Just pulled out one of the two Don Collins sticks that my mother-in-law sent me from a little shop in Miami Beach. I wasn't expecting much from a Puerto Rican brand I'd never heard of, but thought it would do for walking the dog on a windy Denver afternoon.
Actually, it wasn't bad at all. It had a pyramidos shape with a dark veiny wrapper, but a smooth, tobacco taste with faint undertones of rum. It wasn't sweet enough to be dipped or flavored, but maintained a smooth character all the way to the band until it got slight bitterness (that may be attributed to the fact that I had to relight in the foothills wind twice).
Went to the somewhat cheesy website (don-collins dot com) and tried to get more info, but the findings were pretty scant. I think what I received were a pair of "Piramide" smokes (almost $400 for a bundle), but their descriptions and information are pretty scant.
Has anyone ever heard of Don Collins? I did a fairly diligent websearch, and almost every link points back to the company's website. If these were el-cheapo smokes, I'd order a bundle. But at these prices, I'd much rather smoke the second one, then hear what others have to say about 'em.
JL
______
Varium et mutabile semper femina.
Posts: 5 | Location: Denver, CO | Registered: May 26, 2002
I was surfing the web for cigars and ran across their web site. I did not know there were any cigar factories in Puerto Rico or any one named Collins there. I have never seen thes cigars for sale and wondered if anyone had tried them and how good they were.
*********************** "He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." - Anonymous
___________________ Santa Cabilla...patron saint of Quericæstan. VIVE COULTER (not Ann)! VIVE CPD! Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go...(Oscar Wilde)
Posts: 10327 | Location: Avenida de las Nalgas, Quericæstan | Registered: May 02, 2002
Originally posted by jlmwrite: Just pulled out one of the two Don Collins sticks that my mother-in-law sent me from a little shop in Miami Beach. I wasn't expecting much from a Puerto Rican brand I'd never heard of, but thought it would do for walking the dog on a windy Denver afternoon.
Actually, it wasn't bad at all. It had a pyramidos shape with a dark veiny wrapper, but a smooth, tobacco taste with faint undertones of rum. It wasn't sweet enough to be dipped or flavored, but maintained a smooth character all the way to the band until it got slight bitterness (that may be attributed to the fact that I had to relight in the foothills wind twice).
Went to the somewhat cheesy website (don-collins dot com) and tried to get more info, but the findings were pretty scant. I think what I received were a pair of "Piramide" smokes (almost $400 for a bundle), but their descriptions and information are pretty scant.
Has anyone ever heard of Don Collins? I did a fairly diligent websearch, and almost every link points back to the company's website. If these were el-cheapo smokes, I'd order a bundle. But at these prices, I'd much rather smoke the second one, then hear what others have to say about 'em.
JL
Don Collins is a Puertorican Cigar brand. I live down here in Puerto Rico and I can pretty much say that those are my favorite cigars. As far as I know the Pyramides bundle is 150.75 not 400.00 dollars. Anyhow, they have a nice selection of cigars, my fav is the Corona Grande, a definite must try for all medium cigar lovers. The store is like some sort of art gallery, and they let you try one cigar on the house with each visit, what could be better? I hope this info helps.
Posts: 85 | Location: Paseo del Fundillo | Registered: March 08, 2007
Originally posted by nfrenz: I have been there a few years ago in San Juan...just a storefront. bought some sticks...were ok, but overpriced imho Tom
Actually it's not just a storefront. It's a division of the Puerto Rico Tobaco Corporation, I know the owner personally. He has three farms on the island where the plant is grown, and one factory where all the cigars are hand rolled. The store is basically a sampling spot more than anything. You go in, they let you try the cigars for free and give you all the background info on the company. I visit frequently. I love the people who work there. It's a great spot to enjoy a cigar.
Posts: 85 | Location: Paseo del Fundillo | Registered: March 08, 2007
Hopefully someone will read this post over two years after the conversation started.
my wife and I honeymooned in Puerto Rico and spent time in old San Juan. We found our way into the Don Collins shop and bought one of these. I SWEAR I LOVED IT. We found a little open air bar not far from the shop and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Smooth, even burn, not too tight, not too hot.
That was two years ago and since I have asked a hundred shop owners and aficionados if they'd ever heard of Don Collins and no one has. Very disappointing. These are great and I hope they catch on, here on the mainland.
I stop at the store front a few times a year when I'm in town for business. I've tried most of their cigars and found them very good. I understand they no intention of exporting their cigars but you can phone or fax in an order. I get so many comments that they smell wonderful to other around while smoking them. I do agree that they are little on the pricy side. Some times they will throw in a bundle of coronas when you purchase a bundle.
