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Last post 4 years ago by izonfire. 43 replies replies.
Kentucky Fire Cured- Just an $8 dollar Parodi?
GhettoNigFabulous Offline
#1 Posted:
Joined: 02-19-2018
Posts: 199
How’s it hanging dogs, as you know I am still working my way through that fabulous bundle of 40 delicious smokes I got, but yesterday I stopped at the beer and cigar place for something different and bought a Kentucky Fire Cured..

Now, I’ve seen a lot of hype about these smokes,, granted I’ve seen more hyped cigars come and go than most of you have even smoked,, but something about this smoke looked intriguing.. hey, maybe it will be different with the addition of the “ fire-cured” tobacco.. and it had an interesting aroma, right??

Well I light it up and what can I say, I’ve had these before. And they come in a little cardboard box with an Italian flag on it. Tastes exactly like a Parodi. And I can get 2 boxes of 3 parodis for the cost of 1 4-incher of “Kentucky Fire cured”

Look, bottom line is Parodi does the fire cured cigars better and at a way lower price. If you’re an average nig like me , and want that change of pace fire cured flavor, save your money and just stock up on those great old classic Parodis... Out
Pudding Mittens Offline
#2 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
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Yeah, I love how everyone thinks Drew Estate had this innovative idea. Avanti Cigar company in Dunmore PA (recently moved from Scranton PA) has been doing this since 1912. Hardly an amazing new innovation in the cigar world.

Parodi: Delicious, natural leaf wrapper, 100% American fire-cured tobacco, machine made, inexpensive, not hyped.

KFC: Delicious, natural leaf wrapper, some American fire-cured tobacco, some Nicaraguan tobacco, hand made, expensive, hyped.

Those are the main differences between the KFC and Parodi.

I toured the Avanti factory once with a group of cigar guys, with the company president leading us around and narrating. Fascinating 100+ year history. And you could smoke cigars in the whole place, not just in the factory parts, but in the office part too. Smoking a cigar in a business office, right next to the secretary at her desk. It was like stepping back into 1955 or something. Really cool.

Parodi is also known as DeNobili and Petri, same exact cigar coming off the same production line, arbitrarily put into one of three differently-branded packages. Different market areas have very longstanding loyalties to one of the three names, so they put them in three different branded packages.

The company president told us on the tour of certain geographic areas where old-timers would say, "Parodis are the way to go, DeNobilis and Petri are garbage!" and other areas where the oldsters would say, "DeNobili is the real deal, Petri is lousy and I wouldn't smoke a Parodi if you paid me!", still other areas where they'd say, "Petri is the finest, DeNobili and Parodi are pale imitations!", even though they're literally identical in every respect.

The reason? Decades ago, they USED TO BE different products from different companies, and the old-timers remember the differences, and they don't seem to care that all three are owned by the same company now and are absolutely identical. Old loyalties die hard. Amusing.

They're delicious and dirt cheap, and they don't require a humidor. Great "glove compartment" cigars to keep in the car year-round, for example.
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GhettoNigFabulous Offline
#3 Posted:
Joined: 02-19-2018
Posts: 199
Absolutely hope they always keep making Parodis in that same USA factory and hope they always keep the vintage packaging
frankj1 Offline
#4 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,204
when we were kids, we used to smoke Parodi's

though likely pronounced pa-ROW-dee, we assumed they meant parody, and that's why there was a seal on the box...the Seal of Approval

arf arf
midmofan Offline
#5 Posted:
Joined: 04-25-2014
Posts: 1,108
Not to be lost in this is that Pudding is actually AGREEING with GnF on a cigar topic....
frankj1 Offline
#6 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,204
midmofan wrote:
Not to be lost in this is that Pudding is actually AGREEING with GnF on a cigar topic....

true, but he didn't call the packaging stunning or gorgeous.
tonygraz Offline
#7 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2008
Posts: 20,147
We used to call them Guinea stinkers.
frankj1 Offline
#8 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,204
GNF will like that!
Pudding Mittens Offline
#9 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
frankj1 wrote:
there was a seal on the box...the Seal of Approval

During the tour, the president of the company said it's there because when the founder of the company was setting it up in 1912 or thereabouts, his lawyer told him that one of the formalities of incorporation is that there had to be an official company seal, and being Italian and not knowing English, he was using a translator, and the translator botched it, and the old man took it literally, so the company seal IS a seal (the animal).

They kept it all these years because the story is so funny.

True story!
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Pudding Mittens Offline
#10 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
midmofan wrote:
Not to be lost in this is that Pudding is actually AGREEING with GnF on a cigar topic....

Hey, they're good. If you haven't yet, try them. You may be surprised.

Rush Limbaugh once discussed them on his show, saying how great they are, despite being machine made and low-priced.

It's a very different style and taste from the conventional stuff we smoke. They're dry as a bone and hard as a rock, ugly-looking, and modestly-sized, but light one up with an open mind. Forget the low price, evaluate it neutrally without preconception. You might be surprised.
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midmofan Offline
#11 Posted:
Joined: 04-25-2014
Posts: 1,108
Oh yeah, have had them, like them if the mood is right (not a breakfast and coffee smoke). Just hard to believe you and GnF agreeing on where to look for the sun at noon!
Pudding Mittens Offline
#12 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
midmofan wrote:
Just hard to believe you and GnF agreeing on where to look for the sun at noon!

I may disagree with a man a lot of times about a lot of things, but on the rare occasion that we agree, for that brief fleeting moment we are homies.
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KingoftheCove Offline
#13 Posted:
Joined: 10-08-2011
Posts: 7,568
Pudding Mittens wrote:
I may disagree with a man a lot of times about a lot of things, but on the rare occasion that we agree, for that brief fleeting moment we are homies.
.

Heh heh...
Well then Puddin, the more important question is:

How do you rate the CAO Brazilia?!
danmdevries Offline
#14 Posted:
Joined: 02-11-2014
Posts: 17,020
Never had a guinea stinker myself, but I've heard of em.

It's been a few years since I've had a KFC, but I have fond memories. I bought a pack of the baitfish equivalent in the KFC line and I remember liking them. Not enough that I've bought again, but the thought has crossed my mind.
smokestaxx Offline
#15 Posted:
Joined: 01-27-2012
Posts: 4,214
I prefer Tuscano myself
Pudding Mittens Offline
#16 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
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KingoftheCove wrote:
How do you rate the CAO Brazilia?!

Like most other CAO stuff. Original release was great, after that they turned "meh". Same as the America, the Sopranos, etc.

danmdevries wrote:
Never had a guinea stinker myself, but I've heard of em.

Try 'em, seriously. Like an ultra-cheap KFC that you don't have to keep humidified, with a shelf life of basically forever. Great bang-for-buck and convenience.

Quote:
the baitfish equivalent in the KFC line

Kyotos? The "mothership" had an insane deal on those in March 2018. 10-pack of Kyotos BOGO + $20 Bucks card, all for $24. I bought a schitt-load of them and still have most of them. That's 20 cents per stick net price (($24 - $20) / 20)! Same deal also had MUWAT Nightcrawler 10-packs BOGO + $20 Bucks card for $44, which is $1.20 per stick net (($44 - $20) / 20). Bought a schitt-ton of them, too, and still have most of them.

Watch "the mothership" and see if they do that sale again, maybe next month (the 1-year anniversary). If they do, obviously hop on it!

smokestaxx wrote:
I prefer Tuscano myself

Actually back in 2015 the Avanti cigar company was acquired by the company that makes Toscano cigars.
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midmofan Offline
#17 Posted:
Joined: 04-25-2014
Posts: 1,108
Back in the day I used to enjoy the old original Marsh-Wheeling stogies. They were a blend that included fire cured tobacco but not as prominent as KFC.

a few places near me had a fairly large supply of the old stock that lasted for quite a while. I have not tried any of the new version since they sold out, shut down the old plant and reinvented themselves several years ago.
GhettoNigFabulous Offline
#18 Posted:
Joined: 02-19-2018
Posts: 199
Men of high intellect like pudding mittens and Frankj often agree with my brilliant insights into the urban cigar smoking lifestyle..

Parodis are terrific smokes. Another noteworthy old smoke from that same factory is Ramrod.. I love the bourbon flavor mustachioed cowboy on the box
tonygraz Offline
#19 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2008
Posts: 20,147
You should also try an Avanti -if they still make them.
Salmoneye Offline
#20 Posted:
Joined: 01-18-2011
Posts: 163
GhettoNigFabulous wrote:
I love the bourbon flavor mustachioed cowboy on the box


You taste every cowboy you meet, or just the ones with facial hair?


midmofan Offline
#21 Posted:
Joined: 04-25-2014
Posts: 1,108
I see that the Mothership has 5 packs of the De Nobili Lonsdale's for $7.50. Thinking of adding a pack to my next order since I do miss the old Marsh's. Like someone said above, no humi needed, great for the glovebox or golf bag.
frankj1 Offline
#22 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,204
GhettoNigFabulous wrote:
Men of high intellect like pudding mittens and Frankj often agree with my brilliant insights into the urban cigar smoking lifestyle..

Parodis are terrific smokes. Another noteworthy old smoke from that same factory is Ramrod.. I love the bourbon flavor mustachioed cowboy on the box

though I appreciate the compliment, I'm not sure if that's what makes me a man of high intellect!

HA!
midmofan Offline
#23 Posted:
Joined: 04-25-2014
Posts: 1,108
Finally found some Parodi Kings at a shop in town $6.50 for a 5-pack.

Was quite pleased, been a long time since had one of the Avanti offerings (used to have De Noblis at a gas station where used to live) and had pretty much forgotten about them. Very nice strong, unique, taste, burned well. Did remind me of my old buddies that I had had much more recently - the Marsh Wheeling Stogies - but even dryer and harder, which makes sense since the MW were only partially fire-cured tobacco. Also a lot smaller, but I must say burned longer than I thought they would.

In any case, these are going to be my new glove-compartment, golf bag and "always-a-5-pack-in-the-travel-bag" cigar, since no humi needed with these guys and I liked the protective 3/4 "sleeve" each little cigar was in inside of the 5-pack box.

Found a pretty good sale on them at another site where I only Judiciously Review Cigars. With a Coupon I found on-line via a google search, I am getting 50 them for 80 cents each. Even better deals at another supposedly famous cigar place if you want to spring for 100 of the Shorter Parodis, De Noblis or Toscanellis.

I note they have been having a number of auctions here for the Arganese il Mezzo which seems to be Arganese's attempt to copy the De Nobli and Parodi. Almost pulled trigger on them, as they are going pretty cheap, but with them being more than an inch shorter than the Parodi Kings and untried by me, I passed.
kombat96 Offline
#24 Posted:
Joined: 04-12-2010
Posts: 9,717
Hands down thee worst cigar I've ever tried smoking. I'll take a gurk before I smoke s kfc again.
calluci Offline
#25 Posted:
Joined: 01-29-2014
Posts: 14
i agree, nasty flippin cigar, the KFC.
Pudding Mittens Offline
#26 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
midmofan wrote:
Very nice strong, unique, taste, burned well.

Yup. Like I said, if you clear your mind of preconceptions (like "this is from a gas station it's going to suck!" or "this is a cheap ugly dry cigar it's going to suck!", etc.) and you smoke them totally without pre-judgement or negative expectations, you realize they're pretty damned good. Very different, but quite good indeed.

Quote:
I must say burned longer than I thought they would.

Yeah, they burn longer than you'd think. I've noticed that. It's a nice plus.

Quote:
In any case, these are going to be my new glove-compartment, golf bag and "always-a-5-pack-in-the-travel-bag" cigar, since no humi needed with these guys and I liked the protective 3/4 "sleeve" each little cigar was in inside of the 5-pack box.

Nearly every cigar guy I know loves them for that EXACT role and purpose, for those same reasons. Myself included.

Quote:
Found a pretty good sale on them at another site where I only Judiciously Review Cigars. With a Coupon I found on-line via a google search, I am getting 50 them for 80 cents each. Even better deals at another supposedly famous cigar place if you want to spring for 100 of the Shorter Parodis, De Noblis or Toscanellis.

They're everwhere and ultra-cheap in all the convenience stores and gas stations around my area. Yay.

Quote:
I note they have been having a number of auctions here for the Arganese il Mezzo which seems to be Arganese's attempt to copy the De Nobli and Parodi. Almost pulled trigger on them, as they are going pretty cheap, but with them being more than an inch shorter than the Parodi Kings and untried by me, I passed.

Interesting. I hadn't heard of these before, thanks.

calluci wrote:
i agree, nasty flippin cigar, the KFC.

The Kyoto size (5.5x34 I think?) are quite nice, IF you like fire-cured tobacco cigars (like Parodi, etc.) If you don't like that style, you're not going to like 'em, plain and simple.
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rumraider Offline
#27 Posted:
Joined: 08-05-2012
Posts: 727
They taste and smell like they were dipped in ammonia. You’d probably be better off smoking a chicken.
Ya, i know, here come the choking a chicken jokes. Do better!
Pudding Mittens Offline
#28 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
rumraider wrote:
They taste and smell like they were dipped in ammonia. You’d probably be better off smoking a chicken.
Ya, i know, here come the choking a chicken jokes. Do better!

Standard treatment for cigars that taste and smell of ammonia is to bury them in the bottom of the humidor and forget about them for a few years.

Sometimes that doesn't help. Usually it does though, often shockingly much, whole different cigar after its "ammonia sick" period ends and some aging improvements happen.
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midmofan Offline
#29 Posted:
Joined: 04-25-2014
Posts: 1,108
rumraider Offline
#30 Posted:
Joined: 08-05-2012
Posts: 727
I wouldnt want the smell on the rest of the cigars in the humidor. Kfc is no bueno
midmofan Offline
#31 Posted:
Joined: 04-25-2014
Posts: 1,108
rumraider wrote:
I wouldnt want the smell on the rest of the cigars in the humidor. Kfc is no bueno



You really should not put any significantly smoked, flavored, or infused type of cigars in the same humi with normal smokes, especially if you are one of those mavericks that take the cello off! I even keep my Camacho American (Bourbon Barrel) ones in a separate desk humidor.

I don't know about the KFC's, but the De Nobli's etc do not need to be put in a humidor in any case.
Pudding Mittens Offline
#32 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
.
KFCs do need to be in a humidor, because they're not dry-cured and hard like Parodis, De Nobilis, Petris, etc., rather they're conventionally-made other than including some fire-cured tobacco. They're soft... well, not rock-hard anyway... just like a normal cigar, you can squeeze the foot a bit and it gives, etc., just like a regular cigar.

I also think I remember that unlike Parodi, De Nobili, Petri, etc., they're not 100% fire-cured tobacco, but also contain conventional "normal" cigar tobacco in the blend too, but I can't recall for sure. Google it if you're interested.

I simply keep my KFCs in a separate airtight container with Bovedas. I would NOT put them in my main humidor containers, due to the smell very probably "infecting" the other cigars.
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Salmoneye Offline
#33 Posted:
Joined: 01-18-2011
Posts: 163
I've got a tenner of 'Chunky' KFC (4x46) put away in it's own Lock & Lock (tupperware but more betterer)...

I pop the lid off every month or so for a few minutes for air exchange...

They have been stewing in their own juices for about a year...

The ones I have done in the past mellow nicely...

I don't want one every day, but I do crave one now and then...

Remind me remotely of G&H Bold Kentucky pipe tobacco,
and that I do partake of at least once a week...

I don't really care for the larger vitolas of KFC...

Pretty sure I got two ten packs of Chunky for $16 each here...
Maybe it was $18 each...
Just finished the last one from the first tenner last week...

People either love em, or hate em...Never seen anyone in between on them...



Pudding Mittens Offline
#34 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
Salmoneye wrote:
Pretty sure I got two ten packs of Chunky for $16 each here...
Maybe it was $18 each...

I'm still working my way through the metric schitt-ton of KFC Kyotos I got one year ago this month (March 2018) when CI was stupidly blowing them out for 20 CENTS EACH net price. Yes, that's right, $2 net price for each KFC Kyoto 10-pack. Naturally I backed up the truck and loaded up on them.

I think I still have three-quarters of them, aging away. After 1 year of age they're quite nice indeed.

Best 20-cent cigar I've ever had, by a mile. Herfing

Try the Kyoto if you haven't. Excellent vitola for the KFC experience. Better than all the other KFC vitolas I've tried.
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Salmoneye Offline
#35 Posted:
Joined: 01-18-2011
Posts: 163
I actually have a couple of the Kyotos sitting around...I found I prefer the Chunky...

Sometimes the Kyotos canoe on me, as I tend to over-puff them...

The Chunky's seem to stand up better to my over-zealous smoking nature...

KingoftheCove Offline
#36 Posted:
Joined: 10-08-2011
Posts: 7,568
Salmoneye wrote:
I actually have a couple of the Kyotos sitting around...I found I prefer the Chunky...

Sometimes the Kyotos canoe on me, as I tend to over-puff them...

The Chunky's seem to stand up better to my over-zealous smoking nature...


No Cool Arrows for you!
Heh...
Pudding Mittens Offline
#37 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
.
Try a KFC cigar with a nice rye whiskey! Very tasty combo!
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Ewok126 Offline
#38 Posted:
Joined: 06-25-2017
Posts: 4,356
I actually love the KFC. Not for an everyday smoke mind you but for those nice cool nights when the fire pit is rolling just for light. It is the one cigar I will pair with either a coke or Dr Pepper. The wood smoke in the tobacco along with the caramel in the drink just gives a good BBQ smokehouse flavor to me.
seafish Offline
#39 Posted:
Joined: 06-02-2005
Posts: 3
Interesting opinions of the Parodis. I'm local to their factory and have grown up with them. While i usually gravitate towards premium hand-mades, i always have some Parodis around for smoking while doing outside chores. The ownership changed recently and in addition to their classics they are doing some really interesting projects. I was recently given a sample of one called a "Superiore" that is just coming to market and it was excellent. They are on the small side for my taste but slow burn and an overall pleasant experience if you like full bodied cigars. If you haven't tried one a have an opportunity to grab a pack on the cheap, give them a try...for the price, they can't be beat.
frankj1 Offline
#40 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,204
seafish wrote:
Interesting opinions of the Parodis. I'm local to their factory and have grown up with them. While i usually gravitate towards premium hand-mades, i always have some Parodis around for smoking while doing outside chores. The ownership changed recently and in addition to their classics they are doing some really interesting projects. I was recently given a sample of one called a "Superiore" that is just coming to market and it was excellent. They are on the small side for my taste but slow burn and an overall pleasant experience if you like full bodied cigars. If you haven't tried one a have an opportunity to grab a pack on the cheap, give them a try...for the price, they can't be beat.

14 years...2 posts about the new site changes and then it took a Parodi thread to post a third?

you never wrote, you never called, your mother and I were worried sick...and now she has to live with knowing you care more about Parodis than us?

How can you live with yourself?
izonfire Offline
#41 Posted:
Joined: 12-09-2013
Posts: 8,642
I tried the Kyotos on special. Found them to be pretty harsh. Totally unique though. Like literally smoking a campfire.
Wouldn't be opposed to having one every once in a while, but definitely need to be in their own humidor.

Which makes the Parodi an ideal option. Also don't like paying for the hype.
Haven't found any DE stick that convinced me to keep it in my rotation.
Got a handful of Kuba Maduros buried somewhere, but kinda over the infused stuff.
Mind you, haven't tried the liga, norteno, or Herrera, but don't want to throw myself into that budget range quite yet.

And speaking of Parodi, I love the Avanti Anisettes. Nothing like the fire cured flavor of KFC
Totally unique with that Italian liqueur flavor, backed up by a smooth dark smoke.
Yeah, I already said that I was over that infused stuff, but this smoke really works.
Besides, it's my post and I'll contradict myself if I so choose. Shhh
Pudding Mittens Offline
#42 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
izonfire wrote:
I tried the Kyotos on special. [..] don't like paying for the hype.

Yeah, I got all mine (several hundred of them) for 20 cents each. I clearly didn't pay for any Drew Estate hype whatsoever! Herfing

Quote:
I love the Avanti Anisettes. Nothing like the fire cured flavor of KFC
Totally unique with that Italian liqueur flavor, backed up by a smooth dark smoke.
Yeah, I already said that I was over that infused stuff, but this smoke really works.

Yeah, the Avanti Anisettes are really interesting. "Love it or hate it" sort of thing. Fun fact: the flavoring is a syrup that's brushed on by hand, by little old ladies with small paintbrushes. The cigars are just regular Parodis when they come off the production line, and then some get paintbrushed by the little old ladies, and once the syrup dries, those become Avantis.

When I took the factory tour, several of the little old ladies told me I was handsome and then tried to fix me up with their granddaughters. I think they were half-kidding, but maybe not. In any case, it was charming and funny, in a good way.

Maybe since Toscano bought them out in 2015 the old ladies are gone now and replaced by robots or other machines, who knows. Or maybe they're still there, happily painting away with anissette syrup with those little paintbrushes.
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izonfire Offline
#43 Posted:
Joined: 12-09-2013
Posts: 8,642
Pudding Mittens wrote:
Fun fact: the flavoring is a syrup that's brushed on by hand, by little old ladies with small paintbrushes. The cigars are just regular Parodis when they come off the production line, and then some get paintbrushed by the little old ladies, and once the syrup dries, those become Avantis.

When I took the factory tour, several of the little old ladies told me I was handsome and then tried to fix me up with their granddaughters. I think they were half-kidding, but maybe not. In any case, it was charming and funny, in a good way.

Maybe since Toscano bought them out in 2015 the old ladies are gone now and replaced by robots or other machines, who knows. Or maybe they're still there, happily painting away with anissette syrup with those little paintbrushes.
.


Fun story - thanks!

BTW - also love the "seal" story
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