Thanks KC, and I agree with you on the flavored cigars! :o

 

If you really want to try a good Cohiba, go on vacation to Mexico. I saw a Cohiba called the "Presidente" It was $45 for one (in Mexico!!!) & a collosal 9" x 64rg You REALLY get the whole "3rd World Dictator" look going on smoking one of those.

KC-10 FE out...

 

Most cigars are not labeled as "flavored", but theyre all flavored. Like this one here according to thompson cigar they have this to say about it:

funny I just bought one of these the other day, Ive never bought online but that site gives you some cool information on what youre buying, kinda makes it nice. I just have always bought CAO's cuz I know theyre gonna taste good whether theyre a "flavored" or not. Anyways I'll let chall know how this one is.
http://secure.thompsoncigar.com/defa...8&page=product

 

I keep a box on Antonio Cleopatra's in the truck at all times for quick trip smokes. Yes, there cheap, but they have pretty good flavor. My humidor is full of Evita Torpedo, for Saturday yard work, Ashton Prime Ministers for evening pleasure, couple of Cohiba's being aged, some no label smokes rolled by a nicoraugen (sp) that utilized some special grown tabacco from NC. Got them from the cigar shop in St. Augustine Old Towne area. Have multiple other cigars of different sizes and flavors. Buy yourselves a quality humidor and get a couple of paradyns for it. Use distilled water and enjoy the aroma of wood and smokes every time you open it!

All time favorite cigar - Ashton

 

Since that pic was taken, I discovered and smoke only Cuban cigars. They have a 'twang' that non-Cuban cigars can not duplicate. Partagas Lusitanias ae my favorite cigars. I smoke 2-3 a day.

Dan

 

Romeo & Julieta, St. Luis Rey, Macanudo, Ashton are all good. if you can get an authentic Cohiba, definitely give it a try. it's the best you'll ever have. and if you're near JR cigars in NC, it's worth a stop to check out their selection. it's huge and the cigar shop is a really big humidor in the middle of the store.

 

Overrated!!! Cohiba has been resting on their laurels for years... IMHO.

 

...so your suggestion?

 

Posted earlier in the thread... many good choices here and many more on the market, bet thing is start sampling to find your favorite. I'd put $20 that Cohiba won't make your top 5...

 

IF I were to get a non-Cuban, it would be an Ashton Virgin Sungrown Sorcerer . The VSGs blow everything else out of the water IMO. They are hard to come by. That is a valuable source .

Dan

 

I like Partagas myself, had the ones available in this country, and had the cuban ones from Canada, they rock

 

I mainly stick with Padron, Onyx Reserve, and anything from Drew Estates.

 

Most truly experience cigar smokers know what the difference between Cubans and non-Cubans is. I personally prefer the former to the latter. Specifically:

Cohibas (the real Cubans - not the rip-offs 90% of Americans end up with in their mouths on some Caribbean vacation).

Montecristos (same as above - gotta be the real thing). IMHO, the No. 4 is consistently the best smoke in the world for the money (usually under $10).

Partagas. Serie D No. 4 and Serie P No. 2 are good choices (had the No. 2 last night).

Romeo y Julietas. Various.

I love nearly all of the "Edicion Limitadas." Pricey, but the best thing smokin'. Recently discovered a Hoya Edicion Limitada for about $12 – what a smoke!!!

Now, there are usually those who polarize on one side or the other (those who can consistently get truly fresh, authentic Cubans generally prefer them, those who can't say "Cuban shmooban"). I love plenty of non-Cuban cigars even if they aren't generally speaking as good (of course there are bad Cubans and of course there are great non-Cubans). The Ashton VSG series is great, as are the Padron 1926s, and I love that Rocky Patel (the other RP) 1990 series.

 

Cubans are definately a little bit better, atleast the ones Ive had but due to price they just are not what I smoke on a regular basis, I do have a Monte # 2 straight from habana sittin on my bathroom sink right now though that prolly wont make it through the weekend. If you enjoy a cigar as often as some of us do youd really have to have the money like that or just get used to the very good dominicans. Macanudos Robust is an excellent 7 dollar cigar.

 

Cubans aren't really all that much more expensive than non-Cubans if you are fortunate enough to buy them "at cost" abroad. I think if you find a channel for them here in the US (I've never tried), you're probably paying a bit of a premium for the "overhead." I travel overseas for a living, so I'm able to smoke anywhere from probably four up to seven a week. Not all of them Cubans mind you; again, I do love plenty of others from around the Caribbean. At the end of the day, no matter what you like, it's just one of the best things about being alive and free. Now off to the back deck we go ...