As we near the end of 2014, you will begin to see many "Top" lists throughout the cigar community. In keeping with tradition, each of the main reviewers on the site - Logan, Rob, Dustin, Jerad and John - has their own list, but we also wanted to see what a Cigar Federation group list would look like.
Unlike last year where I gave the guys no direction, we've changed it up a bit this year. Each reviewer was asked to provide 3 lists:
Like last year, the fact that the 5 reviewers live in different parts of the country and Canada (and, thus, have access to different cigars) and have vastly diverse palates, produced some interesting results.
The #1 cigar on our consensus list showed up on 4 of the 5 total lists, the most any cigar appeared meaning no cigar was a unanimous "Top" cigar for all our reviewers. Its worth noting here that my list is not included in the Cigar Federation list as a means of remaining impartial in producing this content - I will share it after completion of the site's list.
Over the next ten days (not including weekends), I will unveil another cigar in the List. In the end, each of our reviewers will unveil their personal lists. We're also trying to get the FedHeads involved. How does your list match up? Join the discussion and get involved here.
Without further adieu, I unveil the #1 cigar on Cigar Federation's Top New Releases of 2014 list...
#1 Crowned Heads Jericho Hill
Last year, our Cigar of the Year was The Crowned Heads Headley Grange Drumstick, and this year, another blend from The Crowned Heads tops our list. 2014 was another big year for Jon Huber and Mike Conder. After producing all of their previous blends in the Dominican Republic by Ernesto Perez Carillo, the company moved to My Father Cigars for many of their 2014 releases. First, the company released the Las Calaveras, and then the company released their first full production cigar out of the factory - #1 on our list, The Crowned Heads Jericho Hill.
As with many of the Crowned Heads releases, Jericho Hill has a story that is rooted in music. The name is derived from Johnny Cash's rendition of "Cocaine Blues" featured on the live album "At Folsom Prison" which was released in 1968. In the song, Willy Lee is caught by the sheriff from Jericho Hill. Leave it up to Jon Huber and Mike Conder to come up with something like that.
Jericho Hill features a San Andres Mexican (the first release from the company to include this wrapper) with binder and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua. The Jericho Hill hit store shelves in mid August and is available in the following four vitolas: .44S (5 1/8 x 44), LBV (6 1/2 x 46), OBS (4 3/4 x 52), and Willy Lee (6 x 54). Each vitola is available in boxes of 24.
You can read our group review of the Crowned Heads Jericho Hill here.
You can watch our interviews with Jon Huber at IPCPR2014 here.
You can read our full coverage of The Crowned Heads booth at IPCPR2014 here.
You can watch Jon Huber on CigarChat here.
Get into the discussion and share YOUR Top List here.
I wouldn't put these at the top of my list but they would for sure make my list. I really enjoyed the .44S and OBS, more than a solid cigar. I'm sure excited about the new release in the Jericho Hill line (Shots 4x42), I'll be grabbing some up this February. I dont disagree with your guys' decision.
Top of my list too!
These were definitely near the top of my list for the year. Great smokes.
My favorite of their regular production/core lines. I've had all four sizes and, while I have my preferences (44S and LBV), they are each very, very good.
I think its a good list, and very indicative of what Cigar Federation is. While the list varies drastically from my own personal list (to be posted Monday), I think this list does accurately represent the site as Coop detailed the other day.
The Jericho Hill, IMO, will be a high performing cigar on many lists this year. While it won't make my list, it is, IMO, the best offering I've had from Crowned Heads and is well deserving of the honor.
Although, after two years of naming a CH stick #1 in our group list, people are going to start accusing us of being to Crowned Heads what others are to other brands!! :P
Me and you both Jared LOL we thought we had a good idea and Jericho didn't even come to mind!
@Matt - Agree
Yeah, but since CH only has one stick in the list, and Nomad has two, you may be accused of being Nomad homers -- or even House of Emilio, since 1502 also makes the list ;)
All kidding aside, I think the list demonstrates what we all know to be true -- we all have different palates, and enjoy different cigars to varying degrees. Once your own personal top 10 lists are released, that will only be confirmed, imho. At the end of the day, I think it makes for good discussion, and encourages a cigar junky like myself to try different cigars that I might not otherwise think to try.
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