Best Bundled Cigars?

[dannysguitar]

I did a search and coundn't find any info. What do you fellas think is the best bundled cigar?

[madurolover]

I really am liking the Benchmades by Ashton right now. Although they come in boxes they are priced like bundles.

Also they are made by Pepin for Ashton.

[Scud]

True bundles....Flor de Oliva (toro maduro are my favorites) and Primos by Los Blancos are quite tasty.

[madurolover]

I have seen the Primos but have never tried them. I think I will now based on your recommendation.

[heavyd]

I agree with the Flor De Oliva suggestion. This thread has some info... http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthr...hlight=bundles

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by madurolover

I really am liking the Benchmades by Ashton right now. Although they come in boxes they are priced like bundles.

Also they are made by Pepin for Ashton.

These are excellent!

I also like the FdO's Maduro and Corojo and GR Specials Red Label.

Here are a few past suggestions:
http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthr...ghlight=bundle
http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthr...ghlight=bundle
http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthr...ghlight=bundle
http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthr...ghlight=bundle

[Scud]

Originally Posted by madurolover

I have seen the Primos but have never tried them. I think I will now based on your recommendation.

There are two wrappers, a Criollo Rosado and a Criollo Maduro. Both are quite tasty

[thunderbucks]

You could...take 25 Ashton VSG's and bundle them together!

[Totemic]

After having tried different bundles (Flor de Oliva, Benchmade, Omar Ortez, et. al.), the best so far for me: Famous Nic 3000 with AT LEAST 2 months of rest time in a humidor at 65%RH or lower.

My batch of 3000's are finally hitting their stride (the first batch of 3000's I got were almost exactly 2 months ago). The last 3 I've had were a LOT smoother than they were when I first got them (I finally understand what folks meant when they said fresh off the truck, they're a bit "harsh"). Everyone's been saying that these with about 6 months on them would be awesome. I think they're right.

At a tick over $2/cigar, they're close to the Benchmade in terms of price per stick and are more full bodied (not to mention a nice nicotine kick to start the day off with). In terms of tasty goodness, I'd say the 3000's are very close to the 601 Black. At least according to my spreadsheet--the burn/draw, however is a bit more problematic (the 3000's a bit looser and does show tendency to burn irregular quite often, whereas the 601 Black is absolutely perfect draw/burn almost every time). NOTE: I'm not saying they have the same flavor. The 601 Blacks have a rather unique (and appealing) taste to them but just my overall enjoyment of the flavor is similar.

However, of the other bundles, they aren't necessarily bad, just not quite there (but I still smoke them since I do enjoy a bit of a change up from time to time). But if I had to put them in order of flavor:

Famous Nic 3000.
Benchmade.
Carlos Torano 1916 (yeah, not a bundle, but might as well be given their per cigar prices--I use the price/cigar as a metric to determine what's a "bundle" vs. not).
Flor De Oliva (the original, not the maduro, the maduro was rather disappointing).

I would recommend against Omar Ortez. Either the batch of 5 packs I got were duds or there's something very weird about them (the flavor was ok, but it left a weird feeling on my tongue and back of my throat). I'm letting the rest sit for a while to see if they change any.

The only "recommended" bundles I haven't yet tried are the Tampa Sweethearts and Flor De Ybor City, mostly because I can't seem to find them in 5 packs and I would rather not end up with 20 of these if I don't care for them. But I figure once I make some more room in my cabinet, I'll go grab a bundle and check them out.

[dannysguitar]

Thanks guys! I have heard so many great things about the Famous Nic 3000 so I might give those guys a shot. The concept of the Benchmade intrigues me, but I haven't heard great things, only mediocre things. I like the fact that the Benchmade comes in a box, which makes it easier for storage. Looks like I have some deciding to do!

[GrtndpwrflOZ]

I like the bundle of Sig II's.
Nice yellow ribbon, inside a nice wooden box.

It's just............................









"NICE"

[Totemic]

Originally Posted by dannysguitar

Thanks guys! I have heard so many great things about the Famous Nic 3000 so I might give those guys a shot.

Just a word of warning.
They are a bit harsh right off the truck. So I would STRONGLY recommend waiting to pass judgement on these until they've had a couple of months sitting in your humidor. It also helps if you store your cigars a bit drier than the "recommended" 70% RH.

I find moist Nic 3000's to be damn near unsmokeable given that they tend to have burn issues when stored at 65% RH (I've had a few tunnel on me and fine myself having to rotate them often to even out their burns--but I can overlook that from a $2 cigars).

In fact, I think I'll see about dropping the RH on the remaing bundles a bit more (I think 63% is probably a good point for them) to see if that improves the burn situation.

[dannysguitar]

Awesome. Yeah, I have a few different Humi's set to different RH ,so 60-63 shouldn't be a problem. Thanks for the info!

Originally Posted by Totemic

Just a word of warning.
They are a bit harsh right off the truck. So I would STRONGLY recommend waiting to pass judgement on these until they've had a couple of months sitting in your humidor. It also helps if you store your cigars a bit drier than the "recommended" 70% RH.

I find moist Nic 3000's to be damn near unsmokeable given that they tend to have burn issues when stored at 65% RH (I've had a few tunnel on me and fine myself having to rotate them often to even out their burns--but I can overlook that from a $2 cigars).

In fact, I think I'll see about dropping the RH on the remaing bundles a bit more (I think 63% is probably a good point for them) to see if that improves the burn situation.

[dannysguitar]

Anyone else got any any suggestions?

[gboyet93]

Originally Posted by madurolover

I really am liking the Benchmades by Ashton right now. Although they come in boxes they are priced like bundles.

Also they are made by Pepin for Ashton.

Benchmade, and Flor de Oliva (Maduro)...................