Smoke that caught you by surprise - in a good way

[Engineer99]

recent padron 2000. They were one of the first cigars I loved in the late 90's and every few years or so for the last decade or so, I revisited them, in hopes that they have attained that former glory, but have been summarily disappointed.

Fast forward to a few months ago when I was at the B&M I most frequent and decided to grab a 2000 natural. Smoked it a couple of days later and loved it. It had the sweetness and rich earthiness, along with some of the creaminess I remember. I don't think I'll ever again experience the flavor they had back in the day when it was a smaller production run.

[frodo]

When I first tried a Diesel HC I thought "pretty good. After a year of downtime, WOW! Same for the Unlimiteds.

[thechasm442]

La perla habana black pearl Rojo
Diesel
Shark ( I was not expecting it to live up to the hype, much less surpass it)
Tatuaje Miami noellas. (My first tat and until than, I had not been blown away by anything)

[Ropey]

Victor Sinclair Triple Corojo

[B daddy]

Some of the cigars on this thread are routinely gushed about. Not sure how they'd surprise anyone. Some others, I'm surprised there's someone out there that smoked and enjoyed them; some of the worst cigars I've tried.

For me, the Black Ops Maduro surprised me. Goofy "super-cool" band art and name, combined with a 2 dollar price tag, from that pillar of quality that is Hansotia? What could possibly go wrong? But I found it to be a nice medium bodied stick with good burn and classic maduro flavors. I only smoked through a 5-pack but I'd go back for more.

(Just reread my post and I sound like a judgemetal prick. Sorry. Probably just cranky this morning.)

[Smoke rings]

5 Vegas 2014 Annv (comes in a glass tube)
Villager La Capitana

[Horseshoe]

Room 101 Big Payback, KFC are a couple that were better than I expected.

[gordo1473]

My first E.P. Carrillo, Short Run '13. Been looking for Joya Red, @gordo1473 . I really like the Antano 1970

Might have to send you one then!

[cheaphumidors]

Pretty much every Victor Sinclair I try. I know, I know the consensus on them is that they are dog rockets ( I can hear the boos and hisses already), but I like them! Bohemian Revolution is still one of my favorite Saturday morning smokes.

[Horsefeathers]

Packed some LP 9s and one of these Vs I picked up for half the price just before vacation.
Attachment 1018

Oliva V (Double Robusto) for me as well. I'd heard a lot of mixed opinions about them, but I loved it. Oddly enough, I've smoked them in many different sizes and it's only the double robusto that really hits the mark for me.