The real problem with CA's List

[Centro33]

I know we don't really need yet another thread on this, but I've been stewing on this for 24 hours and it needs to be vented.

My major issue with the Behike at No. 1 is what one doesn't find from 2 to 25. For example, no Guillermo León Signature. Really? Also, no 107. And I have a MAJOR issue with Tatuaje's La Vérité not only not getting No. 1, but being excluded from the list entirely, while a Partagas Lusitania makes the list. First off, the La Vérité is five times better than the one in four Lusitanias one can get a decent draw from. Second, I don't know what the quantity requirements were, but I'm pretty sure they rolled about six of those Viajes that came in at No. 2. (Don't get me wrong, I love Viaje, but they define limited production.)

So, CA gives us for its top 2, in a year that saw some of the best releases since Padrón started making 1926's, a cigar you can't get and a $50 Cuban. Well done, old timers.

There are a few on the list that I agree with wholeheartedly (the Epernay, though Le Grande is clearly the better size; the EPC; Prensado; all things Raíces Cubanas) but how many points does a publication get for hitting the target a fifth of the time? (Possibly they were emulating the draw test results of that Lusitania.) I'm not just hating on Cubans, but, for example, the Bolivar Royal Coronas & that Trinidad petit corona were clearly the class of that segment of the industry this year -- so I've been told by a guy that looks like me in pictures -- and I will be merciful enough to say that of course the Behike is something special.

The bigger point, for me, is CA's cumulative effect on the industry. Anyone here who knows me is aware that I manage a retail cigar shop & lounge. The CA effect can be described thusly: it makes the people who take stock in their ratings insufferable. Yes, I'm being selfish, but I do not relish in seeing members bring in boxes of cigars "from Panama" and hyping up products we are forbidden to sell nor am I enthused about the prospect of people walking past about twenty stellar sticks to ask me about something they can't get.

And I'll repeat: the La Vérité is not on the list. That is an absolute joke.

 

[strife]

Can't argue with that. :thumbsup:

 

[SailorAg]

I think CA is skewed towards their advertisers, naturally. And I think they believe that they are somehow the center of the cigar culture here in the US leading to an inflated sense of self worth and eventual irrelevancy.

 

[gibbleguts]

Can't argue with that. :thumbsup:

Yeah you can. Everyone is going to have different opinions on this. For everyone living outside of the US they will be disgusted by the fact that there are only 3 cubans on the list. I would say that in the back half of the list 75% of newer reg production CC's are bettern then a lot on the list. Opening post love la Verite and I will say it may not have been my #1 but blew away alot of shit on the list.


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[Jfire]

09 Party Lusi's have been nothing short of perfect draws and phenomonal taste profiles. They imo needed to be on that list as well as 898Vs, CGR's and a few others.

 

[jayro75]

Yeah you can. Everyone is going to have different opinions on this. For everyone living outside of the US they will be disgusted by the fact that there are only 3 cubans on the list. I would say that in the back half of the list 75% of newer reg production CC's are bettern then a lot on the list. Opening post love la Verite and I will say it may not have been my #1 but blew away alot of shit on the list.


Posted via Mobile Device

Verite is a great tasting stick but everyone of the 15 or so of them I've smoked from varying sources has had burn and construction issues. That has to be taken into account in my opinion.

I agree it's a hell of alot better than most of the top 25 but the construction issues probably were it's undoing.

 

[strife]

Yeah you can. Everyone is going to have different opinions on this. For everyone living outside of the US they will be disgusted by the fact that there are only 3 cubans on the list. I would say that in the back half of the list 75% of newer reg production CC's are bettern then a lot on the list. Opening post love la Verite and I will say it may not have been my #1 but blew away alot of shit on the list.


Posted via Mobile Device

I guess I should have been more specific. The part about customers coming into the shop looking for cigars that aren't available or only on the list. I hear it all of the time when I'm at the lounge. These lists are too random, I'd like to see a more specific set of lists, Top 25 CC's, LE's, Regionals, and then maybe an overall. JMHO.

 

[icehog3]

Smoke what you like, like what you smoke...who gives a crap about Cigar Aficianado's list? :argue:

 

[dpricenator]

I can't take stock in a review of a cigar after the reviewer has smoked only a 5th of the stick. I like the reviews Brooks does, they include thoughts all the way to the nub. Just like all of us do. The reviews that CA does are a joke in my eyes, and very misleading. I said it somewhere else I gave up when the Casa Magna made #1. While some may find it enjoyable, I was completely let down by it, even before I they named it #1.

But I also don't care for the EP Carillo stuff, and I know a lot of you guys do, so what do I know?

 

[Vegan702]

Smoke what you like, like what you smoke...who gives a crap about Cigar Aficianado's list? :argue:

The people in this thread discussing the list?

 

[Centro33]

I guess I should have been more specific. The part about customers coming into the shop looking for cigars that aren't available or only on the list. I hear it all of the time when I'm at the lounge. These lists are too random, I'd like to see a more specific set of lists, Top 25 CC's, LE's, Regionals, and then maybe an overall. JMHO.

That I can get with.

Also, I suppose there's a bit of luck or something akin to it involved in construction. I've smoked a number of La Vérités & La E'Sprits (henceforth referred to by me as robusto because I can't speak or spell in French) and every one has been absolutely perfect. I took some to Paris with me this year and smoked them alongside "the competition" and found them to be the best cigars I had on my trip. I like to think of myself as fairly open minded, and like most of us would, I went hog wild when I saw A La Civette's humidor. I see someone here has had a good run with Lusitanias. My experience has been absolutely dreadful with that cigar. Then again, every La Vérité I've had has burned like a string. That's probably a good topic for conversation in itself, because I know not how that happens from one guy to the next.

 

[BSBONO]

it makes for interesting conversation which is what a forum is for but that is it. The real problem w/their list is just how calculated and predictable it is. You can always count on just a few cubans making it, a Rockey Patel, a Oliva Series V, a My Father, an Opus and a couple out of left field, etc. Its almost likely its predetermined to have a certain number of slots for certain categories. It really brings into question just how random they are. They obviously don't smoke enough cigars which is ridiculous as they are a cigar magazine and should have people smoking 24x7. If anything push the top 25 back to end of Jan or early Feb to give them time to consider more cigars.

But again I take it nothing more than for interesting conversation. There are far better sources on the internet for real reviews

 

[ninersfan]

It seems the criteria for CA's Top 25 is nearly identical to their sister publication's (Wine Spectator) Top 100. We all laugh our asses off at work when that list is released. The top wines are either unattainable or from large producers who have multiple, full-page ads in the rag.

 

[Vegan702]

It seems the criteria for CA's Top 25 is nearly identical to their sister publication's (Wine Spectator) Top 100. We all laugh our asses off at work when that list is released. The top wines are either unattainable or from large producers who have multiple, full-page ads in the rag.

It will always be that way when they depend on the products they are reviewing to pay for the magazine and their wages. Doubt they would get very much business if they gave *real* reviews and published them all. That is why the websites and blogs who don't advertise or at least take advertising dollars from the companies of the products they are reviewing will always be a little more legitimate.

 

[tatuaje]

BTW, it says they puffed on some 700 NEW cigars. How did the older releases get on the list?

 

[SlipperyPete]

On one hand, I shake my head with the almost predictable yearly selections. It's kind of like groundhog day, but without the funny hats or party lights on the fury animal (of course he sees his shadow.) On the other hand, I actually enjoy not seeing some of my favorites on there for whatever reason. In particular a couple of the new Tat reserva vitolas introduced this year. Otherwise, I could forget trying to find them or buy them with all the mass hysteria produced by the annual pimping that goes on with the top 25.

I respect the passion evoked from Centro33. This is your trade. You always want your best foot forward, and to be able to deliver to your customers without some circus side show. I wish I had a local with that spirit.

 

[gardizzle]

Also strange that several brand vitolas that were rated from 90 to 94 in Cigar Insider (Alec Bradley Family Blend, El Triunfador, Room 101 Conjura Edition, Ramon Allones) to name a few, were not even included in the top 25? How does a cigar score 92,93 or 94 in the initial testing and not even crack the list?

 

[danthebugman]

I think doing separate CC and NC Top 25 list would make people happier. That should make a little more room for stuff to actually make the list that deserves to. Of course they'll have to smoke more cigars, but hey if you like cigars that's no problem right? It would also be nice to see more LE stuff to be reviewed. That's just me...I don't read the publication and the only time I visit the site is to check out the Top 25 list...curiosity and all that :dunno:.

Dan

 

[BrooksW]

BTW, it says they puffed on some 700 NEW cigars. How did the older releases get on the list?

FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!

:riflefire :smokingbo

 

[Clint]

As many, I believe that this list is heavily weighted towards cigar makers who are in one way or another "benevolent contributors" to CA's advertising budget.