Any really good, underrated non-cubans from lesser known brands I should be aware of? [Archive]

cigarssogood

13-11-2009, 10:49 PM

Just wanting some recommendations for brands of non-cuban cigars that are really good - perhaps underrated - and a reasonable price. I am not a snob when it comes to cigars. I am willing to try anything. Each new cigar I light up gives me child-like joy. Not that that joy lasts very long if the cigars sucks, but nevertheless...

Any thoughts? I have ordered some CAO Gold robustos and am going to get some Rocky Patels, but those are really popular brands. Something new and perhaps not extremely well known. I like to surprise my buddies with new and obscure smokes, especially when they aren't so expensive I wince when I hand a few out at parties. Haha.

Big_T_UK

13-11-2009, 11:00 PM

Hmm........

Racking my memory. What was the thing they really suggested we try at JJ Fox. Lascaux, can you remember?

T.

Lee Nub

13-11-2009, 11:07 PM

Perdomo lot 23. Unreal tbh T .

Lascaux

13-11-2009, 11:09 PM

hmm

think that was a smaller ashton VSG, maybe the mystique?

will pop in there when my flu's cleared up and check it out.

Big_T_UK

13-11-2009, 11:17 PM

Sorry to hear you have the flu, and yes, Ashton VSG is supposed to be good.

Which Rocky Patel you thinking of?

T.

cigarssogood

14-11-2009, 07:07 AM

The Rocky Patel Sun growns (I read they are lacking in flavour though) and the Rocky Patel 92 vintage robustos, but those aren't super cheap.

Where would you recommend a Canadian to buy some of these recommended non-cuban cigars from btw? Most companies ship everywhere except canada.

HabanoSy

14-11-2009, 07:52 AM

Here are some of my 'sort of budget' suggestions...

Arturo Fuente Cuban Corona
Ashton Tres Mystique
Carlos Torano Silver Edition Robusto Corto
Hoyo Excalibur 1066 Dark Knight I
Oliva Serie O Robusto
Oliva Serie V Belicoso
Padron 3000
Padron 6000
Padron Executive
Padron Magnum
Punch Gran Puro Rancho
Saint Luis Rey Belicoso
Saint Luis Rey Churchill

Try these and see how you get on...

There are many more out there and Im sure so of the others will be along in a while to give you their favourites...

Cheers, HabanoSy

cigarssogood

14-11-2009, 08:41 AM

Wow...that's a lot of variety! I would love to find a few smokes that are around 5 dollars per stick...would feel less like I'm smoking 20 dollar bills...haha...suggestions for where to buy, being in Canada?

SeanP

14-11-2009, 11:20 AM

I tend to go more medium to full and stay away from the milder smokes. But for your money, and in that $5/stick range (without shipping) I would offer these 'sleepers' and somewhat 'sleepers'

5 Vegas Series "A"
5 Vegas Miami
A. Fernandez
Cu-Avana Intenso
Rocky Patel Edge Maduro
Fonseca 5-50 (this is on the mild side but lots of flavor)
Gran Habano 3 Siglos
Gran Habano #5 Corojo
Hoyo Dark Sumatra (Espresso Vitola 4.5 x 50 is excellent)
La Cuna Bin No. 85 try the Habano wrapper, "super sleeper" , super cheap.
Partagas Black
Onyx Reserve (Mini Belicoso v.nice)
Man-O-War (Corona is a nice smoke)

A few to get you going.

celsis

14-11-2009, 12:20 PM

Perdomo lot 23. Unreal tbh T .

I'll second that! Got a sampler of 5 and they're luvverly!

misterbulgarin

14-11-2009, 05:13 PM

Anything Perdomo, really have alot of respect for that brand.

Jose Marti provide some nice mild smokes, but they're hard to find. I buy these in Churchill vitola, it's 19 bucks for 10 churchills, leave them in the humi for a month or two and they provide you with a light smoke which is just easy going, and they burn really well too. Can only get about an inch of ash though (if that).

Georges Reserve! Excellent everyday smoke with some nice chunky vitolas, great prices too. Mild, super strong ash and plumes of smoke. Made by the people who do Oliva. I've had about 15 so far (collectively) and EVERY one has smoked, performed and tasted brilliant. Big respect.

Gran Habano make some nice conneticuts, I like the torpedo especially

Black Pearl, had one of these and the quality, complexity and body of it really knocked me back, wasn't expecting such a good experience with a NC

I had an Ashton Cabinet cigar (Torpedo) and it was real easy going, I heard bad things about Ashton but my experience was ok.

kingcohiba

14-11-2009, 05:46 PM

id say quite a few of the brands mentioned are not under rated at all. especially the vsg! thats a top brand to be honest. a very good stick too i might add. if you are looking for inexpensive ncs which are totally worth purchasing a box, let me recommend some for ya.

anything punch....i prefer the punch elites at about $50.00 a box
romeo y julieta reserva real.....coronas
padron delicias........i prefer the maduro to the naturals
oliva serie o.....robustos for me
h upmann vintage cameroon....p coronas for me...i didnt say the p word!
excalibur 1066.......merlin cameroon, although some like the sumatras
about any fuente.....i prefer the opus and anejo and some hemingways but from their regular line try the 858s or the chateau are a personal favorite of mine

with the exception of opus anejo or hemingways from fuente you are looking at about 75 bucks or under a box. they are not under rated any of these, but priced rather nicely.

white owl swisher sweet and dutch master are pretty nice on the wallet too!:rock:

cigarssogood

14-11-2009, 06:06 PM

I doubt I've ever gotten so much info in so little time on a forum. So much to choose from...this could take months. Haha.

I would love to buy some Fuente's and Padrons, but I worry about getting counterfeits. A box of Fuente's costs the same in Canada as a box of Cubans...about $500. So, I assume that, even if I can buy some for half that price overseas, it is still very likely that I could get burned. Thoughts?

kingcohiba

14-11-2009, 06:16 PM

padron anniversary and high end fuentes are the ones counterfeited. i dont think you will have to worry much about their normal brands being counterfeited. i have never to my knowledge seen a counterfeit padron or fuente, only the high end from both companies. you need to research a little bit better because these cigars are inexpensive and not $500 a box. buy them elsewhere.....or from me! they are only $300.00 a box from me! haha jk

cigarssogood

14-11-2009, 10:28 PM

I wonder how much duty I would pay on a Humidor? I really want a Xikar Artisan humidor for my buddy, and they have them, but I know they make you pay duties up-front. I'll have to email them and ask.

Btw. I just smoked a Royal Corona and whilst it didn't have the same burn issue (A bit, but nothing a lighter couldn't fix) it was quite bitter. I think maybe I must have had the lighter too close. I tried to toast it perfectly but you think the bitterness was because of the way it was lit? Please note that I am a noob to cigars and have yet to perfect all the nuances of smoking them, and that is why I am asking such a simple question. Ha.

G-man

14-11-2009, 11:20 PM

Nice smokes but for the money Id keep with the Fuente's ! Perdomo is a great cigar maker. Hes for the workin man . I wouldn't by whole boxes till you sample a bunch. This is how You can figure out what trips your trigger as far as taste and complexity. Just My . 0 2

SeanP

15-11-2009, 11:21 AM

white owl swisher sweet and dutch master are pretty nice on the wallet too!:rock:

Friends don't let friends smoke cardboard! :lol:

misterbulgarin

15-11-2009, 05:57 PM

They do when friends want to look cool or take part in cigar smoking but don't take into account the taste, complexity and other connosieurial things that come with the cigar experience

cohibaIV

15-11-2009, 08:49 PM

Well, I really don't think you can go wrong with the NC Punch Rare Corojo..

As TJ knows, I am a sucker for them..:cowboyic9:

SeanP

15-11-2009, 09:05 PM

They do when friends want to look cool or take part in cigar smoking but don't take into account the taste, complexity and other connosieurial things that come with the cigar experience

I guess I'm just used to sub $1 cigars that are good like Slow-Aged by Perdomo, Sol Cubano Series B, Victor Sinclair Primeros & Connecticut Yankee. They are good knock around smokes or "Yard gars" but easy to pass out and not break the bank. :cowboyic9:

SeanP

15-11-2009, 09:06 PM

Well, I really don't think you can go wrong with the NC Punch Rare Corojo..

As TJ knows, I am a sucker for them..:cowboyic9:

The Magnum vitola (5.1" x 54) is very nice indeed :smoke:

cigarssogood

15-11-2009, 10:43 PM

The problem is that I have introduced my friends to really good cigars and now the bastards can tell the difference between them. Although, I love the idea of having knock-around smokes that you can hand out to people. They're really helpful when people are drunk. I myself compared a D4 with a cheap house robusto from my local shop and, thanks to the dozen jello shots and innumerable vodka and cokes, I could not for the life of me distinguish the two! Haha. Gotta love booze!

Thanks for all the suggestions guys! Keep em coming. I love to learn about cigars!

misterbulgarin

16-11-2009, 01:40 PM

Funny enough I had a guantanamo while drunk and it was pretty sublime!

cigarssogood

17-11-2009, 02:27 AM

Crawling drunk? :smoke:

TomUfer

17-11-2009, 05:32 AM

Fuente Cuban Belicoso
El Baton
Brick House
Padron Londres

G-man

17-11-2009, 03:23 PM

Although the suggestions are great this does not get you off cheap!
So lets see what else comes up ?

Any thoughts? I have ordered some CAO Gold robustos and am going to get some Rocky Patels, but those are really popular brands. Something new and perhaps not extremely well known. I like to surprise my buddies with new and obscure smokes, especially when they aren't so expensive I wince when I hand a few out at parties. Haha

misterbulgarin

17-11-2009, 06:23 PM

I dunno what to make of CAO, each one I've had has been pretty poor, but they seem to be doing alright money wise? Not that It really matters either as it's subjective, but most people I've seen on other forums don't like the brand, especially the Brazillias! I've not tried them though so I can't comment.

I remember one CAO absolutely floored me, honestly, this cigar made me feel ill, light headed and not feel good at all. Can't remember what 'country' one it was but, god was it strong as anything.

kingcohiba

17-11-2009, 06:33 PM

im not a cao fan either. the only one i can smoke is the sopranos.

MP928

21-11-2009, 12:45 AM

I have been very impressed with the Viaje Platino Line, especially the lancero.

cigarssogood

15-12-2009, 02:07 AM

I just wanted to let you all know that I followed your advice and got a box of Arturo Fuente Cuban Coronas with the Maduro wrappers. They're great! I am not usually keen on pyramid-style cigars, or cigars with small ring gauges, but they sure are tasty...way better than the CAO gold robustos I bought. I was wondering if you guys had any more recomendations for Fuentes. If I could find a fuente with the flavour of those cuban coronas, in a larger, non-pyramid roll, like a robusto, that would be great.

All the advice is most helpful...It has most certainly saved me money, time and horrible smoking experiences, so thank you guys! Trust the brits to actually know something about cigars. Most of the Canadians I meet who say they know a lot about cigars actually know less than me, and I'm a rookie.

BTW; I am going to order some Perdomo lot 23's now.

tupacboy

15-12-2009, 02:49 AM

CAO = all marketing don't buy it... think grey goose...

Kdot

15-12-2009, 03:26 AM

CAO = all marketing don't buy it... think grey goose...

only difference is grey goose is pretty good

kingcohiba

15-12-2009, 03:31 AM

try the padilla archilles or the obsedian. not sure of the spelling of either but its pretty darn close! the archilles is an outstanding smoke. its the jl2 twin brother imo....at $50.00 a bundle it can't be beat! just got two bundles in the mail today matter of fact.

G-man

15-12-2009, 11:45 AM

kingcohiba

15-12-2009, 03:15 PM

So! which of the 2 did you buy?
The Padilla Obsidian is a wonderful maduro draped beauty that for the money can't be beat. Here is an under priced cigar that has been around for a long time . The only problem i have found with this cigar is as of late they have not been aging them long enough ! Which leads me to believe that they are no longer a secret to the true bargain hunters. So if you get lucky and find a source thats had them in their humidor collecting dust
BINGO ! And if not well ,to only truly find out what all Thar hoopla is about,
your going to have to put them to sleep for at least 6 months. But the nap will do them a world of good.

i got the achilles mikey, have to agree with you on the obsedian, they need some rest as the last one i had was way too overpowering. the achilles are a bit on the strong side too. but i can manage with those! have one on my desk right now for the ride home today!

i hear its raining cigars or something eh mike?

G-man

15-12-2009, 09:35 PM

i got the achilles mikey, have to agree with you on the obsedian, they need some rest as the last one i had was way too overpowering. the achilles are a bit on the strong side too. but i can manage with those! have one on my desk right now for the ride home today!

i hear its raining cigars or something eh mike?
excusea me a ? Pricks think its a funny ah !:der:

dentonparrots

18-12-2009, 09:50 AM

Reserva Mira Flor are amazing, espescially their Robusto's, and shockingly well priced for such a quality cigar.

3x3 Robusto's are also very good, albeit kinda bland, maybe a morning smoke.

G-man

18-12-2009, 01:26 PM

Are In
Did some research on this cigar and there was nothing but good,(Great ) things were said about the Mira Flor cigar !
:hail:Thank You Brother for putting this cigar in the light:hail:
More $$$$$$$$ spent
:der:Dam U :der:

Reserva Mira Flor are amazing, especially their Robusto's, and shockingly well priced for such a quality cigar.

3x3 Robusto's are also very good, albeit kinda bland, maybe a morning smoke.

rudechuck

18-12-2009, 07:14 PM

Not cheap by any means, but quite possibly my favorite NC is San Cristobal, made by Don Pepin Garcia for Ashton.

Coronado by La Flor is great.

My Father and Padilla Miami.

For lower priced sticks, Oliva and Carlos Torano have already been mentioned, but are both worth mentioning again.

dentonparrots

19-12-2009, 12:16 AM

Are In

Did some research on this cigar and there was nothing but good,(Great ) things were said about the Mira Flor cigar !
:hail:Thank You Brother for putting this cigar in the light:hail:
More $$$$$$$$ spent
:der:Dam U :der:
[CENTER]

Wait until you've tried them, virtually NEVER plugged, a fantastic full-ish flavoured cigar without being to spicy (1st inch never counts in my book!) that'll leave you mightily impressed. Leave all preconceived thoughts behind and just enjoy it for what it is, a fantastic smoke! The unplugged to plugged CC ratio is unreal (and nothing pissses me off more than a cigar that don't burn!). Sometimes they require a few days dry-boxed to fully appreciate. IMHO these guys are a treasure and a definite "wish I'd smoked" of the future.

ENJOY :cowboyic9: :smoke: :hail:

Oscar Madison

19-12-2009, 01:33 AM

Carlos Toraño Signature robustos are a favorite of mine and by the box of 25 they should be below the less than $5 each you're looking to spend.

The Montecristo Platinum robustos are another great smoke, but their price will be closer to $6 each.

Kdot

19-12-2009, 01:35 AM

I just tried a La Gloria Cubana Medaile d'or no.1, great cigar...I overlooked this brand for so long and missed out on such a quality smoke.

This get K.Dots official stamp of deliciousness :top:

highly recommended

edit: doh! just read the thread title, This obviously isnt a NC cigar, so try a Padilla 1948 robusto if you get the chance, also comes with the afore mentioned stamp of deliciousness.

TomUfer

24-12-2009, 01:05 AM

I need to add CAO's LA Traviata. It's a great cigar and priced at around $5 USD.

Vision

27-12-2009, 02:14 AM

Joya de Nicaragua Celebracion

saggel

27-12-2009, 02:37 AM

Joya de Nicaragua Celebracion

+1 :rock:

G-man

27-12-2009, 03:18 AM

Joya de Nicaragua Celebracion

Great unknown !

Big J

28-12-2009, 01:06 AM

I need to add CAO's LA Traviata. It's a great cigar and priced at around $5 USD.

I tried one yesterday, very good stick indeed for the $. I need to get some more.

Flying Cigar

06-01-2010, 04:00 PM

Not sure they have been mentioned already, if so my apologies, but I'd like to recommend The Nub ( extremely tasty lil' stick, albeit a bit expensive ) and Joya de Nicaragua 1970 Antaño, a very good NC alternative that is cheap -by European standards- if bought in the US.

Anything by Ernesto Perez Carrillo out of Miami, next door to Pepin Garcia, is also a good choice.

Nuno Sa

06-01-2010, 04:32 PM

I you can find some Brasilian cigars have a try, i like them a lot, i got some Dona Flor Robusto´s at home that i like very much.

G-man

06-01-2010, 08:35 PM

If you can find some Brazilian cigars have a try,I like them a lot, i got some Dona Flor Robusto´s at home that i like very much.
Ya and you sent me some that I was scratching my head and saying where have I seen this label before? Now I have it figured out. ( No Sherlock Holmes by any means Watson) Nuno I'll have to send You some with 5 plus years on them! Great unknown stick indeed olé' chap:smile:

Nuno Sa

07-01-2010, 05:34 AM

You got also some of the only hand rolled cigar in Portugal, their from Casa Estrela, in the Azores islands. The band as got Belinda writen in it.

misterbulgarin

07-01-2010, 08:36 AM

I got a bundle of Don Kiki Green labels from Gman and i must say they've all been great, even gifted a few out to friends and they've reported no draw problems, and they taste damn good too.

G-man

07-01-2010, 01:14 PM

Thank You !:41:

You got also some of the only hand rolled cigar in Portugal, their from Casa Estrela, in the Azores islands. The band as got Belinda writen in it.

G-man

07-01-2010, 01:16 PM

Don Kiki Green labels are a good everyday cigar. I have a brother here that can't burn enough of them.

Vision

08-01-2010, 07:52 PM

Another great unknown is the Graycliff G2(not the 'G2'). I've been getting these for $2 to $3 and I swear its like a light JL#2.

Lee Nub

08-01-2010, 08:25 PM

Mikey got me some Te-amo Nicaraguan blend Gran cortos (64 ring gauge) a while ago. Very good value and they are very nice indeed. I noticed that Cigar afficiando rated the Cuba blend at 90 in the last issue

HabanoSy

08-01-2010, 08:30 PM

Kdot

08-01-2010, 11:16 PM

Not sure if it's been mentioned or not, but...

The Hoyo Excalibur 1066 Dark Knight I is one of my fave non-Cubans...

Couple other crackers are the Carlos Torano Silver Robusto Corto and the Punch Gran Puro Rancho...

Cheers, HabanoSy

I had the hoyo churchill excalibur 1066 and tbh didnt care much for it, Ive a robusto of one sitting too but not eager to light it up.

I had a ManOwar the other night and what a nicotine rush! Couldnt sleep for hrs!

HabanoSy

09-01-2010, 09:51 AM

I had the hoyo churchill excalibur 1066 and tbh didnt care much for it, Ive a robusto of one sitting too but not eager to light it up.

It has to be the Maduro Excalibur 1066 Dark Knight I Kam (Corona Gorda)...!!!

Don't bother with any of the rest (IMO)...

Cheers, HabanoSy

EugeneSax

09-01-2010, 06:38 PM

I you can find some Brasilian cigars have a try, i like them a lot, i got some Dona Flor Robusto´s at home that i like very much.

Another region which seems to be to be totally over-looked these days is The Canaries - over 300 years of cigar-rolling history & one of the destinations for Cuban cigar makers when Castro relieved them of their factories. For many years Dunhill used to have cigars rolled out there which is a sure sign of quality craftsmenship.

My parents used to have an apartment in Tenerife & over the years my brother & I discovered several superb, locally rolled brands (using imported tobacco - not locally grown). Problem is I'm not sure many, if any, of them are available internationally any longer (and I'd forget any available in the States as they'll crucially be missing the Cuban baccy found in their best smokes). However certainly worth looking out if anyone's likely to be flying south for some winter sun.

CGars used to sell Goya, but I couldn't find them on their website when I just checked. I will enquire of them as the Goya 4 was my favourite ever smoke to accompany an early mornig coffee (Hoyo Deputes serve the same purpose quite well).

I think ST Duponts are still fairly easily available on line. I've not tried them myself but Rudman (does anyone read Rudman in these post MRN Encylopaedia days?) rates them variously at 5 & 4 stars.

Other brands I've enjoyed include Vikarios (superb lancero-sized Especials), Hacienda and Condal.

The only Penamils I've had were hardly worth smoking they were so mild but the blend might have been for the US market (ie no Cuban) so I wouldn't rule the brand out entirely as they were expertly made.

eggopp

27-01-2010, 11:11 PM

Cigarssogood.. The Cao Riollo range are very nice especially the little pampas, i just bought myself a box of 20 CAO box pressed Cameroons, not expensive but very smooth and enjoyable.. Also i recommend the La Invicta range quite cheap and quite nice when you start but a little bitter towards the end. Both have an even burn but a little smokey, within minutes both fill my rather small living room with dense fog!!:frown: