This is an idea I have been playing in my mind for some time now, and lately I’ve been thinking- why not put it into action?
Perhaps you’ve seen or participated in either the Omnivores 100 or Imbibers 100 which has been in circulation through numerous blogs. The “Omnivores 100″ is a list the blog author of Very Good Taste created and thinks “every good omnivore should have tried at least once in their life. The list includes fine food, strange food, everyday food and even some pretty bad food – but a good omnivore should really try it all.”
The “Imbibers 100” from Art Of Drink is a similar creation inspired from the Omnivores 100. Listed there are items- both brand and non-brand specific, with many surprising and interesting inclusions. It isn’t meant to be a “best of the world” list, and I like that thinking.
So I invite you to participate in creating this list with me. I don’t want it to be just my list (though I have my thoughts!), I want you to have a part in it as well. This is also something fun that can be passed around once it is completed!
Pairings are something to be considered. I don’t want it to be all about one brand or one country, like Cuba- brands will be listed of course. I would like to see a little bit of everything. Price isn’t an issue- a range of everything is to be included. This isn’t the “best of the world” but rather a 100 list of cigars that should be tried at least once in one’s lifetime, or at least a list of cigars for consideration by any cigar smoker. Like the other lists, it isn’t necessary to have indulged in all of them.
Some non-brand specific ideas (and ones I will contribute here now) may be something along the lines of “an aged cigar or one you’ve aged yourself”, “a limited series cigar”, “lighting a cigar with a long match”, “attend a cigar event”, “have a special place to enjoy your cigars- at home or elsewhere”, “having an espresso/coffee with a cigar”, “having a cigar with your favorite beverage- alcoholic or otherwise”, and so on. They don’t have to be fancy.
Send your contributions via the comments below. Once the list has been created I’ll be referencing this page with your comments and names in credit to the creation of this list.
List what you think should be included- maybe your personal top ten or more list (not necessarily your personal favorites, but what you think should be on the list as this is directed to everyone). You can add more if you like as you see other contributors respond. I know sometimes someone else’s thoughts will make you think of something you had maybe forgotten about.
Let’s keep this fun, shall we?
The Camacho triple maduro should definitely be included in this list. The first cigar ever with all maduro tobaccos its a great smoke with its hints of pepper and expresso. One night I couldn’t sleep. I went for a drive throughout Vegas and lit up my first one……great experience.
Being somewhat of a newbie I’m sure there will be a lot I can learn from this list!
Here are a few to cover the good, the bad and the ugly!
- Padron 80th Maduro
- Cohiba Siglo VI
- OpusX / Anejo
- NC Macanudo, Cohiba and Montecristo (Like ‘em or not, they are legendary!)
- Swisher Sweet
My 10 favorite cigars (not in specific order)
10.) Padilla Miami - Easily my favorite cigar I have had, Padilla Masterpiece.
9.) Pinar 2000
8.) Camacho PE
7.) Perdomo Champagne
6.) San Cristobal
5.) Tatuaje - Another good one by Pepin.
4.) Camacho Triple Maduro - Hell of a strong cigar
3.) Tempus - Alec Bradley’s best.
2.) La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero Factory Press
1.) Olde World Reserve Corojo - Rocky Patel
I really like Maker’s Mark cigars with fine liquor.
I like some Occidental Reserve by Alec Bradley when it comes to a nice cheap smoke for me and my buddies.
Yeah the good, the bad, and the ugly! That’s awesome!
Ooh, great list. The Padilla Miami is a great cigar- it took me by surprise the first time I tried it. I wasn’t expecting it at all, very lovely smoke. Beautiful first draw, too- and consistently so. Nom.
My current Top 10 non ISOM Cigars in order… It has been changing almost weekly
1 Camacho Connecticut Figurado (7″ x 54)
2 Rocky Patel Decade Robusto (5.0″ x 50) (The new 2009 ones with really dark wrappers)
3 Padilla Miami Robusto (5.0″ x 50)
4 Oliva Connecticut Reserve Robusto (5.0″ x 50)
5 Camacho Corojo Limited 11/18 (6″ x 56)
6 Camacho Cajones (5″ x 58)
7 Padilla Signature 1932 Robusto (5.0″ x 50)
8 Don Pepin Garica Cuban Classic 1979 Robusto (5.0″ x 50)
9 Don Pepin Garcia Tabacos Baez Favoritos Belicoso (5.5″ x 52)
10 Oliva Master Blends II Robusto (5.0″ x 50)
Honorable mentions:
601 Green Oscuro Corona (5.0″ x 42)
Alec Bradley SCR Robusto (5″ x 50)
Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story (4.5″ x 49)
Arturo Fuente Anejo #77 Shark (5.75″ x 56)
Camacho Triple Maduro (6″ x 60)
CAO Lx2 Lancero LE (7.5″ x 38)
Casa Magna Pikito (4.75″ x 42)
Cubao No. 3 Lancero (7.5″ x 38)
Davidoff Reserva 12 Limited Edition 2008 (5.5″ x 52)
Don Pepin Don Pepin Blue Label Demi Tasse (4.5″ x 32)
Don Pepin El Centurion Guerreros (5″ x 50)
Illusione CG:4 Corona Gorda (5.625″ x 48)
Illusione Cruzado Elitas (6″ x 44)
La Aurora Preferidos Corojo Gold Tube (5″ x 54)
La Riqueza #5 petite corona (4.4″ x 42)
Oliva Special S Diadema (7″ x 48)
Oliva Serie V Lancero (7″ x 38)
Oliva Serie V Torpedo (6″ x 56)
Padron 1964 Anniversary Imperial Maduro (6″ x 54)
Perdomo Reserve 10 Year Robusto Champagne (5″ x 54)
Punch 2009 Rare Corojo Rothschild (4.5″ x 50)
Rocky Patel 2009 Winter Collection Robusto (5″ x 50)
Tatuaje Cojonu 2009 (6.75″ x 48)
Tatuaje El Triunfador Lancero (7.5″ x 38)
Cohiba Esplendido
Partagas Lusitanias
Montecristo no. 2 (Cuba)
Bolivar Royal Corona
Partagas Serie D No. 4
Illusione
Cruzado
Cohiba Lanceros
Tatuaje Havana VI
601 Green Oscuro
Padron 1926
Padron 1964
RASS (Cuba)
Oliva Series V
- Owning a smoking jacket (nope, the old raincoat you always wear when you have a cigar walking the dog doesn’t count)
- Dressing up in Tux or Smoking to enjoy that special cigar even more
- Defending the purchase of a >$25 single cigar with your S.O.
- Getting your picture on the cover of a cigar magazine
- Joining a cigar event for the ambience and not (solely) for the free samples
So I feel that if you’re going to do pairings IE cigar w/(insert beverage here) that you need to pair specifically because I don’t think something like a Padron Anneversario 1926 Maduro pairs nicely with anything but good Cognac/Armagnac and likewise I wouldn’t have a Montecristo(most of them anyway) with anything but aged rum or a REALLY GOOD espresso so since the pairings are VERY based on not only type of cigar/wrapper/filler it becomes very very specific.
Also do you include things people should try if the smoke cigars but those things aren’t necessarily good IE swisher sweets, or flavored cigars/cigarillos.
This is all highly subjective. The easiest way would be to take the generally highest rated cigars and have them paired or do several lists and run ratings on multiple cigars and average your scores. The problem becomes is your readership skewed to liking what you like or are they the opposite. I find rating things on taste to be extremely difficult as I like some things that many people do not. Just my .02 cents though I think I’ve babbled enough and not actually answered your question.
Awesome, great lists!
Confidex- I agree with specific pairings but I think there needs to be both so it doesn’t become overwhelming on the list. This is a list for everyone- there will be things that many of us dislike on it, it’s part of the way it works. This isn’t the best of the world or best of cigars list, it i meant to include “the good, the bad, and the ugly” so to speak. Whether we like them or not there is a place for them, and some people do enjoy them. A little cringe factor is part of the game, lol. This is also why I want everyone to contribute- I don’t want it to be my personal taste list. This will make it interesting, too
Some cigars I think should be tried at least once in one’s lifetime:
Bolivar Royal Corona
Cohiba Coronas Especiales
H. Upmann Sir Winston
Hoyo de Monterrey Double Coronas
Montecristo No.2
Partagas Lusitanias
Partagas Serie D No.4
Por Larranaga Petit Coronas
Punch Punch
Ramon Allones Specially Selected
Romeo y Julieta Churchills
Vegas Robaina Unicos
Ah so here is what I’d put on there in no particular order
The Good
Montecristo #2(Cuba, 6″ x 54) -one of my top cigars I’ve ever had it makes me cry when I think of the Cuban Embargo
Padron Anneversario 1926
ROMEO & JULIETA HABANO RESERVE CORONA HABANO
Perdomo 10th Anniversary Grand Champagne
Cohiba (Cuba, their other cigars don’t really compare in my opinion)
a hand rolled cigar that was done in your presence (If you’re in NYC go to Cuba on saturday in the village)
The Bad
Swisher Sweets
Philly blunt(yes they’re AWEFUL and make me vomit just a little but this so you can appreciate the good)
macanudo hampton court (I find these little things too bitter to even think about without shivering a little bit)
garcia vega( I don’t care which one they’re all bad.)
The ugly
Clove Cigarettes, they’re just aweful
Flavors from Acid, while acid makes a few decent cigars the flavors are just yeah
outlaws(from swisher, they’re the same bad tobacco with flavor and in messily wrapped cover)
This isn’t as easy as I thought it would be.
1. The Gurkha Beauty
2. A Good Port and any cigar together. Port is the best drink to pair with any good cigar. The sweetness of the port just brings out all the flavors of a good cigar.
3. Pardon 80th anni.
4. La Flor Dominicana Chisel Maduro.
5. A cuban coffee with a La Gloria Cubana Serie R Maduro perfect match
6. A good cuban cigar if you never tried one.
7. This should have been number 1. A different cigar everytime you smoke!!!!
8. A quaility freshed rolled cigar.
9. Convince a non cigar smoker to become a cigar lover!!!!
10. Always spread the joy of this great Hobby!!!!!
A Tatuaje Reserva SW is something all cigar smokers should try imo.
Also a well aged, properly stores 10+ year old cigar should be on every cigar smokers list of things they must try.
And last, every cigar smoker should buy a box of their favorite cigar and gradually smoke through the box over the course of a several years (I’d say 5+ years) to see how thier favorite cigar changes as it ages.
-Matt
I like a lot of the selections that everyone listed. On a recent trip to Barbados I tried the local Royal Barbados number six cigar: http://www.royalbarbados.com/Home/royal-barbados-number-six
I have to admit I was surprised how good the cigar is. It quickly became one of my favorites. It’s a nice smooth smoke. I was able to get a tour of the factory while I was there as well
Starting to put the list together and I think we are off to a great start. I’m also going to add the nub- thought about specific but I think I’ll leave it as general on that one since I think they should all be tried, leaving room for the new ones to come, Padron 1964 maduro, Illusione f9, and Avo xo.
Keep them coming!
Well, one cigar I think that has disappeared into obscurity and is the greatest smoke I’ve had, is the Partagas 150 signature serie C or D. A history lesson, while liquidating warehouses that Partagas owned, they stumbled upon BARRELS of leaf that had been forgotten and fermenting for an unbelievable 18 years! They had their greatest cigar maker create the 150 using a Cameroon wrapper, a Mexican Binder and combination of Mexican and Dominican long filler. This cigar was released in 1995, so to say, if you can find these rare cigars (Signature serie A-D) you can look forward to spending upwards of $600-$950 per box of 25. The remaining leaf was aged further and used in the subsequent Partagas 160 series. This is a definite must experience for any cigar smoker. Included would also be the Rocky Petal Edge Maduro, or Sumatra, and finally the Padron Annivesario 1964.
For the worst, and still must haves, because to truly appreciate the crap from the gold, you need to have the crap. That would be anything Macanudo, Swisher Sweet or also anything made by Acid.
I have never smoked a non-Cuban that even compared to ANY Cuban. I think the major problem with this list may be the Cuban embargo not allowing so many aficionados from experiencing a heavenly Habana. That being said, I will also list some of my favorite non-Cuban domestics.
1) Vegas Robaina Don Alejandro (no cigar, other than #2 below, even compares).
Montecristo Churchill (much better than #2).
2) Romeo y Julieta Churchill (a close second to the Don Alejandro).
3) Partagas Lucitania.
4) Hoyo de Monterey double Corona
5) Partagas Salomane
6) Punch double Corona
7) Cohiba Siglo VI
9) Cuaba Salomone
10) Cohiba Lancero
11) Trinidad Lancero
…. plus any other Cuban.
Some noteworthy domestics:
Gurkha; Padron (non-anniversary); Gloria Series R; Isla del Sol (chocolate); Fuente; Oliva Series V;
Having a cigar when reading (absolutely alone) “Piedra de sol” by Octavio Paz at a windy night.
Having a cigar when reading (alone, again) Poem 15 of Pablo Neruda.
“Noche “and “Cigarro” by Vicente Huidobro.
And:
1- Joya de Nicaragua “Antaño” torpedo.
2- Selectos “cremas”, cuban cigars for local cuban people.
3- Artigas coronas aged 20 years, forgotten in some place in the house of a Matador (bullfighter)
Respectfully, Adalberto.
-Watching “The Godfather” while smoking some CAO Italia’s… good combo.
-A must… finishing off a Steak and wine dinner with some fantastic sticks.
-Taking a trip to visit a cigar factory and see the whole artisan process. (This is still on my itinerary for life!)
-When a outdoor/wilderness hike finishes with a beautiful view = experience the glorious sight with a cigar.
-Showing a newbie smoker how to properly cut and light a cigar. I have always enjoyed this.
My thoughts for now.
Looking great, the list is coming together very nicely. And Mike- I must especially agree with the finishing off of a steak and wine dinner with a great cigar. Absolutely a must! Love it all.
xx
Padron 45th Maduro
Ilusione MJ12
New release of the Tatuaje Cohete
AF Rosario
Just a few of my favorites;
Don Pepin My Father Le Bijou 1992 Toro
CAO La Triviata Robusto
Alec Bradley SCR
Camacho Connecticut 11/18
Camacho Triple Maduro
Oliva Serie V