Dutch Cigars

[tippexx]

I know absolutely nothing about Dutch cigars ... other than maybe smoking the odd supermarket bought Meharis or Henry Winterman. We discuss Cuban and Central American cigars pretty readily, I was just wondering why no one mentions cigars rolled in Holland. Looking around a few sites they appear to made in a fair range of sizes, look very well presented and packaged and don't appear to be that expensive.

Are Dutch cigars really that awful?

[celsis]

I think so. I'm not all that keen on "dry" cigars......

[eggopp]

I quite like the Dutch Cigars, Henry Wintermans are not to bad when you cant afford anything else. Good with a few pints of lager when the flavour is and taste buds are screwed, half cut you can pretend there anything!!!

[Kdot]

Not a big fan of any dutch cigars so far and im partial to a few cheapos, namely backwoods...

id rather do without

[EugeneSax]

I suspect the reason (for little mention of Dutch cigars) is that the vast majority of the interest of members here is in "puros" - premium hand-rolled cigars, which the Dutch don't produce (to my knowledge). Talking about "dry" cigars here would be a bit like discussing beer, or elderflower (or similar) wine on a specialist wine forum: not entirely off-topic, but not entirely "on" either.

Added to which I don't think Dutch cigars are particularly popular here or in the States.

Back in the day when I smoked & drunk in pubs more (when both were legit) I was quite partial to a PGC Hajenius - they make some lovely little figuardos which are ideal as an apperitife (if budget/occaision don't call for a Cuban).

I once briefly visited their shop in Amsterdam (wife in tow) & although more interested in their Havanas, was amazed with the wide selection of dries that they stocked. If I smoked more I would definitely have investigated them further than the couple of sticks I bought.

It's a must see for any BOTL visting the 'Dam provided you can drag yourself away from the cafes & other places:

http://www.hajenius.com/tour.php?location=1&taal=en

[web site also has a list of UK stockists under "shop/selling points"]

[whisky77]

Dutch Robustos.

I purchased a box of Robustos years ago which were hand rolled in the canary Islands from tobacco grown from Cuban and Dominican seed and finished with a Cuban wrappers.

They were made specifically for the Dutch market and were a nice light smoke.

[captain duff]

Well personally my cigar smoking is in two seperate parts. First when you are out with mates in a pub and are in the outside smoking area you don't want to have a big cigar that takes an hour or so to smoke - first your mates will probably have left for another pub by the time you have finished, second it may well be cold outside, and third as has been mentioned after a few brown lemonades you don't want to waste a good cigar on a dulled palate. And for this situation I think dutch cigars are great. Personally I really like the Panters made by Agio, along with the slightly milder Maharis (the Sweet Orient is also very friendly to non-cigar smokers). Good value, loads better than any UK short-filler (and hardly any more expensive) and perfect for a quickie (although I am about to try some of the smaller hand-rolled south american Chincharleros that are also v cheap for similar situations).

Of course, when at home with some time to properly enjoy the smoke I would obviously opt by choice for a good long-filler rather than a Dutch cigar, although having said that they do have some long-fller hand rolled Balmoral branded cigars (again made by Agio I believe) that I have yet to try but are no doubt reasonable value non-cubans...

[cbob]

Dutch cigars are "dry cured" but do not have to be "dry". For some years I picked up tasty little smokes when transiting the Amsterdam airport because the price for Cuban cigars (even for non-EU travelers) was a bit too high and the local products were quite cheap.
Some of my favorites were made by Justis Van Maurik and included the Classique, the Petit Panatela and the tasty Tuitknack.

I keep my Dutch cigars in the humidor alongside all my other smokes and they taste even better after humidified storage for a few years.

These are not overly serious hand-rolled masterpieces to be savored with a fine Port over a few happy hours in the Cava de Puros but rather quick little flavour hits suitable to accompany your morning coffee or for puffing while washing the car.

I'd give some a try if you have not yet and make up your own mind.

[Son of Cigarsmoke]

I never leave for a night out without my Dutch Panther Mignon Cigars. Small enough to last about the same time as my mates when they come outside the club for a quick fag and i like the taste too!

[patrickspark]

i often smoke a balmoral sumatra - dry but quite good for what they are.

[Smallclub]

I used to smoke dutch cigars when I was a student; my favorite were the Schimmelpenninck panatelas in a metal tin. Not sure if they still exist?

[goose165]

I never knew the dutch made cigars, i know they grow some nice flowers..

[Glo0]

The De Olifant range are ok, tried a few of them. Flavoursome but a little dry & hot.

I've had a few old De Heeren van Ruysdael, they came in a small humidor. Have no idea how old they where, but 1/3 where too cracked to smoke. (Made a good addition to a pipe blend though) Very smooth and creamy, no one imports anymore though. Much better than the Wintermans or Hofnar.

A friend of mine brought some house blend cigars from KaDeWe in Berlin. Came in 3 wrappers; Cuban, Sumatran or Brazilian. Tried the Sumatran very smooth, cool and woody. Not sure how much he paid for them, but good smokes.