Got back a week ago from the RTDA show in Tampa, which is the annual industry trade show. Some interesting stuff was released. There was a definitely a trend toward power and thicker ring gauge cigars. Some interesting releases were: Cuban Parejo from Perdomo, the CAO Brazilia, the new LGC Serie R #7, and some new Bohemians. These should be available in late fall. Anybody have thoughts on 60-ring fat boys like these? The samples were excellent - I think these will be winners.

wow i love the thick mamas,bring em on.eom

I don't care for anything above a 52.

Take this how you will but i love the larger guages, fuller flavor, better burn, cooler draw. Bring on the Brazilian and the #7's

i too like the bigger guages. i have converted a saxaphone strap to hold the 8 1/2 x 52.

Keith, I for one prefer a 52-60 gauge, and am especially lookig forward to the CAO Brazilia. See Jack Crimmons post of 7/31/01.

I like 'em thick too, but 54 - 56 is the max. Anything beyond that starts to get a little silly. Looking forward to the Brazilia.

I'm a small guy. When you get up to the 56-60 ring gauge cigars, it scares the children in the neighborhood. All they see is a body and this big round glow....

I favor the 50 ring size and not fond of anything in the size of 42 or lower. Charlie

To me those monsterous ring gauges remind me of college frats trying to look cool. I personally prefer between 46 to 52 Todd

Those monsterous ring gauges remind me of college sorrority's, and late night happenings. But that's for another board...

Trust us...Thanks to Jack, I also got to try the CAO Amazon (specifically the Brazilia which I believe was a 60 ring gauge)...This is one incredible cigar!...The wrapper (I know I said this before in the earlier post of 31 July 01) is slightly oily with very few veins...The wrapper has a nice tooth to it...This cigar was pretty strong at first but mellowed out just a pinch and was absolutely perfect!...Nice and strong with a perfect draw..Construction was absolutely perfect...This may be the perfect cigar IMHO!...This is really going to take many of you by surprise I think...It was kind of funny trying to fit my Xikar over the cap to cut the head, but it worked great, just cutting the surface exposing the leaves (as the guillotine cut should do)...I will definitely be buying a box or two, no matter what my wife says...LOL

can't wait put me down for two boxes

rookie139: i usually cut all my cigars at an angle, something in my jewish background, so the larger guages work as well.

I'll take for instance the Santa Rosa Maduro Torpedo. It comes in a 54 gauge. I found that it has a draw that is too light and I credit it to the gauge. The same in a robusto (50 gauge) draws perfectly with tons a smoke and gobs of flavor. Too big can make for a dissatisfying smoke.

I've heard a lot of bad things about Santa Rosa Maduro Torps...They're supposed to be worst than those Ancla Salazarthingies....Just horrible tasting dogrockets that should be avoided at all costs and really only worth about $0.50 a stick in case you are thinking about bidding on these POS cigars in the future 😉

I'm afraid I must agree about those Santa Rosa Maduros especialy the Torps not to mention the Cetro's.

I have smoked many large ring size and one of my favorites is the LGC Serie #6 which is a 60 gauge. I think the trend is there and one with backing. The larger rings size is intimidating............but one when tried will be liked by most. I was going to say something really bad in ref. to our girlfriends and wives but I restrained......

Nice recovery Keith.

I'll bet Monica Lewinski is glad these weren't around a few years back.