stogieflyz
2 years ago
=d> Just got my issue of Cigar Aficionado. As usual headed straight to the ratings. I scan quickly through them to see what I've already smoked. What a shock I got when I hit my favorite category the Grandes as they call them. I call them Gordos and size is generally 6x60. The top 2 had a score of 95. Not only high for gordos but ended up being the highest for the month. Now what exotics are they? Surprisingly you may have smoked one or both. The first is the Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua Espeso. The second is in my top ten. The Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro Double Toro. This is a stunning development in the industry. Not that long ago CA wouldn't even rate these cigars because nobody took them seriously. I remember having to hunt for cigarmakers that put them out. Now they're finely legitimate. For all of us that saw the potential for amazing blends in this size. This has been a long wait. CA only started rating them around 4 years ago. Let's hear it for the Gordos...hip hop harrah , hip hip harrah.
ZRX1200
2 years ago
Good for you.

You’re part of the problem.

Gordos have been an industry term for a long time, they’ve become common because they’re harder to mess up while smoking. So they’ve become much more popular as new smokers have skyrocketed in the last 10 years. Now manufacturers are catering to that, and if advertisers are catering to something, their print lapdog CA will follow their orders.
stogieflyz
2 years ago
I've been smoking cigars for 40+ years. I've been a subscriber to CA since they started. When I started smoking Churchills were considered large. If you wanted something bigger you had to go to some tourist-trap and buy that huge gag cigar made of who knew what. I stumbled on them some years later and started sampling them. It was during the first cigar boom that more companies putting out a few serious blends. Now the first great large gauge cigar I really feel for was Big Butts. I still have about 40 left and they are fantastic. So as far as shapes go. Gordos are fairly young.
ZRX1200
2 years ago
In the scope of time? Sure.

And it also made it cheaper for manufacturers, and given fewer opportunities for a blend to find a magical vitola.

Some people just like really big maduros in their mouths too.
danmdevries
2 years ago
Some men are chubby chasers.
LeeBot
2 years ago
Sorry, flyz. I would help you out, but I'm actually not a fan of the big ones. I find it hard to get a good draw, don't like the way they burn. Not really my speed. My observation is that bigger ring gauges are WAY more prevalent and popular than they used to be. I don't care what other people smoke, but it seems like they've crowded out the smaller sizes like lonsdales and coronas. It's also harder to get a plain 6x50 toro. 52 x 6 is now the norm. 52 is pretty much the norm with romustos too.

Although, maybe, I have noticed a bit of an uptick in londales lately? I like a good lonsdale.
clickbangdead
2 years ago
^I think lonsdales have been making a bit of a comeback, as aficionados and formerly CC exclusive smokers look for these smaller ring gauge vitolas.

As for gordos, the reasons listed above are valid, but the biggest one is ease of manufacturing. You don't need a highly skilled roller to get a cigar that draws and burns OK. In my experience, the gordos are generally the worst of the vitolas in most blends, as they seem to mostly add a bunch of flavorless filler to reach that size. If blended specifically for that size they can work, but more often they are not.
ZRX1200
2 years ago
^ that’s why I said cheaper for manufacturers, look at Perdomo…..90% of their stuff is either _x54 or _x60……I love Nick but his response to me here on CBid was pretty weak. He said he’d make more money if he sold more coronas? Not buying it.
Palama
2 years ago
While I haven’t purchased or smoked too many Gordos, I haven’t found one that I would repurchase or seek out either. Additionally, in the future, I honestly don’t think there’ll ever be a 60RG cigar I would even consider purchasing, regardless of manufacturer, blend or reviews.
Abrignac
2 years ago

^I think lonsdales have been making a bit of a comeback, as aficionados and formerly CC exclusive smokers look for these smaller ring gauge vitolas.

As for gordos, the reasons listed above are valid, but the biggest one is ease of manufacturing. You don't need a highly skilled roller to get a cigar that draws and burns OK. In my experience, the gordos are generally the worst of the vitolas in most blends, as they seem to mostly add a bunch of flavorless filler to reach that size. If blended specifically for that size they can work, but more often they are not.

clickbangdead wrote:




I’m pretty much on the same page. I’ve tried a few x60’s. Didn’t care for them at all. For the volume of tobacco I expected a much richer flavor. The ones I smoked were different vitolas of cigars I already liked. Yet, they all underwhelmed to the point of being air balls.

In addition they were uncomfortable to smoke. I’ve been known to hold a cigar in my mouth for long periods taking a puff every so often. For example when fishing I’ve smoked an entire Churchill without ever taking it out of my mouth. With a large diameter cigar I couldn’t get it out of my mouth quick enough. At 46-48 rg a Churchill is small enough to be comfortable and just barely bigger in diameter to a corona so the blend remains flavorful.
tonygraz
2 years ago
The popularity of 60 ring cigars may well be due to Oliva's Nub line. Those that didn't car for the Nub line usually smoked them too quickly or too slowly. Around 66 minutes was my optimum enjoyment time for the 4x60. I can't think of any other 60 rings that were good, but the Muy Buesos, MX2 and Triple Maduro I tried are pretty good.
JGRAZ
2 years ago
I kind of enjoy them. Though 60 is my limit. And then I normally lean towards the shorter sticks at that point, though I do enjoy the CAO Flatheads at 6", and there are a couple of others I've come across too.

My usual goto size though is Robusto or there about.
frankj1
2 years ago

I’m pretty much on the same page. I’ve tried a few x60’s. Didn’t care for them at all. For the volume of tobacco I expected a much richer flavor. The ones I smoked were different vitolas of cigars I already liked. Yet, they all underwhelmed to the point of being air balls.

In addition they were uncomfortable to smoke. I’ve been known to hold a cigar in my mouth for long periods taking a puff every so often. For example when fishing I’ve smoked an entire Churchill without ever taking it out of my mouth. With a large diameter cigar I couldn’t get it out of my mouth quick enough. At 46-48 rg a Churchill is small enough to be comfortable and just barely bigger in diameter to a corona so the blend remains flavorful.

Abrignac wrote:


the more wrapper in the wrapper-to-filler ratio the more flavor...98.2% of the time.

Used to always be said that when blenders were sampling proposed blends, coronas were the standard vitola used to decide if ready for the marketplace.
KingoftheCove
2 years ago

the more wrapper in the wrapper-to-filler ratio the more flavor...98.2% of the time.

Used to always be said that when blenders were sampling proposed blends, coronas were the standard vitola used to decide if ready for the marketplace.

frankj1 wrote:


5.5x46 is probably my favorite vitola, which is pretty much a classic corona.
frankj1
2 years ago

5.5x46 is probably my favorite vitola, which is pretty much a classic corona.

KingoftheCove wrote:


I know you've mentioned Padrons over the years, I would smoke any from the 3000 down but always preferred (I believe you as well) the Delicias or the Londres...neither exactly the dimensions you posted but close enough for me.
Palama
2 years ago

The popularity of 60 ring cigars may well be due to Oliva's Nub line. Those that didn't car for the Nub line usually smoked them too quickly or too slowly. Around 66 minutes was my optimum enjoyment time for the 4x60. I can't think of any other 60 rings that were good, but the Muy Buesos, MX2 and Triple Maduro I tried are pretty good.

tonygraz wrote:



When I first started, I made the rookie mistake of splitting a box of Nubs without trying one. Yah, yah, dumbazz move. I bit hook, line and sinker on the marketing b.s. And, luckily for me, we got the box for “only” $70. After I smoked a couple, I knew the marketing b.s. was truly b.s. They weren’t bad, just not as good as advertised. I’mma generally a slow smoker so purdy sure I took at least an hour for each. Ultimately gave most of the balance away.

Quote the Raven: Nevermore.
KingoftheCove
2 years ago

I know you've mentioned Padrons over the years, I would smoke any from the 3000 down but always preferred (I believe you as well) the Delicias or the Londres...neither exactly the dimensions you posted but close enough for me.

frankj1 wrote:


It was the Palmas and the Londres.
Great cigars for the coin back in the day, after letting them sit for a longish nap.
Gotta sip those however, as they can overheat quickly.

The Delicias is basically a smallish robusto, but I like them as well.
2 years ago
I think lonsdales and lanceros are making a small comeback but they are pretty hard to find. They dont make enough even if they offer the size.

As for 60 rings not a fan though if I crave a blend and it's only available in 60 I'll smoke it.
Stogie1020
2 years ago
Frank posts in a thread about Gordos and no mention of his.... ??
KingoftheCove
2 years ago

Frank posts in a thread about Gordos and no mention of his.... ??

Stogie1020 wrote:


Stogie…………….we are only talking 6x60 here…..
Tripod??
Well….
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