Just joined this board and it is really interesting with all of the diverse topics...
I was wondering from some of you experts out there...I have just got into the habit of smoking cigars. The first one I tried was a Macanudo Cafe, and I really liked it a lot. I went to my local tobacco shop and he gave me a punch (second--no label), a mild connecticut, and el rey (again, something mild) to compare to the macanudo I liked so well. The punch was only $2 and was about 6.5 inches long and was good but not as good as the macanudo cafe. The other 2 cigars just flat out did nothing for me.
MY QUESTION: How do you guys feel about the legitimacy of Macanudo cafe bundles or seconds? Are they as good taste-wise? If so, where would you get them? And lastly, what else would you suggest that might be another option but not so pricey?
Ahhhhh the sweet prattle of noobs debating the merits of Macapoopoo vs Punch seconds...music to my ears. Welcome aboard kid. Go read a little on the non-Cuban forum and you will see a wealth of info about these kind of issues.
Thanks for your reply. The link was funny...if you are an expert...if you need help with golf, building, or concrete construction...I will construct a similar FAQ to you since you are such a smart dude.
I did do several searchs on the topic in the forum before posting and did not find the specific answer to this question. I would suggest you ignore idiodic posts like mine in the future since you are above us new people.
A lot of people like the Old Fashioneds. I think the three digit numbers are Macs. As far as I've heard (never had them), there isn't a lot of difference between them and the real deal. It's mostly minor topical blemishes.
Mike
War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself. John Stuart Mill
Posts: 5955 | Location: Cincinnati | Registered: May 02, 2002
CI sells some very reasonable and tasty Macanudo and Punch factory seconds. I really like the Punch variety. At a little more than $1 a stick, they're a good value. Do I care that there are no bands or fancy packaging? NOPE!
"..Bullsh*t,Edna! You were thinking penis and vagina! Hot,sweaty bodies humping away in the afternoon!..." Dan Akroyd in "The Couch Trip."
Posts: 746 | Location: Bly Mountain,Oregon USA | Registered: December 25, 2002
heres the best advice, try all the cigars you want, the ones you like(price can factor into this) smoke more of. If you like the seconds by all means smoke as many as you wish. only you can know what you like and the best way of finding out is by the old fashion way of trying them. So if your looking for an affordable cigar that you like pick up a couple cheaply priced sticks every time you go to the shop and smoke them. You'll run into a lot of bad smokes but you'll find a few in there you really love and it will be worth it.
Posts: 67 | Location: Methuen, MA | Registered: August 20, 2003
Good to see a noob who doesn't go all to pieces when he gets his balls busted a bit. As condescending as you might think my "Noobs read this post" might be, you have to admit, you'll think twice about asking some of those same questions...
I was serious though, the Punch vs Macanudo vs Consuegra vs Old-Fashioneds debate rages about once a week here.
The bottom line is: with seconds you get what you pay for. They are good for commuter cigars, mooch sticks or cutting the lawn. When you really want to relax with a good cigar most people reach for something that won't let them down.
I smoke a few seconds, but mostly I stick to inexpensive name brands when I want a cheap cigar. Maria Mancini's, Mayorgas and a few others can be had for a bit more than seconds.
That said, if you want to try a good second, go to JRcigars.com and order their Nicaraguan Factory Corojos. These are a really good inexpensive cigar.
Also as your taste in cigars grow, you'll want more powerful and richer smokes. Macadoodoo's are way too mild and Punch regular blend are squarely in the medium range.
You do not have a habit as cigars are not addicting. I have been smoking cigars for over 45 years and never got the habit.
Macanudo is a flavorfil mild cigar perfect for the new smoker. Punch, Partagas, Hoya de Monterray and several others are all made by General Cigar Holdings and are very good cigars.
I don't know about seconds of Macs or bundles of them but mostly they are cigars made by apprentice rollers and have construction problems.
Enjoy your cigars, read the forums and learn. Most of all have fun.
Doc ***** Tobacco is a filthy weed, I like it...
SNOB Member 1033 1/3
Posts: 9629 | Location: New York City | Registered: May 02, 2002
"Good to see a noob who doesn't go all to pieces when he gets his balls busted a bit. As condescending as you might think my "Noobs read this post" might be, you have to admit, you'll think twice about asking some of those same questions..."
I am active on 2 other non-related boards and I can't imagine, me, which I am an expert in these two boards, replying like you did...but your attitude (hard to tell when typing though) leads me to believe you are an old, bitter man?
The rest of your post was helpful though, so for that I thank you. Remember, I have been smoking cigars...let's see...10 days now. I have smoked I guess 8 cigars now, and the first one I really liked happended to be the Macanudo Cafe...I know, I know, sorry weak cigar right? But for my taste buds, it is my favorite after 10 days. Your post would be the equivalent to you asking about buying a set of Callaway golf clubs and then me responding like "hey stupid, that is just marketing, they aren't that good". I seriously typed in the words (on the search function)....macanudo seconds....macanudo bundles...then bundles...then seconds...and read every single post before posting my question.
I want to thank everyone for responding back to me on my question. I am not poor, I just don't want to get burnt right away I guess and your feedback again, has been valuable.
Macanudos were the cigars that I smoked before I knew of the other more full flavored ones. The seconds are ok just make sure you feel the cigar for any construction problems. Sometimes these smokes tend to have draw problems. How much do you get your Macs for? Here they cost about $6-8 a pop. If they cost you this much then you should consider a different line of cigars because Macs are not worth what they sell them for.
Posts: 530 | Location: Albany, New York | Registered: January 21, 2004
If you like the flavor of macanudo, try ashton or avo. They are around the same price as a macanudo(maybe a little more expensive) but they are much better IMO.
Personally, I don't smoke mild cigars very often but when I do ashton, avo, or lately davidoff seem to fit the bill nicely. There are some decent cheap mild cigars out there too. La unica and montesino are pretty good if you don't want to spend a lot of cash.
Hard work may pay off eventually but laziness always pays off now.
You think I am a ballbuster, go over to the CF board and see how those guys treat a noob. Or try the Cuban forum here and ask some dumb questions. I guess I like to bust stones and poke fun. I can take it so poke back. Also, I wouldn't buy Calloway clubs. Or any clubs for that matter. Golf is what old men do when they are too old for paintball, rugby, four-wheeling or growing their own tobacco.
Hey binder. That's what I thought too. Now I think it is the opposite. Any neanderthal can play paintball or rugby. They may not be great at it but you can certainly pass in a casual game with little or no special skills. Golf is different. It puts the old farts and the young studs like us on a level playing field. That is why I hate it so much. It is the most friggin frustrating sport known to man.
Hard work may pay off eventually but laziness always pays off now.
AGAIN! 
