When I recently posted by tentative top 5 cigars I had someone, I forget who, advise me that I should open my mind and try some brands that weren't quite as expensive or famous. Any chance to not spend as much money is good news for me. With that in mind, I'd like to see what debates develop from people responding with their top 5 cigars that they tried on a whim or discovered on cigarbid. Thanks for the help and have at it.

Tyler

Flor de Oliva is a GREAT cigar, and can usually be had for around $.70USD....A very clean, even burn, with lots of smoke, and a sweet Costa Rican wrapper...

Tyler: Great cigars are great cigars that usually comes with price tags to match, but at least for me, since I average about 2-4 gars/daily, I have to supplement my hobby with somewhat more economical smokes, and restrict me smoking my SuperPrimo's(Habanos, Padron Anni, CAO Anni/Brazelia, El Rey Mundo etc.) to 1-2/day.
So here goes some of my favorite economical smokes: Habana Gold w/l, Jose Marti, Hombre de Oro, Astral, Flor de Florez, and Havana Sunrise.

My favorite "cheap" cigar is the Mayorga Maduro. Reminds me of the Padron Anniversary, but at only $2-$3 a stick depending on the size.

I've had the Hombre de Oro and it was pretty good. Flor de florez is a good choice.La Rosa is a cheapie to try that some folks like.

Be sure to check out 5 Vegas. The value on that cigar is hard to beat, IMHO. It's a good thing there's plenty of them up for auction... otherwise the bidding would be much higher than it is.

Please disregard my previous post, I meant to say that 5 Vegas sucks. They're awful. Stay away from them, no matter what.

I agree with MrMean. I tried the Hombre De Oro on whim purchase of a sample pack. I liked them. Pretty good smoke and priced well. I'll probably get a box. 5 (cinco) Vegas Pyramide: were okay. I don't like the shape much. Pirates Gold smoked pretty well. Stronger than my tastes usually run. Hav A Tampa Jewels with he wood tip and Backwoods. (I had to toss the last 2 in there, couldn't think of any others that didn't turn out to be torpedos de terrier.

For me it was the Nestor box pressed torps in maddy. X

The best cheap sticks I got from c-bid were the Don Juan matadors and the Colorado by Don Lino lonsdales and double coronas. I don't bid on them anymore, but I got mine for about a buck each plus shipping, and about every other one was very nearly a good cigar.

The Diesel Corrosion is the best bundled cigar I've ever tried.

I have to preface this by saying I tend to like fuller-bodied and maduro cigars. Having said that, drum roll please, for under a $1 I like the Punch/Hoyo Roth 2nds (Consuegra #9) maduro and Cortesia (only robustos and toros left). Between $1-$2 there's Mayorgas maduro, La Rosa Especials (either wrapper, but I think the nats need at least 6 months nap), Remedios maduros and a cigar that doesn't get much mention - the ERDM Corona Inmensa maduro (mixed filler). Just a short step up to $2 are the Pre-Embargo Genuine Counterfeit Cubans. YMMV

Good call on the PEGCCs, melski. Just burned one of the Toros. After six months in the humidor these have turned into one fine full-bodied smoke. I got a great deal on these from another retailer. I purchased a box and got 15 fresh rolled Perdomos. I'm about ready to smoke those suckers.

Another vote here for the La Rosa Especial Mi Favorita maddies.


melski's right- Consuegra is also a great inexpensive smoke. I'm partial to the #16 maduro.

I would have to agree with the Mayorga and 5 Vegas, I would also add El Mejor. El Mejor before it went boxed press was out of sight in taste, but CB sent me a box of the box press and the first one I tried tasted terrible and hopefully these were just rushed to to marketplace and time in the cabinet will tame them to taste like the earlier version.