I have been waiting for Finest for a long time, especially when you see the amount of trash that Panini has decided was worth releasing in the mean time. Inception was amazing, but there is a sustainable note of urgency for getting some good products on the market. Luckily for us, Finest is looking as good as ever, this time featuring some on card autos for the rookies and some of the best design work of the year.
Starting with the base cards, I really like the look of the design this year. Its futuristic enough that it adds a fresh take to the brand, and not too futuristic that it looks overdone. It holds true to a lot of what the finest brand was so successful with last year, and has improved on every single element that I found to be extremely annoying.
If you remember last year, I hated a few things about this set that detracted from the appeal. They fixed every last one of them. The auto patches were vertically oriented, and the swatch covered the player. This year, Topps has chosen a GREAT look to the auto relic cards, and it looks so much better with a full player pic and the swatch to the side. They also removed the dual swatch cards and replaced them with one big swatch instead. I absolutely loved these jumbo swatch cards last year, but they were so low numbered that they were incredibly expensive. This year, the design is that much better, AND they are the box hit instead of a chase card. LOVE IT.
Finest was one of the most fun products of the year to break last year, which revived a dying brand. This year, they took a leap forward, and it looks like another completely successful year of product. Cant wait to buy a few boxes. Because the cards don’t scan well, im sure they look amazing in person.
Here is what is up so far:
AJ Green Rookie Jersey Auto Refractor
Von Miller Rookie Jersey Auto Refractor
Kyle Rudolph Rookie Jersey Auto Refractor
Prince Amukamara Rookie Jumbo Jersey Auto Refractor – Hate the combine photo, but love the design.
The base cards look awesome!
Sorry, but to me this looks just like Unrivaled, Supreme, Unique, Platinum, Prime, Tribute…. Panini is not the only one guilty of lack of innovation IMO.
Early reaction by my customers is very positive. I have already reordered twice.
Too bad I didnt get something better in the two boxes I busted at the shop. NICE looking cards though.
very nice looking card design
Best one so far, is a Julio Jones Auto Red Refractor #d/25.