America's #1 Online Cigar Auction
first, best, biggest!

Last post 8 years ago by fenderbendertex. 45 replies replies.
Favorite Stick from the Big Brands
jimbud Offline
#1 Posted:
Joined: 12-18-2009
Posts: 3,998
I don't usually smoke cigars from the following brands, but I'm always wondered whether there was a jewel in there somewhere. For example, I actually liked the Gurkha Collector's Gold. So, I'm curious as to your favorite from these brands:

RyJ (non-cc)
Alec Bradley
Monte Cristo (non-cc)
Perdomo (excluding the Silvio)
Camacho (regular production, not the Liberty, etc. and not the aged stuff)
Rocky
Gurkha
CAO (regular production; not the Odyssey, etc)
LGC (non-cc)
midmofan Offline
#2 Posted:
Joined: 04-25-2014
Posts: 1,108
While not a stop-the-presses-must-buy-at-any-cost smoke, I have enjoyed the Camacho Ecuador (light blue/teal?) quite a bit. Only get them when on a good sale or deal here but they are worth a try.
Bur Offline
#3 Posted:
Joined: 07-31-2012
Posts: 5,638
AB Empire State robbie and Tempus Lonsdale have both been good
RiJ Cedro Deluxe #2 is my co-worker's go to smoke and the one he gifted me was pretty good

YMMV, I've got Schlitz taste!
ZRX1200 Offline
#4 Posted:
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,477
RyJ = nothing
Alec Bradley = Ovation, Coyol
Montecristo = Media Noche robusto, Platinum isn't bad
Perdomo = Small Batch maduro, Habano corojo
Camacho = haven't bought ONE SINGLE since they sold out
Rocky = Got treated like garbage at Burn in Naples, he can KMMFPWA too.
Gurkha = haven't bought any of their stuff in years.
CAO = haven't bought anything from them in years either, but I'm tempted to try the Pillion and Flathead maduro.
LGC = haven't tougher their stuff since I Skyped with one of their production managers Michael Giannini. He's a jackals who sounded like he treats employees like he dresses. Garbage.
Jnorman Offline
#5 Posted:
Joined: 07-15-2015
Posts: 75
I would definitely give the CAO Flathead a try, one of my favorites.
Bur Offline
#6 Posted:
Joined: 07-31-2012
Posts: 5,638
KMMFPWA took a second, then nearly spewed.

AB National Sales VP is a former Navy Master Chief, EOD qualified "Brother of the Badge" and hooked me up, so I'm biased. Most other reps have been pretty cool at my local shpo and the time I ran into the Psycho guys on a trip to TN. Sorry you've had a bad experience with them.
shaun341 Offline
#7 Posted:
Joined: 08-02-2012
Posts: 8,826
Alec Bradley I actually like the Prensado and the Sanctum
Montecristo have only tried the media noche that I can remember
Perdomo I like the 10th anni maduro, small batch maduro, and habano maduro
Rocky I can only say that I like the Decade
Camacho only have tried there old banded cigars
RyJ i had a few rare corojo thought they were decent
CAO just older stuff

the rest I can't recall anything I have tried and thought was at least worth trying again

as you can see I kind of like maduros

Whistlebritches Offline
#8 Posted:
Joined: 04-23-2006
Posts: 22,127
Perdomo2 Torfecto...............natural or maddie.Discontinued back in 06 or 07 so if you find any contact me first.The rest of list is "NO JOY".
99cobra2881 Offline
#9 Posted:
Joined: 11-19-2013
Posts: 2,472
RyJ (non-cc) my wife bought me a toro sized 1875 when I first got into cigars and I still have it

Alec Bradley never had one

Monte Cristo (non-cc) only had the platinum from gummy on a trade, pretty good

Perdomo (excluding the Silvio) had a maduro from smoke monkey and did enjoy it

Camacho (regular production, not the Liberty, etc. and not the aged stuff) nh

Rocky In '13 I bought a vintage 1992 toro that I still have and a vintage 2000 Cameroon smoked the Cameroon meh just smoked a catch 22 also meh

Gurkha I do like their doble maduro double Rothschild on occasion cheap here like all Gurkhas are

CAO (regular production; not the Odyssey, etc) I have one la traviata resting bought it in gatlinburg vacation '14

LGC (non-cc) I have a le 2011 figurado from the nonv trade with mandobro


I'd rather spend my money on Fuente sg-rosado, Oliva V-melanio, DE liga no.9-t52-nica rustica-muwat, RB Genesis the project, my father, Tatuaje, vintage Camacho corojo, Padron, Sancho Panza Extra Fuente-double maduro, LGSB VI and or Las Calaveras '14.
jimbud Offline
#10 Posted:
Joined: 12-18-2009
Posts: 3,998
99cobra288 wrote:
I'd rather spend my money on Fuente sg-rosado, Oliva V-melanio, DE liga no.9-t52-nica rustica-muwat, RB Genesis the project, my father, Tatuaje, vintage Camacho corojo, Padron, Sancho Panza Extra Fuente-double maduro, LGSB VI and or Las Calaveras '14.


Yeah TJ, I know and I agree. I was just curious about diamonds in the rough I may have missed as my eyes glaze over the brands I mentioned. Thanks.
99cobra2881 Offline
#11 Posted:
Joined: 11-19-2013
Posts: 2,472
jimbud wrote:
Yeah TJ, I know and I agree. I was just curious about diamonds in the rough I may have missed as my eyes glaze over the brands I mentioned. Thanks.



Sorry I'm not TJ, I'm the noob mustang guy.

I find diamonds more often from mostly unknown brands that fly under the big brand envelope.






jimbud Offline
#12 Posted:
Joined: 12-18-2009
Posts: 3,998
99cobra2881 wrote:
Sorry I'm not TJ, I'm the noob mustang guy.

I find diamonds more often from mostly unknown brands that fly under the big brand envelope.








Sorry man!
99cobra2881 Offline
#13 Posted:
Joined: 11-19-2013
Posts: 2,472
No worries at all!
Thunder.Gerbil Offline
#14 Posted:
Joined: 11-02-2006
Posts: 121,359
Yeah Jim, how could you fark that up? TJ is the cool one.
99cobra2881 Offline
#15 Posted:
Joined: 11-19-2013
Posts: 2,472
Yeah I'm the fast one!

Jim clean out yer inbox!!!
Thunder.Gerbil Offline
#16 Posted:
Joined: 11-02-2006
Posts: 121,359
99cobra2881 wrote:
Yeah I'm the fast one!

Jim clean out yer inbox!!!


Congratulations?
jimbud Offline
#17 Posted:
Joined: 12-18-2009
Posts: 3,998
99cobra2881 wrote:
Yeah I'm the fast one!

Jim clean out yer inbox!!!


Think I have it cleaned out now....
frankj1 Offline
#18 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,211
jimbud wrote:
Think I have it cleaned out now....

AHA! Disregard the invites from me to the MAsshole herfs from 1996.
midmofan Offline
#19 Posted:
Joined: 04-25-2014
Posts: 1,108
Jnorman wrote:
I would definitely give the CAO Flathead a try, one of my favorites.


Yup, those are not bad at all
bgz Offline
#20 Posted:
Joined: 07-29-2014
Posts: 13,023
RyJ: Meh
Alec Bradley: Prensado is good, someone sent me a mundial (sp?), it was alright.... most that I've tried were Meh
Monte Cristo: Platinum was pretty good
Perdomo: Like most of what I've tried here
Camacho: Triple maduro was alright
Rocky: Used to like the 1990's a long time ago, tried one recently was meh
Gurkha: NEVER HAD... EVER
CAO: Extreme
LGC: Had a few, none were memorable.
ZRX1200 Offline
#21 Posted:
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,477
Forgot, RyJ used to sell a Churchill in a tubo that had a gold band with black font "Romeo y Juliet" on it. Those were a very good mild cigar.
QMPASH Offline
#22 Posted:
Joined: 03-15-2011
Posts: 897
jimbud wrote:
I don't usually smoke cigars from the following brands, but I'm always wondered whether there was a jewel in there somewhere. For example, I actually liked the Gurkha Collector's Gold. So, I'm curious as to your favorite from these brands:

RyJ (non-cc)
Alec Bradley
Monte Cristo (non-cc)
Perdomo (excluding the Silvio)
Camacho (regular production, not the Liberty, etc. and not the aged stuff)
Rocky
Gurkha
CAO (regular production; not the Odyssey, etc)
LGC (non-cc)


I like the Perdomo Champagne, CAO Italia and R & J Bully. Do not like Alec Bradleys (construction issues), Monte Cristo (too expensive for what you get in return), Camacho (too strong for me), Rocky and Gurkha make too much sh*t these days, Particularly Rocky. Never tried LGC. w:d/
delta1 Offline
#23 Posted:
Joined: 11-23-2011
Posts: 28,754
Perdomo Gran Cru, Habano, 10th Anni.,
Alec Bradley Tempus, but the latest have been poorly constructed
RP 1992, Edge
CAO La Traviata

other "standard" brands: La Aurora 1495 and 107, Hoyo De Monterrey Excalibur and Dark Knight
Bur Offline
#24 Posted:
Joined: 07-31-2012
Posts: 5,638
Got any of those Al, or are you still low?

bwahahahahah
delta1 Offline
#25 Posted:
Joined: 11-23-2011
Posts: 28,754
Shame on you

nope...not low



ram27bat
Breakout3030 Offline
#26 Posted:
Joined: 12-06-2014
Posts: 279
I thought the RP 1990 was a great stick. I also enjoyed the CAO Rabid Reindeer and the Perdomo Craft Series Stout. Albeit, I'm still a noob and working on expanding my taste and training the palate.
dharbolt Offline
#27 Posted:
Joined: 08-03-2013
Posts: 6,931
The Camacho triple maduro was a good smoke. Haven't smoked one in a while. Might have to change that
Mr. Jones Offline
#28 Posted:
Joined: 06-12-2005
Posts: 19,359
#4 ZRX1200

I didn't know ....
you were "such a GLOBE TROTTER "....

or that... you coined the SCARFACE LINE :

"..don't worry Frank....I AM IN TIGHT
WITH SOSA..."....

^^^^ tell us how you really feel... :)

back to "O.P."

RyJ: anything
Alec Bradley: never buy them
Montecristo: hit or miss from samplers
Perdomo: ANY HABANO VITOLA OR WRAPPER
Camacho: never had one
Rocky: Vintage 1990 2nds
Gurkha: Shaggy Head LANCEROS
CAO: GOLD robustos, BLACK toros
LGC: WAVELLS only at deep discount, some of the
No./# varieties
Palama Offline
#29 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,463
Here's my limited take:

Romeo y Julieta - I like the Vintage series, they're on the milder side but have a kinda, sorta sweet taste. Prefer the #1 and 2 vitolas
Alec Bradley - smoked only a Prensado robusto but wasn't impressed. Had some construction issues too.
Montecristo - ashed up a Media Noche No. 3 recently and enjoyed it...then again, I'm a CBL fan so not surprised
Perdomo - had one, maybe two but wasn't impressed...heck, can't even remember what I smoked!
Camacho - I thought the "new" Triple Maduro" was very similar to the "old" one. Didn't care for the criollo.
Rocky Patel - bought a few when I first started on CBid and didn't care for them. A few months later I gave what I had left (...Royal Vintage toros and a torpedo...) to some friends who golf and they said they liked them so maybe the nap time helped...maybe.
CAO - again, purchased only at the beginning of my CBid days. Had the Black Gothic but didn't care for it, seemed too harsh / peppery for me at the time.

ZRX1200 Offline
#30 Posted:
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,477
Palama, didn't I send you an old brown cello Perdomo?
Palama Offline
#31 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,463
ZRX1200 wrote:
Palama, didn't I send you an old brown cello Perdomo?


Yes you did but I haven't smoked it yet. Waiting for the right moment...it's a big sucker so figure at least a couple of hours to really enjoy it.
gummy jones Offline
#32 Posted:
Joined: 07-06-2015
Posts: 7,969
ryj: haven't really had one in a while, can't remember loving any of them
ab: i do like the prensados i have had sitting for 7+ months and really don't mind the tempus either
montecristo: i enjoy a couple things by montecristo, especially when i want a brainless smoke on the golf course (usually bust out the classic churchills)
perdomo: have had most of what they produce and am not a fan of any (grabbed another one in the recent box pass though so who knows)
camacho: i think all the new stuff is pretty rotten, haven't had enough old stuff to make a judgement
RP: decades are okay, sadly i have collected a decent amount of Rp over various holidays and birthdays as gifts…after some rest ill give it a go again
cao: really enjoy the brazilia
gurkha: have some ghosts that i am letting rest for a while
la gloria: i enjoy the series r

haven't had a cc in >6 years so can't comment on those from any of the above where applicable
Palama Offline
#33 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,463
Palama wrote:
Yes you did but I haven't smoked it yet. Waiting for the right moment...it's a big sucker so figure at least a couple of hours to really enjoy it.


Checked it - Jamie you sent a La Tradicion Cabinet Series Torpedo, 7x54. The cello is very brown.
ZRX1200 Offline
#34 Posted:
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,477
đź‘Ť was hoping it wasn't bland!
Palama Offline
#35 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,463
The Perdomo I smoked was a Lot 23. Despite the positive / rave reviews, I was not too impressed with it.
gummy jones Offline
#36 Posted:
Joined: 07-06-2015
Posts: 7,969
Palama wrote:
The Perdomo I smoked was a Lot 23. Despite the positive / rave reviews, I was not too impressed with it.


for me that was one of the worst sticks I've had in the last year
other people love them

i have about 6 still in the humi
jjanecka Offline
#37 Posted:
Joined: 12-08-2015
Posts: 4,334
RyJ: Great smokes when that's all you got from the gas station any of them will do; although, I did not particularly enjoy the tubed maduros.

Alec Bradley: I enjoy the Tempus but the new AB cigar bands almost make me want to avoid AB entirely. They look too cheesy.

Montecristo: Again a great gas-station smoke. Pretty much any of them will do.

Perdomo: I never liked the way the cigar bands looked so I always passed them by.

Camacho: Everybody thought these were the **** five or six years ago. I never thought much of them. Nothing has changed.

Rocky Patel: I love the berry and molasses notes that come out of the 1990. RP is always at least half decent.

CAO: I was a huge fan when they were still boutique. All of my CAO cigars have been from their old lines. Haven't had any since they've been bought out. I hope nothing changed.

Gurkha: Every Gurkha I've ever smoked has been a real dissapointment.

La Gloria: I have limited experience with La Gloria. Had their base maduro and was not a fan.
dstieger Offline
#38 Posted:
Joined: 06-22-2007
Posts: 10,889
I have enjoyed cigars from each of those companies. However none in last several years and I cannot think of a single one that I'd consider paying retail for today. Nothing there I'd miss if it were gone tomorrow.
Herfosaurus Offline
#39 Posted:
Joined: 08-29-2012
Posts: 89
You're asking about a couple lines from Altadis (RyJ, Montecristo), a couple from General (CAO, LGC), and a number of other companies. You've mentioned Altadis' flagship frontmark (Montecristo) ... General's is probably Macanudo, although they also own Punch, Partagas, etc.

Anyway, a few thoughts, with the caveat that I hardly ever buy cigars at retail:

RyJ (non-cc): The Reserva Real is a decent cigar if you like mild-to-medium Connecticut wrapper cigars. I like the Reserve, which uses a Nicaraguan wrapper & binder and has a little fuller flavor. The Romeo Aging Room is not bad; I thought it overpriced but it sold pretty well at my favorite B&M.

Alec Bradley: IMO some decent offerings of late, particularly the Nica Puro Rosado. I liked the original Nica Puro as well, but the Rosado trades some strength for flavor and complexity.

Monte Cristo (non-cc): They play in a tough price range ... Espada is an OK medium-bodied Nicaraguan, well made but overpriced (see a theme here?).

Perdomo (excluding the Silvio): I'm not a fan of Perdomo and rarely smoke their stuff even when it's given to me.

Camacho (regular production, not the Liberty, etc. and not the aged stuff): The only Camacho I've bothered to smoke more than once since the Davidoff buyout was the Ecuador. Little of their stuff appeals to me. I tried a sample of the American Barrel Aged and couldn't smoke it more than halfway ... bad construction, not much flavor.

Rocky: Nope. Too many lines, too little value.

Gurkha: See Rocky, above. Although there are really two Gurkhas ... the online stuff and the B&M-only. I haven't smoked some of their newer B&M offerings (rolled by Abe Flores, IIRC).

CAO (regular production; not the Odyssey, etc): General Cigar's most gimmicky product line since Foundry. My local shpo got a zillion boxes of Amazon Basin and sent most of them back after they gathered dust ... overpriced and tasted like carp. The Flathead still has me SMH -- not much of a cigar, but great marketing.

LGC (non-cc): The Serie R Esteli is pretty good ... a 6 x 54 Nicaraguan puro, medium to medium plus, at a fairly honest price. IMO as good a cigar value as you'll get from General.


trike Offline
#40 Posted:
Joined: 10-10-2015
Posts: 38
Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown $4
LCG - Series R Black (Ring gauge is way bigger than I like) $4.27

2 worthy of consideration.
I'd pay for both again
fenderbendertex Offline
#41 Posted:
Joined: 08-17-2013
Posts: 1,139
Camacho: Triple Maduro - the real ones
+1 on trike's Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown
CAO: Flathead
fenderbendertex Offline
#42 Posted:
Joined: 08-17-2013
Posts: 1,139
dharbolt wrote:
The Camacho triple maduro was a good smoke. Haven't smoked one in a while. Might have to change that

You know you gave me my first triple maddie, right?
How ya' been, bro?
dharbolt Offline
#43 Posted:
Joined: 08-03-2013
Posts: 6,931
I'm good. Been busy lately. How's it in your neck of the woods?
hnixon12 Offline
#44 Posted:
Joined: 04-20-2009
Posts: 2,873
CAO LA TRaviata is a good smoke
fenderbendertex Offline
#45 Posted:
Joined: 08-17-2013
Posts: 1,139
dharbolt wrote:
I'm good. Been busy lately. How's it in your neck of the woods?

Pretty good, hanging in there. Dallas was crazy over the holidays - Christmas like Hawaii; next day deadly tornadoes,
the next day cold, and the day after that could have frozen the ballz off a pool table!
Users browsing this topic
Guest