My tobacconists came back from the RTDA with the latest info on new smokes, most of which are super strong, and I can't help but wonder...who is smoking this stuff?

I'm not going to spark up a Ghurka Beast after my typical light lunch, nor would I have the stomach for a new Bolivar after a grilled chicken dinner. At the store, the shelves are being increasingly populated with Ligero, Double Ligero-type brands and not much in the middle. (Remember when Dominican La Gloria used to be considered strong? Now, the latest Havanas are mild compared to some of this stuff, and I'm talking Havana Partagas, Bolivar, etc.)

Anyone else feeling a little left out lately?

I agree for the most part. There does seem to be a lot of full strength cigars on the market. but there is also a lot of mild cigars, too. i think where there are fewer and fewer new cigars is the medium bodied area.

I qualify the above statement by saying that I do feel there is still something out there for everyone.

You cant even be suggesting that there aren't enough middle of the road non-cuban cigars.

To put it in perspective, before RTDA there may have been perhaps a dozen true powerhouse non-cuban cigars. Maybe now that number has doubled but it is still in the great minority.

I kinda like it. I am not a daily smoker of powerhouse sticks. I am also not a daily smoker of mild cigars. But occasionally I like both so I'm glad someone is making them.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Pmpimbura,

Your right P, nothing like a good variety.

quote:

Originally posted by pmpimbura:
You cant even be suggesting that there aren't enough middle of the road non-cuban cigars.

To put it in perspective, before RTDA there may have been perhaps a dozen true powerhouse cuban cigars. Maybe now that number has doubled but it is still in the great minority.

I kinda like it. I am not a daily smoker of powerhouse sticks. I am also not a daily smoker of mild cigars. But occasionally I like both so I'm glad someone is making them.

There are tons of medium strength cigars on the market. NEW cigars that are coming out seem to fall in the "powerhouse" category or the "flavorful but mild" category.

This is assuming your statement was to me.

As someone who truely loves a powerhouse smoke, I will reserve judgement till I have had a chance to try several after the initial release. To make a powerful cigar is one thing. To make a powerful FLAVORFUL cigar is another. Very rarely do the two come together like they should. With the VSG being my fav smoke, I really can't wait to try these ESG's. If they turn out like the Estate Reserves did a few years ago though, I will be sorely disappointed.

Thats funny cuz in comparison to the double ligero and the new camacho, the VSG isn't a powerhouse. Its mild in comparison. But in the flavor department its no contest. The VSGs are king of the non-cubans.

That's it exactly, pmpimbura...cigars that were considered full-bodied and strong for 25 years now seem mild to medium in comparison. I've been smoking a lot of La Aroma de Cubas lately...five years ago, I would have called it a strong smoke, but now, I'd say it's medium. But it's FLAVORFUL. Too many cigars are super strong but just don't have enough flavor to make it worth the effort.

Maybe I've been at this too long, but not one Camaho has ever put it to me like my first VSG did. I smoke the Corojo Torpedo, Diplomas, and 11/18 fairly regularly too. They are great smokes, especially at the price point, but I just don't think they are as good or are as strong as the VSG was when it first released and, make no mistake, the VSGs were stronger back then.

Almost any manufacturer can make a strong cigar, but making one that is flavorful is another thing. What consumers are wanting are FLAVORFUL cigars, not just cigars high in nicotine. The great thing is that there is a wide selection out there , from almost flavorless to very full flavored.