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

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

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

Wow didn't see an AB coming!

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

:tpd:

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

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

Uh-hm.

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

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

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

:bs

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

Better than a Casa Magna, I suppose.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

this all day ^^^^


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

Weak choice CA.

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

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

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

Your check is in the mail.

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

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

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

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?

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Mmmmm Black Market :dr

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

Who is it from :D

That's my #1 pick! ;)

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

:r:r:r:r right on Mac

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

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.

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

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

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

Looks like the NC is far superior.

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

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

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

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

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

What a crock.

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

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

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

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....

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

:tpd:

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

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

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

+1:2

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

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

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

By far the best cigar magazine out there!

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

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

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

Your modesty suits you. :tu

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.