And the #1 cigar on Cigar Aficionado 2011 list...

[BigAsh]

Drum roll please... (let the games begin :D)

Alec Bradley Prensado Churchill
MADE BY: Fabrica de Tabacos Raices Cubanas S. de R.L.
FACTORY LOCATION: Honduras
WRAPPER: Honduras
BINDER: Nicaragua
FILLER: Honduras, Nicaragua
PRICE: $10.25
RING GAUGE: 48
LENGTH: 7"
RATING: 96

[Blak Smyth]

Wow didn't see an AB coming!

[kickerb]

Wow didn't see an AB coming!:tpd:

[BlindedByScience]

....and of course, advertising dollars spent had no influence whatsoever on what went on the list.

Uh-hm.

[Coop]

Wow!!! I wonder if Alan sold his $24,000 watch to pay for the spot???

[kelmac07]

:bs

[hammondc]

Better than a Casa Magna, I suppose.

[irratebass]

Hmmm, I also didn't see this coming, but I haven't had a bad AB yet, so I am pretty happy.

[Bill86]

:r I've never even heard of that cigar.

[Blak Smyth]

I believe I have one resting, not a Churchill though.
I guess I will try it but I have a strong feeling it will not be a #1 rank cigar.

[kelmac07]

Don't get me wrong...the Alec Bradley Prensado is a good stick. But #1 of 2011?? No way in hell. :2

[Doctorossi]

I've never had an Alec Bradley of any sort and I'm doubtful I ever will. Nothing against them at all, but nothing's pulling me toward them, either.

[Bill86]

I refuse to believe 99% of the reviews I read. Money is involved there is no way they are honest :2

The reviews here are a different story.

[neoflex]

Me and a couple friends are a bit taken a back by the pick. It was leaked yesterday so it's been a hot topic with us. I was never impressed by the Prensado line but good for them I guess. I could probably rattle off an easy10-15 sticks off the top of my head that I think would be more fitting for the spot but than again I never put any weight into CA's scores or rankings. More or less just makes a good conversation piece.
What's even more surprising is the fact that none of the top 10 was a stick released in 2011.

[darkninja67]

Don't get me wrong...the Alec Bradley Prensado is a good stick. But #1 of 2011?? No way in hell. :2

this all day ^^^^


I would love to find the idiot that would take a Prensado over a FR 85th.

Weak choice CA.

[Ogre]

Don't get me wrong...the Alec Bradley Prensado is a good stick. But #1 of 2011?? No way in hell. :2

I have to agree. No way its a #1!!!

[hotreds]

I refuse to believe 99% of the reviews I read. Money is involved there is no way they are honest :2

The reviews here are a different story.

Your check is in the mail.

[Emjaysmash]

I like the Presnsado the best of all the AB lines. The last one I smoked didn't scream "I'm No. 1!" at me, however. Congrats to Alec Bradley.

To next years contestants: get your pocketbooks ready! Or if you're Padron, just make another awesome cigar. :ss

[Blak Smyth]

I just listened to a KMA radio show and one of the guests picked the My Father El Hijo as his choice for #1. I have not had one yet, anybody think it should have had a shot? I have one resting and will smoke it soon, the reviews here sound amazing!
I know KMA radio is Smoke Inn and the El Hijo is a Smoke Inn exclusive, is this a legit pick or just some more paid voting?

[neoflex]

There is a whole slew of sticks that could of had a shot that are just a downright better smoke than the Prensado that didn't make the top 10. I was even surprised to see the Warlock in the top 10 too.

[irratebass]

I didn't know that was a Smoke Inn exclusive then again so is the Tat Anarchy and a few BOTL's found BOXES in AL this past week.....so Idk :sh

[darkninja67]

CA rated that stick a 96??? OH LAWD!!!!!!!!

[issues]

Don't get me wrong...the Alec Bradley Prensado is a good stick. But #1 of 2011?? No way in hell. :2

this all day ^^^^


I would love to find the idiot that would take a Prensado over a FR 85th.

Weak choice CA.

I have to agree. No way its a #1!!!

I would agree with all of these statements...

I would go so far to say that the cigar he released this year, the Black Market, is a better than a Prensado Churchill.

[irratebass]

Mmmmm Black Market :dr

[Bill86]

Your check is in the mail.

Who is it from :D

That's my #1 pick! ;)

[maninblack]

Wow, I'm blown away this was rated a freaking 96 and #1 cigar of the year!!! I have had soooooo many better sticks than any cigar AB produces. The Anarchy, Undercrown, TAA, etc etc were all better smokes in my opinion, but I don't get paid to review these so I guess my opinion doesn't matter much. To each his own I guess. Alan Rubin must have greased some palms.

[icehog3]

Never had an Alec Bradley, and much like Doctorossi, don't really have much of a hankering.

[DaBear]

I believe I have one resting, not a Churchill though.
I guess I will try it but I have a strong feeling it will not be a #1 rank cigar.

Have a draw tool nearby when you do, every Prensado I've had has had just too much of a tight draw to bother me while smoking. They have good flavor, but don't draw worth crap IMO.

[Doctorossi]

Never had an Alec Bradley, and much like Doctorossi, don't really have much of a hankering.

You're on, Tom- Alec Bradley 'Meh' Club

You want "President" or "CEO"? :D

[Parshooter]

He's great in 30 Rock and when he hosts SNL, didn't know he made cigars.

[Taki]

:bs

:r:r:r:r right on Mac

[gator_79]

I think most of Alec Bradley's sticks are solid but no way should the Prensado be #1. I think the Black Market is a better stick for the money, but thats just my taste.

Does anyone have a link to the top 25, or has the whole list even been released. I looked but couldn't find it. I'm interested to see what # the Undercrown is at. That is one of my favorite new cigars.

[Doctorossi]

I'm interested to see what # the Undercrown is at.

You need new math to see where the Undercrown comes in; it's at # [the empty set].

[Zeuceone]

Looks like the NC is far superior.

[dave]

I'm interested to see what # the Undercrown is at. That is one of my favorite new cigars.

I don't think UC cracked 90 in earlier reviews, so probably didn't make the cut of finalists for cigar-of-the-year list

[replicant_argent]

while interesting, and possibly completely subjective, (smoke what you like, like what you smoke, etc. ;) :rolleyes: ) I would have simply placed this whole thread as an addendum to, er....


this?


http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=52313

Not only is the #1 anticlimactic, but all this discussion certainly follows along with the conversation you already started there.

I won't be smoking the AB anytime soon, either. :D

[lenguamor]

What a crock.

[NCRadioMan]

I don't get what the big deal is. The mag is for wealthy, uninformed novice smokers so why would we really care? I understand why cigar makers care but no the seasoned smoker who belongs to internet cigar boards.

I will give them credit where credit is due. They have about 3-4 good articles in a year and they are mostly about Cuba. :D

[Bad Finger]

Someone needs to start a mag that is by smokers, for smokers. None of the "15 pages of **** nobody can afford", just smokes. Unfortunately, CI doesn't give proper reviews in my opinion either.


Maybe one day....

[Doctorossi]

I don't get what the big deal is. The mag is for wealthy, uninformed novice smokers so why would we really care?

:tpd:

[replicant_argent]

I don't get what the big deal is. The mag is for wealthy, uninformed novice smokers so why would we really care? I understand why cigar makers care but no the seasoned smoker who belongs to internet cigar boards.

I will give them credit where credit is due. They have about 3-4 good articles in a year and they are mostly about Cuba. :D

There might be a couple idiots (like me) or novices here. (I can't speak to the wealthy part) :D
I enjoyed the Havana issue quite a bit. I read it and think of the trade winds, a Partagas, a Mojito, and a sandy beach when I close my eyes. Or some Cuban music, awesome food, and a few sexy Cuban gals dancing.


But that's just me. :noon

[UpInSmoke]

I don't get what the big deal is. The mag is for wealthy, uninformed novice smokers so why would we really care? I understand why cigar makers care but no the seasoned smoker who belongs to internet cigar boards.

I will give them credit where credit is due. They have about 3-4 good articles in a year and they are mostly about Cuba. :D

+1:2

[Doctorossi]

Someone needs to start a mag that is by smokers, for smokers. None of the "15 pages of **** nobody can afford", just smokes. Unfortunately, CI doesn't give proper reviews in my opinion either.


Maybe one day....

That day has come. Cigar Journal is great! :2

[Winstonshumidor]

That day has come. Cigar Journal is great! :2

By far the best cigar magazine out there!

[icehog3]

You're on, Tom- Alec Bradley 'Meh' Club

You want "President" or "CEO"? :D

I would like to be "back-up goalie". :D

[Doctorossi]

I would like to be "back-up goalie". :D

Your modesty suits you. :tu

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

Is James Suckling still with CA? He was really the only reason I use to read CA.

[Doctorossi]

Is James Suckling still with CA? He was really the only reason I use to read CA.

Nope. He's with Cigar Journal now. :tu

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

Nope. He's with Cigar Journal now. :tu

Thanks. I know he retired from the Wine Spectator, but didn't know for sure if he still worked on CA. He has started his own wine review/journal now too.

[ktblunden]

I like the Presnsado the best of all the AB lines. The last one I smoked didn't scream "I'm No. 1!" at me, however. Congrats to Alec Bradley.

To next years contestants: get your pocketbooks ready! Or if you're Padron, just make another awesome cigar. :ss

I would agree with all of these statements...

I would go so far to say that the cigar he released this year, the Black Market, is a better than a Prensado Churchill.

The Prensado is by far my favorite of the AB cigars (most of which I'm not entirely fond of at all) and it is a good cigar, but I wouldn't say it's anywhere even close to #1. The Black Market I was surprised by and thought was a really nice cigar, but I still like the Prensado better.

[ktblunden]

That day has come. Cigar Journal is great! :2

Their reviews still leave something to be desired. In the issue I have they rated the Cain Daytona a 96 or so. Completely absurd.

[icehog3]

Their reviews still leave something to be desired. In the issue I have they rated the Cain Daytona a 96 or so. Completely absurd.

That is absurd, that cigar is at least a 98.




;) :lr

[Doctorossi]

Their reviews still leave something to be desired. In the issue I have they rated the Cain Daytona a 96 or so. Completely absurd.

Well, something to be desired or just different taste? :sh

I hear you, though. They :dr all over the Torano Master. I tried one yesterday and it performed well and didn't offend, but did little for me, flavor-wise. They talked up its 'complexity' something fierce, but I found it pretty monochromatic.

[Bax]

I do love me some AB's!!! But number one is a bit of a strech.

[lilwing88]

Only one of the top 25 had a release date in 2011...... WTF?

[RevSmoke]

There is a whole slew of sticks that could of had a shot that are just a downright better smoke than the Prensado that didn't make the top 10. I was even surprised to see the Warlock in the top 10 too.

$$ again? The Warlock was a $20. Give it about 15 months and they will be had at CI for $3.00 a stick.

[Boz]

$$ again? The Warlock was a $20. Give it about 15 months and they will be had at CI for $3.00 a stick.

I think I paid $7 for the Warlock I bought a few months ago :sh

[E.J.]

I'm home sick, so have too much time on my hands....

These threads always give me a smile. People all up in arms about what CA does, their ratings, lists, content....as if it is something different than the year before...or before that....

CA is what it is....nothing more or less. I subscribe, the recent issue about Cuba was worth the subscription price alone. I look forward to each issue, there is always something in there that is worth what I pay...usually the interviews.

Now that the CA top 20 is out, now I have to wait for the next Tatuaje exclusive to see all this again.....;)

For your rerun viewing pleasure, I bring you the 2010 and 2009 CA Top 20's.....:r

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=40809&highlight=Aficionado

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7779&highlight=Aficionado

[CasaDooley]

Truth is, I like Cigar Aficionado. I pretty much like all the cigar magazines that are published, primarily due to the fact that there are so few out there that support our hobby. I like keeping up on our world of cigars with news that goes beyond what is said on the internet forums.
Like what you read, read what you like. :ss