I was just reading reviews and thought of this. It's hard to pare down the best three, because for me, it doesn't have nearly as much to do with the cigar as it does with the setting.
I hope when you guys try to make your list that you'll add the story around the cigar if it's what made it special.
My top 3 would be:
#1 - Padron 1926 #6 Maduro.
I was visiting Kerri's family and picked it up at a B&M. It was one of my first trips to a B&M where I felt confident I knew what I was looking for.
It was a gorgeous summer day, everyone was in high spirits, I was sharing cigars and everyone was having a great time. When I sparked this thing up, I can remember thinking just how perfect and delicious it was.
#2 - Oliva Silk Blue Band O Robusto
It's the cigar that kicked me down the slope.
#3 - El Original Toro Maduro
It's the cigar that got me back to smoking cigars.
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So far for me, it was the 3 i smoked at a recent herf at Martin's place. The cigars were great, but it was the company that MADE them great.

my first of each: psd4, upmann #2 from 99, and partagas presidente.
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Rocky Patel Sun Grown Toro

1964 PAE Natural- nephew and I ewed and ahh'd over one on Christmas in 2007. epic.

Padrom Family edition (not for sale) s0leful0ne shared it at the 2008 EYH and it was freakin' unbelievable.
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A Opus X Robusto with about 4 years of age on it. Had that with some friends in San Clemente, CA overlooking the ocean sitting around a fire. Not bad company and great cigar!

DPG JJ with a friends at a cigar lounge

Illusione 68 while watching the Lakers in the finals last year at one of my favorite bars.

I usually smoke alone and I notice that I don't enjoy my cigars as much as when I'm talking with a good friend while smoking. Such an amazing thing.
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One if the nice things about getting older is the time frame you can remember things shortens up. Best 3 might only span a month or so back now for me. :-)

As folks have mentioned "best" can be a varied thing. PUre cigar flavors vs smoking experience.

I had a great conversation with an old friend while we smoked Gurkha regent toro's back in 2002 that really stands out today as one of my favorite smoking experiences. The cigar component of it is minor.. I remember us giggling about the pure white perfect ash that hung on forever.

Best cigars for cigars sake?

1492 - because it is so unique in bouquet and rich in flavor
1994 - pure tobacco goodness
Cohiba 30th - Just hits all the things I look for in a cigar
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I'm with you, Dave. It is hard to remember all the great cigars I have smoked, but a couple stand out.

Last summer I had a Padron 26 Maddy out on the deck while playing cards with the grandkids. This cigar had been in my humi since 06 and tasted great.

Last year in March on my birthday I smoked a 99 parti Lusi with a friend(out on my deck) Great moment! Great cigar!

A year ago, last October I had a Boli BBF on the patio of our hotel in Puerto Vallarta-great cigar-great view-great memory.
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So many cigars smoke in the last 40 years so I will say the ones that made the biggest impression were:

Cohiba Esplendido was my first Cuban cigar and then I discovered the Opus X cigar in 1998 and then Rocky Patel cigars were next.
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Avo 80th
`Its a cigar i have only had the privileged to smoke once, but knew from right there on, i loved this beast and was easily one of my top 3's

San Cristobal- Principe

Trinidad- Reyes
`Both so damn good for a P.C/ I just cant choose, but for a P.C they rock my world


I may just go with those for the time being haha
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1950s Blackstone


PAM 64 Principe



98 Boli GM on the night of my grandmother's funeral.
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So... ya dug the Blackstone, eh? :-)

For me, I'd have to say:

01 VR Familiar - Always amazing... I cry to think I have so few left. :-)

70's Boli PC - Favorite 70's cigar to date

and maybe the Festival Mareva - it was tasty... I'd love to try one in 10 years.

I'm probably missing something, but that's my quick list.
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Yessir! Thanks, Dan.:-)
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Hmm...

1.) 1492 at the last Shack Herf...truly amazing. Sublime.

2.) 1980s Boli Royal Corona that Klugs brought to...MMH 1? The aftertaste kept changing for a minute and a half after every puff, finally reminiscent of fresh whole wheat bread of all things. First time I experienced that level of flavor and change in a cigar.

3.) A 2007 Parti Short that I smoked on my back porch while watching a massive electrical storm last summer. I must have lit it at the peak point of freshness, because that was an amazing stick. (As was the lightshow around me!)
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7 year old Boli PC

Gurkha Master Select

Maria Mancini Natural
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1) Monte 2 - That smoke was on
2) Boli RE Canada- Do I have to explain why?
3) Padron Torpedo 40th- Thanks Adam


Those smokes are the bomb
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I'm jealous of Dave, a freaking 1492! I just read my MRN book from the Fox and now I know what the 1492 is. :-) Sounds deliciously delightful.

I'd say my best # 3 sticks are

#1 Siglo II-this baby got me hooked the dark side

#2 Partagas 898V -man this stick was so good it left me wanting more

#3 Onyx Reserve Belicoso - first stick I ever tried and liked
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Camacho Scorpion- Smooth, rich, strong, almost the perfect smoke.

A 2006 Camacho 11/18- Same as above.

PAM 26 #9- Rich chocolately goodness.
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#1 Opus X Robusto with 3 years on it the night of my engagement.

#2 Patragas Short on my birthday.

#3 Makers Mark infused at my best friends wedding 10 years ago, it got me into hand rolled cigars.
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1. - 99 Montecristo Especial
2. - 00 Montecristo #2
3. - Edmundo Dantes Conde 109
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Thats a sweet list, Darryl.
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#1 - Padron 1926 #9 or 35 Maduro.
#2 - Padron 2000 Maduro
#3 - Hoyo De Montery Excalibur #1 maduro..It's the cigar that got me back to smoking cigars.
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