Tampa Sweethearts vs Flor de Ybor cigars

[craigchilds]

According to this site http://cigars.about.com/library/weekly/aa040901a.htm, Tampa Sweetheart cigars are short/medium filler seconds from the A. Fuente factory in the DR. The long-filler seconds are called Flor de Ybor cigars.

But according to CBid.com, Tampa Sweethearts are long filler.http://www.cigarbid.com/auction/lot.cfm?lotID=327070

Does anybody know which description is correct? Tampa Sweethearts are pretty cheap to be long-filler, even though they are seconds.

More importantly, has anybody ever smoked a Tampa Sweetheart? Did it burn well? Are they worth trying?

[catfishm2]

Some of the Tampa Sweethearts are long filler and some are short.

Long Filler

#4
#50
#85
#88
#108
#150
#270
#280
#380
#490
#500
#520

Short Filler

#24
#32
#185

I was told by the people that work there, that they are apprentice rolled cigars. I've only had the #500 and yes they are very good IMO.

[RPB67]

I never knew that they were actually Fuente seconds. I thought they were just rolled by them and are their house brand.

I have seen this discussed on CF before as well.

[floydp]

I smoke more than a bundle a month of Tampa Sweethearts, I've yet to have a bad one. Even got Anita smoking them here lately. I've had a few Flor de Ybor,thanks to Skip and like them very much as well. I opt for the cheaper price on the sweethearts. It was my thinking that they both are long filler, but I really have no idea. I stopped worrying about that stuff and smoke what I like.

Burn and draw have been quite consistant on all the sweethearts. Mark(catfish) got me going on them several months ago, when he sent me 5 to try. He had one that was plugged. He knew we were working on pokers, so he thought maybe one of the 5 might be plugged as well so we could test out the poker. None even had a tight draw. I really like the sweet maduro flavor of the sweethearts. To make a long story short, I'm on my 4th bundle with no plans on slowing down. My favorite bundled smoke. Just my

[floydp]

Originally Posted by catfishm2

Some of the Tampa Sweethearts are long filler and some are short.

Long Filler

#4
#50
#85
#88
#108
#150
#270
#280
#380
#490
#500
#520

Short Filler

#24
#32
#185

I was told by the people that work there, that they are apprentice rolled cigars. I've only had the #500 and yes they are very god IMO.

What the fish head said.. We talk about these cigars a couple times a week on the phone.

[Andyman]

Flor De Ybor are long filler Fuentes where apprentice rollers get an oppurtnity learn their trade. I gave some out as Christmas presents. I got good feedback on the Maduros.. Not so much on the natural.

[craigchilds]

Thanks for the info!

I don't really care whether a cigar is long or short-filler except that I usually have burn problems with short-filler cigars. Specifically, I've had bad burn problems with Fuente Curly Head and Mister B's bundled cigars. The only sandwich cigars that never gave me burn problems was Riatas, but I wasn't really impressed with their taste -- just a very average stick, I guess.

I've only smoked seconds a few times and they were always hit-or-miss. A few Consuegras would be really, really good -- and then the next five would be bland and boring.

But based on what I'm reading here, I may try the Tampa Sweethearts and see what I think.

[drevim]

Originally Posted by floydp

I smoke more than a bundle a month of Tampa Sweethearts, I've yet to have a bad one. Even got Anita smoking them here lately. I've had a few Flor de Ybor,thanks to Skip and like them very much as well. I opt for the cheaper price on the sweethearts. It was my thinking that they both are long filler, but I really have no idea. I stopped worrying about that stuff and smoke what I like.

Burn and draw have been quite consistant on all the sweethearts. Mark(catfish) got me going on them several months ago, when he sent me 5 to try. He had one that was plugged. He knew we were working on pokers, so he thought maybe one of the 5 might be plugged as well so we could test out the poker. None even had a tight draw. I really like the sweet maduro flavor of the sweethearts. To make a long story short, I'm on my 4th bundle with no plans on slowing down. My favorite bundled smoke. Just my

Good to know, Frank. I am planning an order to TS, and was wondering what to spend my $25+ up front, so I could take advantage of the 2 each of the rare sticks deal.

Which number do you like? Looks like from Catfish's post they have a large number. I'm sure it is each individual's choice as far as size, but I'd like to try a tested one first, before getting too adventurous.

[El Gato]

The web site for the company explains that Tampa Sweethearts are not made with the same premium tobacco as Fuente, Montesino, etc.
Check it out at http://tampasweetheart.com
I've had the sungrown pyramid, (Ybor blend) the wrapper was very light for a sungrown and didn't look at all like the regular Fuente sungrowns. I think I may have been sent the natural wrapper by mistake. Still, it is a very good cigar.

[txmatt]

The Ybor Sungrowns are usually pretty light in color. I suspect the leaf that doesn't get dark enough for the other Sungrown Fuente products is sent to these. They have the flavor though, so I don't care too much about it.

Originally Posted by El Gato

I think I may have been sent the natural wrapper by mistake. Still, it is a very good cigar.

[opus]

Tampa sweethearts are not rolled with any Fuente tobacco. That is the official stand, I have had insider's tell me that they do use leftover Fuente tobacco. I think they use whatever doesn't make the cut for regular production. The tobacco seems very consistent in flavor. They are rolled by apprentice rollers, or so I have been told. Ybor city cigars are pretty darn good. I have no idea what tobacco is used for them or who rolls them, but they seem to be on a level above the Tamps Sweethearts.

[iowapiper_rcp]

I personally LOVE the tampa sweethearts. Very good and consisten cigar, and sure as hell cant beat the price for a bundle!

[Andyman]

Originally Posted by drevim

Good to know, Frank. I am planning an order to TS, and was wondering what to spend my $25+ up front, so I could take advantage of the 2 each of the rare sticks deal.

Which number do you like? Looks like from Catfish's post they have a large number. I'm sure it is each individual's choice as far as size, but I'd like to try a tested one first, before getting too adventurous.

They have Fuente Samplers at below retail for $16.95 They come in Maduro too. can't go wrong with that.

[floydp]

Originally Posted by drevim

Good to know, Frank. I am planning an order to TS, and was wondering what to spend my $25+ up front, so I could take advantage of the 2 each of the rare sticks deal.

Which number do you like? Looks like from Catfish's post they have a large number. I'm sure it is each individual's choice as far as size, but I'd like to try a tested one first, before getting too adventurous.

I've only had the 500 maduros Ian. I likem so much that haven't even considered the others. Mark's gonna try a different size next time he orders, and of course I'm gonna mooch a few off him to try..

[sspolv]

These sound pretty good. I might have to pick up a bundle or two on Cbid or from their website. Thanks for the info, guys.