Best of the Year

[farka]

I've been told repeatedly about this forum, and can attest that it could be addictive. I'll be a presumptuous bastard and jump right in with the top 5 cigars of the year:

5. The F.F. Opus X Super Belicoso: this raisiny crop has produced some spectacular smokes. Better than usual.

4. The A.F. 8-5-8 Sun Grown: it would be the ultimate everyday cigar, if you could get it every day... or any day!

3. The Graycliff Professional Hoodie: perfect any year. Smoke that rolls into your mouth effortlessly and rewards you with a taste unlike any other. Anyone who rates the blue hoodie at less than a 10 out of 10 is, quite frankly, a fool.

2. The Paul Garmirian 15th Anniversary Gourmet Series Belicoso Extra: a real concensus builder. From guys that don't like anything with more bite than a Mac Vintage to those who juice Joya de Nicaraguas in their blenders for a morning pick-me-up, I have yet to find a single person to disagree on this being a near-perfect (in some cases perfect) smoke. Beautiful construction, worlds of complexity that drop in at just the right time, and a finish that rivals any single malt you can put on the table. Just beautiful.

1. The AVO LE 05: I've had about a half-dozen of these unbanded, uncelloed offerings, and with each one I'm more on the bandwagon than the one before. A friend shared it with another cigar maker, who was stunned at just how brilliant this cigar was. A superior smoke to many of the Cubans a person could have this year, though I won't go into each one. Absolutely amazing. Unluckily, there are precious few still on the market. Luckily, there are about nine more in my humidor. Number one with a bullet! I can't imagine this effort will be outdone by Avo's 80th birthday cigar. I don't know if it is even possible; yet, I am eager to see what they come up with. If the folks at Davey dorf know anything (which they do) they should find a way to duplicate this one. And at $12.50 a stick, it is #2 in affordability behind the impossible to find 8-5-8 Sun Grown.

Should auld acquaintance, and all that...

[MoTheMan]

Originally Posted by farka

1. The AVO LE 05: I've had about a half-dozen of these unbanded, uncelloed offerings, and with each one I'm more on the bandwagon than the one before. A friend shared it with another cigar maker, who was stunned at just how brilliant this cigar was. A superior smoke to many of the Cubans a person could have this year, though I won't go into each one. Absolutely amazing. Unluckily, there are precious few still on the market. Luckily, there are about nine more in my humidor. Number one with a bullet! I can't imagine this effort will be outdone by Avo's 80th birthday cigar. I don't know if it is even possible; yet, I am eager to see what they come up with. If the folks at Davey dorf know anything (which they do) they should find a way to duplicate this one. And at $12.50 a stick, it is #2 in affordability behind the impossible to find 8-5-8 Sun Grown.

Should auld acquaintance, and all that...

Those Avo LE's are sure right on. A great NC cigar. I've enjoyed all 5 I've smoked so far, even bought a box.
I've had some Cuban snoobs turn up their nose at this cigar (it being non-cuban & all), they just don't know what they're missing.

Happy Holidays & Welcome to Club Stogie.

[par]

I am 100% with you on the AVO LE05. A spectacular stick.

just for good measure i had the Centro-fino Sungrown #5 which is an excellent stick. But it's nowhere close to the AVO LE05 which is superb.

good list btw.

[partagaspete]

Wlecome to Club Stogie you presumptuous bastard.

You'll soon agree this is the best BBS on the topic.

T

[carbonbased_al]

Originally Posted by farka

Anyone who rates the blue hoodie at less than a 10 out of 10 is, quite frankly, a fool.

I guess i'm a fool Welcome to CS!

[farka]

Okay, that statement might be a little out there! Reasonable minds could rate the Graycliff Professional Hoodie at, say, a 9 or 9.6!

[Yorkie077]

where might I find the AVO LE 05's? Anyone know of any sights selling these puppies?

[cosner63]

Welcome to the CS!

[tecnorobo]

Originally Posted by farka

I've been told repeatedly about this forum, and can attest that it could be addictive. I'll be a presumptuous bastard and jump right in with the top 5 cigars of the year:

5. The F.F. Opus X Super Belicoso: this raisiny crop has produced some spectacular smokes. Better than usual.

4. The A.F. 8-5-8 Sun Grown: it would be the ultimate everyday cigar, if you could get it every day... or any day!

3. The Graycliff Professional Hoodie: perfect any year. Smoke that rolls into your mouth effortlessly and rewards you with a taste unlike any other. Anyone who rates the blue hoodie at less than a 10 out of 10 is, quite frankly, a fool.

2. The Paul Garmirian 15th Anniversary Gourmet Series Belicoso Extra: a real concensus builder. From guys that don't like anything with more bite than a Mac Vintage to those who juice Joya de Nicaraguas in their blenders for a morning pick-me-up, I have yet to find a single person to disagree on this being a near-perfect (in some cases perfect) smoke. Beautiful construction, worlds of complexity that drop in at just the right time, and a finish that rivals any single malt you can put on the table. Just beautiful.

1. The AVO LE 05: I've had about a half-dozen of these unbanded, uncelloed offerings, and with each one I'm more on the bandwagon than the one before. A friend shared it with another cigar maker, who was stunned at just how brilliant this cigar was. A superior smoke to many of the Cubans a person could have this year, though I won't go into each one. Absolutely amazing. Unluckily, there are precious few still on the market. Luckily, there are about nine more in my humidor. Number one with a bullet! I can't imagine this effort will be outdone by Avo's 80th birthday cigar. I don't know if it is even possible; yet, I am eager to see what they come up with. If the folks at Davey dorf know anything (which they do) they should find a way to duplicate this one. And at $12.50 a stick, it is #2 in affordability behind the impossible to find 8-5-8 Sun Grown.

Should auld acquaintance, and all that...

Good Lord if it isnt bryan.
Everyone give this man a big welcome, i've been trying to get him to come here forever.

[King Cat]

Okay... WELCOME BRYAN!

You got me quite interested in those AVO's. Never had one, I guess I'll have to add that to the list to try.

[par]

I believe famous cigars still has the AVO LE05s in both singles and boxes.

[carbonbased_al]

Welcome bryan! Give me blake's addy and i'll send you some cubans!

[Moglman]

Welcome to CS! I have some LE 05s that were great when received, and have been getting better with every few months. I really would like to see a return of the 22's, even as an LE. The 858 SG is also tremendous. Thanks for the post.

[tecnorobo]

Originally Posted by carbonbased_al

Welcome bryan! Give me blake's addy and i'll send you some cubans!

Oh no this isnt good.

[carbonbased_al]

Originally Posted by tecnorobo

Oh no this isnt good.

It's very good