Cigar Digest 2018/2019

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Brokor, Jul 4, 2018.


  1. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    I will begin this thread with the hopes to log some of my cigar experiences, almost like a blog except I do welcome responses and opinions on other member experiences. From time to time, I will be dropping in to make note of a particularly interesting cigar or anything else along these lines which may come to mind. If you enjoy cigar smoking or are just interested in general, kick back and enjoy!

    This first post shall include the Independence Day celebratory smoke with a Gilberto Oliva Reserva (650).

    buddha1. (from Cigar.com)
    "The brand has accrued a number of accolades and critical acclaim since its launch in the 1990s. The man who started it all, Gilberto Oliva, Jr. has been paramount in his brand’s success, and Oliva’s newest cigar, Gilberto Oliva Reserva is a fitting tribute to the family patriarch. Boasting a toothy Indonesian wrapper and premium long-fillers from Nicaragua, this '90' rated cigar exudes bold flavors of cocoa, leather, and earth."

    DSC00035.JPG One of my humidors always has a few particular sticks I enjoy more than others, and this is definitely one of them. I prefer to store these without the cellophane because I wish to receive the most from aging them. Storing cigars with cellophane does not negatively affect the cigar and it can still breathe, but if you'd like to get the most out of aging, I suggest trying it. This is also a personal preference of mine. After cutting and taking a few dry pulls, I got ready to toast and light the cigar.

    DSC00032.JPG
    The G. Oliva Reserva started out well, but I noticed after a few pulls that it was heavy on the peppery notes and a little toothy. After only several more, it started to even out nicely to harmonize into the type of cigar the reviews have stated. It is a bit leathery at this point, which is nice and one of my favorite qualities to find because I find it soothing. Also hinted at cocoa, toffee and a light earthy tone with a back end of pepper. The ash is matte white and will fall off after about an inch or so.

    DSC00034.JPG
    After getting into the last third, the cigar comes full into a smooth, earthy zone and all the flavors and subtle notes coalesce nicely. I imagine you could smoke this all the way down until you can't stand to hold the nub, but I stopped shortly after entering the last quarter like usual. This cigar certainly was a great accompaniment to the Blue Moon ale and the fireworks. I am certain that after another year, these will age superbly and become even smoother and more enjoyable as a result, making them one of the best in my collection.
    Rating: :4s:
    DSC00033.JPG
     
  2. Ura-Ki

    Ura-Ki Grampa Monkey

    Nice! I'm a Pipe Smoker, but can certainly appreciate a good smoke! What conditions do you find best for your humidor? Moisture and temp, airflow. Ect.......


    I run mine at about 23% humidity and try to keeping temps around 72°f. Most of my tobacco is Danish sourced and is delivered some what wet, requiring a long drying out to get the smoking qualities level! Other then that, it's a most enjoyable tobacco!

    Happy smoking!
     
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  3. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    In my opinion, most of this depends on your environment, since it's easy to humidify up here in the Northeast, as opposed to out west, but not as stubborn and difficult to get it right down south, where it's entirely too humid. I like to keep my cigars at a nice 70 percent humidity steady and the temp varies depending on the cigar, but generally between 68 and 71 for most everything. I use several humidors, and will probably post a review of them as time goes on. I use two box humidors and one large cigar cooler, one is a wooden desk type, cedar lined and constructed, and it's easy to keep at optimum humidity. The other is a small plastic case which is similar to a Pelican or Pelco (cheaper version bought at H Freight) and is really easy to keep at perfect humidity levels with a Boveda pack. The larger cooler is a New-Air CC-100 and it's pretty awesome. I use this for most of my cigars to keep them at 70 degrees, especially when I first get them and need to keep them in quarantine. All the desk humidors can sit in room temperature at around 68-75 degrees and be just fine as long as I remember not to allow the internal temperature of the house to get out of control. For aging, I use the larger wooden humidor, for flavored sticks I use the plastic case with cedar planks inside, and for everything else I use the large cooler. So, in short, around 68-71 humidity and the same for temperature. The more consistent I can keep everything, the better it will age my cigars and keep it all nice and also make it so there are no little nasties (beetle larva) potentially hatching, which I've never had happen, thankfully.
     
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  4. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    Here is a list of some of my favorite cigars, mostly maduro. This is just to give you an idea of what to expect in up coming reviews and perhaps inspire a few of you to try them out. Many of these are my "go to" cigars, because they are the best smoke and never disappoint. Out of all of them, I would say the Romeo Y Julieta Reserve Maduro is probably my favorite, but I've been smoking these on and off for close to twenty years now. I typically smoke robusto size which is around 5 or 6 inch length. (various sizes will also grant varying flavors and results) I also prefer a medium to full bodied cigar, which all of these are. My top 4 would be the Romeo Y Julieta Maduro I mentioned earlier, Ramon Bueso Genesis, Punch Rare Corojo, and Rocky Patel Decade.

    Here is the list, in no particular order:

    Victor Sinclair Serie '55' Imperial Maduro
    VS_55_Imperial.

    Ramon Bueso Genesis The Project
    Ramon_Bueso_Gen.

    Romeo y Julieta Media Noche
    RJ_Noche.

    E.P. Carrillo Dark Rituals
    carillo.

    Romeo y Julieta Reserve Maduro
    RJ_Maduro res.

    CAO Brazilia
    CAO_Brazilia.

    CAO America
    CAO_America.

    Rocky Patel Decade
    Rocky_Decade.

    Rocky Patel Broadleaf
    RP_broadleaf.

    Drew Estate Kentucky Fire Cured
    DE_Kentucky_Fire_Cured.

    5 Vegas Series 'A'
    5Vegas_Series_A.

    Punch Rare Corojo
    Punch_rare.

    Ave Maria Argentum
    Ave_Argentum.

    Partagas Cifuentes Maduro
    Partagas_Cifuentes.
     
  5. Gator 45/70

    Gator 45/70 Monkey+++

    Don't really know what I have
    I believe the Monte Cristo's are out of Iraq via Cuba
    Haven't puffed on any in years.

    IMAG01512.
     
  6. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    For those of us that aren't cigar knowledgeable, here's a primer.
    Cigar Shapes, Sizes and Colors
    It's been at least 40 years since I smoke a cigar. Preferred panatelas in those days, English made with New England shade tobacco wrappers.
     
  7. Asia-Off-Grid

    Asia-Off-Grid RIP 11-8-2018

    Smoked some cigars during my time in the Philippines. Mostly, though, I smoked them as a much younger man, prior to leaving the US many moons ago. I do miss them, for sure.
     
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  8. azrancher

    azrancher Monkey +++

    Ahh @Brokor yes Ramon Bueso is a well kept secret which I thought only I was privy to, Cigar.com had a box sale last month, I see it is over now, and I should have bought more. I did get a box of ...

    Ramon Bueso Genesis The Project Robusto
    For... $59.99 plus you get that cool box that's good for nuts, bolts, screws, 9mm rounds, etc.
    Also picked up a bundle of..

    Rocky Patel The Edge Fumas
    Which smoke just like regular Edge's, but tend to run a lot, like 3 out of 4 will not burn evenly. Some of the other RP Fumas do burn nicely, like the 1990, 2003, and Old World Reserve.

    Rancher
     
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  9. Tempstar

    Tempstar Monkey+++

    Came into a large quantity of Cuban Belindas several years ago. Finest cigars I have ever smoked with a taste and smoothness I can't find in anything else. They were at 70% RH when I received them and I placed them batches of 10 in ziplock bags and they have remained pretty much the same after all of these years. The down side is that they ruined most other cigars for me.
     
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  10. Altoidfishfins

    Altoidfishfins Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    Last time I smoked a cigar my sinus cavities were packed full of semi-dried blood the following morning.
    Nasty.
     
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  11. Asia-Off-Grid

    Asia-Off-Grid RIP 11-8-2018

    In defense of cigars. They aren't packed full of chemicals like cigarettes are. After setting a cigar and a cigarette in an ashtray, watch and see which one goes out, and which one burns to the butt. Doesn't take long to sort that out, for sure. Plus, I imagine, not many people actually inhale a cigar? (I could be wrong here. But, I never did.)
     
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  12. Altoidfishfins

    Altoidfishfins Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    Cigarettes are soaked in potassium nitrate, among other things, to keep them alight.
     
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  13. oldbee1966

    oldbee1966 Monkey+++

    Great thread, keep them coming! I used to smoke a few but the Doc said cut it out. I cannot even have a little Scotch any more.
    Now going on 73 what the hell am I living for!
     
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  14. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Well, if you ignore the sprays that go on during growth, I suppose not. I have a very good friend that was a shade tobacco grower until he retired. All my kids worked for him at one time or another, however briefly. My ex worked tobacco during summer vacation growing up.
    Man, those tobacco curing sheds smelt wonderful.
     
    Last edited: Jul 5, 2018
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  15. oldawg

    oldawg Monkey+++

    I'm 72 and found it much better to just change docs.
     
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  16. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    Thanks for the input, fellas. I really do enjoy reading the thoughts of others regarding cigars since I've long had a fascination with them and no matter how much I think I know, there's always something involved stuck in somebody's head I have never heard of, such as an incredible cigar that can be found at a bargain or one no longer being made.

    I am a subscriber of only owning what you smoke and if you find a cigar you do not find particularly appealing, you can age it and return months or years later to find a masterpiece. Also, they make nice treats for family and friends. I learned early on that a Churchill size is incredible for flavor, but it takes way too long to enjoy, perhaps as long as 2 hours or more. I try to keep a stock of cigars I can actually have time to enjoy so I can more actively smoke them. Currently, I smoke perhaps one per week, maybe an extra on a holiday weekend and none at all for a few weeks at a time. I've gone a few years without smoking a cigar, too.

    I am just finished restocking my humidors this year, and there are still more than a few I haven't tried yet.

    YES! I just recently started smoking these and they rapidly went (pretty much immediately) onto my top 4 list. You can still get the Ramon Bueso Genesis Project at a steal from Cigars.com. I am about to begin smoking the Cigars.com house brand Red Label maduro, as I picked up a box of 20 for less than $50. I am fairly confident they will not disappoint. One thing I especially like about this distributor is that it's located in Pennsylvania and the prices are good, but the shipping is awesome.
     
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  17. Asia-Off-Grid

    Asia-Off-Grid RIP 11-8-2018

    Guys, if I live into my 70's, I am not going to let anyone tell me what I can't eat, drink, or smoke. Period.
     
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  18. Asia-Off-Grid

    Asia-Off-Grid RIP 11-8-2018

    I hadn't thought of that, ghrit. Thanks for the reminder. I'm too accustomed to the all natural growing we do here.
     
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  19. ochit

    ochit Monkey+

    Arguelles Lopez Canaria D’Oro, I thought I bought enough for a lifetime but, I lived longer than others planned :censored:

    Arturo Fuente I like the larger gauge and darker Maduro wrappers not that natural wrappers are bad I just like the sweeter taste.

    I friend gave me a box of Navarro Churchill pretty nice cigar.

    Cigars are like wine was a expose that wine connoisseurs couldn't tell all that jazz like the movies and all that B.S. about grown in the shade rolled by vestal virgins on their perfect brown thighs has nothing to do with anything because it comes down to if you like it or you don't. I have watched and some of them are not virgins and some homely as a mud fence but can roll a perfect cigar. Some people are tone deaf some are tasteless so they may as well fire a King Edward or Dutch master In my opinion with a strike anywhere match for all that matters, and chase it with a room temperature hard lemonade :sick: Like anything else sometimes the price of admission is to keep the clientele snobbery level high. a good anything is not cheap but there are a lot of good cigars for between 2 to 5 dollars, that you can savor and not panic about your retirement going up in smoke.

    If you like a cigar you better buy a case in time they change alter or just no longer exist and the gauge is as much the flavor you perceive and the length and shape is a factor in handling, burn rate, density of smoke and draw. If the company no longer produces that model another smaller or similar tobacco just seems different.

    We all know that smoking is bad, it just is, cigars should be savored when you have the time to relax and enjoy them same with anything done in moderation and because tobacco is addictive. Chain smoking and drinking till you fall down is not healthy but living like a monk is like owning a sports car and never turning the key. When I die I want the coroner to check most all the boxes and not be confused why I died in essence I lived and got some enjoyment out of it along the way and that some will miss me when I'm gone or for those that I was at loggerheads with at least check to make sure.
     
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  20. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    Oh, there are definitely good cigars out there for less than 10 dollars. You won't find me reviewing Arturo Fuente, top line Ghurka's, or rare Padron cigars any time soon, however. These are all well known for being excellent smokes already, but the punch line is that they often come at a high cost. We're not talking 10 dollar cigars, here. More like 20 dollars to hundreds per cigar. I love cigars, but not that much. There are some Padron cigars offered from time to time for around 5 dollars and up, but these aren't their world class cigars, either. Still, quite good and I've had a few.

    You can easily find very good cigars below 10 dollars, and some will prove to be outstanding on their own or with a little aging. I believe the most experienced and tasteful smokers out there know how to bargain shop without becoming snooty. The Rocky Patel lines are pretty much all excellent, and many can be found for a great price even though they do have some which push above the 10 dollar mark. Many of these growers will only make short batches and the aging process comes into play as well, so the price for some of these top of the line cigars makes sense to a degree.

    We do live in interesting times right now where the cigar market is changing in leaps and bounds, whereas previously it was rather traditionally locked down and tightly knit. The Drew Estate company has been one, if not the primary motivator who is altering the way it all works. We are seeing more and more very high quality cigars being offered at decent prices with varying blends and sizes. If you're not familiar, check out any of the Acid cigars, Kentucky fire cured, or any of the main cigar line that Drew Estate has to offer. There's so much happening right now, I can't even keep up, it's exciting and refreshing to behold.

    I am willing to bet we will see a new renaissance explosion and prices will drop all around if the embargo ever gets lifted on Cuba, too.
     
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