Is anyone here into the JR Alternative line?

[Aaron871]

I just got a few of these, haven't smoked them yet.

I was wondering, because there are so many different flavors, if anyone had any input on them.

[msullivan]

I've also wondered about these. It doesn't seem like people here at puff buy into the alternative and home blend lines. I've also wondered about the famous homeblends. Any light on these would be great.

[Cigary]

I have tried various of these and will tell you what they were and how close I thought they were to the real thing:

JR CUBAN ALTERNATIVES - JRCOR
COHIBA ROBUSTO NOT EVEN CLOSE

JR CUBAN ALTERNATIVES - JRSLB CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR
SAINT LUIS REY SIZE B

JR CUBAN ALTERNATIVES - JRPALU
PARTAGAS LUSITANIA LAUGHABLE NOT EVEN IN THE SAME ZIP CODE

JR CUBAN ALTERNATIVES - JRMO2
MONTECRISTO NO. 2 TOTAL FAIL

Opus X Reserve D' Chateau Alternatives PUHLEEEEEZE,,,NOT EVEN
from Cigar Hut

Padrón Anniversary Cigar Alternatives NOPE,,,,TOTAL FAIL AGAIN

[Dom]

everything gary said was right on.

I've tried 2 bundles of them and here's my advice:

#1 If the price point is what attracts you, find an alt. line that has a blend that you already know you like, dont worry about what they're trying to duplicate.

#2 Look at them as what they are, a bundle with a value price-point. If you compare them to the brand that theyre trying to replicate you WILL be dissapointed, but if you just take them for what they are they can actually be solid and enjoyable cigars.

[Aaron871]

Originally Posted by Cigary

I have tried various of these and will tell you what they were and how close I thought they were to the real thing:

JR CUBAN ALTERNATIVES - JRCOR
COHIBA ROBUSTO NOT EVEN CLOSE

JR CUBAN ALTERNATIVES - JRSLB CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR
SAINT LUIS REY SIZE B

JR CUBAN ALTERNATIVES - JRPALU
PARTAGAS LUSITANIA LAUGHABLE NOT EVEN IN THE SAME ZIP CODE

JR CUBAN ALTERNATIVES - JRMO2
MONTECRISTO NO. 2 TOTAL FAIL

Opus X Reserve D' Chateau Alternatives PUHLEEEEEZE,,,NOT EVEN
from Cigar Hut

Padrón Anniversary Cigar Alternatives NOPE,,,,TOTAL FAIL AGAIN

Thanks for the report.

yeah, I've been told they don't resemble the name brand mentioned.
Just wondered if there was a good tasting stick in there somewhere. I don't like when it list's the wrapper, binder, and filler as "Varies". I have no idea what it will taste like if all the tobacco varies...lol

I'll report back when I try the ones I just got. The Montecristo 'C' and the Gurka Maduro.

[HU1844SMOKER]

I've smoked a few of those, and remember the key word is similar and since I haven't tried some of the luxury cigars they are suppose to be like I thought they were good. If you want the real thing buy the real thing.

[Cigary]

Originally Posted by Dom

everything gary said was right on.

I've tried 2 bundles of them and here's my advice:

#1 If the price point is what attracts you, find an alt. line that has a blend that you already know you like, dont worry about what they're trying to duplicate.

#2 Look at them as what they are, a bundle with a value price-point. If you compare them to the brand that theyre trying to replicate you WILL be dissapointed, but if you just take them for what they are they can actually be solid and enjoyable cigars.

I'm not for sure certain but I think Dom and I talked about this very subject some time back on a post about alternatives in that I posted about this very thing. I was looking for any alternatives that at least had some characteristics of the name brand cigars. While I am aware of the pricing of the premium and the alternate pricing I became disillusioned pretty quickly after smoking a couple of them. I also remember Dom talking about the El Padrino line of cigars and ordered a couple 5 paks of those and have enjoyed them as a cheaper line of cigars. After some time in the humidor they proved to be a good cigar when you want a change.

[smelvis]

I tend to agree, I tried the cohiba and the Montes and they were okay for walk around throw half away smoke. The prices are decent but then if they suck what the use!!

[AZJack]

I've tried a few, don't expect then to taste like the real thing, but I've found they are a decent smoke for the price. They tend to burn a little uneven, but a few touchups with the lighter helps.

[Arnie]

I like the Edicion Limitadas. Do they taste like Cuban Limitadas? Nope! But I don't expect them to. They are nice, medium bodied and tasty for the price. I bought one bundle of Bolivar Cuban Coronas. They were OK but there were some construction problems so I never bought any more.
If you are wanting to get a Padron Anny for a buck fifty forget it, but if you want a good cheap smoke try them.

[Aaron871]

Here is my report of the JR Alr. Monte 'C'

Jr alternative montecristo 'c'

Did it taste the same? Not really.... but I liked it better.

[Presbo]

I've smoked a few and all in all they are a OK smoke for the $. But not as good as the REAL thing by a long shot. IMHO

[MrMayorga]

I bought a fiver of the JR Ultimate and a bundle of the JR Alt to the JR Ult and actually prefer the Alt to the Ult. Now say that five times very fast. The Alts do need a few months of rest though.

[gsmj27]

My favorite smoke is the Fuente 8-5-8, any shade. I know that's not an expensive cigar, yet for me to smoke them everyday, the price adds up.

I was in a Costco of all places when I noticed a Cigar Humidor. Of course I had to investigate. Low and behold, there were a few JR Alternative bundles, one being the 8-5-8 alternative. For thirty bucks and twenty sticks, I figured why not. If they sucked I could give them to my friend who enjoys aging cigars and see if they mature into anything.

Well, I bought them, and have since bought two more bundles. There is of course NO substitute for the real thing, but I think they come pretty damn close, price not considered. They are a great supplement to slow the cost of smoking name-brand cigars everyday.

Like the other poster suggests, unwrap them and give them a month before you smoke them. The longer each one sits, the smoother it gets (for me and my tastes, anyways..).

[aka DaBigKahuna]

I used to smoke these "on the regular" when I start smoking three years ago. After a few years of not smoking them a friend gave me a fiver.

What a disappointment. For the record they were the Cohiba alternatives.