TNT PAM Alternative Pre-Review Review

[shilala]

I bought a bundle of these TNT's awhile back.
They took 12 days to get to my house. I'm not even going to touch on that, but it's pretty sad in this day and age.
The sticks looked very nice. Shiny, darm, and they definately had a Padron look to them, except they were fat and lush while PAM's are always tight and shrivelly.
The aroma off the end of the sticks really smacked of ammonia. They definately need some time and some air.
I set one out this afternoon in hope that I could give it a try.
This evening I stoked her up.
The first inch was uneventful. It was super mild, nothing going on. Just air, really. But there was nothing negative about it.
The stick's body tasted a bit skanky, but that's to be expected. I already knew they needed some time to air out and settle down.
About two inches in I got a bit of flavor. If I hit it pretty hard and blew out my nose I could definately sense the carmelly, spicy, sweet Padron Anniversary flavor that I love.
It was cold, sloppy and nasty out and I was getting a headache before I got halfway through, so I chucked the stick in the alley and went inside.
For a buck a stick, I was very pleased.
I think with a little age on them and enough time to sit through the smoke, it's going to be a nice find at it's price range.
It's more similar to PAM than I imagined it would be and that pleased me.
Add to that the fact that it's a damn sexy lookin, soft and spongy stick, and it has some real potential.
Once these age out a bit I would not at all be afraid to share them.
I think they can definately be enjoyed by a lot of guys who like a milder bodied stick.
If I had to put a name to it, it'd be a Padron 1964 Lite.
All things considered, I'd give this smoke

[ShaulWolf]

I remember getting a bundle of these a good while back. They weren't bad at all, especially for the price. They definitely had a nice caramel and chocolate taste to them. I do have to agree, though, their shipping does leave something to be desired, but that's a different topic. Nice review!

[shilala]

I'm just tickled they weren't dog rockets.
Aside from being too new, they fit my flavor profile perfectly.

[Blues Tiger]

Not a bad stick at all. I got a bundle a while back along w/ some Padron 3000 maddy's. I've only smoked one as well, but I would compare it to the x000 series, nice and smooth. Just my

[mikey202]

I've been lookin' at these for awhile...gonna get me some.

[Poriggity]

I'm smoking the 2nd one out of a 5er that a friend sent. Will do a full review on it shortly. They are tasty for the $$.
Scott

[BamBam]

I just had one of these yesterday. These for me have been unpredictable, taste and burn wise. But I do have to say, I had one of these about a month ago with about 6-7 months of humi time on it and it was delicious. For around $1.30 a stick definitely a great one to have on hand, especially for when you have a buddy over who isn't a cigar guy.

[ruder]

Originally Posted by Blues Tiger

Not a bad stick at all. I got a bundle a while back along w/ some Padron 3000 maddy's. I've only smoked one as well, but I would compare it to the x000 series, nice and smooth. Just my

Yup, I agree. I got a bundle of the grand coronas, and they are similar enough to the flavor of a Padron Churchill that I may well switch over. I look at them as being the Nicaraguan version of Fuente's Tampa Sweethearts, another great alternative cigar.

The prospect of them improving with age makes them even more enticing. It's very cool getting good cigars for great prices. And while the shipping is slow,I would note that it is also free, and that you may also choose to upgrade shipping for reasonable fee.

[shilala]

Originally Posted by ruder

Yup, I agree. I got a bundle of the grand coronas, and they are similar enough to the flavor of a Padron Churchill that I may well switch over. I look at them as being the Nicaraguan version of Fuente's Tampa Sweethearts, another great alternative cigar.

The prospect of them improving with age makes them even more enticing. It's very cool getting good cigars for great prices. And while the shipping is slow,I would note that it is also free, and that you may also choose to upgrade shipping for reasonable fee.

I did upgrade the shipping. That's the only reason I remarked on it.
I'm going to look into the Tampa Sweethearts. I've seen the name once, but have never seem the cigar.
I'm going to go ask about it.
Glad to hear you enjoyed the Alts, too.

[emind56]

Recently a cigars warehouse opened up here in Tucson. Since then I've been smoking one of these at least once a week. Not sure how close they are to a PAM as its been a good number of years since I've had one. But for the price these are tough to beat if you like a Nic cigar. I put a bundle down for a nap inside a cedar Cab I had lying around. I've tried each size in both nat and maddie, and I think I prefer the Toro sized one in maddie the best JMHO. These will definitly stay in the rotation for awhile. Keep in mind that the above is expressed by a devoted Havanaphille, so my knowledge and experience with domestics is limited at best.

[jaycarla]

Originally Posted by shilala

I did upgrade the shipping. That's the only reason I remarked on it.
I'm going to look into the Tampa Sweethearts. I've seen the name once, but have never seem the cigar.
I'm going to go ask about it.
Glad to hear you enjoyed the Alts, too.

I have been sitting on the fence on these. Probably had them in the cart twice but didn't get them. I may give them a whirl now.

I live on the West Coast, so I get cigars from them in 4-5 days with standard shipping. Frustrating since I can get stuff from PA in 2 days, but oh well. The smokes I have ordered from them have been in good shape and they do run some great deals.

[shilala]

Originally Posted by jaycarla

I have been sitting on the fence on these. Probably had them in the cart twice but didn't get them. I may give them a whirl now.

I live on the West Coast, so I get cigars from them in 4-5 days with standard shipping. Frustrating since I can get stuff from PA in 2 days, but oh well. The smokes I have ordered from them have been in good shape and they do run some great deals.

I'll hook ya up, brother.