Cigars

[artificer]

My biggest problem with the big label Habanos (Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo), (besides price), is that while the quality of tobacco is great, the construction of the stick is hit-or-miss. It sucks to drop $20 on a "special occasion" stick to have it draw like a straw full of clay. Plus, unless you know for sure where they came from, they are the most oft-counterfeited smokes in the world. When they are "right", they are really really good... but when they are "wrong" it's just not worth it.

My favorite Habanos are Raphael Gonzales and Ramon Allones. Special mention to Partagas Serie D no. 4.

I would tend to agree about the Cuban construction being inconsistent- perhaps that's why I like the Petit Julieta- smaller cigar, less room for error

Right up my alley here Joshua, I've worked in cigar shops for years, been smoking two a day since 1992. As far as a good bargain brand, I can't help you much on that one, my brands are usually Cain, La Flor Dominicana Air Benders, Tatuaje and of course the love of my life, Opus X. I've got just around 600 Opus in my humidor at home.

In the end, its very simple, smoke what you like, like what you smoke.

Wade

Can I come over to play?

ith:

[piperdbh]

I've not had a cigar in so long I don't remember what I liked. Of course, I didn't stick with it long enough to develop a favorite.

[The Volusianator]

Can I come over to play?

ith:

I've been buying Opus for many years, I don't keep any very old ones around as I like them in the 3-7 year range and even fresher, when they get to OR or even a couple years after that, they just lose to much of their flavour and strength.

But yeah, I don't mind sharing, in Sturgis this year I gave away half a dozen BBMF's.

[flyingshamrock]

I partake in a cigar and a glass of highland park 15 about two to three times a week. I usually buy churchill samplers from cigars international but when I do buy a particular brand, I go with the Erin Go Bragh's. A relaxing, smooth, stress relieving smoke.

[The Volusianator]

I partake in a cigar and a glass of highland park 15 about two to three times a week. I usually buy churchill samplers from cigars international but when I do buy a particular brand, I go with the Erin Go Bragh's. A relaxing, smooth, stress relieving smoke.

Are either of those products chosen by their merits or by name alone!

[flyingshamrock]

Are either of those products chosen by their merits or by name alone!

Ha Ha, I will admit they peaked my interest based on the name but I did the same with the ACID, based on my addiction for motorcycles. I truely do like the taste of the Erins but you're right i'm biased. Cuban Honey's and DIESEL's are a good smoke as well.

[Kiltboy]

I still have a few Drew Estate Kahluas in the humidor. Shame they are no longer produced I swear... every cigar I've like was discontinued. Guess that's why I've been smoking my pipe more and more.

...and yes, with a Highland Park or Woodford Reserve in the other hand.

[Joshua]

Volusianator - Perdomo's "Cuban Bullet" has seriously taken me aback - I had avoided it because I admit at one time I was a brand snob... and I didn't want to smoke "seconds"... but they taste, and smoke amazing. I bought a few friday and have had two since... and at $12/6 they are a pretty good buy (like Padron used to be 10 years ago).

I also have been buying Cusano's seconds "MC", as well as Fonseca's seconds. There is a chain of shops here called "Tobacco Depot" and they've got a really good line with most manufacturers and they keep well stocked for everyday cheapie smokes.

For my favorites - I've got 8 habanos (1 cohiba gift, 3 Ramon Allones Specially Selected, 2 Partagas, 2 Raphael Gonzales petit coronas) in the humidor, the only other "special occasion" smokes that aren't habanas are 2 hoyo excalliburs, 2 padrons, 2 camacho corojos, and 2 punch rare corojos. With the exception of the cohiba, I've been holding onto those Habanos since before my son was born, 7 years ago... mostly because after I became a father there is NO WAY I can afford them anymore.

Maybe if we have a Florida X-marks meet up we can make sure we end up in a cigar bar somewhere.

[The Volusianator]

Maybe if we have a Florida X-marks meet up we can make sure we end up in a cigar bar somewhere.

That would be awesome...or a WI X-Marks meet up!

[The Volusianator]

My biggest problem with the big label Habanos (Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo), (besides price), is that while the quality of tobacco is great, the construction of the stick is hit-or-miss.

Agreed 100%. I used to have several hundred Cubans at home at any given time, Cohiba, Partagas, Diplomaticos...pick your poison, but I just got fed up with trying to smoke a freakin' dowel.

I will disagree on cost however, not sure where you're buying, but for the most part Cubans are cheaper than domestic simply because our Govt can't tax us on them!