Cigars Anyone
 

Hope this isn't a re-post, looked but didn't really find anything. This is for the Cigar Smokers out there, what's you favorite?

1. Almost any Drew Estate (especially Dirt Torpedo and T-52's).
2. Ashtons Madero's.

Optimos

But with custom work done ; )

You guys should take road trips to Canada, we have cubans in every cigar shop.

I used to smoke them a lot but my GF made me quit when I made her quit smoking cigarettes. Fair is fair I guess.

I was able to smoke Cuban Montecristos while on vacation in Mexico, I'll be honest, I couldn't tell the difference between them and those from the Dominican Republic. I think what makes us want Cubans is because we can't get them.

Yeow...that hurts my eyes to read. There's actually a pretty big difference between them, but not all cubans are that great, which depends on what you like out of a cigar.

Reading that you got it in Mexico, makes me think you got a fake. Hopefully you went to an actual La Casa Del Habano.

The closest thing to a "cuban" that's readily available are a few vitolas of Davidoff. Then again, there are a lot of different flavors for cubans just like there are different flavors within Dominican, Nicaraguan, or Honduran cigars, but I prefer my cigars to be more floral rather than earthy or spicy.

They were real, real expensive. One of the ways to tell a fake in Mexico is if it comes in a glass tube in one of the tourist shops. Or at least that's what we were warned to stay away from. I have one left that I was able to sneak in, maybe I need to do a re-test this weekend to verify.

There are technically several grades of Cuban cigars. The best of the best are usually given to government officials of Cuba. Then the next round goes to countries with good relations with Cuba. Generally the European countries. Spain being one of the best. After that the rest of the world gets mediocre ones. Paying $30 or more doesn't guarantee a good one unfortunately.


In my opinion, some of the best cigars coming out are from Nicaragua. One of the up and coming regions that have very similar conditions to Cuba. Many manufactures have been moving and setting up their factories in Nicaragua, especially in the Esteli region. If you look at the top 25 lists that are floating around from any magazines or online reviews, you will see a good number of top rated are from Nicaragua.


Going back to Cubans, I would rather have two $15 sticks from Nicaragua or DR, hell some of the $8-12 range sticks are amazing, than spend $30 and hopefully get a good Cuban. I've had my share of Cubans, but strangely enough the best ones I've had are the Cohiba Siglos that I got from China.


The last couple of good ones I've had are:
Viaje Zombie SuperShot
Viaje Zombie Green with Criollo wrapper
Intemperance BA Breach of the Peace


I run a shop and lounge, so if anyone needs any advice just let me know.

Give the Herrera Esteli a try. It is a product under Drew Estate, but the only one without any infusion or leaf processing. It's probably the closest non-Cuban I've had. Had some people make the switch over to these and they enjoy them. Price is around $10 depending on if your local shop jacks up the price.

There are quite a few reputable dealers around the world and I'm pretty sure that they all get quality products. I doubt that Partagas PSD4's would vary in quality between what's shipped to Switzerland or Hong Kong. Spain getting the best smokes makes absolutely no sense. What'd I'd like to know is why anyone would be paying $30 for a cuban that wasn't Edicion Limitada as there are VERY few cigars at that price range in general.

The only Nicaraguan cigars I like are Padron 4000 maduros and Padron 40th Anni torps in maduro. Otherwise, I'm a Dominican fan with Davidoff Diademas, Puros, and 2000 being my choice sticks. Fuente Sungrown Hemingways are pretty good too, along with 858 Rosado.

Siglo 6 is my favorite Cohiba(only because I've never had a Sublime or DC, yet), but if that's the price you're paying, somebody is ripping you off.

I actually don't smoke cigars anymore, but thanks! :D

You'd be surprised at how easy it is to get a fake. I tell everyone I know that goes somewhere and mentions cubans to let me know and I'll point them in the right direction. You'd be surprised, or not, at how many seemingly legit businesses are selling fakes. Just because you're paying $20USD for a cigar in a nice hotel doesn't mean it's the genuine article.

I used to be big into cigars...like REALLY BIG into them and a total cigar snob. ;)

I could tell you were pretty serious into them, and probably a snob.lol I'm an occasional cigar smoker (3-5 a week), I'm not into one big name or the other and try different one's from time to time. But as I was saying in the first post, Drew Estates Dirt Torpedo's are probably one of my favorite, but make suggestions that we can find and afford, I'm all for learning more. As for the Cubans, I am pretty sure they were real, or at least I hope they were.

I find that the best values in quality mixed with price are Padron Londres, Cabiguan Petites, and Arturo Fuente Chateau Fuente Chateau Fuente. All around $5. But these are just my tastes.

Let me start by saying I know absolutely nothing about cigars. Used to smoke a lot of weed but Ive stopped. Interested to hear what you guys have to say.

Why do you guys smoke cigars?