Anone smoke these cigars recently? recommendations.

[demiurgic]

Feel I have come full circle in the cigar hobby. Fast too!

Started with cheap NC's, got better NC's, made it to Habanos, and now...
all I want is a flavorful, smooth smoke that won't break the bank. Something that burns for an hour or a bit more. $3-$7 is fine (I'd much rather pay for better stuff).

Some random thoughts in here, so please bear with me. Please do not offer the "use the search function" because I already have to come up with some of these. Seeking current updates on what is smoking fine in the cigar world. Anything domestic or otherwise. (Non Cubans only)

some names that popped up...

- don Kiki brown Label Botellas (hear the torps are better, but take 2 hours!)
- Cupido Criollo Corto
- Sabor Cubano Petit Topedo or anything else by LTC
- Aurora Barrel aged (had just one, was nice)
- Oliva V lancero (had just one, was nice)
SO many more like Maria Mancini magic mountain, all kinds of house brands, sleepers and under the radar smokes.

If only they'd make ....

- anything rich in flavor like Ashton VSG for $7 tops?
- something in the same flavor profile of RP Vintage crossed with a LGC Serie R BUT with a bigger dose of that flavor, sans the harshness?
- Pepin Blue crossed with Pepin Black, crossed with some sweetness perhaps?

! It's hard to pick a Non Cuban for over $6-$7 since there are some superb C.C's out there for under that. I am looking into some of the better sticks as well like Illusiones, Fuente WOAM's or anything Fuente, Padrons, some Tats, and looking to see what fits the price category, and simply worth having in the humi!!

Just like a lot of you (thinking of my man Scott Shilala) I too love Maduros, but appreciate a lighter wrapper if it can deliver a complex smoke. both are welcome, it really boils down to QUALITY!

Was I too ambigious in this post? Anything you would like me to clarify?

Aloha to all you awesome Gorillas,
Demiurgic

[chippewastud79]

For the <$6 range, I like:
Oliva V's
Don Pepin JJ
Tat Reds/Browns
Illusione 88's/cg4's/mk's

For a little more <$10:
Padilla Signature
New Padilla Miami
AVO 80th
Aston VSG

With 6 months to a year of aging, I think Padron 3000's fit the bill nicely, and can get maduro or natural.

Of course, there's always Famous 3000's, but that is a maduro.

Try Havacigar.com, any or their Nic puros do the trick also, and fits the price range, but still twice the costs of Famous 3000's.

I just smoked an Ashton Heritage, Puro Sol that had a good 18 months or more of age, had flavor, good burn, sweetness and not a maduro. Off of cbid, I used to get these for less than $7 per stick, but not sure I've seen any on there lately.

[bobarian]

From your list DK Brown Botella's and Oliva V Lanceros. The DK's are a third of the price of the V's.

[oldforge]

The two smokes that have getting the "wow" factor for me are one year old Pepin JJ Belicosos naturals and Illusione CG4s.

The taste and complexity just needed a little time to come together for these (imho) and at a year they have got it.

The trick with the JJs (again imho) is that they _must_ be the first smoke of the day, whatever time of day that happens to be, to catch all of the flavor.

Originally Posted by demiurgic

Feel I have come full circle in the cigar hobby. Fast too!

Started with cheap NC's, got better NC's, made it to Habanos, and now...
all I want is a flavorful, smooth smoke that won't break the bank. Something that burns for an hour or a bit more. $3-$7 is fine (I'd much rather pay for better stuff).
Seeking current updates on what is smoking fine in the cigar world. Anything domestic or otherwise. (Non Cubans only)

- anything rich in flavor like Ashton VSG for $7 tops?
- something in the same flavor profile of RP Vintage crossed with a LGC Serie R BUT with a bigger dose of that flavor, sans the harshness?
- Pepin Blue crossed with Pepin Black, crossed with some sweetness perhaps?

[demiurgic]

I agree, just finished a Pepin JJ maddie (courtesy of Shilala) and was the same as a pepin JJ to me. I can't seem to like these. lots of singed nose hair upon exhale, not enough yummy flavor that is smooth imho.
The Cuban classics are almost same, lots of bite BUT this time, more flavor.
and the best in line, imo, is the Blues'. A nice balance.
Still looking for more flavor. Like some La Gloria Serie R's or SOME RP Vintage 92's. Still not exactly what I'm looking for. Needs more dimensions in taste, like citrus or some more bite in their case.

ALL the above suggestions are AWESOME. thanks you guys.
I love discussing this with all of you, since no one else understands this search of mine anyway. Viva La CS

Originally Posted by oldforge

The two smokes that have getting the "wow" factor for me are one year old Pepin JJ Belicosos naturals and Illusione CG4s.

The taste and complexity just needed a little time to come together for these (imho) and at a year they have got it.

The trick with the JJs (again imho) is that they _must_ be the first smoke of the day, whatever time of day that happens to be, to catch all of the flavor.

[sonick]

ditto on the cg:4. The finest and most memorable smoke I've had to date is a cg:4. The tastes were just so incredible, every single puff was gushing with butter and exotic, non-biting spices. Like pumpkin pie spice or something. Closest I've come since is another cg:4 and of course Davidoff products.

[Misha]

For me, if I want a nice flavour full and smooth cigar, i grab the:

- Oliva G Double Robusto. Beautifull smoke, full of nuts, leather, cedar, a touch of sweetness, clear tastes yet creamy. And packs enough punch to satisfy, but not overwhelm. It takes a bit over an hour to smoke, and can be a true nubber. Remeber to store without the celofane, because that definately has a negative affect on the taste in this cigar.

Others in your price range could be:

- Toraño Exodus 1956
- RP Vintage
- Oliva V

[DonnieW]

Oliva V Lancero, a great cigar. I like it just as much for its vitola, seeing I regularly smoke robustos.

[duckmanco]

Originally Posted by demiurgic

Feel I have come full circle in the cigar hobby. Fast too!

Started with cheap NC's, got better NC's, made it to Habanos, and now...
all I want is a flavorful, smooth smoke that won't break the bank. Something that burns for an hour or a bit more. $3-$7 is fine (I'd much rather pay for better stuff).

Some random thoughts in here, so please bear with me. Please do not offer the "use the search function" because I already have to come up with some of these. Seeking current updates on what is smoking fine in the cigar world. Anything domestic or otherwise. (Non Cubans only)

some names that popped up...

- don Kiki brown Label Botellas (hear the torps are better, but take 2 hours!)
- Cupido Criollo Corto
- Sabor Cubano Petit Topedo or anything else by LTC
- Aurora Barrel aged (had just one, was nice)
- Oliva V lancero (had just one, was nice)
SO many more like Maria Mancini magic mountain, all kinds of house brands, sleepers and under the radar smokes.

If only they'd make ....

- anything rich in flavor like Ashton VSG for $7 tops?
- something in the same flavor profile of RP Vintage crossed with a LGC Serie R BUT with a bigger dose of that flavor, sans the harshness?
- Pepin Blue crossed with Pepin Black, crossed with some sweetness perhaps?

! It's hard to pick a Non Cuban for over $6-$7 since there are some superb C.C's out there for under that. I am looking into some of the better sticks as well like Illusiones, Fuente WOAM's or anything Fuente, Padrons, some Tats, and looking to see what fits the price category, and simply worth having in the humi!!

Just like a lot of you (thinking of my man Scott Shilala) I too love Maduros, but appreciate a lighter wrapper if it can deliver a complex smoke. both are welcome, it really boils down to QUALITY!

Was I too ambigious in this post? Anything you would like me to clarify?

Aloha to all you awesome Gorillas,
Demiurgic

You need to try the Cuban Crafter Cabinet Selection robustos. Damn near fits that description to a T for around 2-3 a stick. Very tasty smoke, rich smoke. Sampler packs and boxes from cubancrafters.com

[shilala]

Hey Adil, if you like the JJ'ish profile without all the ass, some old Oliva O Blue bands, AVO Maduro's, and Oliva Special G's would fill the bill nicely.
They're a big step down and have a fantastic flavor without the kick in the head.
I smoke them when I'm in the mood for a cigar but don't really want one because I'm not in up for the commitment, that sort of mood.
I smoked an AVO #9 yesterday that Ricky (rwhit) sent me, and it was 100% rockin fabulous, but it was easy on the head. Didn't burn my sinuses out and it was so sweet and chocolately, it was like cocoa krispies for breakfast.

I wish we'd have nailed down your "like" profile a bit more so I could send some of this mellow stuff. Tomorrow's another day, I suppose.

[shemp]

the don kiki brown label toros and the Vegas tabacalera from Cuban Crafters are a dead ringer also for what you are seeking.

[MithShrike]

I have really like just about anything La Flor Dominicana lately. Their Ligero cigars are pretty easy on the wallet and kick tons of ass.

[demiurgic]

thanks for the suggestions guys! Shilala, you're stuff was awesome man. nothing bad in that package as fas as I'm concerned ( I can see what you mean by C.C's are plugged however. )

I'll make a comprehensive list later. Right now, we're still digging for information here. I feel there are many great cigars that I have never heard of. Well priced at that!

Some more names I dug up...

Aurora 100 Anos Robusto and Fuente Hemingway short story. (both out of of $7 price range, but something I'd like to consider for sure. any experiences?)

La Flor Dominicana Tubo 200
as well as EL JOCKO Perfecto

La Aroma De Cuba

EL RICO >>> VERY interested to know if anyone tried these. LGC make these apparantly.

Savinelli - (Don Kiki's on this one too.)

La Gloria Cubana, (MIAMI not DR)
Glorias Extra

Henry Clay H2000 Mirabelle. Or anything HC really.

Graycliff. Read about the Corona Especial, thats it.

Taboo Twist

thanks guys, let's see if we can get some gems in for all of us to try.

[seegarfan]

LFD Ligero L-250 or L-300 or both very flavorful smokes that can be picked up on cbid for $3-$4/stick.

Pepin Blue Imperiales are the best size in that line, IMHO and can be had for $4-$5/stick on cbid. Very smooth smoke but still carries that signature Pepin spice on the finish.

Brown or Red labels Tats are all GREAT smokes, IMHO, try The Party Source for a good selection of these sticks.

Just a few that come to mind.