The cigar that most pleasantly surprised you in 2015

[Tennessee Dave]

I have enjoyed some wonderful cigars in 2015. The vast majority of these I expected to be very good to excellent and they did not disappoint. On the other hand there were a few smokes that pleasantly surprised me. I didn't expect much but as they were gifted to me I smoked them. The two that stand out as "finds" that I really enjoyed were the Padron 2000 Maduro and the Nica Rustica. I thought both of these were just excellent sit and enjoy smokes that don't require much thought about what you are tasting. What about you? Any pleasant surprises?

 

[klovett]

I agree with the Padron 2000. I wasn't expecting what it was delivering!

 

[jasonsbeer]

I smoked my first Genesis The Project in 2015. It is permanently seared into my brain how much I enjoyed that cigar. When you consider the price point and availability, I think everyone should have at least a few in their humidor.

I just picked up 10 more robustos at auction for a whopping $1.80 each. Simply outstanding for a sub $2 cigar.

 

[Craig Mac]

Ashton Symmetry. After what I thought were less than impressive offerings with La Aroma de Cuba Noblese and San Cristobal Ovation, Ashton went back to the Fuentes and just nailed it with Symmetry. Best part is they actually released a Corona when it seems everyone else was staying above 50 rg with new cigars.

 

[multi-useless]

I smoked a lot of NHIE sticks this year, but the diamonds in the rough were the Quesada Tributo ($4 at a B&M) and the JLP (under $3 each.) I've bought 2 boxes of the JLP since July and I'm down to about a dozen...

Lots of honorable mentions, but those are the 2 that stand out at the moment.

 

[CeeGarOne]

Macanudo Estate Reserve No. 9. This stick was way better than I expected and would recommend it. It's not your typical Macanudo.


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[Senor Perfecto]

Henry Clay Tattoo
Ramon Bueso Genesis
Tatuaje Jekyll
AJ Fernandez Enclave
Royal Danish
Las Calaveras 2015
Undercrown Shade
Tatuaje The Whore

 

[W.B.]

Agree with Craig, Symmetry is the jam!

 

[StogieNinja]

@warpedcigars La Hacienda.

I loved everything I had from Warped this year, but wasn't expecting as much from the lower price point. Was blown away, it was the best Warped smoke I had this year. Later I heard during an interview that he had modeled the blend on a lemon pistachio pasta dish, and weird is that sounds... Kyle nailed it.



Runner up:
Ramon Bueso Genesis Habano. Here's the crazy thing: I had higher than normal expectations for this $2 cigar, given how decent the OR Genesis was, but this still blew me away. Burn, draw, and flavor WAY out of its price range. I'd put it against any $5 stick, including those old standbys from Padron, Fuente, and My Father. It beats the pants off the low tier Padron and Fuente, and gives the DPG Blue a real run for the money.

 

[Maineiac]

E. P. Carillo Oscuro. If you look around you can pick them us for under $3.00. It is my new budget smoke.

 

[ChuckMejia]

Ezra Zion all my exes... Never have I expected something out of the Republic of Texas to be good... But this cigar was surprisingly perfect.

 

[THEMISCHMAN]

I was very impressed with these smokes: La Colmena, Tatuaje Cohete (even though it was from the 2014 batch), Angels Anvil 2015, Las Calaveras 2015, Tatuaje TAA 2015, Henry Clay Tattoo, El Gueguense, Illusione ECCJ, and Flor Del Valle Las Brumas. There may be more but these really stood out to me.

 

[THEMISCHMAN]

Ezra Zion all my exes... Never have I expected something out of the Republic of Texas to be good... But this cigar was surprisingly perfect.

This reminds me, the Ugly Christmas Sweater was very exceptional.

 

[multi-useless]

Never have I expected something out of the Republic of Texas to be good...

That's a good thing, being a Cowboys fan and all... I know, wrong thread... I just couldn't resist.

 

[ChuckMejia]

This reminds me, the Ugly Christmas Sweater was very exceptional.

I'm jealous bro, I missed those and the bees knees ... I am still bitter I couldn't pick them up.

 

[ChuckMejia]

That's a good thing, being a Cowboys fan and all... I know, wrong thread... I just couldn't resist.

Technically it's Americas team bro

 

[manbearpig]

Not my favorites per say but cigars that surprised me and stood out.
crowned heads paniolo especiale
l'atelier la mission
hoyo de monterrey edicion de cumpleanos 150

 

[JWBurns]

El Gueguense. Wasn't sure what to expect from Nick's first offering, but it was exceptional. Picked up a couple boxes.

 

[Cigarth Vader]

Imperia by Mike Bellody
Cabal Cigars
both were surprisingly good with having never heard of them before IPCPR

 

[Big Tex]

La Imperiosa
Las Mareas
Sobremesa
Mason Dixon South
Corto
^ These are the ones that really got my attention this year.

Oh, and the Quesada 40th that I received as a freebie from Small Batch was surprisingly good!


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