As a fellow tobacconist, my boss has a shop here in Az too. And we did our own little take on this (another blue collar shop). 1000% agree with you boys. I think if there was a way to have shops do a top 25 and submit to a site, it would probably be the best and most honest top 25.. like a tobacconist 25 ..
Cigars are based on opinions. A cigar I love, may be terrible for another person. And I don't judge anyone's opinion when it comes to cigars. I'm interested in y'all's top 25
Taste is personal, I would definitely say that the opus x or Padron you mentioned deserves the top 25, they just happen to be my favorites. To each there own
1) El Club del Turro - Robusto HVA (Río Grande): imo hands down the best cigar I have tried and is a hidden gem. 2) EP Carillo - Allegiance 3) Padrón 1926 4) My Father - The Judge 5) still debating this as it keeps changing lol (Aladino, H. Upmann, Ashton, Perdomo, Davidoff, Arturo Fuente all have great cigar choices… maybe this is my top ten list lol)
Just finished watching you take on the CA top 25. I concur with your thoughts on it, a lot of hype on the list. I’ve had the Blacked and was not impressed. One of my favorites that should be on the list is the Alex Bradley magic toast, I’m my top 5. Thanks for the great video.
Good to see the ALR do well I love that one my I’m in Australia so don’t get access to as many smokes as you guys but my top 5 in no particular order 1. VSG 2. ALR 3. Sin Compromiso 4. Flor Dr Las Antillas 5. Oliva Master Blends 3
I have seen alot of reviews early in the year on the blackened 81 most of them not positive saying too much pepper. Now all of the sudden alot of the same reviewer are in love with them???
Takes no cajones to attack the top list in the industry (double blind tested btw) and then not make our own list. Also JB needs a hug or a blowie or something. Grumpy AF
The Montecristo Nicaragua Series 1935 Anniversary Edición Diamante is nice. I liked the regular 1935 Anniversary better but this is still a good smoke. Medium toasty bread notes, honey and graham with a heavy cream chaser. Whispers of leather and oak, a little bit of spice on the retrohale. A lot of balance and refinement but not daring or complex. Everything is right where it's supposed to be and that's a-okay with me. This is a very pleasant cigar. Not challenging by any measure. Good burn, perfect roll and nice hand/mouth feel. This is one of the special celebration cigars I always keep in the humi. I should qualify my opinion... I'm a total Montecristo fanboy. I really enjoy most of their portfolio and admit high bias but they're Montecristos... They gotta be fly!😎
That El Pulpo San Andreas is incredible. I’ve smoked it a few times and it 100% deserves to be on the list in my opinion. Great balance of sweet and spicy and the belicoso size is perfect. I also agree that the top 5 are just overrated and overhyped.
I've always thought of Padron as being like a James Beard winning dumpling shop. You know exactly what you're going to get, but you know it is going to be good. Not overrated, but not interesting. Same thing with the Melanio. It isn't complex, but it does one note very well. Underwhelming at $17 though.
How in the H.E. 🏒 🏒 did the Olmec make it over the Knight Commander? Heck I'd put the Charter Oak Pasquale (parden me of its spelled wrong) over the Olmec. I didn't hate the Olmec but definitely lower on my Foundation Ranking. The Tabernacle is still my favorite cigar from Foundation.
Big fan of your show. I'm a big Alec Bradley fan and agree that there are at least 3 of their blends better than that one tonight. Although its a good smoke.
Can’t take you guys too seriously lol. You bashed 75% of the list and some amazing cigars. Your call on EP Carrillo and My Father spot on. Post your top 25
Don Pepin would thank you for saying he will peak when he's 95 🙂 and Marvin Shanken despises Steve Saka so much that he has blocked any review of Dunbarton Tobacco as long as he lives.
@10:30 you mentioned mecallef black label cigars❤ those are some amazing sticks and I’m puffin on one right fuckin now! Paired it with some Rebecca creek whiskey 🥃 Half way through this stick by now and it’s still consistent 😮💨💨💨💨💨💨🫡
I would like to see a video of your top 10 or 25. I've enjoyed padron and the olivas, so it would be interesting to try what you feel is better. Especially whats your #1 cigar of 2023?
Personally i thought the Blackened was better in the Toro, though the couple i had were very toothy and that might have been the difference. Krakatoa is cigar of the year, imo.
1) Avo Classic Robusto 2) Perdomo Lot 23 Connecticut Belicoso 3) Zeal King’s Comeback BXP Gordo 4) Gurkha Ghost Maduro Robusto 5) La Aroma De Cuba Mi Amor Belicoso 6) Southern Draw Rose of Sharon Still working on my list. I’ve tried plenty that aren’t really for me or the draw clogs up half way which ruins the experience.
I personally would like to see you guys review some more Cubans. I understand that they’re not sold in the States but as a subscriber of this channel from Australia, I smoke hardly any New Worlds because just about every recommendation to me has disappointed me. My humidor consists of 95% Cubans. And the Cubans that were listed in that top 25 are fantastic cigars. Especially the Romeo y Julieta.
How does Davidoff not make this list? #5 Allegiance El Chaperone #4 Opus X Scorpian Natural #3 Davidoff Annivesario 1 #2 Fuente Don Carlos Annivesario Double Robusto #1 CAO Amazon Basin Extra Anejo
Personally....I dont think Padron's are overated....They are good sticks and this list looses credit with me cause I did not hear any Perdomo or Dunbarton sticks
I couldnt agree more on the Olive Melanio V. I didnt even finish mine either time i tried it. The Shady Moose Chillin Moose is way better and less expensive
Cigars are really subjective so “rankings” do little for me, I’ve had numerous 90*+ rated cigars and meh none of em worth the hype, 5-10$ cigars are clearly just as good as the higher end cigars
Blasphemy I don’t agreed with all you guys said! Nah just kidding I’m with you guys this list kind 👎😩but the red Tampa is delicious gotta try it for the review
English is not the hardest language to learn. Chinese and Russian are much harder. I've been in Ukraine for nine years and still can't get past "shopping" Russian. I cannot hold a conversation.
Some of the best cigars i have smoked were Padrons. However they are objectively badly made and insanely overpriced. If steve saka made a cigar that looked like a padron he'd be raked over the coals. If you buy a box of padrons, you will get at least 1 or 2 that are underfilled and it just accepted because they taste so good.
You made a big mistake every cigar smokers knows: Talking trash about what other smoke. Take an example of your ex-employee: ua-cam.com/video/tVasFvpqSVM/v-deo.html Instead of talking trash he's being informative. Note: Melanio is one of my favorite cigar.
![[UA] NAVI проти G2 Esports | Blast Premier Fall Final](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QWlIm4FGESQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Yo fighting words about the Olmec lol. That was one of my favorites this year. Deserves to be higher in my opinion.
As a fellow tobacconist, my boss has a shop here in Az too. And we did our own little take on this (another blue collar shop). 1000% agree with you boys. I think if there was a way to have shops do a top 25 and submit to a site, it would probably be the best and most honest top 25.. like a tobacconist 25 ..
The Olmec Maduro is a banger. I haven’t had the claro, but that Maduro is a stick I will always have in my personal humidor.
I second this recommendation. Eagerly waiting for the rerelease.
Cigars are based on opinions. A cigar I love, may be terrible for another person. And I don't judge anyone's opinion when it comes to cigars. I'm interested in y'all's top 25
I would definitely put the magic toast (Yes and black market) ahead of the Pensado
Damn, agree with most except the Milanio. It's one of my all time favorites
Taste is personal, I would definitely say that the opus x or Padron you mentioned deserves the top 25, they just happen to be my favorites. To each there own
Awesome show
1) El Club del Turro - Robusto HVA (Río Grande): imo hands down the best cigar I have tried and is a hidden gem.
2) EP Carillo - Allegiance
3) Padrón 1926
4) My Father - The Judge
5) still debating this as it keeps changing lol (Aladino, H. Upmann, Ashton, Perdomo, Davidoff, Arturo Fuente all have great cigar choices… maybe this is my top ten list lol)
Just finished watching you take on the CA top 25. I concur with your thoughts on it, a lot of hype on the list. I’ve had the Blacked and was not impressed. One of my favorites that should be on the list is the Alex Bradley magic toast, I’m my top 5. Thanks for the great video.
Taste is subjective. Everyone has different opinions too. I personally have never been a fan of the Opus cigars i've had, but to each their own.
Aroma de Cuba one is fantastic for the price.
I liked your honesty and reviews but I am more interesting in your choice of top 10 cigars you think are worth having in my humidor?
I’m fairly new to the cigar world. But I gotta say, every my father cigar I’ve had so far has been amazing! 😁👍👍
I can’t believe this man passed away I’m still in shock
Padron might be a bit overpriced but their cigars are.very good.
Agreed. I do not know why they are so sour on that brand.
I strongly agree. It’s not their taste and that’s completely fine but it also makes new comers not want to try the brand 😅
Good to see the ALR do well I love that one my I’m in Australia so don’t get access to as many smokes as you guys but my top 5 in no particular order
1. VSG
2. ALR
3. Sin Compromiso
4. Flor Dr Las Antillas
5. Oliva Master Blends 3
I have seen alot of reviews early in the year on the blackened 81 most of them not positive saying too much pepper. Now all of the sudden alot of the same reviewer are in love with them???
Takes no cajones to attack the top list in the industry (double blind tested btw) and then not make our own list. Also JB needs a hug or a blowie or something. Grumpy AF
I want to see you two put together your own (each) top 25 list and do a video on that!
The Montecristo Nicaragua Series 1935 Anniversary Edición Diamante is nice. I liked the regular 1935 Anniversary better but this is still a good smoke. Medium toasty bread notes, honey and graham with a heavy cream chaser. Whispers of leather and oak, a little bit of spice on the retrohale. A lot of balance and refinement but not daring or complex. Everything is right where it's supposed to be and that's a-okay with me. This is a very pleasant cigar. Not challenging by any measure. Good burn, perfect roll and nice hand/mouth feel. This is one of the special celebration cigars I always keep in the humi. I should qualify my opinion... I'm a total Montecristo fanboy. I really enjoy most of their portfolio and admit high bias but they're Montecristos... They gotta be fly!😎
Love you guys, happy new year brothers
medula oblagata!!! like in "waterboy" movie?
Y’all should make your own Top 25 list video
That El Pulpo San Andreas is incredible. I’ve smoked it a few times and it 100% deserves to be on the list in my opinion. Great balance of sweet and spicy and the belicoso size is perfect. I also agree that the top 5 are just overrated and overhyped.
I’m adding to this. The El Pulpo is a must smoke and Viva is a company that can’t be ignored.
I just watched a video where you were all about Oliva and how special it was and I believe you referred to the melanio now it’s a different story?????
I've always thought of Padron as being like a James Beard winning dumpling shop. You know exactly what you're going to get, but you know it is going to be good. Not overrated, but not interesting.
Same thing with the Melanio. It isn't complex, but it does one note very well. Underwhelming at $17 though.
Remember these are just opinions. I've smoked that rocky twice and was a shitty burn each time
How in the H.E. 🏒 🏒 did the Olmec make it over the Knight Commander? Heck I'd put the Charter Oak Pasquale (parden me of its spelled wrong) over the Olmec. I didn't hate the Olmec but definitely lower on my Foundation Ranking. The Tabernacle is still my favorite cigar from Foundation.
Great pod cast. I really enjoyed your comments, especially
The comment about the Asylum cigars. I am a fan of Asylum cigars.
10:30 YES!!!!!!!!!!! Most on point comment Brad has said in 2023!!!!!!!!
Awesome videos like always. You guys should do a video of your top 25 cigars
Big fan of your show. I'm a big Alec Bradley fan and agree that there are at least 3 of their blends better than that one tonight. Although its a good smoke.
10:32 no lies detected 👏👏👏
You guys are proof that beauty is in the eye of the beholder! 😅
Can’t take you guys too seriously lol. You bashed 75% of the list and some amazing cigars. Your call on EP Carrillo and My Father spot on. Post your top 25
Don Pepin would thank you for saying he will peak when he's 95 🙂 and Marvin Shanken despises Steve Saka so much that he has blocked any review of Dunbarton Tobacco as long as he lives.
As long as Bradley has been in the business, his opinion is as valid as anyone out there. Don’t diminish yourselves for corporate idiots. Just saying.
@10:30 you mentioned mecallef black label cigars❤ those are some amazing sticks and I’m puffin on one right fuckin now!
Paired it with some Rebecca creek whiskey 🥃
Half way through this stick by now and it’s still consistent 😮💨💨💨💨💨💨🫡
I don't know If you guys have had the Paul Stulac Red rising sun in lancero is one of my all time favorite sticks
CA Top 25 is a kind of advertisement
Happy holidays from the uk
Wow…no H. Upmans on the list????
Please make a top 25 list of your favorite cigar reviewers...
lol there would be war…
It's easier *to* criticize than *be* criticized.
Bottom line: Write your own Top 25 list, because cigars is a *personal* taste.
@@zealcigars196please do it
Melanio Robusto is the only vitola in that line that is worth the money. But for me the Master Blends 3 is the best cigar Olivia makes.
I would like to see a video of your top 10 or 25. I've enjoyed padron and the olivas, so it would be interesting to try what you feel is better. Especially whats your #1 cigar of 2023?
Personally i thought the Blackened was better in the Toro, though the couple i had were very toothy and that might have been the difference. Krakatoa is cigar of the year, imo.
🔥🔥🔥
1) Avo Classic Robusto
2) Perdomo Lot 23 Connecticut Belicoso
3) Zeal King’s Comeback BXP Gordo
4) Gurkha Ghost Maduro Robusto
5) La Aroma De Cuba Mi Amor Belicoso
6) Southern Draw Rose of Sharon
Still working on my list. I’ve tried plenty that aren’t really for me or the draw clogs up half way which ruins the experience.
I personally would like to see you guys review some more Cubans. I understand that they’re not sold in the States but as a subscriber of this channel from Australia, I smoke hardly any New Worlds because just about every recommendation to me has disappointed me. My humidor consists of 95% Cubans. And the Cubans that were listed in that top 25 are fantastic cigars. Especially the Romeo y Julieta.
Plasencia > Padron
Happy New Year guys , smoking a BX3 while watching.✌️
I hate the fact that "Happy Holidays" replaced "Merry Christmas."
How does Davidoff not make this list? #5 Allegiance El Chaperone #4 Opus X Scorpian Natural #3 Davidoff Annivesario 1 #2 Fuente Don Carlos Annivesario Double Robusto #1 CAO Amazon Basin Extra Anejo
The west Tampa line let me down as well, didn’t live up to the hype.
Personally....I dont think Padron's are overated....They are good sticks and this list looses credit with me cause I did not hear any Perdomo or Dunbarton sticks
Hot Damn! No Cigar Burns On The Back Wall? Or Are Those Holes Cigars That Burnt Thru?
Y’all should do each other too 25 cigars for 2023
I couldnt agree more on the Olive Melanio V. I didnt even finish mine either time i tried it. The Shady Moose Chillin Moose is way better and less expensive
#1 coco chemist with metaxa... pancakes!!
Had the West Tampa Black it was flavorless not worth the hype bordering on gas station grade
Pardons are delicious, but they don’t have the complexity to be at the top of any list imo
Bradley: “it’s a very very good cigar” every video .. LOL 😂
#very
Bradley like 'our best house brands should have been top 10' 😂
Where do I get the hat JB is wearing?
Padron’s are the best! Y’all gotta go
lol! If u know u know.
No one talks crap about alec Bradley, stop the cap
El pulpo is an AJ I believe. Really enjoyed the 2 I had
1. Tabernacle
2. Tabernacle David
3. Liga Privada H99
4. LFD Solis
5. Ashton VSG
EPC Allegiance was made by Oliva - not AJ. And agree Micalef Black kills MB81
Bradley is missed!!!
a ton brother a ton
AB Prensado is one of my favorites.
sooo...IT WASN'T A FOOTBALL!?
I guess not lol
West Tampa white and black were rushed in my opinion. Consider how quickly they were out after his separation from CAO. The Red is a solid stick tho.
Padron is overpriced a tad bit..but nowhere overrated
Nice
I love lanceros (taste) however most of the ones I’ve smoked had a very tight draw
And by the way allegiance by EP is a major disappointment.
Cigars are really subjective so “rankings” do little for me, I’ve had numerous 90*+ rated cigars and meh none of em worth the hype, 5-10$ cigars are clearly just as good as the higher end cigars
old mate cutting a wet cap, no my boy, NO
OOoHh WhO aRe YOu gUyS?!?! Padron Family reserve is the best cigar for when you want to spend $30+ on tasting a boot.
😂😂😂… who are we? The real ones. Not bought and sold by an industry buying everyone’s opinion.
A❤ is a top ten for me.
Hilarious west tampa made top 25! Biggest let down of a brand ever.
C’mon w PILON!
Please make some video for your top cigar 😂
Blasphemy I don’t agreed with all you guys said! Nah just kidding I’m with you guys this list kind 👎😩but the red Tampa is delicious gotta try it for the review
Charter Oak > Olmec
You are DEAD wrong on Padron.if you can’t afford them then just accept that but don’t hide behind the “status symbol” saying.
English is not the hardest language to learn. Chinese and Russian are much harder. I've been in Ukraine for nine years and still can't get past "shopping" Russian. I cannot hold a conversation.
Some of the best cigars i have smoked were Padrons.
However they are objectively badly made and insanely overpriced. If steve saka made a cigar that looked like a padron he'd be raked over the coals. If you buy a box of padrons, you will get at least 1 or 2 that are underfilled and it just accepted because they taste so good.
Bro they have been “under filling” Padron’s for a while now and everyone has noticed! Bad buisness!
cold and skinny 😂
6.5X44 is 1,000,000,000%. Not a lancero!!!!! It’s a classic lonsdale
Lancero is 7/7.5X38/40
Maximum respect for Padròn products but if these are the opponents of the Cuban stuff the communists can rest assured.
You made a big mistake every cigar smokers knows: Talking trash about what other smoke.
Take an example of your ex-employee: ua-cam.com/video/tVasFvpqSVM/v-deo.html
Instead of talking trash he's being informative.
Note: Melanio is one of my favorite cigar.