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Favorite brand of cigar ?
- Thread starter crawford
- Start date
BatmanNate
Lifer
Avo is my favorite. Honorable mention for Padron as well. 🙂
Arturo Fuente
Hamilton
Macanudo
H. Upmann
Would be my picks for Dominican Cigars.
Montecristo
Cohiba
H. Upmann
Would be my picks for Cuban. Yep, H.Upmann hits both lists being that they produce both a Cuban and Dominican.
Not every product from each manufacturer is stellar or worth the brand $$$ IMO. I?ve had $12.00 Hamilton?s that I?d take over a $70.00 Cohiba without blinking. There?s also the storage and delivery. If you?re not buying from an establishment which has its own well cared for walk in humidor then be cautious about the money you spend.
If you do not know what you want or what to look for, a good cigar aficianodo/store owner will ask you a few questions and then guide you to what he/she thinks you will enjoy the most. Rarely do they direct you straight to the big dollar rolls unless you specifically mention wanting a particular blend, brand or dollar range. They know that if they?re already steering you in the direction of potential enjoyment then you?re not likely to appreciate the finer product the first time out (akin to giving a person a 3.0 Ghz gaming rig so they can chat on aol when their chat session would be served just as good on a 500Mhz PIII). Further, starting within a range of $12-15.00 per cigar will net you more variety and quantity of good cigars from which to refine your tastes and determine what you like. Heck, there's plenty to like in the $7.00 range.
The owner of a store I used to frequent was so confident in the quality of his cigars and his ability to understand your preferences that any time he suggested something you hadn?t tried before he would offer one free of charge. If the cigar were $25.00 or more he?d encourage you to buy one and offer to refund it if you didn?t enjoy the burn.
That was then. I'm smoke free now. That's a different story, but I still enjoy walking through a well maintained cigar shop and cultured humidor.
Hamilton
Macanudo
H. Upmann
Would be my picks for Dominican Cigars.
Montecristo
Cohiba
H. Upmann
Would be my picks for Cuban. Yep, H.Upmann hits both lists being that they produce both a Cuban and Dominican.
Not every product from each manufacturer is stellar or worth the brand $$$ IMO. I?ve had $12.00 Hamilton?s that I?d take over a $70.00 Cohiba without blinking. There?s also the storage and delivery. If you?re not buying from an establishment which has its own well cared for walk in humidor then be cautious about the money you spend.
If you do not know what you want or what to look for, a good cigar aficianodo/store owner will ask you a few questions and then guide you to what he/she thinks you will enjoy the most. Rarely do they direct you straight to the big dollar rolls unless you specifically mention wanting a particular blend, brand or dollar range. They know that if they?re already steering you in the direction of potential enjoyment then you?re not likely to appreciate the finer product the first time out (akin to giving a person a 3.0 Ghz gaming rig so they can chat on aol when their chat session would be served just as good on a 500Mhz PIII). Further, starting within a range of $12-15.00 per cigar will net you more variety and quantity of good cigars from which to refine your tastes and determine what you like. Heck, there's plenty to like in the $7.00 range.
The owner of a store I used to frequent was so confident in the quality of his cigars and his ability to understand your preferences that any time he suggested something you hadn?t tried before he would offer one free of charge. If the cigar were $25.00 or more he?d encourage you to buy one and offer to refund it if you didn?t enjoy the burn.
That was then. I'm smoke free now. That's a different story, but I still enjoy walking through a well maintained cigar shop and cultured humidor.
BTW "BEST" is relative. For those of you who have your 'favorite'; can you describe why it is so? Is it because it's the only one you've had? The only one with a big name? There's nothing wrong with inexperience in cigars. I'm not bragging myself. It's just kind of funny when someone say's something like "Dude, you've got a Hoyo 'de Montery #40 double maduro reserve exquisite, I had one of those, you're gonna love it!". And you know damn well that the guy doesn't know what "maduro" means, likely looked the name up in Google and jumps in armed with his new found knowledge of the 'manly' arts. Checking through previous posts you further note that he wouldn't have bought the cigar himself because it costs $45.00 each in bulk and he just posted in FS/FT that he's looking for a used CD-RW cuz he doesn't have scratch for a new one. Ah hem. I digress. No need for anyone here to take that personally 🙂. Just funnin' around 😉.
*Good information -> when extolling the virtue of a particular cigar, describing the draw, taste, ash and burn are among the characteristics that one looks for in a recommendation. Nothing wrong with describing it in unorthodox means, just that you describe it. That one had a smooth/harsh draw, spicy/nutty/ taste, kept a long/short ash and burned for a long/short time. Taste of the wrapper can also play. just a suggestion. Because when "YOU" say it's good, we want to know what you liked about it.
*Good information -> when extolling the virtue of a particular cigar, describing the draw, taste, ash and burn are among the characteristics that one looks for in a recommendation. Nothing wrong with describing it in unorthodox means, just that you describe it. That one had a smooth/harsh draw, spicy/nutty/ taste, kept a long/short ash and burned for a long/short time. Taste of the wrapper can also play. just a suggestion. Because when "YOU" say it's good, we want to know what you liked about it.
Not necessarily. I'm much more of a beer/wine person than smokes, but if you ask me for my favorite beer I'm probably just going to tell you something like samuel smith oatmeal stout without elaborating much. Now if you ask me for a review or more details I'll be more than happy to describe the appearance, aroma, flavor, mouth feel, etc but thats way too wordy when you just ask me for my favorite. 🙂
Right said Soybomb,
But then, you can enjoy your stout for a good deal less than the entry price of a Double Coronas! I take your meaning and admit to agreeing with you for the most part on your point.
I think my perspective is that good cigars are expensive and that telling someone else they're going to love a particular one without knowing their preferences is a bit pretentious. The original post asked for favorite cigar brand, which is why I mentioned brands and not specific product. My reference to providing more info is toward those who would assert that another person will agree with their experience even though they do not know what the other person likes.
You're telling me that your favorite is Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout. Now if you were encouraging me to try it or insisting that I'll like it you'd likely come across with something like "it has a silky texture and if you like ale's with a bitter-sweet finish, this one's worth a go" or something along those lines. that's some pretty good stout by the way. We're not in disagreement, just in different points of the experience.
Cheers!
Im definetely inexperienced and Ive only been legal to smoke for less than a year, so I havent had much time. Im also a poor college student who doesnt have $45 a cigar to spend, thats why I mosty just get like Phillies Sweets because I think they taste good. (cant explain much further than that, I wouldnt know where to start.)
illusion88
Lifer
I enjoy the smell and taste of a good cigar, but my asthma really prevents me from smoking. Every once in a while I will go out and get me one. But I really shouldnt on account of my asthma.
In answer to a PM regarding my preference in cutting a cigar:
It really depends on the type of end on the cigar. I?ve used a very, very sharp knife in the past but it does more damage to the wrapper and filler than good if you?re not careful. Most cigar shops will sell a disposable guillotine clipper for a couple bucks, might even give them away. I myself prefer a bullet if the type of cigar allows it. Each different type of cut provides a unique draw, taste and feel to the cigar so it really becomes a matter of preference rather than whether there is a ?Best? way. Regardless of method however, whether via a special purpose item or survival kit pocket knife make sure the blade is very sharp.
Guillotine
Bullet
V-cut
Pierce
I like the bullet and pierce methods because they allow me to roll the cigar in my mouth and wet the end with my tongue without getting bits of leaf in my mouth. I enjoy the wrapper taste of a cigar as well as the smoke so this is the preference I?ve grown accustomed to. My brother prefers to use a clipper or guillotine because he likes a more open draw and prefers the texture of the tobacco as opposed to my preference to taste and feel the leaf.
There is also the argument of match vs lighter. Depending on the oil or fuel in a lighter, the flame can leave a fuel taste in the cigar (butane being the lesser of the fuel evils). When you light a cigar you slowly roll it and draw in to induce burn. When drawing in, the taste of the fuel will be pulled along the inside of the cigar and taint the tobacco. The same for a match that burns wax or additives. The best bet for match lighting is just to allow the match to burn long enough to exhaust the head and apply the flame to the cigar only after it begins burning the actual stick. The absolute best method for lighting a cigar is to light a cedar spill (thin strip of cedar) and use the spill to light the cigar.
Now, all of that can be a bit tedious and more work than it?s worth if one?s not really interested in the better methods of doing things. Early on, I enjoyed many a cigar without an ounce of knowledge of the art of cutting or the difference between wood vs lighter and truthfully, most times it wouldn?t have made much of a difference. But as you learn, you appreciate more about the experience. Do some googling on the things I mentioned and you?ll get more detail on the methods and the things to pay attention to. If it?s all too much to think on, just make sure your knife/razor/clipper is very sharp and you make a clean decisive cut! Oh yeah, the "Clint Eastwood" bite and spit never really worked for me 😉.
PS -> Make sure before you cut, that the type of cigar you are holding requires a cut! Some cigars are rolled with a breathing tip (usually torpedoes) and it'd be a shame to unecessarily butcher a cigar that doesn't require the attention 🙂.
It really depends on the type of end on the cigar. I?ve used a very, very sharp knife in the past but it does more damage to the wrapper and filler than good if you?re not careful. Most cigar shops will sell a disposable guillotine clipper for a couple bucks, might even give them away. I myself prefer a bullet if the type of cigar allows it. Each different type of cut provides a unique draw, taste and feel to the cigar so it really becomes a matter of preference rather than whether there is a ?Best? way. Regardless of method however, whether via a special purpose item or survival kit pocket knife make sure the blade is very sharp.
Guillotine
Bullet
V-cut
Pierce
I like the bullet and pierce methods because they allow me to roll the cigar in my mouth and wet the end with my tongue without getting bits of leaf in my mouth. I enjoy the wrapper taste of a cigar as well as the smoke so this is the preference I?ve grown accustomed to. My brother prefers to use a clipper or guillotine because he likes a more open draw and prefers the texture of the tobacco as opposed to my preference to taste and feel the leaf.
There is also the argument of match vs lighter. Depending on the oil or fuel in a lighter, the flame can leave a fuel taste in the cigar (butane being the lesser of the fuel evils). When you light a cigar you slowly roll it and draw in to induce burn. When drawing in, the taste of the fuel will be pulled along the inside of the cigar and taint the tobacco. The same for a match that burns wax or additives. The best bet for match lighting is just to allow the match to burn long enough to exhaust the head and apply the flame to the cigar only after it begins burning the actual stick. The absolute best method for lighting a cigar is to light a cedar spill (thin strip of cedar) and use the spill to light the cigar.
Now, all of that can be a bit tedious and more work than it?s worth if one?s not really interested in the better methods of doing things. Early on, I enjoyed many a cigar without an ounce of knowledge of the art of cutting or the difference between wood vs lighter and truthfully, most times it wouldn?t have made much of a difference. But as you learn, you appreciate more about the experience. Do some googling on the things I mentioned and you?ll get more detail on the methods and the things to pay attention to. If it?s all too much to think on, just make sure your knife/razor/clipper is very sharp and you make a clean decisive cut! Oh yeah, the "Clint Eastwood" bite and spit never really worked for me 😉.
PS -> Make sure before you cut, that the type of cigar you are holding requires a cut! Some cigars are rolled with a breathing tip (usually torpedoes) and it'd be a shame to unecessarily butcher a cigar that doesn't require the attention 🙂.
They have Montecristo and Cohibas that arent cuban as well. Almost every cuban make is made in another country also in order to sell to the American market. I have a good amount of Montecristos both cuban and non-cuban. I believe they are dominican. I also have cuban and dominican Punch's.
My favs are Montecristo and La Gloria Cubana.
Of course if you are just looking for a good cheap cigar, get anything in a torpedo cut. They use the best leaf no matter what brand.
Very true new2AMD,
I omitted that I hadn't personally tried the non-cuban variants of the other cubans on my list. I've only tried the Cuban Montecristo and Cohiba. H. Upmann being the only cross produced cigar that I have personally enjoyed so that is why I mentioned it. For the life of me, I couldn't personally tell the difference between the Upmann's though there are those who swear they can call a cuban on the first draw. Similarly, a friend of mine knows wine well enough that he can often tell you with a sip what grape, region and at times even what vinyard the wine came from (we've tried to stump him). I on the other hand only know little more than when to serve red or white 🙂.
Anyway, thanks for pointing out the con-cuban availability of the popular cuban brands. I agree with your recommendation for a torpedo. I've heard the same regarding across the board use of the best leaves for that cut. I know that I've never been dissapointed with one anyway, a Hamilton House Torpedo being my favorite.
Cheers!
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