LGC vs El Credito -- worth the extra money?

[craigchilds]

I bought some El Credito cigars a while back, which are apprentice-rolled cigars from the same factory where La Gloria Cubano is made. Supposedly, according to the company web site, the same quality tobacco and the same blends are used. Obviously, the construction may be spotty due to the rollers' learning curve

The El Creditos I've smoked haven't had any construction problems, although they have all been characterized by a very loose draw. Has anyone on this board tried both brands? Can you share any feedback as to how the cigars differ? Do they really taste the same -- or can you tell a difference in the tobacco quality?

[Isombitch]

I have tried an El Credito but it didn't taste like a LGC. It could be they handle seconds for more than one factory like Consuegras, though.

[clampdown]

I went to the LGC store in Little Havana, i hated the woman so much there i refused to buy LGC again. Then I came back to my dads place and saw a good deal on the net. My strike lasted 1 day. I have had one credito and I found it laking the minimal depth that LGC has. I dont remember which one i had but for the price it was a good smoke.

[Mayor]

I have been smoking La Gloria cigars for a while. Spend the extra for the non apprentice cigars. Also, some retailers sell the cigars rolled in Miami as well as the cigars rolled in the DR. Supposedly it's the same tobacco in both but the Miami cigars are not box pressed. I prefer the Miami version.

j.

[G-Man]

The first bundled cigar I bought was the El Credito because I like the LGC Wavell. The El Credito's were inconsistent at best. There were a few in the bunch that were pretty good, but overall they were not consistent enough, even for a bundle, for me.

I did find that the longer they sat in the humi, the more smokable they became. However, there are better bundled cigars out there then these IMO.