Ok so I'm not new to cigar smoking, but I have never tried a Cuban. I have a european source and I was wanting to know some suggestions/recommendations. I like a medium to slightly mild, but not bland. Lots of flavor, and aromatic, but not too heavy of a hitter. Any suggestions? I'm considering fonsenca No. 1 and Romeo Cedro No. 3. Opinions? I went back and read some thoughts on them but I thought I'd ask again and a comparison between the two.

John Mayes
Custom Guitars and Humidors
http://www.mayesguitars.com
Part Owner of the Oklahoma LCDH

Hello John Mayes,

First, I'm surprised to see your reference to the Oklahoma LCDH. That's an old joke from quite a while ago. Which thread did you run across with that reference? It surprises me that, that is still being talked about.

As far as your cigar choices go, I've had neither of the ones you listed. Nevertheless, your first Cuban cigar will assuredly not be your last. You'll want to try them all. Just get started.

Good luck.

!@*

I was searching the archives so not to make a nusansice of myself, and I ran across it. Me being in oklahoma I thought it was fitting.

Anyway I ordered a sampler pack of three Cubans, so I'll see what I think, and then go from there, but what I ordered was:

Romeo y Julieta no 3 tubo,
Bolivar no 1 tubo
and a
Montecristo no 4 tubo

John Mayes
Custom Guitars and Humidors
http://www.mayesguitars.com
Part Owner of the Oklahoma LCDH

I think that you will find that despite what you read about the Cedros Deluxe #3, it is a little heavier bodied. It is not super strong, but it takes quite awhile to age the youth and power out of it. Still I find them worth the money and can be very good, but they do not match the flavor preferences you set. My favorites among your strength preferences are the Hoyo Double Corona, the Rafael Gonzales lonsdale, El Rey del Mundo Tainos, Punch Churchill, Partagas Culebras and Good Ol Monte #2.

KinnickKinnick

You make beeeutifull guitars.

One day, not today(I saw your prices) but one day I hope to have dealings with you.

You are a true artist.

Very impressive.

BTW I dig RYJ Exibitional #4

Cheers, Steve

slowfood/slowine

[This message was edited by lsondek on August 22, 2004 at 12:09 AM.]

With the description that you left I would recommend the following Habanos for you to try:

Rafael Gonzalez Coronas Extras
El Rey del Mundo Choix Supreme
Saint Luis Rey Serie A
Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 1
San Cristobal de la Habana La Fuerza
Quai d'Orsay Gran Coronas

Hope this helps.

thanks for the recommendations. I'll look into them as well. anyone else like to chime in? I'm all ears....or eyes..whatever...

Part Owner of the Oklahoma LCDH

A great size to try is the CORONA GORDA. Check out the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 1, the H. Upmann Magnum 46...those should fit the bill and get you a good place to start. Also check out the ROBUSTO - i.e., Ramon Allones Specially Selected, San Luis Rey Choix Supreme. People like smaller format cigars, but I have never been much impressed. For example, the Montecristo #4 is THE most produced Cuban cigar in the world. Everyone and their mother is rolling it in Havana, and it's one of the first cigars the newer rollers are assigned in the factories. So there are lots of variations in terms of style, blend, construction, and the like. For me, they just don't cut it if I'm looking for a 'cigar'. If you go to a corona gorda, you get a little more room to fine-tune the blend of tobacco, they are certainly more consistent in terms of construction and flavor, and the extra room, for me, results in a more satisfying smoke. In the '70's we all knew short skiis sucked. Well...they did. Now, because of technological advances, short skiis that have shape are it. Unfortunately, there's not much that technology can do to remedy the shortcomings of short cigars!

___________________
Santa Cabilla...patron saint of Quericæstan. VIVE COULTER! VIVE CPD!

Goood Lord what beautiful geetars! Time to give up cigars, ditch the Taylor and buy one of those works of art.

For cigars, get yourself a plain old Monte #2.

for some reason I just can't believe it.

-----------------------------
"The cigar...is something that commands respect. It is made for all the senses,
for all the pleasures, for the nose, the palate, the fingers, the eyes... A good
cigar contains the promise of a totally pleasurable experience."

--Zino Davidoff

You should be able to trade a guitar for some awesome Cubans. Nice work!
As for the 3 you ordered, I believe you'll enjoy the Monte #4 the best.

thanks for the nice words guys. I've got some e-mails recommending the Mont #2's as well. Might be a good choice..I just don't want to get too overpowered. I have smoked a few partagas (NC black labels) and La Flor Dominicans (NC double Ligeros) and they were not too powerful, but I fear I'm treading into a whole new realm of power. I see a couple sources.. one in spain one is swiss.. don't know how reputable they are.... we shall see.

Part Owner of the Oklahoma LCDH

Don't be scared of that Monte #2, it is a class act. There IS power there, but it is so smooth and balanced that you never get the feeling that you are being knocked over, far from it. In fact, this vitola from Montecristo moves SO fast, that you are very likely to get a box of 04's, and if so, they are OUTSTANDING. They do not have the wonderful flavors that come with age yet, but they are extremely satisfying Right Now.
The number 4 is also good, as the man said, but they are more hit and miss as they are the single biggest seller in the world. I also like that RyJ Exhib #4. If you have tried those NC's you mentioned and found them to be manageable, I would highly re-recommend that #2.

KinnickKinnick