And the #1 cigar of the year is......

[czerbe]

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/cigars/top25detail/year/2013/rank/1

:fp2:fp2

[AdamJoshua]

I suppose I can see that, I smoked a couple of '13s and they were off the hook good.

[CamoFlogged]

Yep, I guess I can agree with this but IMHO, it depends on the box. Had some outstanding freshies but some needed a long nap.

Kinda a safe choice though.

[pnoon]

It would be helpful to name the cigar here. :2
(Link is blocked here at work.)

[SD Beerman]

Fresh ones are pretty good. 10 years of age and they are great!

[dijit]

The Monte #2 is a good smoke straight out of the box and absolutely with some aging the flavor blends and becomes even more complex without becoming over powering.

[T.G]

It would be helpful to name the cigar here. :2
(Link is blocked here at work.)


The 25 Best Cigars of the Year 2013

Montecristo No. 2

1
The undisputed king of torpedoes is the Montecristo No. 2. The stately smoke with the pointy tip is known the world over and ranks as one of the best-selling cigars in the Cuban cigar portfolio. And unlike some things that sell well, Monte 2s combine commercial success with critical acclaim. We have rated Montecristo No. 2s dozens of times in Cigar Aficionado blind tastings. The first time was more than 20 years ago, when we gave it a score of 94 points. This score of 96 is the highest rating we have ever bestowed on the cigar in a blind taste test.
Recent production Monte 2s (those we smoked were from April 2013) are extraordinary, teeming with rich but not overwhelming flavors of leather, such sweet spices as cinnamon and nutmeg and the cigar’s trademark tangy wood note. They have enough flavor and power to satisfy those who smoke cigars on a regular basis without overwhelming those who puff less frequently.
The Montecristo No. 2 is anything but new. The cigar is one of the original sizes of the Montecristo brand, which was created in Cuba by Alonso Menendez in 1935 and became the best-known of all the cigars rolled at Menendez, Garcia y Cia., the biggest cigar company in pre-Castro Cuba.
The Count of Monte Cristo, the 1844 work of French novelist Alexandre Dumas that culminates in a dramatic sword fight, is believed to have inspired the name. Today, the Montecristo box features swords crossed in a triangular pattern, and the band has a majestic fleur-de-lis, a symbol of the French monarchy, in its center. While Montecristo No. 2s smoke beautifully in their youth, they also make superb aging cigars for those with the patience. We have smoked Montecristos that have been stored for 10 to 50 years in a humidor, and they only get better over time. The Montecristo No. 2 is a classic, and Cigar Aficionado’s best cigar of 2013.
http://images.cigaraficionado.com/cao/Top25/2013/montevidthumb.jpg (http://www.cigaraficionado.com/videos?bcpid=90674691001&bclid=111592567001&bctid=2941010758001)
Watch the video (http://www.cigaraficionado.com/videos?bcpid=90674691001&bclid=111592567001&bctid=2941010758001) of Gordon Mott and David Savona smoking the Montecristo No. 2.

FACTORY LOCATION: Cuba
WRAPPER: Cuba
BINDER: Cuba
FILLER: Cuba
PRICE: £21.70
RING GAUGE: 52
LENGTH: 6 1/8"
RATING: 96

[Simple1]

I would agree as well. Consistent flavors and always enjoyable. But this is the same list that has a Gurkha in the top 10......

[czerbe]

The 25 Best Cigars of the Year 2013

Montecristo No. 2

1
The undisputed king of torpedoes is the Montecristo No. 2. The stately smoke with the pointy tip is known the world over and ranks as one of the best-selling cigars in the Cuban cigar portfolio. And unlike some things that sell well, Monte 2s combine commercial success with critical acclaim. We have rated Montecristo No. 2s dozens of times in Cigar Aficionado blind tastings. The first time was more than 20 years ago, when we gave it a score of 94 points. This score of 96 is the highest rating we have ever bestowed on the cigar in a blind taste test.
Recent production Monte 2s (those we smoked were from April 2013) are extraordinary, teeming with rich but not overwhelming flavors of leather, such sweet spices as cinnamon and nutmeg and the cigar’s trademark tangy wood note. They have enough flavor and power to satisfy those who smoke cigars on a regular basis without overwhelming those who puff less frequently.
The Montecristo No. 2 is anything but new. The cigar is one of the original sizes of the Montecristo brand, which was created in Cuba by Alonso Menendez in 1935 and became the best-known of all the cigars rolled at Menendez, Garcia y Cia., the biggest cigar company in pre-Castro Cuba.
The Count of Monte Cristo, the 1844 work of French novelist Alexandre Dumas that culminates in a dramatic sword fight, is believed to have inspired the name. Today, the Montecristo box features swords crossed in a triangular pattern, and the band has a majestic fleur-de-lis, a symbol of the French monarchy, in its center. While Montecristo No. 2s smoke beautifully in their youth, they also make superb aging cigars for those with the patience. We have smoked Montecristos that have been stored for 10 to 50 years in a humidor, and they only get better over time. The Montecristo No. 2 is a classic, and Cigar Aficionado’s best cigar of 2013.
http://images.cigaraficionado.com/cao/Top25/2013/montevidthumb.jpg (http://www.cigaraficionado.com/videos?bcpid=90674691001&bclid=111592567001&bctid=2941010758001)
Watch the video (http://www.cigaraficionado.com/videos?bcpid=90674691001&bclid=111592567001&bctid=2941010758001) of Gordon Mott and David Savona smoking the Montecristo No. 2.

FACTORY LOCATION: Cuba
WRAPPER: Cuba
BINDER: Cuba
FILLER: Cuba
PRICE: £21.70
RING GAUGE: 52
LENGTH: 6 1/8"
RATING: 96

Thanks Adam

[pnoon]

I would agree as well. Consistent flavors and always enjoyable. But this is the same list that has a Gurkha in the top 10......

I disagree.
While the Monte 2 is a classic Cuban cigar and mind-blowing when they are on, I find them to be very inconsistent in quality.

My :2 and worth half as much.

[EricF]

I disagree.
While the Monte 2 is a classic Cuban cigar and mind-blowing when they are on, I find them to be very inconsistent in quality.

My :2 and worth half as much.

What Peter said.

[8zeros]

£21.70 a STICK? Dayum.
One of my favorites, never without them.

[stearns]

london pricing...

[Sweet_Leaf_PDX]

I have not smoked a lot of these, but the first one I tried really blew my mind. Was the best cc I'd ever had at that point. Then I tried another one a few months later, from a different stock pile and I was very disappointed by it.

[yourchoice]

I disagree.
While the Monte 2 is a classic Cuban cigar and mind-blowing when they are on, I find them to be very inconsistent in quality.

My :2 and worth half as much.

Peter's statement is what I believe to be the general consensus, but I have been lucky with the couple of boxes I acquired. :tu

[biggbob]

my 08s and 10s are (and were) incredible. My 11s and 13s are Mehhh still.

[The Poet]

I got one of those what's been hiding in one of my hummies for a decade or so now. You think maybe it's ready to smoke?

[kelmac07]

Corey...Keith (BigAsh) posted this yesterday.

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=64613

[CamoFlogged]

I got one of those what's been hiding in one of my hummies for a decade or so now. You think maybe it's ready to smoke?

Send it to me and I will let you know :D

[The Poet]

Send it to me and I will let you know :D

As it was gifted to me, that's bad karma bro. ;s

[RobR1205]

I disagree.
While the Monte 2 is a classic Cuban cigar and mind-blowing when they are on, I find them to be very inconsistent in quality

Agree. First couple I smoked from my box were great, but I'm resting them after a couple of less than impressive sticks a year later.

[bruceolee]

I disagree.
While the Monte 2 is a classic Cuban cigar and mind-blowing when they are on, I find them to be very inconsistent in quality.

My :2 and worth half as much.

I have to agree with you Peter. I don't hate Monte #2's but cigar of the year? Kind of a safe choice if you ask me.