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Last post 21 years ago by THL. 32 replies replies.
Disappointments
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jluv97 Offline
#1 Posted: Thu, Jan 16 2003, 5:03 AM EST
Joined: 11-20-2002
Posts: 24
On one of my more recent Cigar buying sprees I purchased a few higher dollar cigars (from a brick and mortar store). I figured that since I am starting to recognize the differences in more cigars that it would be a nice change of pace to try something different.

I picked up:
1 ashton VSG (don't remember which one) $9.60 ea
2 Cohiba churchills $16.55 ea
1 RYJ Vintage IV $9.00 ea

I loved the Ashton and the RYJ, but when I smoked the Cohiba I was unimpressed. It was a dry smoke with a flavor that held constant through its entire length. Very little complexity to it. I figured something had to be wrong, so the next day I smoked the other one...Same thing.

What I am wondering (as a new member to the board) are there any smokes that you would say are not worth their prices? Even the CB prices?
I am not talking about lone wolf's or low dollar smokes, I am wondering about some of the big guns out there.

Thanks,
JL

jleveque underscore 1999 at hotmail dot com

I am not really that new, but I am new to posting on here. I have been reading the boards for the past 2 months and bidding for the past 3 months.
THL Offline
#2 Posted: Thu, Jan 16 2003, 5:26 AM EST
Joined: 10-22-2002
Posts: 3,044
I find myself consistently dissappointed with Montecristos. An excellent cigar with flawless construction and legions of loyal smokers; just not for me. That's why I'm trading the ones that I have.
Danny Offline
#3 Posted: Thu, Jan 16 2003, 5:42 AM EST
Joined: 06-21-2002
Posts: 613
I liked Montes at first, but now feel the same as you about them...boring cigar. Of course the ISOM is a different story
SteveS Offline
#4 Posted: Thu, Jan 16 2003, 6:23 AM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
I couldn't begin to even count, much less describe all the disappointments ... not just with cigars, either ... it's true of restaurants, movies, cars and of most other things ... at the age of 10 or 11, knowing that I liked milk and that I liked butter, I just KNEW I'd like buttermilk ... BZZZZZZZZZTTTT!!! ... Wrong!!

Each of us at some time or another, falls victim to hype, our imaginations, or the opinions of others, whether paid reviewers or just plain folks ... bottom line fact is that anticipation is often greater than realization ...

But you know, it can work the other way around, too ... sometimes, when you expect it least, a wonderful gem will be discovered ... like the moral of the old fairy tale says, "you gotta kiss a lot of frogs to find a handsome prince" ... (but not BAD Frogs ...LOL)
plabonte Offline
#5 Posted: Thu, Jan 16 2003, 6:25 AM EST
Joined: 09-11-2000
Posts: 2,131
I don't know what you are into Steve. But I'm not about finding any princes.
SteveS Offline
#6 Posted: Thu, Jan 16 2003, 6:37 AM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
I was speaking metaphorically, of course ...
jdrabinski Offline
#7 Posted: Thu, Jan 16 2003, 6:40 AM EST
Joined: 08-16-2002
Posts: 794
Ay! Domestically available Montecristos bother me too. Just don't get it. Even smoked one of the new series (the silver band) and the aroma smelled like a cigarette. Don't get it at all. Glad to hear someone else agrees. I wondered about my palate for awhile.

Too bad about the Cohibas. Were they the XV series? I love that series, especially with a few months of humidor time on them...very flavorful and chocolatey. Just my take.

John
THL Offline
#8 Posted: Thu, Jan 16 2003, 7:39 AM EST
Joined: 10-22-2002
Posts: 3,044
I think one of them there toad lickers that Limbaugh talks about came up with that one SteveS. But I get your drift. And I'm starting to really enjoy thread transmogrification.
xibbumbero Offline
#9 Posted: Thu, Jan 16 2003, 7:39 AM EST
Joined: 01-25-2002
Posts: 12,535
LOL at Steve,but his words ring very true indeed. X
GetYourOwn Offline
#10 Posted: Thu, Jan 16 2003, 8:09 AM EST
Joined: 04-05-2002
Posts: 734
I am not drunk enough to figure out what Steve said.
Try mixing chocolate and milk. Does a Lone Star mix with a Lone Wolf?

I have tried some upper price Fuentes recently and they are all good. The Sungrowns are good. The anejos are good. Most of the Don Carlos line are very good.

Try some of those.
efm Offline
#11 Posted: Thu, Jan 16 2003, 9:17 AM EST
Joined: 01-23-2001
Posts: 499
I don't like Dominican Montecristo either. Try the Habanos, it's great.
I haven't tried the Dominican Cohiba. Ditto the Habanos if you can afford it.

jluv97, I'm guess I'm in your position. I'm not that experienced, trying new cigars, developing my taste in cigar, finding what I like and what I don't. So far I find that what I like is Habanos (some people say ISOM but I hate that). There really is something about Cuban cigars that I don't find in the couple dozen non-Cuban brands I've tried. I have yet to try some of the high price cigars like Opus and Ashton VSG so I'm looking forward to that. But since I can get Cuban Bolivars for less money then Opus or VSG they better be pretty good to be worth the price. But of the stuff I've tried nothing comes close to a Cuban Montecristo or Bolivar or Cohiba -- with the possible exception of AVO XO.

Incidently if you like the RyJ Vintages they show up on CBid sometimes.
Lowman Offline
#12 Posted: Thu, Jan 16 2003, 10:11 AM EST
Joined: 12-03-2002
Posts: 6,982
Hey efm... Let me in on some of those Bolivar's!!! The belicoso's are great. Also had a Gigante that was awesome!! :^)

Low

Sonny_LSU Offline
#13 Posted: Thu, Jan 16 2003, 11:23 AM EST
Joined: 11-21-2002
Posts: 1,835
God help me, I tried a Macanudo Maduro.......yuck. I can't believe I admitted to that, well, at least I didn't pay for it. Not too crazy about Pimp Sticks either, but I still like Drew Estates. Had a Cohiba that was dry and tasteless (the wrapper blew up on me too). Remember, 1 stick doesn't reflect the product as a whole though.....you must smoke a few to be completely impartial. Guess that means disregard my comments as I only smoked 1.........this has been a long day.
snowwolf777 Offline
#14 Posted: Thu, Jan 16 2003, 12:25 PM EST
Joined: 06-03-2000
Posts: 4,082
You will enjoy the RYJ Vintage IVs. I have a box of 'em in long-term aging. I grab one whenever I want a high quality (albiet somewhat mild for my taste) after-dinner smoke. The Ashton is at the other end of the scale, but also a great smoke IMHO. Sorry about the Cohiba. You have to watch those. I, too, love XVs. I saw one poor SOB buy one of the yellow bands the other day from a cigarette store and pay almost $10 for that dried out stick. His face told it all when he lit it up in the car. I'll bet it didn't make it to the first stoplight. LOL
wouldestous Offline
#15 Posted: Thu, Jan 16 2003, 1:22 PM EST
Joined: 02-07-2002
Posts: 412
all of the high dollar smokes disappoint me. some are very good but they are just not 3 times better than other very good but less expensive smokes.
gerber Offline
#16 Posted: Thu, Jan 16 2003, 1:27 PM EST
Joined: 10-30-2002
Posts: 783
I was a bit disppointed in the Fonseca Series F, which I tried for the first time recently. It was, how shall I say, singularly uncompelling. I'm hoping the others will improve with some aging in the humidor. A pity, since I really like some of the others in the Fonseca line.
snowwolf777 Offline
#17 Posted: Thu, Jan 16 2003, 1:30 PM EST
Joined: 06-03-2000
Posts: 4,082
I agree. I have smoked some outstanding "super premiums", but have yet to find one that was truly worth the buck. I agree with many of the other posters here that there are some dandies to be had for a good price. Love tryin' those 5-packs of new cigars (well, new to me, anyway) and finding a gem. Keep up the great work, CBID!
Spiny Norman Offline
#18 Posted: Thu, Jan 16 2003, 3:07 PM EST
Joined: 09-04-2002
Posts: 899
Agree with SONNY-LSU on the Mac Maddie (allthough the one I tried was was a small ring size. May have something to do with it.)
Smoker06 Offline
#19 Posted: Fri, Jan 17 2003, 4:50 AM EST
Joined: 01-12-2003
Posts: 81
Let's see.... first I wouldn't call any cigar a disappointment, I'd call it a lesson. After all, I could be in the office working. Even a bad cigar is better than that.

I have never met a Montecristo I didn't like. I do like the H2000s less than the rest. So maybe psychologically I'm a Monte "ho". But Series V and Peruvians are terrific. Can't comment on the Platinums cuz I've only had one of those.

Some lessons I have learned.... the cohiba red dots aren't as good as the XVs or even the old yellow bands. So I won't spend my money on red dots.

PAMs are overrated, I'd rather have a PAN or a 2000 or 3000.

And lastly.... you can't go wrong with a Fuentes (not La Unica, Montesino or curlyheads, but one with a red band and a green or black stripe) as long as you don't buy it at the Tinderbox.

Just my thoughts.

GTofMurphy Offline
#20 Posted: Fri, Jan 17 2003, 5:35 AM EST
Joined: 05-16-2002
Posts: 341
I know this is blasphemy on this board but LaPerla Habanna Maduro. With all the positive comments on this board I tried a 4 pack maduro sampler. Great construction, oily wrapper but they were all too tightly rolled and I was not impressed by the weak flavor. Maybe the “Black Peal” is better I don’t know.
GT
GTofMurphy Offline
#21 Posted: Fri, Jan 17 2003, 5:44 AM EST
Joined: 05-16-2002
Posts: 341
OOPS, I hope it's not the "BLACK PEAL", that sounds nasty. That would be the "BLACK PEARL"
THL Offline
#22 Posted: Fri, Jan 17 2003, 8:13 AM EST
Joined: 10-22-2002
Posts: 3,044
GTO, I like the LaPerlas, but I've had some tight ones too. Some of the Perdomo Reserves that I've won recently have had the same problem.
iquester Offline
#23 Posted: Fri, Jan 17 2003, 9:18 AM EST
Joined: 06-29-2002
Posts: 179
Tight draw on Nicaraguan Cigars almost always means they are too humid! The are best at 60-65% rh. Perdomos for sure.

Mike Gardner (iquester)
joemar4 Offline
#24 Posted: Fri, Jan 17 2003, 11:58 AM EST
Joined: 10-08-2002
Posts: 87
I have also tried some of the expensive big boys and like many of you, was not impressed. Most of my favorites I've found right here on CB. Most wind up being less than $2.00 a stick!!

I'm a big fan of Padrons. I am a faithfull "3000" and "Delicias" fan. I also like the "Indian Tabac Cameroon legend Gorilla" and "Super Fuertes". One of my favorites, is the "La Rosa Especial Mi Favorita Maduro" - got them for $37 a box!!! Another I recently came across and love are the "CI Rare Corojo Toro."

Like I said, any of these cigars are available here and for a great price. You can't go wrong!

Anyone back me up on that??

Good luck and good smoking!!

Joe
snowwolf777 Offline
#25 Posted: Fri, Jan 17 2003, 2:42 PM EST
Joined: 06-03-2000
Posts: 4,082
I second the motion. Padron is an every-day go-to for me. IMHO, super premium cigar at everyday pricing. I like the ITs, and Onyx Reserve mini belis, too. I think the Onyx Reserves are highly under-rated smokes for the money. Dark black, oily, snow white ash that holds on like glue. OK ... I gotta go grab a cigar.
eleltea Offline
#26 Posted: Sat, Jan 18 2003, 5:56 AM EST
Joined: 03-03-2002
Posts: 4,562
One man's poison . . .

YMMV, but I have never been disappointed by 3 everyday smokes: Punch Roth Maduro Maduro, HdM Roth MadMad, and LGC Wavell maduro.
THL Offline
#27 Posted: Sat, Jan 18 2003, 6:42 AM EST
Joined: 10-22-2002
Posts: 3,044
You got that right eleltea. I've never had a bad Hoyo , Punch or LGC. Sometimes we forget that these are the cigars that others try to be. Take a HdM double maduro, give it a gold wrapper or individual coffin box and call it Cigare de Artsy Farte and you could sell millions of them.
RobertParrott Offline
#28 Posted: Sun, Jan 19 2003, 2:22 AM EST
Joined: 06-27-2001
Posts: 344
GT,
All the LaPerla Habanna's are rolled too tight even the Black Pearls.
calavera Offline
#29 Posted: Sun, Jan 19 2003, 4:25 AM EST
Joined: 01-26-2002
Posts: 1,868
I just don't understand what anyone sees in the Arturo Fuente brand (the ones with the green or black stripe on the band). I have had many different vitolas, and in my opinion (for what it is worth), they are a serious letdown. And the worst part is seeing how many of you guys have such great luck with them. I have had many Hemingway Signatures and Classics, and with the exception of one Signature they have been major disappointments. Have had many 8-5-8's and about half have been truly good, and the other half have been green tasting and not worth smoking. Have had Corona Imperials, Chateau Fuentes and Maduro Double Chateaus and have not liked any. Have two Don Carlos in the humidor, but am afraid to try them because if they suck as bad as the Hemingways then I will be truly saddened. I have smoked Montesinos, Cuesta Reys and Ashtons (the regular line) galore, and they just are not very good. The Ashton VSG, on the other hand is an example of cigar perfection. Not being able to smoke Habanos every day is a lot easier to bear knowing that I can get some of these babies whenever I want one.

Anyway, that's my experience.

J
rayder1 Offline
#30 Posted: Sun, Jan 19 2003, 9:31 AM EST
Joined: 06-02-2002
Posts: 2,226
I think that part of the beauty of Cbid is that you can get great deals on cigars. The 5 packs are for sampling. It is not realistic to try and get high end cigars on the cheap here. People know what they cost in stores and bid accordingly.

The beauty of Cbid is to sample and sample until you find a number of great cigars that are suprisingly inexpensive that taste as good if not better than the primo, hyped up "high end" cigars.

Some of the cheapies found here aren't expensive because they aren't heavily advertised, made readily available to the mass market and aren't produced by the millions. The sales expectations of some of these companies are humble but the quality is phenominal many times.

Follow the leaders of this forum. They have tried a lot of cigars. Except for the special occasion cigars that people are willing to spend $15 plus a sitck for, most people here, it seems, have found cigars at excellent prices that are of a quality which match or surpass the big ticket cigars.

I, personally, am not impressed by what cigar band someone has on their cigar. If they enjoy what they are smoking and I enjoy what I am smoking, all is well.

It seems that the market is driven by Cigar Afficianado ratings. Every time I see a non ISOM cigar touted by C.A. I see a comparable price jump. All the big ad cigars cost $$ accordingly. Many don't measure up to their hype.

Find some gems here, ones you like. Buy 'em up, smoke 'em. Enjoy 'em.
THL Offline
#31 Posted: Mon, Jan 20 2003, 7:28 AM EST
Joined: 10-22-2002
Posts: 3,044
Rayder1, I've bagged many "high end" cigars for cheap on CBID. Vigilance pays off. I don't buy anything if it's going to cost more than it does at various discount sites on the internet. 5 packs of: Perdomo Reserves for $13, Cohiba XVs for $31, Estavan Cruz Churchills for $11, Oliva "O" for $17. There are 3 full 100ct. humidors and a coolerdor in my basement that will back me up. Maybe 5 sticks are in there that I paid full retail for. The rest were all bought at a discount and mostly from CBID.
That said, I rely heavily on the opinions of other CBID users. They are an invaluable resource for all cigar related stuff. Include yourself among them. Your idea of using the debit card has helped my marriage. LOL Unless I get caught. That could mean trouble.
Smoke 'em if you got 'em.
rayder1 Offline
#32 Posted: Tue, Jan 21 2003, 8:11 PM EST
Joined: 06-02-2002
Posts: 2,226
Holy Cow! Someone actually took some advice of mine?

Really...I'm glad it helped out. Shhhh! Don't let too many people know or the word will leak out to the estrogen syndicate.
THL Offline
#33 Posted: Wed, Jan 22 2003, 5:56 AM EST
Joined: 10-22-2002
Posts: 3,044
For the most part, I really am as stupid as I look. Every once in a while though, despite my best efforts, I learn something. Who'd a thunk it?
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