First and foremost I have to take a second to thank all the readers this past year, the site has made some fantastic improvements, hit some great numbers in regards to viewers (50k unique) and a new fire has been lit under me to produce more for the site. I guarantee great things to come next year from reviews to contests to cigar news! I also want to thank Jacob, Daniel, and Brian who were able to contribute some reviews this year, hopefully they will all be able to continue in 2011. All the formalities out of the way, I wanted to take some time and let you all know what goals and ideas I have up my sleeve for 2011.

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Size: 5 x 50 (Robusto)
Wrapper: Cuban
Binder and Filler: Cuban
Strength: Full
Price: Little over $10.00 a piece

Behind The Stick:

A long time worker within the Cuban tobacco business, Spaniard Don Jaime Partagas Ravelo established his factory, Real Fabricas de Tabaco partagas in 1845 in Havana, becoming one of the largest factories of its time. Since Don Jaime owned many of the best plantations in the Vuelta Abajo region and his known status as being a cigar supplier to numerous Asian and European elites, this large factory was not only required but also was another way to display status within his profession. Don Jaime was rumored to have experimented with various methods of fermenting and aging tobacco and has been credited with hiring the first lector to read to and entertain the cigar rollers as they worked, boosting moral and improving quality and consistency within the factory.

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Brians Top 10 Cigars of 2010

2010 was a very big year for me as far as cigar smoking goes. If 2005 was my birth into the cigar experience, 2010 was the metaphorical year I turned 18 and became an adult. Up until this year I had only smoked a very limited number of brands and only had maybe 3-4 cigars a month. Early this year my interest was piqued, I joined several cigar forums, and started following cigar blogs. Working in IT and being very in tune with all things internet, I almost felt foolish that it took 5 years of smoking cigars before I started pursuing more knowledge of the hobby online. Since then I’ve met many amazing Brothers of the Leaf, tried my first

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Jakes Top 10 Cigars of 2010

2010 was an amazing cigar year for me. I went from being laid off to working so much I don’t know what day of the week it is. A friend asked me to do a few cigar reviews which led to me becoming an independent sales rep for a cigar company. I attended IPCPR and met the amazing people behind all of my favorite cigars. While in NOLA I also got to meet the incredible friends I have made on Twitter and various cigar forums – @ChiefHava, @cigarsthomas, @TimD_C4, @sboyajian, @nyisles, @waltw, @brianhewitt, @jcruz, @smokinonthe13th @NTA_Ben, @TheCigarFeed to name a few. If I left you off please do not be offended. I was so overwhelmed at IPCPR I think I still haven’t gotten over it. Every day at IPCPR I felt like a 4 year old kid waking up to a magical Christmas morning after getting a sugar high. I made several visits to Xikar and got to see behind the scenes of my favorite cigar accessory company. They even let me see top secret projects they had in the works. Amazing that they welcomed me in and put such trust in me.

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As another year comes to a close we have seen quite a few sites out there give their best and worst of the year. Well, I guess this means I have to follow suit and put together something for you all! I did not make a list last year, purely for the fact that I did not feel I had enough experience or knowledge to give recommendations – this year, I still feel the same but I’m not worried about your feelings this year! Long story short, this is simply a list of smoke that I personally enjoyed in a specific order. Not necessarily is it based upon complexity, construction or even price – but rather how they performed and remain in my memory as a benefit to smoke. To keep the options limited, I am also only selecting cigars I’ve reviewed in 2010 rather than any cigar smoked. Simple enough right? Enough rambling on this one, on to the list!

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Quick and to the point today – got this trailer in from Abe at Smoke Inn. Many of you have seen my review of the Tatuaje Anarchy which is a limited edition special release for Smoke Inn and Tatuaje, but Manny Iriarte is making a video of the release, including smashing up the SUV parked right in front of the store. Check it out!