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Author Topic: The stogie thread  (Read 3926 times)

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Valentin Hogea

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The stogie thread
« on: October 27, 2013, 03:23:12 PM »
Just wanted to see if there are any other cigar aficionados among the fellow pirates?

I've been a nicotine junkie since I was 13. My introduction was the most common form of tobacco in Sweden (moist snuff,  used under the lip). However in later years I've started to explore the world that is cigars. Favourite brands are various masterpieces by Litto Gomez [e.g. La Flor Dominicana] and the Olivia family. Not a big fan of cubans as I find them to be the Goldmund of tobacco.

Just had a:



and a couple of sips of espresso...

Time to get back to work.

/V
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Anaxilus

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Re: The stogie thread
« Reply #1 on: October 27, 2013, 06:54:59 PM »
Some of my current stash:



Had a Fuente Hemingway and an Aston at RMAF.  The far right is a vintage RyJ Churchill Habanos.  I only have a few left.

Tbh, the quality of tobacco has been in decline IMO over the past 15 years largely due to diluted supply.  There simply isn't a non-Cuban on the market that match a true Habano for richness and complexity.  Or I've never had it.  Yup, I've had Flor Dominicana, the local tobacconist here was one of the first to import them to the states.  He used to push them like crack cocaine because he got snubbed by the Feunte distributor.  They are good.

Problem is you can't even count on the real Habanos being 'real' these days due to corruption.  Last I heard the official govt. store in Havana sold 'official' counterfeits.  I think the real quality stuff is either getting poached right off the floor or marketed as limited edition reserves.  The demand is just too high to keep consistent QC.

My favorite smokes of all time in order have been: Punch (Hab), Hoyo De Monterrey (Hab), Romeo y Julieta Chruchill (Hab), Montecristo/Trinidad - tied (both Hab), Feunte Feunte Opus X, Diamond Crown, Padron Anniverserio, Avo/Ashton/Feunte Hemingway/Don Carlos- tied, Sancho Panza (Hab).  Honestly I could enjoy the flavor of a cheap ass pack of good ole American natural Backwoods more than most 'premium' cigars out there.
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Valentin Hogea

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Re: The stogie thread
« Reply #2 on: October 27, 2013, 07:17:00 PM »
Mi Amor is a real sweet one. Like it a lot. The Padron you have there, haven't tried it. Heard good about it though. The rest look like non-cuban "Cubans". Which are inexistant in the non-embargo world if I understand it right...

Ashton and Macanudo are two other liked brands...

If I would do a top 10 of stogies it'll be something like (in no specific order, as good cigars depend on mood, drink and the previous meal... trying to grade them is absurdly tricky). And I might say that I like my espresso dark, as my cigars.

La Flor Dominicana Cameroon Cabinet Chisel
La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Chisel
La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero (ahhh... the darkness)
Oliva Series O Belicoso
Olica Series V Melanio Gran Reserva Limitada Torpedo
Ashton Aged Maduro no 40
Ashton VSG Torpedo
Macanudo Hyde Park Maduro (mmm... chocolate + espresso in a burning [redickted] form)
Flor de las Antillas Toro
Arturo Fuente King Tubo (although not fully worth it's price)
Cohiba Siglo II Tubo (same as above)

I find most cubans to be lacking considering what can be bought for the same cash if going Dominican or Nicaraguan.

I mean... For 6€ I can hardly get a H. Upmann Coronas Junior (which is a joke btw), but I can purchase a LFD Air Bender Robusto and still have 1€ left. That should be even more evident in the US considering how cheap non-cubans are on US soil.

On the other hand, if there is a decline in Cuban quality, I came to late to the tracks. From my point of view Cubans, seem hyped. But maybe the glory days have passed as you noted.

The premium stash below (the non-premiums are hiding in a plastidor waiting for recession):


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shipsupt

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Re: The stogie thread
« Reply #3 on: October 27, 2013, 07:40:21 PM »
I want to grab a quick shot of my stash, but I'm embarrassed that I've been keeping them in a plastic bag!  Shame on me!
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Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

Stapsy

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Re: The stogie thread
« Reply #4 on: October 27, 2013, 09:27:09 PM »
I have never tried Cubans from prior to the "cigar boom", but most of the ones I have tried are surpassed by cheaper non-cubans.  The notable exception being the Bolivar Royal Corona.  At $14 a pop I am not smoking many of them.

I think a lot of the Cuban hype is due to American's not having access to them.  I was in Florida last year and bought 12 cigars for no more than $7 each and they were all superb.  Compare that with $25-$30 for a Cuban Montecristo No. 2 and it is quite comical.  I would be glad to give up having expensive Cubans available for the assortment of My Father, Illusione, Alec Bradley smokes that I picked up at a reasonable price.  Unless you are willing to spend $60 a stick on Cohiba Behike's etc, I don't think Cuban's are anything special.

Anyway, here is my small collection.  I don't smoke cigars much anymore.  I find they are better suited to the warm summer months than the cooler temperatures we have most of the year.  As soon as it starts to get cooler I reach for my pipe.  I have a big bag of cuban cigar leaf cuttings that a friend of mine who imports cigars gave to me that I add into my pipe if I need a little dose of cigar flavor.  This way instead of a pile of ashes that used to be a cigar I am left with a nice collection of pipes to admire!
« Last Edit: October 27, 2013, 09:39:55 PM by Stapsy »
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Anaxilus

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Re: The stogie thread
« Reply #5 on: October 28, 2013, 12:02:45 AM »
Quote from: Valentin Hogea on October 27, 2013, 07:17:00 PM
The rest look like non-cuban "Cubans". Which are inexistant in the non-embargo world if I understand it right...

Actually the far Churchill is like I said, a true vintage Habano RyJ pre-2000.  As was every one in the entire box which miraculously ended up in my possession.  Don't ask me how I know.  If you look closely at the label and the cap, the evidence is pretty clear.  The others are approved for domestic import (Nicaraguan, Honduran, Dominican, etc.).

I'm still looking for a non Habano to match the power and complexity of true Habano.  That's one reason I've been trying so many non Cubans lately as in the picture.  IME they are really apples and oranges.  Something about the soil and light just leaves the others very subtle and delicate tasting compared to the Habanos I'm used to.  I've been tending to get bored of them half way through.  I might just start sticking to max Robusto or equivalent Figurado sizes.
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Stapsy

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Re: The stogie thread
« Reply #6 on: October 29, 2013, 12:41:40 AM »
Well Anax, you got me to try a little Punch Habana Corona tonight.  Not bad, but definitely not magical.  All the cuban's I have tried tend to have a real earthiness to them.  I am still holding the Bolivar as the best Cuban I have had.  The other's have been lacking in complexity.

I agree with you on the getting bored half way through.  I think most consumer's are not looking for a rich and complex smoke, which has led to the types of non-Cuban cigars on the market that are just utterly boring (Davidoff is the worst culprit).  CeeTee and I were talking a while back about stogies and he mentioned the Rocky Patel 1992 as being a nice Cubanish non Habano.  Might want to try that if you haven't already.

Personally I have found Illusione to be quite tasty and complex.  They tend to be on the milder side though.  I did try a couple maduro versions but thought the originals were better.  On the other hand the La Flor Chisel tip Puro I had a while back had a very nice rich flavor without becoming acrid, but it was missing the subtle flavor and complexity of a truly great cigar.
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Anaxilus

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Re: The stogie thread
« Reply #7 on: October 29, 2013, 02:50:29 AM »
Yeah, Punch is very very inconsistent.  It was the most magical smoke I've ever had bursting w/ flavors like no other.  Unfortunately it's never been replicated even by other Punches.  I had some Patel that came in its own cedar box, it was okay.
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"If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading." - Lao Tzu

"The Claw is our master. The Claw chooses who will go or who will stay." - The LGM Community

"You're like a dull knife, just ain't cuttin'. Talking loud, saying nothing." - James Brown

Valentin Hogea

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Re: The stogie thread
« Reply #8 on: October 29, 2013, 10:50:29 AM »
Just placed a "small" order.. Hopefully the rainy weather will tone down during the week, not exactly cigar-friendly right now. We got almost hurricane winds the last few days.



1    Aging Room Small Batch M356 Rondo
5    Alec Bradley American Sun Grown Corona
1    Alec Bradley Prensado Churchill
1    Berger & Argenti Classico Churchill
5    Brick House Robusto
5    Brick House Robusto Maduro
11    Camacho Corojo Monarca
1    CAO Italia Piazza
1    CAO La Traviata Divino Maduro
5    CAO Lx2 Toro
1    CAO MX2 Robusto
5    Carlos Torano Exodus 1959 50 Years Box Press
1    Casa Fernandez Miami Toro
5    Casa Magna Colorado Churchill
1    Casa Magna Colorado Robusto
5    Don Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic Black Toro Gordo 2001
1    Don Tomas Classico Robusto
1    E.P. Carrillo New Wave Connecticut Stellas
1    Esteli Overruns Churchill Connecticut
1    Flor De Las Antillas by My Father Toro
1    H. Upmann Vintage Cameroon Belicoso
1    J. Fuego Natural Toro
1    J. Fuego Reserva Corojo #1 Belicoso
1    Joya De Nicaragua Antano 1970 Robusto Grande
1    Kristoff Corojo Limitada Torpedo
5    La Aroma De Cuba Mi Amor Robusto
1    La Aurora Preferidos Ecuador Sun Grown #2
10    La Aurora Preferidos Packs Maduro Sun Grown #2
5    La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Chisel
5    La Flor Dominicana Cameroon Cabinet Chisel
5    La Flor Dominicana Coronado Double Corona
5    La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero Chisel
1    La Gloria Cubana Artesansos de Obelisco Piramide
1    La Gloria Cubana Artesansos Retro Especiale Habanero
1    La Gloria Cubana Serie R Black No. 60
1    La Gloria Cubana Serie R No. 6 Maduro
1    La Gloria Cubana Serie R No. 6 Natural
1    La Mia Robusto
5    La Reloba Sumatra Cigars Torpedo Sumatra
1    La Reloba Sumatra Torpedo
1    Nat Sherman Timeless #2
1    New Rustico Habano Toro
5    Oliva Serie O Robusto
1    Oliva Serie V Churchill Extra
1    Oliva Serie V Diadema (6 x 46)
1    Oliva Serie V Diadema (7 x 49)
1    Oliva Serie V Double Robusto
1    Oliva Serie V Torpedo
1    One-N-Done Jalapa Habano Torpedo
1    Panama Red Toro (6 1/ 50)
1    Partagas 1845 Heritage Robusto
1    Partagas Black Label Gigante
1    PDR 1878 Reserva Dominicana Habana Blue Robusto
1    PDR 1878 Reserva Dominicana Oscura Red Toro
1    Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sungrown Epicure
1    Punch Gran Puro Rancho
1    Rocky Patel Edge Corojo Toro
1    Rocky Patel Edge Lite Robusto
1    Rocky Patel Edge Maduro Torpedo
1    Rocky Patel Edge Nicaraguan Torpedo
1    Rocky Patel Freedom Robusto
1    Rocky Patel Olde World Corojo Toro
2    Rocky Patel Sun Grown Torpedo Torpedo
1    Rocky Patel Sungrown Robusto
1    Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 Robusto
2    Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 Torpedo
1&n bsp;   Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 Perfect
2    Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 Torpedo
1    Rocky Patel Vintage 2003 Sixty
1    Rocky Patel Vintage 2003 Toro
1    Romeo by Romeo & Juliet Piramide
1    Room 101 Ltd Conjura Edition LTDC 60 x 5
1    Spanish Galleon Corojo Presidente Corojo
1    Spanish Galleon Corojo Torpedo

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Anaxilus

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Re: The stogie thread
« Reply #9 on: July 26, 2014, 06:46:38 AM »
Well this thread has been idle for awhile.  I've actually been quite busy on the cigar front as CeeTee can attest to via my emails.  3 humidors and about 300 cigars later, I'll have to get around to posting some pics and notes 

Till then, if anyone has $700,000 lying around for a lighter.

#t=35
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"If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading." - Lao Tzu

"The Claw is our master. The Claw chooses who will go or who will stay." - The LGM Community

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