cheap bundles... hmm.

[Arleban]

A couple o' questions about some bundles that I saw a cigar king. One was Conquistador and there was another that I can't remember at the moment. I'm blocked from going to verify at work. Anyway, they were bundled like 25 for $20 or $25. That's cheap. I'm probably going to hazard a guess and say they suck, but has anyone had any experience with those smokes?

[SeanGAR]

Originally Posted by Arleban

A couple o' questions about some bundles that I saw a cigar king. One was Conquistador and there was another that I can't remember at the moment. I'm blocked from going to verify at work. Anyway, they were bundled like 25 for $20 or $25. That's cheap. I'm probably going to hazard a guess and say they suck, but has anyone had any experience with those smokes?

The connecticut shade gran habano #1 (which is made by the company that makes the conquistadors) is a mild smoke. I prefer the #5 Corojos. But for a buck a stick, delivered, it sounds like a good enough deal to take a flyer, assuming you like mild smokes.

[txmatt]

Some good cheap BOXED Firsts you can get for the same price as many bundles, all three of these are $30 per box, any size from Mike's right now:

I just bought and split these 3 with 2 buds at work:

Mantequilla - get the X, XX, or XXX Maduro. A sweet box pressed maduro. I have had other lines from Mantequilla and had no hesitation about picking them up.

Lusitania - I bought the Robusto Maduro - These are made by Perdomo and are Nicaraguan Puros made with tobacco from both Jalapa and Esteli valleys

La Flor del Caney - The Bouquet size is a nice cameroon wrapped figurado made by Manuel Quesada of Matasa (Fonseca, Licenciados) in Dominican Republic.

These are two other inexpensive boxed cigars that have been good to me:

La Finca - these vary from $17 (fuma) to $40 (figurado) per box. Some people call these "La Stinka" but they burn well and have a consistant flavor. The corona size scores very highly in blind taste tests, I have smoked quite a few of these but tried the Robusto Black recently and will probably buy those from now on.

Drew Estate La Veja Habana (Blue Box aka Fumas) - these are DE's best sellers for a reason. They decided fumas didn't need to look like and smoke like crap when they were using top notch mixed filler. They take a nice corojo wrapper and put it around a well constructed mixed filler bunch. You can get them for $23 to $35 per box depending on size.

-Matt-

[Arleban]

Thanks Txmatt! Still on the quest for good, but cheap (sigh...), smokes. Who is Mike?

[MitchellF]

I agree with TXMATT on the La Finca. I have bought a box of the coronas after buying a few singles. This is a great inexpensive cigar and it rates from 89 to 91 in Cigar Afficianado. I have not tried the Robusto yet but if it is as good as the corona you cant go wrong. These are the best "cheap" cigars I have smoked. It uses all long filler has a good construction and good taste. I have read they are really good if allowed to age in the humidor. Anyone who calls them La Stinka has never smoked one or looks at the price and turns up their nose. Very good cigar and better than some 5 and 6 dollar smokes I have had. IMHO, it is much better than any La Vieja Habana. They are also much better than a Bering Imperial and cheaper. Give them a try, for $29.00 a box (which includes shipping) you cant go wrong.

[MoTheMan]

Originally Posted by txmatt

Mantequilla - get the X, XX, or XXX Maduro. A sweet box pressed maduro. I have had other lines from Mantequilla and had no hesitation about picking them up.

Drew Estate La Veja Habana (Blue Box aka Fumas) - these are DE's best sellers for a reason. They decided fumas didn't need to look like and smoke like crap when they were using top notch mixed filler. They take a nice corojo wrapper and put it around a well constructed mixed filler bunch. You can get them for $23 to $35 per box depending on size.

-Matt-

I agree with Matt. Those are some very decent smokes and the price point is quite nice. Personally I've smoked all the ones he mentioned in the past, the two here (above) I've smoked more than once in the past year & have enjoyed . . . uh, that is when I wasn't in the mood for an ISOM.

There's also Outdoorsman's Reserve by Drew Estate (from cigars International) which is the same blend as above but with a touch milder/spicier Sumatra wrapper. Tasty.

[txmatt]

Originally Posted by Arleban

Thanks Txmatt! Still on the quest for good, but cheap (sigh...), smokes. Who is Mike?

www.mikescigars.com


Be sure to get on the catalog list. The web site totally sucks IMO, very few descriptions and/or pictures. However they do make the catalog available in PDF format so print yourself off a copy until you get the next one.

Matt

[God]

You're getting a lot of good advice on this thread... I have tried all but the La Flor listed in this thread... I like some better than others but they are all decent smokes at an affordable price. Check out www.cigarbid.com for some good deals on five packs till you find what you like. The Outdoorsman Reserve is one of my favorite "El Cheapo" smokes after you give them some humidor time.

[kamikaiguy]

I have had the JR Gallon of Cigars before they are great cigars. They are also inexpensive. Give them a try....

I would mention the Flor do Oliva bundles but I think you Already said that they didn't meat your flavor profile. The FdO's are $24.50 at Smokeall.com

[MitchellF]

Originally Posted by kamikaiguy

I have had the JR Gallon of Cigars before they are great cigars. They are also inexpensive. Give them a try....

I would mention the Flor do Oliva bundles but I think you Already said that they didn't meat your flavor profile. The FdO's are $24.50 at Smokeall.com

Thanks for that info Kamikaiguy! I have looked at the gallons real hard and have been tempted. I was reluctant even though the description said all the cigars were long filler and were originally destined for name brand cigars. Some of the lengths have been clipped due to chips or loose wrapping but that is a minor problem considering the great prices on the gallons. I am going to buy one based on your recommendation. Thanks.

[txmatt]

You may want to stay up until 1 EST tonight for the moonlight madness sale JR has each week. The past few weeks have been just so there is a higher probability it won't suck this week. These sales are like instant lotto tickets: as soon as you stop the next one is good!

-Matt-

[WillyGT]

I saw that madness sale at JR and have been temted to stay, but is it worthed? like what kind of specials do they have? are they only on Boxes or in bundles or 5 packs too. Thnx

[kamikaiguy]

The Gallons are good. They are not my absolute favorite, but they are not bad.

I think they are either General Cigar Second or Altadis seconds. But I lean towards General Cigar for Some reason. The are all different tastes so there is a variety in each gallon. They are good though. Some time near the end they fall apart. But for the price if you only get to an inch and a half who cares. Also the Nicaraugan and Honduran Factory Corojos are really good also. Similar to the gallon.

[Arleban]

wow. just. wow! Thanks for all the advice in this thread. So many to try... One of the shops here in Columbus had the La Vieja Habanas, so I picked up a stick and will see.

Kamikaiguy, I can't be too hasty on a cigar that a few have recommended for a decent price, so I have another FdO that I will make a final decision on.

seriously, thank you all for your help and advice. I really appreciate all the help given to this noob. Here's to you all.

[txmatt]

Originally Posted by WillyGT

I saw that madness sale at JR and have been temted to stay, but is it worthed? like what kind of specials do they have? are they only on Boxes or in bundles or 5 packs too. Thnx

Another crappy week on the madness sale.

I have only seen boxes on this sale.

Arleban: one thing to keep in mind is Flor de Oliva comes in MANY varieties. The original is a favorite of many people here, but it also comes in H2000, Maduro, Gold, and even Candela . So if you have tried the classic and didn't like it you might want to try out one of the others in the line. If you still don't like them don't fret, there are thousands of other bargain cigars on the market to try..

-Matt-