continues the upward trend.
12/10/2019 6:53 PM
2019 has been quite the year, so many cigars to try yet :)  I would say that my favorites releases from this year are as follows:

1. Crowned Heads Le Careme Belicosos Finos LE 2019
2. Joya de Nicaragua Numero Uno L'ambassadeur
3. Sobremesa Brulee

lots of other good cigars but those stood out the most for me.  looking forward to trying more and 2020!
12/11/2019 9:54 AM
My top three for 2019 were the
Sobremesa Brulee
Southern Draw Credrus and the
Ezra Zion Fortune Cookie
Not necessarily in that order.
They were all absolutely delicious.
Yumbo!
12/11/2019 10:49 AM
What were your favorite new cigars of 2019?

  #1   2019 Warped Unico Especial
  #2   2019 Warped Sky Flower
  #3   Mi Querida Triqui Traca
  #4   Foundation Menelik
  #5   Viaje 2019 Birthday Blend
  #6   Joya Numberal Uno

Did you have a favorite factory that you pulled from this year?

By far, the best small cigar factory is TABACOS DE COSTA RICA.  

Nestled in the lovely mountain town of Puriscal, Costa Rica, Don Guzman has his thirty or so torcedors rolling the finest hand-made cigars in the Western Hemisphere.  Every stick burns with perfection, the draw and smoke production is the best.  I've never had a Tabacos de Costa Rica cigar that failed to meet this standard.

How would you rate 2019 overall for new releases?

Pretty good.  If it was any better, I'd have to add another cooladore!
12/11/2019 8:20 PM
My favorite cigar this year has been the Davidoff Anniversario No. 2.  It came as one of the surprise bonus cigars in a SBC order; thank you Andrew!  Otherwise it's been the DOTW robusto and (almost) anything Southern Draw - didn't care for the 300 Hands blends.  Everything else fell into the category of "also smoked".
12/12/2019 5:26 AM
2019 found me on an Illusione kick. Really enjoyed smoking through a box of 88's and the Epernay. Delicious smokes.
12/12/2019 9:26 AM
Psyko Seven Nicaragua
Archetype Dawn of Destiny
DTT Sobremesa Brulee
RomaCraft Baka Bantu
BOTL Lancero
Guardian of the Farm Nightwatch JJ
Henry Clay Warhawk
Jas Sum Kral Red Knight Figurado
12/13/2019 6:43 AM
My favorite for 2019 was definitely the
Crowned Heads Le Carême Belicoso Fino. I still need to get my hands on some of the other 2019 releases.
12/13/2019 10:49 AM
I think my favorite new cigar of 2019 was the CAO Orellana Limited Edition. Being one of their Amazon line (one of my favorites all time) this came as no shock to me but it still managed to beat my expectations.

Some others I loved that aren't necessarily new to the industry but new to me are:
1. Plasencia Alma Fuerte
2. Opus X Lost City
3. My Father Le bijou 1922 Box Pressed
4. Liga Privada T52

As I'm typing this I am smoking the Fuente Casa Cuba which is also truly spectacular. :)
12/13/2019 1:11 PM
There were a lot of new cigars that I found myself enjoying this year. I found that the Soap Box, Juarez, Segovias Maduro, Dawn of Destiny, and Sacred Scales really stuck out to me.

The best for the price was the Juarez.

Overall had to be the Antigua Esteli Segovias Madura. I think it was because I had no expectations and it surprised me so well! Also, I love that band.
12/13/2019 2:59 PM
The foundation Tabernacle CT 142 was the best of the year for me, bar none. Plasencia Alma del Fuego would be 2nd, you guys should get some of their stuff.
12/15/2019 3:37 AM
Congrats Tab!  And many thanks to everyone else for participating!  It's always an awesome day getting to read everyones thoughts :D
12/15/2019 6:54 AM
The JDN Numero Uno was amazing for me.  Of course, anything Casdagli (all those Mareva) and especially the Gran Cafe Maduro lancero. Jeremy’s the man.
Kudzu Lustrum was really good.  
Illusione Singulare Seven Horns was solid.
12/15/2019 8:03 AM
I have dialed way back on trying out new releases and pretty much stick to my favorite brands; Arturo Fuente, Padron, My Father and the occasional Davidoff. But wave a long & skinny from just about anybody in front of me and I become lable-blind.