I need a cigar education!

[Crus75]

Some of my favorites, or once were my favorites, some still are:

NON-ISOM:
El Rey De Los Habanos, (Joe Garcia, aka Don Pepin)
La Gloria Cubana Miami, Wavel, (also 'R' serie)
Joe Garcia-Black Label
Joe Garcia-Blue Label
Joe Garcia-601's Blue
Vegas Cubanas (Joe Garcia)
Avo Classic
Carlos Toranos Exodus 1959 + Anniv.
Tatuaje (original brown label)
Perdomo (various labels, Lot23, Grand Cru..)
Brick House (recently tried these, economical & excellent)

don't get hooked now!!

 

[rjacobs]

I found a GIANT stash of Liga Privada stuff in Chicago last night and had a #9 Corona(7x52). HOLY SHIT was it a big cigar. Watched the WHOLE Blackhawks/Bruins game and still had 1.5" left. 7" cigar is WAY to big for me but I wanted to enjoy that cigar for a LONG time because it is, currently, my favorite cigar.

 

[C1AY7ON]

What an awesome cigar! A LOT of flavor, very leathery and earthy throughy, at times nutty and at others coco and coffee showing through. Stronger than I'm used to, this cigar definitely packed a punch, I loved every draw.

Great thread! I'm just getting into cigars and am soaking up information. bm11, what kind of ashtray is that if you don't me asking?

 

[bm11]

Great thread! I'm just getting into cigars and am soaking up information. bm11, what kind of ashtray is that if you don't me asking?

It is a Nub (by Oliva V) ash tray.

 

[C1AY7ON]

Thank you, sir!

 

[Switchblade]

Thank you, sir!

Just getting into them? Do yourself a favor and go back to the first page where RJW gives the list and I add to it. While those are pretty much the best out there, you may want to try something less powerful or full bodied. PM me and I will give you a very good list of training wheels, first time single riding, so you can move up to the really hardcore stuff. You want to screw you rmind up on cigars, go out and buy a really good Diesel. Smoke that with a good pour of bourbon, then you will find yourself gettin gall light headed, stomack all gurgly and ill feeling, then it witll hit, the heated sweats, as the nicotine of three packs of cigarettes nails you to the barf arena. Nothing will sour the taste for a great ciagr like turning green and puking out some great bourbon when you try to smoke all the really good ones before your body is used to such things.
Perspective on Nicotine content: The typical Robusto sized cigar(5x50) holds two packs of Camel straights equivalent of Nicotine. This is enough nicotine to literally make you sick if your body is not used to it. Start with the Petite corona size, the 4.5 x 42-44, then when you are used to those, move up to 4 x 50 rothschild size, then robusto, then a lonsdale at 6 x 44. When you can smoke a nice robusto in 45 minutes or so without getting light headed, you will be fine...most of the time. Get into them slow and easy.
If you want a list of lighter stuff that is really good, PM me, I'll square you away

 

[Graham]

From Maine it's only a short trip to Canada, and Cuba doesn't dump cigars there like they do on the Spanish market. In order of size, picking one from each general category I would work my way thus:

Cohiba Epicure
Cohiba Pantela
Bolivar Petit Corona
Romeo y Juileta Corona
Cohiba Siglo III
Partagas Robusto
Monetcristo No.2 (Pyramide)
Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona

It could be well worth a weekend trip, with a few good meals.

 

[bm11]

Yeah, wife and I will be making the trip to Quebec city soon. Neither of us have been in the last 7-8 years or so, so it is time. It's worth the drive even without cigars, for the food and the culture. Add in some cuban's I can't get around home, and it's definitely a weekend to look forward to.

From Maine it's only a short trip to Canada, and Cuba doesn't dump cigars there like they do on the Spanish market. In order of size, picking one from each general category I would work my way thus:

Cohiba Epicure
Cohiba Pantela
Bolivar Petit Corona
Romeo y Juileta Corona
Cohiba Siglo III
Partagas Robusto
Monetcristo No.2 (Pyramide)
Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona

It could be well worth a weekend trip, with a few good meals.

 

[Graham]

1) Tabac Tremblay. 955 rue Cartier, Quebec, (418) 529-3910. On Cartier Street, within walking distance of the old city. Probably the best stocked.

2) J.E Giguère. 61 Rue De Buade, Quebec, (418) 692-2296. The oldest shop in Quebec, it's right across from City Hall.

3) Société Cigare. 575 Grande Allée Est, Quebec City (418) 647-2000 (Société Cigare - Complexe Maurice). Next to Le Concorde hotel. This one has a smoking lounge.

 

[rjacobs]

Cohiba Epicure
Cohiba Pantela
Bolivar Petit Corona
Romeo y Juileta Corona
Cohiba Siglo III
Partagas Robusto
Monetcristo No.2 (Pyramide)
Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona

Thats probably close to $300 if not $350(maybe even more) in cigars in Canada due to their ridiculous taxes. I had a Montecristo #2 in Ottawa a few weeks ago that was $33 out the door. Most of the Cohiba's were in the $50+ price range. Im guessing those others are at least 20 if not in the 30+ range.

 

[bm11]

I believe I have been to both JE Giguere (bought a Cuban Romeo Y Julieta at 21 years old without knowing a thing about cigars) and also I think I have been to Societe Cigare, and if I remember correctly, I got nasty looks from just about everyone in the place when I proceeded to smoke a cigar there. Though I may have been at a different lounge that allowed cigar smoking, it was years ago and I am not positive.

1) Tabac Tremblay. 955 rue Cartier, Quebec, (418) 529-3910. On Cartier Street, within walking distance of the old city. Probably the best stocked.

2) J.E Giguère. 61 Rue De Buade, Quebec, (418) 692-2296. The oldest shop in Quebec, it's right across from City Hall.

3) Société Cigare. 575 Grande Allée Est, Quebec City (418) 647-2000 (Société Cigare - Complexe Maurice). Next to Le Concorde hotel. This one has a smoking lounge.

 

[Graham]

if I remember correctly, I got nasty looks from just about everyone in the place when I proceeded to smoke a cigar there.

It has become somewhat of a Canadian pastime to presume to tell other people what to do. I notice it more and more now. I guess that must be one of the inevitable results of socialism.

Thats probably close to $300 if not $350(maybe even more) in cigars in Canada due to their ridiculous taxes. I had a Montecristo #2 in Ottawa a few weeks ago that was $33 out the door. Most of the Cohiba's were in the $50+ price range. Im guessing those others are at least 20 if not in the 30+ range.

With apologies to Alan Ginsberg, the day of a good five-cent cigar is long gone.

 

[bm11]

Thats probably close to $300 if not $350(maybe even more) in cigars in Canada due to their ridiculous taxes. I had a Montecristo #2 in Ottawa a few weeks ago that was $33 out the door. Most of the Cohiba's were in the $50+ price range. Im guessing those others are at least 20 if not in the 30+ range.

The exchange rate sucks too. The American dollar used to go a lot further when we'd get $2 Canadian for every $1 American. At 1-1, everything is expensive up there.

 

[rjacobs]

With apologies to Alan Ginsberg, the day of a good five-cent cigar is long gone.

Ive got not problem paying for a decent cigar, but a 40% tobacco tax is ridiculous.

Ive also had plenty of cubans and for sure think that anybody really trying to learn and get into cigars should smoke some to get their flavor profile. And generally when I am in Canada I will smoke one, but after you experience them a bit there are many cigars in the US that are WAY cheaper that are, IMO, just as good. For $300ish I can get between 2 and 3 boxes of good quality cigars here in the US.

 

[smschulz]

I like AVO's mostly.
Preference to the pricey AVO Signature's Robusto.
Lost of other good ones ~ part of the fun is trying them all.

 

[Graham]

part of the fun is trying them all.

Consistency from box to box is important, too. Fuente is very good in that regard. For a decent smoke, and not to expensive, I like the Fuente Churchills in regular and maduro wrappers, and the Padron Churchills in maduro.

 

[bm11]

Reminds me of my Monday smoke. It was a hot and humid day (90f and 65% rh) and I was excited to try one of the Opus X Robusto's I had just picked up. I head heard it was a STRONG cigar, and it was. I started out with bourbon and lemonade as you had recommended for a hot day pairing, but soon realized I needed to switch to just lemonade. I was fighting a pretty good nicotine buzz by the time I finished, not quite sick but a bit nauseous and my head was starting to sweat. I've been smoking 4-5 medium to medium-strong cigars a week and have found my tolerance to nicotine is taking a bit to catch up.

Just getting into them? Do yourself a favor and go back to the first page where RJW gives the list and I add to it. While those are pretty much the best out there, you may want to try something less powerful or full bodied. PM me and I will give you a very good list of training wheels, first time single riding, so you can move up to the really hardcore stuff. You want to screw you rmind up on cigars, go out and buy a really good Diesel. Smoke that with a good pour of bourbon, then you will find yourself gettin gall light headed, stomack all gurgly and ill feeling, then it witll hit, the heated sweats, as the nicotine of three packs of cigarettes nails you to the barf arena. Nothing will sour the taste for a great ciagr like turning green and puking out some great bourbon when you try to smoke all the really good ones before your body is used to such things.
Perspective on Nicotine content: The typical Robusto sized cigar(5x50) holds two packs of Camel straights equivalent of Nicotine. This is enough nicotine to literally make you sick if your body is not used to it. Start with the Petite corona size, the 4.5 x 42-44, then when you are used to those, move up to 4 x 50 rothschild size, then robusto, then a lonsdale at 6 x 44. When you can smoke a nice robusto in 45 minutes or so without getting light headed, you will be fine...most of the time. Get into them slow and easy.
If you want a list of lighter stuff that is really good, PM me, I'll square you away

 

[rjacobs]

Is it bad that I can finish something like a Liga Privada #9, Diesel Unholy Cocktail, Opus X or something else "strong" and fire up a cigarette right after to actually get a nicotine buzz? I guess I just dont get the nicotine absorption through my gums that some people get. Maybe I should try inhaling my cigars ever so slightly.

 

[bm11]

Is it bad that I can finish something like a Liga Privada #9, Diesel Unholy Cocktail, Opus X or something else "strong" and fire up a cigarette right after to actually get a nicotine buzz? I guess I just dont get the nicotine absorption through my gums that some people get. Maybe I should try inhaling my cigars ever so slightly.

My tolerance is slowly getting better. I smoked a Rocky Patel Edge on Sunday and had a decent but managable buzz, but then followed it up with a CAO Brazilia immediately after and by the time I finished with that I was "feeling it" a bit much.

 

[rjacobs]

I had a RP Edge once, wasnt a huge fan. I really like the Decade's. I think I have also had a 90(or 92) or some such numbered cigar from them that was pretty good, but if I am going with RP I go with the Decade.

 

[bm11]

I had a RP Edge once, wasnt a huge fan. I really like the Decade's. I think I have also had a 90(or 92) or some such numbered cigar from them that was pretty good, but if I am going with RP I go with the Decade.

I have enjoyed all of the Rocky Patel cigars I have tried. The 1990 is a very smooth smoke that I enjoy a TON if I am not up for a full bodied smoke. The 1992 is great, with a bit more body, the Edgebi smoked I thought was a very nice full bodied/full strenth smoke. Not as complex as a Padron, but still an enjoyable smoke, at a decent price. Of course, take my review for what it's worth which is very little as I am not a super experienced cigar smoker.

I have three Decades in the humidor as well as a Fifty, and I am pretty excited to try them.

 

[bm11]

Tonight I smoked a Rocky Patel Decade (Toro,) and here is my novice review:

First, this is a 6.5"x52 box pressed cigar. Construction was excellent. The burn was razor sharp, and being that it never strayed, it didn't need a correction. It didn't need a relight, and when leaving it to refill my drink or Tiki torches, it came right back with the first puff, never requiring a relight.

The draw was a bit "airy" at first, with almost zero resitance to the draw. It left me wishing I had used a punch rather than a guillotine cutter, as the draw felt way too light through the first third. Smoke production and flavor were mild through the first third, and I while the flavor profile was very "Nicaraguan" and reminded me of a mild Padron, I was feeling like maybe I should have selected a different cigar.

It totally changed after the first third. The flavors grew stronger in the second third, with a nice toasted nuts and earthy flavor, with the occasional fruit flavor showing through. The draw settled in at this point, and I had a really nice smoking cigar.

The last third was great. Where a lot of cigars turn nasty, this one was getting better and better. Smoke production kept increasing the further I smoked it, and the flavor intensified but never got acrid. Throughout the whole cigar I had a real nice peppery finish. I truly felt this was a great cigar after 1.5" or so of smoking it.

I can't say it was a great value, as I paid $15 for this cigar locally, but I don't regret buying three. I'm going to punch cut the next one I smoke (going to give it some humidor time though, as I have other cigars to try,) and I do look forward to smoking another. All in all, a good smoke that had the first third been like the second and third, would have been a great cigar!

 

[rjacobs]

I had a Cain Daytona that has been in my humidor for, oh, 2 years or so. I remember smoking one when I first got them and wasnt that impressed. This cigar was dang good. I think it was fairly cheap too at maybe $3 in the 10 pack I bought. Cain makes NUB cigars as well so the flavor profile is fairly similar to the Nub's which I generally like except their price for such a short smoke. I generally keep my humidor at about 62% because most of the stuff I smoke really absorbs the water(the stronger nicotine tobaco's are like sponges generally) and they smoke a little better drier. This cigar could have used a little more humidity as it smoked a little quick due to it being slightly dry, but the flavor was really nice and everybody I was with commented that it smelled really good.

 

[Graham]

For all you guys talking about 'buzz' and not being up to a full-bodied smoke:

The best cigars are often best on a full stomach, after a good meal.

Smoke it slowly and you won't get sick.

 

[rjacobs]

And let the cigar buying for BigJoe begin. Deadline is next Tuesday the 2nd at Midnight. If anybody wants to throw some money towards cigars my paypal is listed somewhere in this thread(i think). If you cant find it let me know and I will post it up again.

 

[C1AY7ON]

Just getting into them? Do yourself a favor and go back to the first page where RJW gives the list and I add to it. While those are pretty much the best out there, you may want to try something less powerful or full bodied. PM me and I will give you a very good list of training wheels, first time single riding, so you can move up to the really hardcore stuff. You want to screw you rmind up on cigars, go out and buy a really good Diesel. Smoke that with a good pour of bourbon, then you will find yourself gettin gall light headed, stomack all gurgly and ill feeling, then it witll hit, the heated sweats, as the nicotine of three packs of cigarettes nails you to the barf arena. Nothing will sour the taste for a great ciagr like turning green and puking out some great bourbon when you try to smoke all the really good ones before your body is used to such things.
Perspective on Nicotine content: The typical Robusto sized cigar(5x50) holds two packs of Camel straights equivalent of Nicotine. This is enough nicotine to literally make you sick if your body is not used to it. Start with the Petite corona size, the 4.5 x 42-44, then when you are used to those, move up to 4 x 50 rothschild size, then robusto, then a lonsdale at 6 x 44. When you can smoke a nice robusto in 45 minutes or so without getting light headed, you will be fine...most of the time. Get into them slow and easy.
If you want a list of lighter stuff that is really good, PM me, I'll square you away

Thanks for the advice, PM inbound.

 

[rjacobs]

The 'gar buying for BigJoe is going well, some would say "out of hand quickly", but thats my style.

 

[Switchblade]

For the new guys, a bit more perspective on size vs shape:

The Petite Corona, Club, and a few other sized cigars are the 4.5 - 5 x 42 to 48. These particular sizes gives the best balance of wrapper and filler so that when the cigar is sampled for the first time, one gets it's perfectly balanced flavors, and essences. The cigar size is also directly related to burn time. The smaller size is about 30 minutes. Stepping up to a robusto's 5 x 52 - 54 one runs about 45 minutes in time or more, as does the narrower Lonsdale. The Toro, Double Corona, Churchill, all take closer to an hour - hour and fifteen minutes. Then there are teh behemoths of Gurkha, and everyone's Salamon, the two hour or so cigar. When you light up, take not of how much time you want to dedicate to the cigar and drink. Let this be your guide to perfectly match your cigar to how much relax time you desire or want to spend smoking that cigar.

 

[bm11]

For the new guys, a bit more perspective on size vs shape:

The Petite Corona, Club, and a few other sized cigars are the 4.5 - 5 x 42 to 48. These particular sizes gives the best balance of wrapper and filler so that when the cigar is sampled for the first time, one gets it's perfectly balanced flavors, and essences. The cigar size is also directly related to burn time. The smaller size is about 30 minutes. Stepping up to a robusto's 5 x 52 - 54 one runs about 45 minutes in time or more, as does the narrower Lonsdale. The Toro, Double Corona, Churchill, all take closer to an hour - hour and fifteen minutes. Then there are teh behemoths of Gurkha, and everyone's Salamon, the two hour or so cigar. When you light up, take not of how much time you want to dedicate to the cigar and drink. Let this be your guide to perfectly match your cigar to how much relax time you desire or want to spend smoking that cigar.

Great advice, much appreciated!

The 'gar buying for BigJoe is going well, some would say "out of hand quickly", but thats my style.

Thabks for doing this. I'm sure my dontation into the "fund" will be much appreciated overseas, as much as I appreciate all they do for this county. Thanks for putting this together (and your own generous donation) rjacobs, I think it is fantastic, and very honorable thing to do.

 

[Copen1822]

I'm also just getting into cigars. A couple I've tried lately are the Tatuaje Havana VI Angeles and the Alec Bradley Prensado Robusto . Really like the Tatuaje, lots of smoke and full of spicy flavor. The AB had great coffee/cream/chocolate flavors but burned like crap and was a pain to smoke.

 

[bm11]

I'm going to keep this thread going by posting up my reviews (for those just jumping in, take my opinion for what you paid, as I am a novice to this cigar thing,) and anyone else who wants to post up their thoughts on a cigar they smoked, what they paired it with, etc, certainly feel free!

Ok,

Saturday night I smoked a La Flor De La Antilles Toro. I was pretty excited about it, as it was Cigar Aficionado's cigar of the year for 2012. Very nice looking cigar, with an attractive label. The flavors started out GREAT, with a lot of pepper, but unfortunately they died down and I'm not sure if I got a bad one or not, but the draw was firm and the smoke production was anemic. The flavors I got were good, but didn't sit well with me. I paired with a Samuel Adams Summer Ale, because I was at a friends and he had bought it for me, not knowing that I hated it. I really need to try another one because the price is certainly right and I did really think I was onto something for the first 1/4 inch or so. Sorry for the lack of detail in this "review," I meant to type my thoughts up sooner and now I have forgotten most of what flavors I tasted.

Sunday, I went to a B&M that is about an hour from home, with intention of trying to find some more of the La Flor De La Antilles to try. They didn't have any, but they did have a box of Padron Family Reserve No. 45 on the shelf. If you have been reading thus far, you'll know that I am an sucker for Padron cigars. I kept going back and forth on how many to buy, and finally said "fuck it!" and bought the whole box (it's only 10 cigars.) Box price dropped the cost from $27.95 per single to $252 for the box, and I couldn't resist the savings!

I gave one to my smoking buddy so we each could share thoughts, and we smoked the 45's that night. WHAT A FANTASTIC CIGAR! Great full flavor without being overwhelming. It started out with a really nice pepper and coco flavor, and while coco, leather, earth, coffee, and pepper all were in the mix throughout the cigar, at different times one would be very pronounced over the others making it easy for a novice like myself to pick out the flavors from the mix. The burn was razor sharp and never required attention, and the cigar produced tons of smoke with every draw, even after letting the stick sit for a few minutes. This was the best cigar I have tried to date, with a flavor profile overall similar to a 1964 Anniversary, only with an even more full body and a bit more complexity. Dave (my smoking buddy) is more of a "medium" than a "full" guy, but he couldn't get over what a great cigar this was and a number of times said that he thought it was the best he's ever had.

That's all for a few days, next time I'll try to be more prompt so I don't forget half the material!

-Bob

 

[30calDeath]

Last night me and the GF went to a cigar shop down by our house in Newport by the Balboa pier. We smoked a Rocky Patel Sun Grown and it was good, I thoroughly enjoyed it. A few weeks back we smoked a Punch Gran Puro I believe it was. I am a cigar newb but these were good. I did get light headed though last night when smoking the Rocky Patel.

 

[Ledzep]

I got a little interested while reading this thread and bought a cigar yesterday- Oliva Serie O- picked at random at the local shop. I've never smoked or dipped before in my life. Initially I was a little buzzed. I got about 45 minutes into it and started getting drowsy, at about an hour I had to put it out and go to my room. racked out from about 5pm until I had to get up for work this morning with some crazy dreams.

Didn't really feel bad, just tired.

 

[EventHorizon]

I got a little interested while reading this thread and bought a cigar yesterday- Oliva Serie O- picked at random at the local shop. I've never smoked or dipped before in my life. Initially I was a little buzzed. I got about 45 minutes into it and started getting drowsy, at about an hour I had to put it out and go to my room. racked out from about 5pm until I had to get up for work this morning with some crazy dreams.

Didn't really feel bad, just tired.

Sounds like you had a 'Jamaican assist' to that Stairway to Heaven.... lol...

 

[bm11]

I got a little interested while reading this thread and bought a cigar yesterday- Oliva Serie O- picked at random at the local shop. I've never smoked or dipped before in my life. Initially I was a little buzzed. I got about 45 minutes into it and started getting drowsy, at about an hour I had to put it out and go to my room. racked out from about 5pm until I had to get up for work this morning with some crazy dreams.

Didn't really feel bad, just tired.

Probably good it was an Oliva O that you randomly selected, they are pretty mild and it still hit you hard. You would have had a bad experience if it were a real strong cigar.

Last night me and the GF went to a cigar shop down by our house in Newport by the Balboa pier. We smoked a Rocky Patel Sun Grown and it was good, I thoroughly enjoyed it. A few weeks back we smoked a Punch Gran Puro I believe it was. I am a cigar newb but these were good. I did get light headed though last night when smoking the Rocky Patel.

Good intel. I like everything Rocky Patel I've had so far, but have yet to try the Sun Grown. The Punch Gran Puro I tried wasn't up my alley, but I'd give it another shake later on some time just for shits.

 

[jbell]

I find it funny how much I am enjoying this thread. I don't really have any desire to start smoking any time soon but I enjoy craft beer and fine whiskey so I can appreciate what you are describing when smoking these different cigars. I was never a big Scotch fan until you opened my eyes to quality Scotch. I was certain that the only good Whiskey comes either Moore county TN or Bourbon county KY until I met your Balvenie collection (thank you for that!). See you Yankees are good for some things: educating us dumb rednecks from down south. Good thread bud...

 

[bohem]

I have had a couple RP 1992 6.5x52 box pressed recently. Pretty decent cigars, especially for the price paid. They're a longer smoke, draw is even and smooth. The flavor is medium and turns medium/strong towards the end. All of them have been "finger burning" smokes but not quite the finger/lip burning, where's that roach clip so I can puff a couple more times kind of smoke that the Camacho 10th Ed. Corojo was from a couple weeks ago.

I also have enjoyed a Padron #2 recently @ EH's place. Very nice, he has them at the recommended 65% relH as opposed to the 71-72% I keep my boxes at. It was definitely a dryer smoke than I usually get, still an excellent excellent cigar. Less "spicy" and more a striaghtforward, solid cigar. Not a lot of dimension but still really good.

I also had a RJ Toro from a new acquaintance recently. He conditions his humidor in bourbon and this was a new experience for me. I've got a couple of my "everydays" in a small box to try it out myself to compare back to back with the regular, water conditioned box. He felt that the bourbon will take a mediocre cigar to "decent" and he likes bourbon, so why not. I really didn't have cause to argue with him because it was a damn good smoke.

 

[EventHorizon]

I have had a couple RP 1992 6.5x52 box pressed recently. Pretty decent cigars, especially for the price paid. They're a longer smoke, draw is even and smooth. The flavor is medium and turns medium/strong towards the end. All of them have been "finger burning" smokes but not quite the finger/lip burning, where's that roach clip so I can puff a couple more times kind of smoke that the Camacho 10th Ed. Corojo was from a couple weeks ago.

I also have enjoyed a Padron #2 recently @ EH's place. Very nice, he has them at the recommended 65% relH as opposed to the 71-72% I keep my boxes at. It was definitely a dryer smoke than I usually get, still an excellent excellent cigar. Less "spicy" and more a striaghtforward, solid cigar. Not a lot of dimension but still really good.

I also had a RJ Toro from a new acquaintance recently. He conditions his humidor in bourbon and this was a new experience for me. I've got a couple of my "everydays" in a small box to try it out myself to compare back to back with the regular, water conditioned box. He felt that the bourbon will take a mediocre cigar to "decent" and he likes bourbon, so why not. I really didn't have cause to argue with him because it was a damn good smoke.

I would describe the Padron '26 Serie #2 Maduro as a very good 'tobacco' flavour cigar. it's aged for 5 years before being rolled so the profile is going to be high strength but mutued flavor notes. It's creamy, woodsy with a strong spice kick in the first third and then settling down for a steady consistent level of comfort and happiness. It's a good lunchhour cigar as I found out yestreday rather than a end of day smoke. However, it packs a nicotine punch in the last third. To compare to a '26 Serie #9 Natural which I smoked down to the nub, the #2 Maduro is more than I can handle easily to the end. It gets hot, it get noticable on the nicotine and if not respected with a full stomach it will give you the nicotine sickness I 'enjoyed' on Sunday night.

As an aside, I noticed that the cigar soaks up humidity like a greedy sponge. I smoked my 65% condition #2 on a very humid evening and by the end the draw has hard and the nicotine much more pronounced than usual.

On a whim I bought a '64 Anniversary Torpedo Madura but from the initial 'sniff test' of the foot I'm thinking I wasted my money - I like a pronounced smell and this stick was muted at best... oh well, live and learn. I'll be getting some CC's soon and I'll probably splash out on more #9 Naturals. Time for a coolidor methinks...

 

[bm11]

All this talk about 1926's has me reaching in my humidor for a #9! I was planning a 1964 Exclusivo.

Bohem- I find the RP 1990 and 1992's to both be super solid. I keep 1990 Robusto's in the humidor because I can hand them out to a new smoker and they are enjoyable to them, but I also really like them myself when I am not in the mood for a super strong smoke.

EH- smoke that 1964 Maduro Torpedo. The one I smoked was FANTASTIC!

 

[rjacobs]

I have 7 boxes of cigars coming probably Monday. A few boxes are going over to BigJoe.

I didnt care for the RP Sungrown I had. Wasnt for me.

Oliva Serie O is a good smoke for a mild cigar. Stick to something like that until you get used to them and then step it up slowly.

The heavier nicotine tobacco cigars tend to be moisture sponges and smoke quite a bit better in the mid to low 60's IMO. I couldnt keep cigars at 70% and enjoy them although I had one the other night that needed a bit more humidity than the normal 62-64% I keep my humidor at. It smoked a little quick for what it was.

Bohem: if you keep your cigars at 70% you should try dry boxing a couple cigars and smoke them a little drier and see how it suits you. Just take an empty cigar box and put a cigar from your humidor in there for a day or two. Obviously this wont work if you live in an area where the humidity is HIGHER than your humidor on a normal basis.

 

[Switchblade]

Store your cigars at 63%Rh - 73%Rh. Get yourself a small 25 sized humidor(These are usually called 'travel' humidors in the online biz) that is made of the basic woods as the large models. Keep a very small humistat in this one so that the Rh stays at 53%. This is what is known as 'conditioning' Rh. You know you are going to smoke cigars days 1, 2, 3, etc, plus your daily's or your buddies. Keep the ones you KNOW you are going to smoke this week in that box. Yes, this requires a bit of forethought, but with 10 - 15 cigars in that box, it is too easy to change your mind and grab a different smoke for whatever drink you are enjoying.
Why condition your cigars?
Even burn, less chance of bitterness from build up(this comes from burning 'too damp' cigars, or those closer to the 73%Rh mark), nicer even draw, and better flavor pick up.
A conditioned cigar just plain smokes better than one fresh from the humidor at 73%Rh!

 

[bm11]

Making notes on this 1926 #9 (natural) as I smoke it:

Quite a bit of smoke right off the bat, with a ton of black pepper. It doesn't take too long for the pepper to disappear and then an earthy flavor with an actually pretty strong black cherry flavor coming out and continuing through the finish.

After about an inch, the black cherries turn to coco. The ash is a beatiful tight white and I am noticing a very oily mouthfeel as the finish continues on and on. This is a full body and gery strong cigar, and really on the edge of what I can handle (I still am a relatively novice smoker.)

An inch and a half in and I am getting a strong leather and toasted nuts. I should note that overall the flavor has been similar, I am just noting how different accents as the smoke progresses are changing my interpretation of the the flavor.

The ash fell off at around 2", and the cigar needed a re-light. I am smoking it slow, giving it the respect it deserves, (I was getting a bit jittery) and apparently I am smoking it too slow. Perhaps I should have dry boxed it? After the relight the fruity black cherry flavor is back in full force. I am coming to the realization that this cigar is a bit strong for me, AND that I prefer the maduro. I'll probably let the other 1926's take a backseat for a while as my tolerance builds, I have plenty of other cigars to smoke in the mean time, including an almost full box of 1964 Exclusivo Maduros.

Approaching the band, I have some tunneling I need to correct, furthering my suspicions that the cigar is a bit over humidified. If I keep a good draw schedule, it is a non issue but when I let it rest, it shows itself. I switch to a lemonade at this point and it seems to help mitigate the nicotine effects(was double fisting bourbon and root beer.)

Around two inches left, and I am getting ready to quit it. At this point, I have made a couple of conclusions- one is that this is an excellent cigar, but I definitely decided I prefer maduro Padron's. The Family Reserve No. 45 Maduro was much more enjoyable to me. Another is that the strength is a bit much for me, at least after a super busy, stressful day at work with too many Red Bulls. The last #9 didn't kick my ass like this one.

All in all a great cigar, but I'll wait a bit before I have another 1926, and I'm really glad I didn't grab a 40th Anniversary as the extra length and ring guage would most likely have put me over the top and I don't think I would have been fully able to appreciate it.

Until next time,

-Bob

 

[rjacobs]

A puff(or series) every 60 seconds is considered ideal to keep the cigar burning well, not to hot, etc.... as well as keep from killing yourself with nicotine. Also purging(blow through to super heat the cherry) will help a cigar both stay lit and keep the flavors clean. Purging is one of those things that once you do it your cigars will maintain the great flavor the whole way through or the flavor will come back if you lost it. Search YouTube for purging a cigar.

 

[bm11]

A puff(or series) every 60 seconds is considered ideal to keep the cigar burning well, not to hot, etc.... as well as keep from killing yourself with nicotine. Also purging(blow through to super heat the cherry) will help a cigar both stay lit and keep the flavors clean. Purging is one of those things that once you do it your cigars will maintain the great flavor the whole way through or the flavor will come back if you lost it. Search YouTube for purging a cigar.

Yep, learned about purging a few weeks back and have been doing it to restore flavor any time a cigar starts to taste bitter or nasty.

 

[bm11]

You know its a truly great cigar when...

...you just can't let it die.

This is the second one of these I have smoked (a Padron 1964 Maduro Exclusivo,) and for me, this is damn close to cigar perfection. I clipped it with my Xikar, took the time to painstakingly light it with 3 Davidoff matches, and proceeded to smoke this fantastic stick.

Draw was perfect, just the right amount of resistance and producing a huge volume of rich, thick smoke with every draw. The burn was razor sharp and perfect the whole time requiring zero touchups and zero relights. Never even needed to "double draw" it. The flavor profile was fantastic throughout with tons of rich coco, leather, and earth, which hints of spice and sweetness drifting in and out. The body was damn close to "full" but unlike the 1926 I smoked last night it never became overpowering so that I was able to focus on the subtle nuances of every draw.

All said and done, I had a hard time putting it down, and it never got bitter and never needed a purge.

I think I'm in love! And damn glad I bought a whole box. Right now, its a toss up between this and the Padron Family Reserve No. 45 for favorite, I'd have to smoke them side by side to decide.

-Bob

Edit to add: not sure if it made a difference or not but I pulled this one out of the humidor last night and "dry boxed" it in an empty Opus X box, though still at 60% RH. Probably not enough time or difference in humidity to help, but this cigar DID burn PERFECT.

 

[ZLBubba]

Days like the 4th I dive into my special stash of cigars and smoke my favorites. Today's was Drew Estates's Liga Privada Feral Flying Pig. This dude (which I'm finishing now) is a no-joke, blow your mind kind of cigar. It's full strength and almost requires that you have a good drink and a meal beforehand. I absolutely recommend these sticks if you can find them. I only wish I had more of them.

 

[30calDeath]

I love this thread. After putting in some long hard days at work coming up to Saturday I am going to reward myself with another cigar at the same shop. Of course I will go again on a full stomach courtesy of some fine wild Alaskan Salmon. When I walk into the humidor I will try and remember the suggestions in this thread. I am still a newbie but enjoy trying these different cigars.

 

[bm11]

Today was a good day. Made a nice drive with a good friend to an ultra cool cigar lounge in downtown Bridgeton Maine. Set in an old Victorian mansion (originally the towns hospital,) we sat down for a smoke with the shops proprietor and talked cars, guns, politics, and of course, cigars. While there I smoked a La Flor De La Antilles toro, which I found positively boring compared to what I have been smoking (Padron's all week.) It had a great draw and construction with a perfect burn, but the flavor profile was mild compared to what I have grown accustomed to. While there, I picked up a Camacho Triple Maduro, a LFD Double Ligero Maduro Chisel, a Perdomo Double Maduro, and the score of the year: the owner threw in a Fuente Fuente Opus X Fuente Fuente of 2010 vintage, aging in his own personal humidor and not for sale in the shop.

Tonight I smoked the LFD Double Ligero. A strong flavored smoke with a tight draw (like a thick milkshake,) it produced full flavored, creamy smoke tasting of sweet tobacco and familiar Maduro flavors, like a nice mocha coffee. I enjoyed it much more than the La Flor De La Antilles I smoked earlier today. My pallet definitely prefers a full bodies smoke to a medium or mild, which only has one negative, that being that I don't enjoy the feeling of nicotine, but my tolerance is building.

 

[bm11]

I love this thread. After putting in some long hard days at work coming up to Saturday I am going to reward myself with another cigar at the same shop. Of course I will go again on a full stomach courtesy of some fine wild Alaskan Salmon. When I walk into the humidor I will try and remember the suggestions in this thread. I am still a newbie but enjoy trying these different cigars.

Glad to hear you are enjoying this thread! Feel free to contribute with what you pick out, amd your thoughts on it!

 

[rjacobs]

Glad you liked that LFD Double Ligero Chisel. I dont smoke them to often, but I have always enjoyed them. I wont say its a cigar I go in search of(they are very easy to find), but if I cant find anything else that looks tasty(happens a lot) I know I can grab one of those and enjoy it. The chisel tip is a little harder to get a decent draw on some times too. These are one of Rush Limbaugh's recommended cigars(he is a huge cigar guy).