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+1

But, they still sell, so different strokes for different folks.

somewhere around 15 years ago I really liked the Medalist. Never cared much for any after those and wouldn't consider trying the recent re-release of that one either.

Yeah..........but Gurkhas and Rockies, et al still sell as well.
I don’t get it ( the success of Hansotia, Rocky and even AB, and others).
The only things I can think of is:
1) There ARE seasoned cigars smokers who like them...........somewhere...
2) Noobs invariably start “there” because the MSRP versus online price discrepancy gets the Noob’s attention and $$$........for a while at least
3) There’s a substantial number of casual cigar smokers who never graduate to better cigars.

Glad I haven't sealed my box to you. I had two different AB in there. I removed them and added two others. So far the few AB that I have had have been good. Instead of taking notes on what I like and don't like I have two cigar boxes for bands, one is for ones that I like and must get more of, the other is ones I did not enjoy so I know not to get them again.

#1

I don't get it either. I thought the Prensado was the best of the 3 or 4 I've tried, but never had one that burned right.

I am a fan of mundial and magic toast of the ABs that I have tried. A few others weren't bad but not great.

Most of the Prensados I have had have been very good. But as many on here point out regularly, AB is very inconsistent. Shame really.

I have a box of Tempus shoved in the back of my humidor to forget about for about a year. Hoping for the best on that....

I think part of it could be because of the high ratings as well. I remember years ago they did some experiment with a group of people where they gave them 2 different wines to try. They told the participants that wine #1 was $8/bottle and wine #2 was $30/bottle (or something like that). Every participant said that wine #2 was better. The big reveal: they were both the exact same wine. People buy into hype.

Wait.....you’re Pudding Mittens???

For the record, vinyl is better than the typical CD. Not withstanding, in a pinch i can see someone being tricked once after relying on a lot of listening that resulted in predisposition for vinyl cues.

Someone once said that music sounds best on the technology that was in vogue during the time that the music was recorded. Try some old jazz on 78's or Beatles on 33's. Classical is a tough one and I can see why they used it for the trick.

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A few "10-pack plus $20 Bucks card" deal-cycles ago at CI... about 2.5 years ago I think... they had AB Tempus Nicaragua Quadrum (5.5x55 box press) for $2.00 each net price. I bought a bunch of them. They're pretty good, no complaints, good construction and burn, nice set of Nicaraguan flavors.

I also have a 10 or 11-year-old completely intact and untouched box of the original (non-Nicaragua) Tempus Quadrums aging away in one of my containers somewhere. I should find it and try one and see what the age did.
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Tempus was a great cigar years ago back when they still steamed the wrapper. The cigar band was one of the most beautiful too. Now AB is just a cheap brand.

Oh the VL2's and Black Markets are pretty good too.

I loved the Medalists as well, but I found them right when they were discontinued and only got a few fivers and some singles from samplers. The Prensado were all fireproof, could never get one to burn right. The tempus used to be pretty good, and I remeber there being a Maxx that was a special edition (Brazilian or something??? Can't recall) that was really good and was sad to find out of was some sort of one-off thing that they only made as part of a sampler. Haven't smoked any in years, too many other good budget cigars, heck Perdomo could have kept me smoking cheap for quite a long time just to name a "budget" brand that seems to do alright with their sticks.

Just tried to smoke a Magic Toast. That's the last AB cigar I'm gonna try.

Best non-classical and non-jazz.... meaning rock... CDs I have ever heard in my life:

Studio album: Roger Waters, "Amused To Death", 1992

Holy crap on a cracker is this one amazing. Reportedly it was recorded on insane-spec analog tape (width and speed of the tape were far, far beyond what's normally used), mixed by top experts and in Q-Sound for about a 270-degree surround sound field from just the normal two speakers (it uses HRTF encoding tricks to fool your ears about source direction of sounds). The liner notes say "If the barking dog at the start of the recording doesn't sound like he's in your neighbor's yard, your speakers are wired out of phase, please correct them" and they're not kidding. On a high-quality system with speakers wired right, with you sitting in the sweet spot between the speakers, it's amazing. Nothing else I've heard can touch it.

Live album: The Guess Who, "Live At The Paramount", Buddha Records 2000 remaster (not any other version).

Recorded live at the Paramount Theater in Seattle, Washington in 1972, released on vinyl then and later on CD, but then in 2000 using what I can only assume is black magic of some sort, the guys at Buddha remastered it into a new CD version that not only has 6 extra bonus tracks from the show, but that sounds absolutely freakin' amazing. It feels like you're standing at the damned show itself almost 50 years ago. While the sound quality is astounding, the content helps too: it's considered by many to be one of the best live rock performances ever recorded and released by any band.

You have a high-end system and want to test it? Buy these two CDs, if you can find them.
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It started off pretty good, but about 2" in started tasting like ammonia. It was nekkid in the humi for about 3 months, I think.

Well it’s a good thing you have that huuuge collection of lighters Puddin, cause you’re gonna need em smoking those Quadrums...
Heh...........asbestos wrappers...........but maybe AB fixed that?

Me no likey AB.
Though the Tempus Nicaraguan is very good.

You were the instigator on the V2L's. That very first bomb you sent when I joined had two of the V2L gordos. My neighbor and I both liked those so I bought some. I don't need any more! I have plenty of Black Markets and V2L's that are going to end up gifted somewhere.

If you have those to purge, there is always OpFTH.

Go.

There’s a handful I actually like. Medalist Connecticut i like the profile. It’s a one note pony but it’s good golf course material when it’s hot out.
I can’t honestly recall. I liked the black market. Haven’t had one lately. The sun grown I smoked recently was ok. Serviceable. I’d smoke it again. I’ve never had a tempus. Wanna try. I’d give them an ok. Like c average. I’d buy some more for cheap cigars at work or driving. Or driving at work

I have some Tempus Jake. I'll hook you up. Although, they're churchills. 50 rg churchills I believe. The Centuria? Something like that. It's my favorite AB.

Smoked a Medalist from the end of last year and thought it was awful. I still remember a Plantation that sucked. Other than those two, I have found a few ABs that were somewhat good that I might buy against if the price was low enough. I think I'll look for a Prensado in the humi that's been there 1 & 1/2 years and see if it's any good. Should have another Medalist somewhere that's had more of a nap.

I've only smoked a couple Prensados, and thought they were very good, but a bit underpowered for me. I have a couple left, should try one soon.