Cigars.

Upstatemax

Any cigar guys on the forum?

I was into cigars years ago and thanks to times getting very busy I I just stopped being able to just sit down and relax with a cigar and drink.

I also think I just purchased a lot of "less than" cigars at a good price years ago and I stopped really enjoying the experience.

Well, this summer I cracked open the (still neurotically maintained) humidor and started to enjoy myself again.

Years ago I picked up a bunch of Gurkha cigars at discount prices from my favorite place to shop cigars, Cigars International. Prior to this purchase I had trie several of the Gurkha top shelf options and had liked them. So I went a bit crazy and filled my humidors with them given the low sale prices.

What I have discovered is that there are a few hidden gems in the line up but overall they are a sub par smoke...

The Micro-Blends from years ago, Grand Reserve, Widow Maker, and the Centurian lines all put a smile on my face. But I had a massive stash of bland and boring cigars.

At first I blamed myself for letting them sit too long. UNTILL:

On the 4th of July I cracked open the humidor to see my CAO America staring me in the face. What a great day to light that bad boy up that been sitting around for some time!

I light it up and it starts out nice and smooth, then about 1/3 of the way through it starts to develop this amazing spicy, yet smooth flavor that is just marvelous. About halfway through the spicy starts to give way to a earthy and nutty flavor. Long story short this is the first cigar that I have nubbed in a LONG time.

After the CAO, I start to think that maybe the Gurkha's are the problem...

So next time out I light up the Man O' War Virtue thats also been sitting around for some time. I plan on a nice mellow and laid back smoke thanks to the flawless Connecticut wrapper...

But from the moment I started to burn that cigar to the nub it was a delight of spicy goodness, yet smooth and enjoyable.

After that I it up the cigar that has been sitting in my humidor the LONGEST, the CAO Odyssey. I have a hard time lighting up a cigar that I know I will never be able to replace...

It had certainly lost some spice, but still a smooth and enjoyable smoke. Notes of cedar and pepper a great smooth Vanilla aftertaste. Overall an amazing smooth cigar that just left me with a smile on my face.

Since then I have re-loaded the humidor with an old favorite of mine, a box of CAO Black Bengal's, a Man O' War mix of Virtue, Original Man O' War and Ruination and I'm waiting on delivery of my Sol Cubano Torpedoes. AJ Fernandez has a new fan!

I've also dipped my toes into the pipe scene. I picked up a restored Savinelli Champagne pipe and some CAO Black and some Stanwell Vanilla tobaccos. That is PERFECT for when I just want a relaxing night in front of a fire with the wife (she does not mind the smell of the pipe tobacco).

Needless to say I am back in love. A few of my buddies and I are organizing a Cigar and Booze nights a few times a month. I supply cigars and and everybody else chips in for some good scotch or bourbon. It's nice to just be able to sit and laugh with friends over some of the finer things in life!

brgman

Based on what you have listed it looks like you like a medium to full smoke which is what I smoke.Two lines that are now my go to manufacturers are Tatuaje and Illusion.They were very small boutique lines that have grown but still make great
Nicaraguan sticks.
Besides a Brick and Mortar store the best sites for info and decent prices are Atlantic cigar,New Havana cigars and the mass outlets like cigars international.
You really need to try several blends to see what you like best.I lean to Nic stuff but still enjoy an Opus X which is Dominican.
Have fun!

Upstatemax

The CAO Brazilia is an awesome smoke, but you better have a solid dinner in your belly for that one. Not to mention the Man O' War ruination.

I don't mind a full cigar, but I have to be int he right mood for it.

After our last cigar and booze night I was surprised at the flavored section. The Acid Kuba Kuba was actually pretty good. Weird at first, but it was actually pretty good.

I guess you could say I enjoy them all, mild --> full, it just depends on what I feel like at the time. The Pipe tobacco has been my favorite guilty please though. More maintenance, but it's nice to be able to shape the flavor so easily. I've also taken to cleaning my pipe with Bourbon, effective and satisfying!

jflail2

I managed a tobacco shop for several years. While my taste varies according to what I'm drinking, time of day, etc, my can't fail option is a Padron 2000. The 64 and 26 series from Padron are excellent "higher end" cigars.

In general, Dominican, Honduran and Nicaraguan cigars are safe bets. I don't like anything Mexican, and am not a fan of flavors or sweet cigars.

If you want a Cuban beyond the usual Cohiba, I'd recommend the Bolivar petite corona, or the Partagas Serie D #4.

Enjoy man. Nothing quite like a relaxing smoke in the back yard after a long day.

headrott

Well, damn. I just lost my list of cigars I typed out! I'll do a much shorter list.......

Casa Fernandez - 35th Anniversary. Medium bodies cigar with sage, cedar flavors. This is an excellent cigar (especially for the price; Around $11 to $13). Very very highly recommended!

Casa Fernadez - Aganorsa Leaf Maduro 58. Medium heavy bodied cigar. Very good! Similar to the 1964 Padron with Cocoa and coffee flavors.

The 1964 and 1926 cigars are good, but especially in the case of the 1926 are not worth the price, IMO. They are excellent cigars, however.

The Oliva "V" series are also good cigars but not woth the money, IMO. The casa Fernadez 35th anniversary is in a similar price range, and much better, IMO.

I also agree with jflail2's recommendation of the Partagas Series D. Good cigar.

Some of the Rocky Patel cigars are excellent. I bought a 12 year aged tobacco vintage 1990 yesterday. I will smoke it tomorrow and report back. Haven't tried it before.

There are few others, but it's getting late and as I said I lost my last post, so I will call it good for now.

Upstatemax

Thanks for the suggestions! Thankfully for my well being, I don't really have any room left in my humidors for new purchases...

But I'm starting a "wish list" for when space does open up!

My Sol Cubano Cabinet's came in this afternoon, talk about a flawless looking torpedo!

Can't wait for these to rest a bit so that I can smoke a few.

voltz

I used to years & years ago, about 30 I'd say. We always pick up a box of 50 Churchill Reject's as we all were heading to the lake for a 3 day weekend! about 5-6 of us guys smoking them around the fire at night making the women mad as......... you know.

headrott

Don't wait too long on the Casa Fernadez 35th Anniversary. Once they are gone, they are gone. There is a limited edition of 2,000 boxes (making for a total of 20,000 stogies worldwide) from what I understand.

MrBuhl

Big fan of many of the sticks you reference. I would highly recommend my favorite "value" smoke - highly rated and delicious Aroma de Cuba. Right in your flavor wheelhouse I'd think. I really enjoy a lot of variety myself - and most of those original cigars you reference - AJ Fernandez blends - he's a genius! CAO too - check out the Soprano's blends if you can - great CAO's!

Upstatemax

headrott wrote: »

Don't wait too long on the Casa Fernadez 35th Anniversary. Once they are gone, they are gone. There is a limited edition of 2,000 boxes (making for a total of 20,000 stogies worldwide) from what I understand.

I don't think it will take me too long to open up some room in the main humidor...

I'll have to check out a few of the local smoke shops to see if they carry them.