I've heard many a BOTL say they are all about CC's. As I smoke more CC's and NC's I am starting to maybe get why.
I have been trying to dig more into the never ending world of NC's, sticking to the higher end of things. And outside of Arturo Fuente (+ Ashton) and Padron, the field seems unpredictable and full of awful crap. There are gems to be had, but they seem so few and far between, hard to find in the sea of mediocre to plain bad sticks. I haven't fallen in love with the DPGs, Litto's, Tatuajes, Olivas or Illusiones, which seem to be some of the modern day saviors of NC's.
More and more I find myself going to a CC when I want something I know will be good. Even when trying new CC's I don't have the fear I have when trying a new NC. There is a smaller pool to choose from with CC's but they seem to have something in common that make them all at least good. I've had NC's that downright put me in a bad mood.
Many AF's and Padrons are still amazing and consistent. But other than that, sticking to CC's seems like a safer bet (ignoring that whole legality issue for a moment.)
I am becoming less psyched about tryin new NC's is the bottom line. Which sucks. Please help restore my faith in NCs.
I dont know, I seem to be just the opposite. maybe I dont have the source you do but I've been told by two persons that my source is one of the best out there. anyway, you say AF or padron but in my experience the only really good padron is the 26. yeah, I could go for a maduro 2k once in a while but it has that roughness to it that doesnt fit me. And AF. well the don carlos are good to me and I used to like the sungrown beli but I keep getting turned off from that particular cigar b/c of either burn problems or i just not tasting right. what kind of CC's do you like. I actually have been thinking to just keep to the NC due to the high prices of CC. I however love DPG and Oliva an like the person who posted before me I also like the coronado and I love padilla. got a box of padilla 48 and habano. those to me are great smokes. I have had CC smokes that have not been any good. I didnt like the partagas serie P but I did like the presidente. I was really turned off by the upmann connoisseur 1.
Posts: 430 | Location: uniontown , PA | Registered: August 06, 2007
Originally posted by sptcigars: I used to like the sungrown beli but I keep getting turned off from that particular cigar b/c of either burn problems or i just not tasting right.
Spt, I couldn't agree anymore about the AF Sungrowns. A box of Double Chateau's I bought last year was amazing. So I bought another box this year and they were not even comparable in the flavor department. The more recent box was very flat. I have recently been buying singles of all the sungrown vitolas and they all seem flat compared to a year ago.
quote:
got a box of padilla 48 and habano.
I have not got my hands on a 1948 yet, but I can vouch for the Habano. A smooth creamy medium bodied smoke that burns slowly. I recently bought a box of the Churchills and I am very impressed.
Posts: 2284 | Location: WI | Registered: November 16, 2007
I disagree, IMO the AF quality has been on a steady decline for years. I will say, AF are great advertisers! Though - mediocre cigar makers. "Create the illusion of need"....they mastered that.
As for great NC companies: LFD, Padilla, Davidoff, 601, Zino Crown, DPG, Tatauje, Aurora, Oliva.....its a long list. All have a price point with something for everyone. I prefer the boutique cigar makers. Small production, better quality / construction. Don't give up yet. Good Luck.
SamuraiJack (by the way I loved that show, wish it would come back)
My opinion is that there are some great NC's out there. For the money, get a box of Oliva V's, Corona Extra Coronado's Double Corona Diamond Crown #7 Maduros VSG's, pick one
that for the money are outstanding. There are alot of dog rockets out there though, but I have had some lousey CC's as well.
Nicaragua is producing some amazing leaf in my opinion.
I have been trying to dig more into the never ending world of NC's, sticking to the higher end of things. And outside of Arturo Fuente (+ Ashton) and Padron, the field seems unpredictable and full of awful crap. There are gems to be had, but they seem so few and far between, hard to find in the sea of mediocre to plain bad sticks. I haven't fallen in love with the DPGs, Litto's, Tatuajes, Olivas or Illusiones, which seem to be some of the modern day saviors of NC's.
I agree so much so that i rarely smoke Non Cubans. I have a few Opus X Ashton VSG Tatuajue in the humidor. The other 999 cigars are all Cubans. The cost of securing Non Cubans of a quality suitable to satisfy ones palate that has already tasted Cuban Cigars is astoundingly high. I usually bring them back to Italy from the United States as buying them in Europe is truly insulting to ones intelligence.
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Posts: 4753 | Location: Reggio di Calabria, Italy / New York United States | Registered: July 12, 2007
Originally posted by KKL: [QUOTE]Originally posted by sptcigars: I used to like the sungrown beli but I keep getting turned off from that particular cigar b/c of either burn problems or i just not tasting right.
Spt, I couldn't agree anymore about the AF Sungrowns. A box of Double Chateau's I bought last year was amazing. So I bought another box this year and they were not even comparable in the flavor department. The more recent box was very flat. I have recently been buying singles of all the sungrown vitolas and they all seem flat compared to a year ago.
damn, now that you said that, I agree with you. there used to be this spice kick at the front of the cuban beli that I dont even find now. and also , the aroma was sweeter and was complimented by a sweetness in the background that you could hardly pick up but once in a while you'd get it. just totally enjoyable and now, NOT. average at most. Tell you how pissed I am, I went out and bought two boxes thinking that this cigar is the bomb and now I'm kicking myself.
Posts: 430 | Location: uniontown , PA | Registered: August 06, 2007
Nicaragua is producing some amazing leaf in my opinion.
ABSOLUTELY!! 90% of my smokes are from Nica.
x3, the 601 line is great, if you havent tried a Cuban Classic robusto, do so (i think i sent you one in the guess my smoke comp). they are amazingly consistent for me. the cubao and mi barrio from pepin for EO brands (the guys that make 601) are some of the best cigars to come out this year and well worth a try.
DAMN, Im Thirsty! I want a beer, how bout you? You want a beer?
I enjoy an Opus x, Ashton VSG, Tatuje Black, Oliva V, Padron 26, Illusione CG4 and a few others just as much as I enjoy a cuban...I love great NCs...but boy is there ever a ton of crappy NCs running around. If you stick to the above brands the quality is astounding.
Posts: 211 | Location: CA | Registered: June 02, 2008
I'm going to echo what is seemingly becoming a trend here-
You need to expand your horizons!
AF & Padron are great go to and standard quality sticks. However, Gran Habano, LFD, LG Diez, La Riqueza, Torano 59 Gold, DPG, Tatuaje, and Oliva are just a few of the great NC brands outside the Fuente and Padron families of cigars. Granted, nobody is ever going to argue that they wouldn't rather go for a PSD or a Monte #2 first, but there are great sticks all over.
Bear
Edit: I forgot Illusione!
Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today. -James Dean
As stated by several people above: anything touched by Don Pepin, Illusione, Padron, Oliva... They are all excellent cigars and, for what I have paid for CC (Canada, Mexico) a much better value. I have had CC that blew me away (Edmundo) and I have had CC that make me angry that I paid $20+ (Cohiba Maduro).
Posts: 364 | Location: Moon | Registered: June 07, 2008
I have definately become a CC lover. The only NC's that I rate right up there with CC's are Padron's. That is 64's, K's and 26's. In that order. I find myself tolerating NC's and liking Don Pepin's, Padilla's Oliva's and such but you cannot mach that intoxicating distinct flavor of a good CC, not to mention the superior complexity and roundness. There are wonderfull NC's out there for sure but like you I prefer CC's. I have not lost faith as I belive Nicaragua has wonderfull full flavored and rich tobacco. But nothing as wide rainge of flavors such as the Cuban tobacco leaf. One thing for sure, it is very hard to find a lite bodied full flavored NC. But try a Cuban Quai D Orsay. A very lite bodied smoke with a wide array of flavors. Not an easy thing to accomplish in cigar blending.
littoines, two things stood out that you mentioned: "lite bodied full flavored" and "roundness". I think those describe exactly what I can't find in an NC. Another adjective I find myself thinking is "refined".
All of the best new NC's these days seem to be powerhouses.
I have tried most of what folks have mentioned, but there are def. a few I haven't and will.
There are NC's that I do like a lot, but I discovered those fairly early and my search for more great NC's seems to be less awesome these days, whereas any CC I try ranges from deeply satisfying to mind blowing. I agree that there is a lot of hype around high end AF's and Padrons, and maybe they aren't as great as the hype would indicate, but they are really the most consistently great NC smokes imho.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: SamuraiJack,
It seems that a lot of NC blenders are forsaking flavor for power. I love a full bodied stick but it must be full flavored also. That is the roundness I look for. Party short for example. A power blast for sure but it has great flavor complexity. All your sences are touched and that to me is roundness. Recently the NC blenders have come up with flavor in their power but not to the point of CC's. Things you find in a CC that is hard to find in an NC is for example, Full flavored yet refined. Lite bodied but full flavored and complex. Full bodied but smooth with a long finish. Extremely hard to find in an NC but not impossible. I find Padron achieving it as well as Pepin and Oliva but still not to the point of great complexity. I'm sorry but I don't see Fuente achieving it except with their Opus X line. Their regular lines are one dimentional. Now this is all JMHO.
