I am relatively new to the appreciation of fine cigars. I have smoked a great variety of cigars in the past few months, searching for the one I like best. I am not rich, so I'm looking for alternatives.

Among the smokes I have sampled are Montecristos, H. Huppman, Ashton, CAO, Punch, Hoya De Monterrey, Arturo Fuentes, and many more.

I love the DR Montecristo '93 Cabinet Number 10. It is smooth and mild to moderate. I don't like spicey smokes. The Montecristo goes for $109.00 for 25 at JR's. I can't really afford that on a consistant basis, but I am hooked now on the whole experience of fine handmade cigars.

I would really appreciate any suggestions of a more economical smoke to compare with the '93 Cabinet. I would really be happy to find a similar smoke for around $2.00 or less each.

I have never had the cigar you speak of, but I am completely satisfied with alot of the Sancho Panzas. I recently bought a box of the original blend for 40 bucks. Good, economical everyday smoke.

quote:

Originally posted by dpen47:
I would really be happy to find a similar smoke for around $2.00 or less each.

That's tough. I can't think of anything similar to the '93 offhand except for the CAO Brazilia -- the Brazilian filler in the Monte gives it a pretty unique taste.

Altadis (maker of Montecristo) has some other cigars that offer good bang for the buck, all of which are available from JR: Saint Luis Rey and Gispert (particulraly the maduro). A little more than $2 per stick by the box but worth a try.

quote:

Originally posted by dpen47:
I would really be happy to find a similar smoke for around $2.00 or less each.

Good luck. For that price, it will be mostly bundled cigars and a few others.

I have smoked many Montecristo Club Cabinet #30, the Robusto size. They are very tasty and at about $5.00 a pop I find them reasonable

quote:

Originally posted by fullhumi:
I have never had the cigar you speak of, but I am completely satisfied with alot of the Sancho Panzas. I recently bought a box of the original blend for 40 bucks. Good, economical everyday smoke.

Thanks. I bought the Sancho Panzas you mentioned. Very good and similar to the Monty '93 Cabinet. Great buy.

quote:

Originally posted by fullhumi:
I have never had the cigar you speak of, but I am completely satisfied with alot of the Sancho Panzas. I recently bought a box of the original blend for 40 bucks. Good, economical everyday smoke.

Great advice. I bought them and you were right. Super cigar for the money. Thanks

if you can make it to jrs, try the jr alternative bundles...used to smoke those when the funds were low and the little lady couldnt handle my allocation of funds to cigars

not bad , not GREAT, just decent smokes most of the time