Cigars

[Aleforge]

Great thread! I enjoy a cigar now and then but honestly don't know jack about them. It would be nice to be enlightened by some of the experts on here!

I never knew about the "bugs" in them however... lol

 

[kaiser423]

Tobacco beetles start as microscopic eggs already present in the cigar. The easiest way to avoid having them hatch is to not let them get over 80°F. I don't think they mind the Spanish cedar too much. I've seen beetles hatch and wallow in Spanish cedar in >80°F temps.

When ordering cigars in the summer months, some cigar smokers will freeze the cigars to kill any potential beetles, then a day or two in the refrigerator to minimize wrapper-cracking potential (sudden temp change), then into the humidor.

As have I had a beetle outbreak when my AC failed over a weekend I was gone. It was a Cuban that started the outreak! The cedar did not matter one bit. But the aroma is nice

This is true about freezing. Most all big distributors, and most all cigar manufacturers freeze their cigars at some point. Due to some fumigation and the freezing, the very very large majority of cigars can get up to 80%+ and not have an outbreak. But just one cigar with one surviving beetle egg is enough to destroy boxes.

After my outbreak, I froze everything for a couple of days and it worked.

Right now, I'm a Padron man: 3000's or 1964's/1926's.

Other current go-to cigars are Partagas Black, CAO Black (only CAO I like, personally; all their advertising grates on me), any from the Rocky Patel Edge line, and some Torano 1916's and other "years".

 

[dataz722]

I actually just picked up a few more today. I have a pretty big project that I need to get done tonight and its relativly nice out. I was looking forward to sitting out on my deck smoking a cigar, drinking a beer and banging my work out. I bring everything out there and walk back inside to get an ashtray and when I walk back out it starts raining. SON OF A BITCH!!!!! So now I am stuck in the basement on a stool that is killing my ass. On the bright side though the Leon Jimenes that I got is really nice. I just wish I had bought the churchill instead of the corona.

 

[Marko73]

One of the best cigars I have had in recent years was the Cusano 18 Double Connecticut. It was very smooth and had a great mellow taste throughout the entire smoke.

 

[menschmaschine]

I actually just picked up a few more today. I have a pretty big project that I need to get done tonight and its relativly nice out. I was looking forward to sitting out on my deck smoking a cigar, drinking a beer and banging my work out. I bring everything out there and walk back inside to get an ashtray and when I walk back out it starts raining. SON OF A BITCH!!!!! So now I am stuck in the basement on a stool that is killing my ass. On the bright side though the Leon Jimenes that I got is really nice. I just wish I had bought the churchill instead of the corona.

Sorry for the rain. We didn't get any down here. I'd brag about my smoking room in my house complete with mechanical ventilation, but you probably don't want to hear that right now.

Also, a few suggestions:

Be very careful about cigar store sales people's cigar recommendations. Sometimes and at some cigar shops, they either don't know what they're talking about (but sound like they do) or love new cigar smokers so they can unload some of their stuff that's not moving. Plus they're going to be biased to their own preferences, which you may or may not like.

Also, don't rely on Cigar Aficionado's ratings. It's certainly not bad to take a look at them and keep them in mind, but one of their biggest blunders is giving this cigar (Onyx Reserve Mini Belicoso) a 94 rating... trust me, the rating should have been barely in the 80s much less the 90s. That particular CA issue also ran full page adds for Onyx... hmmm.

 

[Smogre]

JRs is a good site and they're running a nice deal on 5ers right now.
Check out Cigarweekly.com. It's very similar in personality to here and the folks are great.

Check out the trader section and sign up for a newbie sampler trade with the older timers. They'll send you a bloody fine assortment of smokes in exchange for something they already know they like.

Oh and yeah, I have some connies with about 8 years of age on them and they're smokin like a dream right now. Everyone laughs but I smoke the hell outta them now.

 

[dataz722]

The guy seemed to know what he was talking about but he could have also just been a good bull****ter and I would never know the difference. Here is what I got

Olivia Connecticut Churchill- $6.79
CAO Gold Corona $4.30
Leon Jimenes 300 Corona $6.49
Ashton Classic Corona $6.35

 

[menschmaschine]

That's a pretty good selection. The Ashton would be my pick of the bunch. The CAO Golds are not bad, if you get one that's rolled well.

Thinner ring gauges are more difficult to roll. So, I'm selective with the less-expensive thinner ring gauge cigar. In a cigar rolling factory it generally works like this: The cost of the cigar is directly proportionate to the skill of the roller. Cheap cigars are rolled by "novices" and expensive cigars are rolled by master rollers. Did you ever see "Factory Seconds" or "Factory Over-runs"? There's really no such thing. They're actually "practice" cigars rolled by novice rollers with lower grade tobacco.

I love the Corona size. Not too big, not too small. The Fuente Opus X No. 4 is a corona. I picked 2 up at Holts in Philly last weekend... yummy.

 

[menschmaschine]

This is worth a watch...
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgRVdYwLJG0]YouTube - PTG Studios Features Arturo Fuentes Cigars[/ame]

 

[Aleforge]

So is the Cohiba a craptastic cigar? I have had a bunch of those along with the something labled "short story" , Punch and the above Fuentes.

And something with the word Acid in it not to long ago but I can't remember what exactly.

Ya you could say I am an expert.....

 

[menschmaschine]

So is the Cohiba a craptastic cigar?

Not a real Cuban one. I'm particularly fond of the Siglo series... especially the Siglo VI, but good luck finding a real one. The Dominican ones are... meh.

I have had a bunch of those along with the something labled "short story" , Punch and the above Fuentes.

The Fuente Short Story is an awesome little Cigar. The whole Hemingway line are great medium-bodied cigars.

And something with the word Acid in it not to long ago but I can't remember what exactly.

Acid cigars (along with Lars Tetans if they even make them anymore) are the clove cigarettes of cigars. All they're good for IMO is ruining a humidor of perfectly good cigars when they're stored too close together by ignorant shop-keeps... wait, that's bad too. I like my cigars natural, not pumped full of perfume from a French whore.

 

[kaiser423]

Not a real Cuban one. I'm particularly fond of the Siglo series... especially the Siglo VI, but good luck finding a real one. The Dominican ones are... meh.

The Fuente Short Story is an awesome little Cigar. The whole Hemingway line are great medium-bodied cigars.

Acid cigars (along with Lars Tetans if they even make them anymore) are the clove cigarettes of cigars. All they're good for IMO is ruining a humidor of perfectly good cigars when they're stored too close together by ignorant shop-keeps... wait, that's bad too. I like my cigars natural, not pumped full of perfume from a French whore.

This man speaks the truth. Period. Listen to him and you will go far.

I always tell the snotty vegans that mind my cigar smoke, that they're about the most organic/vegan/handmade product there is, so suck it:rockin: Don't taint with Acids....

 

[menschmaschine]

Oh and yeah, I have some connies with about 8 years of age on them and they're smokin like a dream right now. Everyone laughs but I smoke the hell outta them now.

Consuegra is a decent bundle cigar... good "lawnmower cigar". You'll probably get a few plugged ones now and then (learning rollers), but they're not bad. They're rolled in the Villazon factory.

 

[dataz722]

What are your guy's opinions on "dipped" cigars?

 

[dataz722]

damn mensch, we really need to meet up for a beer and smoke sometime! How often you make up to the "big city"

 

[menschmaschine]

What are your guy's opinions on "dipped" cigars?

NOOOOOOO!!!!!!! But to each his own.

I like my scotch, brandy, or whatever in the glass.

 

[dataz722]

I have never had a dipped REAL cigar but I have enjoyed the Al Capones before.

 

[menschmaschine]

damn mensch, we really need to meet up for a beer and smoke sometime! How often you make up to the "big city"

Actually not that often... couple times a year maybe. I'll keep it in mind for next time. You ever come down to the beach, let me know. I've got a stocked humidor, smoking room or screened in porch if the weather suits, and a couple kegs full of homebrew.

 

[BoyScout]

For those of us that are just beginners, could you experienced cigar smokers reccomend some to us? Something in the mild-medium range that doesn't break the bank.

 

[dataz722]

Actually not that often... couple times a year maybe. I'll keep it in mind for next time. You ever come down to the beach, let me know. I've got a stocked humidor, smoking room or screened in porch if the weather suits, and a couple kegs full of homebrew.

I do go to the beach a couple times a year. My grandparents have a place in OC. I just dont know how possible it would be because I always go down with my wife and I know she isn't going to be happy if I leave for a half day or whatever. I have been planning a day trip down to DFH so that might be the best time.

For those of us that are just beginners, could you experienced cigar smokers reccomend some to us? Something in the mild-medium range that doesn't break the bank.

I am very well more of a noob that you but I can say that I had a Leon Jimenes 300 earlier and really enjoyed it.

 

[menschmaschine]

For those of us that are just beginners, could you experienced cigar smokers reccomend some to us? Something in the mild-medium range that doesn't break the bank.

The interesting thing about good mild cigars is that they're somewhat expensive (Ashton, Avo, Davidoff, Griffin, etc.). The first thing that comes to mind is a Fuente Chateau Natural. Great mild-medium bodied cigar, robusto size, fairly inexpensive. Suggested retail is $3.75, but add for your state's tax on cigars and possible mark-up by the retailer... you should still get it for under $5.00.

Remember to get the Natural. The Sungrown might kick your a$$.

 

[BoyScout]

Fuente Chateau Natural - Added to my list, thanks menschmaschine!

 

[MULE]

I am very fond of Pedron 2000 and Punch cigars. I like Acid cigars now and then. A good Scotch is a must IMHO.

 

[BoyScout]

A good Scotch is a must IMHO.

I can't think of anytime where this isn't true.

 

[kaiser423]

What are your guy's opinions on "dipped" cigars?

If I really want to combine tastes, I'll blow some smoke into my scotch, put my hand over the top and swirl it around a little. Something about my cigars, I just want them to be cigars; I don't need or want anything else out of them.

 

[menschmaschine]

I am very fond of Pedron 2000 and Punch cigars.

Padron 2000 Maduro... great cigar and pretty inexpensive too. Very chocolatey like all the Padron maduros. Medium-bodied, maybe medium-strong depending on your nicotine tolerance.

Most Punch aren't bad. The Rothschild is pretty good for the price. I've always liked the Royal Coronation. The Punch Vintage (rolled for Holts) sucks. The Rare Corojo is a pretty good, full-bodied cigar.

I'll pretend I didn't read the Acid comment.

 

[MULE]

I'll pretend I didn't read the Acid comment.

Like you said. To each their own. LOL!

 

[Smogre]

Consuegra is a decent bundle cigar... good "lawnmower cigar". You'll probably get a few plugged ones now and then (learning rollers), but they're not bad. They're rolled in the Villazon factory.

I was trying to make a little inside joke with you.
While I don't have a walk-in like you, I keep my Avallo stuffed with Camacho, RyJ and Upmann.

PSD4s are the best IMO but we're not talking about ISOMs here are we? Nope.

My favorite bundles are JR Ultimates.

CAO sucks.
Toranos suck.
Acid Suck.

 

[menschmaschine]

I was trying to make a little inside joke with you.
While I don't have a walk-in like you, I keep my Avallo stuffed with Camacho, RyJ and Upmann.

PSD4s are the best IMO but we're not talking about ISOMs here are we? Nope.

My favorite bundles are JR Ultimates.

CAO sucks.
Toranos suck.
Acid Suck.

I WISH I had a walk-in! I just have a couple 100-count "desk-top" humidors.

I don't not like Camacho. I've just found them to be inconsistent and lack a smoothness in flavor that I like (not to be confused with mildness). I generally like strong cigars, but a good strong cigar isn't all spice, it's smooth and strong and spicy at the same time.

RyJs and Upmann... yeah, they're alright. But, like I said, I like stronger cigars. Now a Cuban Upmann... gimme a Petit Corona and I'm in heaven. It was JFKs favorite smoke and he sent an aid out to buy a crap-load of them right before the embargo. It's OK, you can say "cuban cigars" now on the internet. Bush is out of office. I am fearful of what will happen to the cigar market (and quality) when the embargo is lifted.

There are some CAOs out there that are worth a try... Criollo, Golds, Camaroons. There are only two things about CAO I don't like, their inconsistency and their marketing. The Camaroons used to have a much better flavor profile (maybe 8-10 years ago). Plugged cigars are not infrequent. As for their marketing, well, just look at one of their ads in CA and you'll know what I mean. Apparently their demographic is the hipster dufus.

Toranos... I actually like the Exodus 1959. The rest are either "meh" or I haven't tried them.

 

[menschmaschine]

One word of advice...

Stock up on your cigars before April 1. Thanks to our wonderful congress and the passing of SCHIP (think of the children!), there will be a ~$0.40 per cigar increase in Federal Excise Tax. It's a 40¢ cap per cigar, but that cap will be reached for pretty much all premium cigars. (Is it me or does collecting tax revenue from tobacco for SCHIP seem like an unreliable source considering the ever declining use of tobacco?)

Not trying to turn this political, I just hate sin-taxes. Well, all things considered, the final bill for the tax increase on cigars turned out a lot better than the initial proposal. It was a 20,000% increase for taxes on cigars. Yes that's twenty-thousand. Whoever proposed that is a complete idiot. It would have literally killed the cigar industry and devastated Carribean countries who rely on it. Thanks to cigar industry organizations' pressure, the tax was significantly reduced.