The State of NC cigars

[QiCultivator]

I am planning on buying several boxes of cigars next month (at least 3 or 4). There are many I am considering, including any of the 601 Serie lines, Don Pepin Garcia Blue, Don Pepin Black, Joya de Nicaragua Antano 1970 (before they disappear forever), Carlos Torano 1916 Cameroon, Padron Delicias (Maduro), and the list goes on and on.

There are so many great smokes out there these days...I am a relative newbie (only been buying seriously for about 2 years) but I think it's a wonderful time to be a cigar smoker. If all I could buy for the rest of my smoking career were Padrons, Pepin, LFDs, Camachos, Tatuajes, Toranos, and Olivas I think I would be happy.

[PerpetualNoob]

I would have to agree that it's a great time. Wide availability, consistently high quality, even in many of the "budget" lines, and a truly staggering variety. You'd really have to work at it or be extremely finicky to not find several cigars that fit your preferences and price point.

I pretty much sat out the boom years. I have an aversion to anything that is that popular. I think we're still reaping the benefits of it, and I hope it continues forever.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by QiCultivator

There are so many great smokes out there these days...I am a relative newbie (only been buying seriously for about 2 years) but I think it's a wonderful time to be a cigar smoker. If all I could buy for the rest of my smoking career were Padrons, Pepin, LFDs, Camachos, Tatuajes, Toranos, and Olivas I think I would be happy.

With all the great lines and vitolas these companies make, you would have lots of great choices and variety even among only 7 brands.....and don't forget the Fuentes.

[QiCultivator]

yeah of course the Fuentes...I thought I might be forgetting something

[thebiglebowski]

Originally Posted by QiCultivator

Joya de Nicaragua Antano 1970 (before they disappear forever)...

what do you mean by this? what's up with JdN?

[QiCultivator]

I read somewhere that Casa Magna Colorado was supposed to be the cigar that replaces JdN Antano. I have heard things about the Antanos going out of production. I know that Drew Estates took over their distribution earlier this year.

[PaleRider]

There is no question that now is an amazing time to be a cigar smoker in terms of quality and variety.

The past couple of years or so IMO has been the very best for me in my cigar smoking career. Haven't had a dog rocket in a very long time.

During the boom, which I didn't sit out, consistency and quality was very much hit and miss, and the pricing! Forget it. Completely ridiculous.

I was speaking with the rep that handles Gran Habano, Fonseca, JFR, Magna etc. last night. He made the same comment about quality and availability.

Another interesting point he made was that Nicaragua right now is sending very large amounts of tobacco to Cuba as their current economy and growing conditions are precluding them from meeting their production requirements.

Any way, just my

[lonsdale]

[ I think it's a wonderful time to be a cigar smoker.[/quote]

It is a wonderful time in some ways, but I miss being able to go to my steak house and enter the dark, dimly lit comfort of that setting. I miss finishing off that great meal with amaretto cheesecake for dessert, and then cognac or sometimes coffee or whisky . . . and then the cigar, ah yes, the cigar, the perfect way to cap that experience. I can feel it now in my mind's eye; I can see it now in my cigar-smoking soul: Macallan 12 year, with a Hemingway Classic, and Sinatra. Alas, I lament the loss of that . . .

[PerpetualNoob]

Originally Posted by lonsdale

[ I think it's a wonderful time to be a cigar smoker.

It is a wonderful time in some ways, but I miss being able to go to my steak house and enter the dark, dimly lit comfort of that setting. I miss finishing off that great meal with amaretto cheesecake for dessert, and then cognac or sometimes coffee or whisky . . . and then the cigar, ah yes, the cigar, the perfect way to cap that experience. I can feel it now in my mind's eye; I can see it now in my cigar-smoking soul: Macallan 12 year, with a Hemingway Classic, and Sinatra. Alas, I lament the loss of that . . .[/quote]

Yes, the political environment re: cigars has definitely gone downhill. There are more and better cigars than probably any time in history, and fewer and fewer places to enjoy them.

[Snake Hips]

Originally Posted by PaleRider

Another interesting point he made was that Nicaragua right now is sending very large amounts of tobacco to Cuba as their current economy and growing conditions are precluding them from meeting their production requirements.

Sounds strange for a country defined by its puros to import tobacco, but it might explain why the new stuff is so damned good

[QiCultivator]

Yeah, I agree that the political situation with smoking is terrible right now. A man (or woman) has a hard time finding a place outside his/her home to enjoy a nice cigar. Restaurants? Nope. Bars? Sorry. Where I am from it is basically outside (for now) and smoke shops.

I actually heard my town's Common Council discuss banning smoking in publically owned places outside, like parks, etc. Sounds kinda totalitarian to me! Unfrickinbelievable!

[thebiglebowski]

Originally Posted by PaleRider

I was speaking with the rep that handles Gran Habano, Fonseca, JFR, Magna etc. last night. He made the same comment about quality and availability.

Another interesting point he made was that Nicaragua right now is sending very large amounts of tobacco to Cuba as their current economy and growing conditions are precluding them from meeting their production requirements.

i find it very difficult to believe that is happening. no way the rest of the world would accept nicaraguan tobacco in their lusis. that rep is just trying to hype up his cigars.