I know a lot of guys, especially in our retail outlet, who hesitate to try a given brand for some reason or another. And finally a few months later they try one and they're blown away by how good it was (or just confirmed for themselves how bad it was). I'm curious, what brands have been your biggest suprises, positive or negative?

I have been pleasantly suprised w/ the Rey del Mar, Wall Street, Hamilton House, and Double Happiness.
On the flip side, The Fildalgo, and the Ancla Y Cazador were a little less than desirable.

I enjoyed the Fortunatos, Hoyo de Cortez, and the Hamilton House.
However, I had to toss a Davidoff out the window due to horrible burn, and construction. Other than that I have been pleased with my selections so far.

Keith, I'm glad you asked, because coincidentally I was just telling a friend how pleasantly surprised I am by these little Fuego Del Reys I got on your blow out special a few months ago. Darn good smoke, and especially so for the price. Ron

(+) Surprise; Wall Street, Hamilton House, Espinosa, Credo.
(-) Surprise; Coticas (through them away), Duque (burn like a fuse), Sinatra Sumatra ($15/stick my ass, no flavor, uneven burn)

Cusano Selection - Tasty morning smoke......

Big suprise - Dictator Churchills and Noris Churchills. Moderate suprise - Perdozo, with a little age(mellowing) they will be a very nice smoke. Also the Fortunato's. They were a little moist to start with so they burned a little hot. After a month or so in the proper conditions, they smoke pretty nicely. The nice thing is that these didn't cost more than a buck a stick, including shipping!

from a previous post of mine. the evelio. i got a box of torpedos. the wrapper is the finest and smoothest i have ever seen or felt. it is as smooth as the proverbial baby's ass. i smoked it as though i did not have 24 left. it has been a long time since i found anything that was as good as a monte #5 or a monte "A". it is in my monte humidor along with the "A"'s that cost almost as much for two as the box of evelios. cbid, put these on auction. guys, until they do, find them someplace and you are in for a real treat.

a coworker gave me a Hoja 1965, which I started to toss. Darn thing was a pleasant surprise.

Pleasant surprises: Miami Havanna torp, Duque torp (even with the fast burn), Sportsman's Reserve in all sizes. Unpleasant surprise: nextGeneration White label.

Now Keith ... if I tell you, I tell everyone else. And you know darn well that would bring all the overbidders out of the woodwork, and there goes my good deals ... LOL!

I won a bid on a bundle of Carringtons and was pleasantly surprised. I was all set to go and purchase a box of Astrals, (my champion cigar) for vacation and ended up taking the Carrintons instead. One question though, does anyone on the forum have any info on these cigars? (seconds? firsts? new company?}

You must work for the company to say hamilton house is good ...It saye alot...

Bad tast ..

Bad tast ..Try whiteowl

I hear ya....

Best cheap cigar I found here: La Luna LHB Especiales No. 5. Worst cheap cigar I found here: Flor del Todo any size. 🙂

I have a bundle of 20 carrington (seconds). Willing to sell or trade?

I bought the other box of Evelio's and concur with Rick..nice cigar..especially for a buck a stick. On the negative side, the Hoya de Nicaragua churchills I bought must have been aged in Arizona, unwrapped before I could light them, Ankla de Cazador sucked, Roly Colorado were horrible (some had wormholes).

Henry Clay Breva, has become one of my daily smokes. I would have never tried it if someone here didn't recommend it. I wish I could remember who it was, so I can thank them.