Looking for a Fine Cigar?

I had an unexpected smoking opportunity today while out on errands, so I stopped by the cigar store to pick up something halfway decent. I chose a Partagas 1845 robusto, which was right at $5. Unfortunately, it turned out to be not one of the world's best cigars. It had a tight draw and just didn't make much smoke. What a disappointment. I had tried the 1845s before and remembered being less than happy with them. Anyway, that was a good article but had no tips at all on how to actually get one of the world's best cigars for $5 as the title implies. In fact, you're not going to get that much for $5. Maybe the problem was the cigar I smoked yesterday - my cousin had been visiting upstate NY and slipped over the border and got some 'Cubans' (I was skeptical of their origin). Anyway, he's not a cigar smoker and had no way of keeping them, so he and a buddy each smoked one and he brought me the last one. I wasn't expecting much, and it turned out to be a small toro, about 50 x 4.5", with no band. Looked good, though, a nice Maduro, and it felt like a very good roll. Well, I thought, it's firm so it'll have a tight draw. Pretty good scent, though. I punched a .30 caliber hole in the cap with a sharpened .30 Carbine casing and proceeded to light up. !Extra Super Fuente! Wow. This thing is good, I thought, as the ash turned white and grew to 1/4". The draw was perfect - easy but not too 'free'. Plenty of smoke with each small drag - no burn correction needed. Now I know why they make the smaller cigars - if it's a good one, it's all you need. It never got hot or bitter. The ash stayed on past 1", and this was outdoors on a very gusty day. I was thinking the whole time 'I don't know what this thing is or where it came from, but if it's Cuban then it all makes sense'. I think maybe it really was. If not, I sure would like to get some more of them. Anyway, it sure ruined me for that Partagas. You know, if Cubans became legal again, that would really shake things up, wouldn't it?

Inland44 said:

I had an unexpected smoking opportunity today while out on errands, so I stopped by the cigar store to pick up something halfway decent. I chose a Partagas 1845 robusto, which was right at $5. Unfortunately, it turned out to be not one of the world's best cigars. It had a tight draw and just didn't make much smoke. What a disappointment. I had tried the 1845s before and remembered being less than happy with them. Anyway, that was a good article but had no tips at all on how to actually get one of the world's best cigars for $5 as the title implies. In fact, you're not going to get that much for $5. Maybe the problem was the cigar I smoked yesterday - my cousin had been visiting upstate NY and slipped over the border and got some 'Q*bans' (I was skeptical of their origin). Anyway, he's not a cigar smoker and had no way of keeping them, so he and a buddy each smoked one and he brought me the last one. I wasn't expecting much, and it turned out to be a small toro, about 50 x 4.5", with no band. Looked good, though, a nice Maduro, and it felt like a very good roll. Well, I thought, it's firm so it'll have a tight draw. Pretty good scent, though. I punched a .30 caliber hole in the cap with a sharpened .30 Carbine casing and proceeded to light up. !Extra Super Fuente! Wow. This thing is good, I thought, as the ash turned white and grew to 1/4". The draw was perfect - easy but not too 'free'. Plenty of smoke with each small drag - no burn correction needed. Now I know why they make the smaller cigars - if it's a good one, it's all you need. It never got hot or bitter. The ash stayed on past 1", and this was outdoors on a very gusty day. I was thinking the whole time 'I don't know what this thing is or where it came from, but if it's Q*ban then it all makes sense'. I think maybe it really was. If not, I sure would like to get some more of them. Anyway, it sure ruined me for that Partagas. You know, if Q*bans became legal again, that would really shake things up, wouldn't it?

Click to expand...

in a way i disagree.

i have plenty of cigars in my humi that are under $5. I think that the camacho havana is wuite good. I also think that most of the stuff sancho panza puts out is good. and my favorite is just about $5. 5 Vegas type A

im not saying that the real deal isnt better. im just saying that a good inexpensive cigar is available.

i think the article is vague because how can you tell someone else what they will like. finding a good cigar is all about trying everything and remembering what you like.

iduno just my two cents.

Oh Man,

While it is just my humble opintion their were lots of inaccuracies in this article in my eyes.

1. "First things first: If you're looking for quality, limit your search to those cigars crafted and rolled by hand. These bear the label of either "totalmente a mano" or "totally by hand," depending on the cigar's origin, on both the cigar band and box. (Most quality cigars come from Spanish-speaking countries.) Watch out for "hecho a mano" (made by hand) and "envuelto a mano" (packed by hand), which are quite literally close, but no cigar. Both terms indicate partial machine construction."

There is no oversight at any factory. You can label a cigar however you want. Many cigars that are totally made by hand are simply labeled "Hecho a Mano", not "Totalmente a Mano". Futhermore, nearly every factory in the world I have ever set foot in use what is called a liberman machine (this goes under a million different spellings). This looks like a giant cigarette roller. After the filler is bunched by hand this machine is utilized to help apply the binder without knoting the filler. It is common place and actually improves the quality of a cigar from a burn standpoint substantially and also keeps the cost of labor a bit lower. The use of this type of tool is no less hand made than using a cigar mold.

2. "If you can't get your hands on a Cuban cigar (see our sidebar for details), one from the Dominican Republic — which uses plants grown from Cuban seeds — is the next best thing."

This trivializes the entire process. I think everyone who enjoys a cigar can agree that there have been cigars made with Havana seeds (ie habano and corojo) that taste awful. While seeds are a good indicator of flavor to come, I dont think you can put one above another. It is purely a matter of preference. It also depends on what grower grows the seeds, where they are grown and to an even greater degree, how the wrapper and tobaccos are cured and fermented.

3. "the smallest are four inches by 40 millimeters Petit Coronas; the largest are 7.5 inches by 49 millimeters Double Coronas"

This leaves out a lot. Epsecially considering the most popular cigars measure over a 50 ring.

4. "Base your choice on how much time you have to smoke"

IMHO you should never base your size selection purely on time. The size of the cigar tends to have a greater effect on the flavor and flavor should be your ultimate guide to cigar selection. Buy what size tastes the best and if you dont have time to smoke the whole cigar then dont smoke the whole cigar. While we are on the topic of sizes and flavor, it is worth pointing out that the cigar flavor is less variable on size when it concerns most cigar brands outside of Cuba. Most non cuban brands will sweak the blend between sizes in an effort for each size to taste the same. However, most Cuban brands and some of the more traditional non cuban factories will use the same blend throughout all sizes giving each size a distinctive flavor. This is why a Cuban Montecristo No. 2 tastes like an almost entirely different cigar when compared to the No. 4. Still no matter where a cigar is made, size will give some level of variation.

5. "A vintage 2000 Macanudo Prince Phillip (7.5 inches by 49 millimeters)"

Technically this cigar is the Macanudo Vintage 2000 No. 1, not the Prince Phillip

6. "Stored properly, a cigar can keep for decades. The older the cigar, the richer its taste — and the heftier its price tag."

Actually, the older the cigar, the smoother the taste, not richer. If anything a well aged cigar looses its richness but gains a great deal of well rounded subtlty and a special sort of understated complexity. Many people describe the aging process as allowing the cigar to "settle down".

7. "The darker the wrapper, the more full-bodied the cigar."

Here the author states as fact one of the biggest misconceptions in the cigar world. If a maduro is extremely strong, it is usually not a real maduro. A true maduro will actually be a bit milder and sweeter if it is done properly. Extra fermentation draws out oils and sugars which tone down the strength and nicotine in the leaf over time. If it is extremely strong, then the wrapper is really a natural painted or cooked.

8. "Unlike wines, there are no chocolate or red fruit notes here — cigars are usually described in basic tastes like sweet, smooth, heavy and rich."

While this is a good point, that cigars cant be described on as wide of a range of specific flavors, you can still descern flavors, especially more natural one like citrus, espresso and ..... yes chocolate.

I think the author made some great points, here and I dont want to take that away from the article. However, some extra focus on better valued cigar would have been helpful.

"Avoid buying online. There's no way to know in advance if cigars have been stored properly, says Bettridge, or if you're getting the real deal (counterfeit cigars — cheap, poor-quality tobacco dressed up with a ring band similar to a legit brand — abound). And even the most reputable online retailers sell cigars primarily in boxes — a costly proposition if you're trying new brands."

1. And o my god, dont even get me started on this one. Online and mail order companies typically carry more inventory than a brick and mortar store and with more money invested in inventory, monitoring your humidity and temperature becomes even more important. I would venture to say cigars purchased online are typically in better shape. Especially mail order companies that gaurantee fresh delivery and include humidified shipping.


2. I know of several companies online and mail order that sell singles. Also, I know of very few shops that offer things like sampler packs. If you are jacked about trying new cigars, samplers are a better value and way to go then boxes or singles.

As for buying online, stick with Cigar.com. Great prices, and an excellent staff.

Thanks Doc-T. It is funny that we are talking about great cigars at $5.00 and your signature says it better than anyone> "Cusano 18... Need I say anymore"

I read this article about when it was published and I have to say, that most of the points that Alex made...I was thinking....I personally didn't feel that it was even worth sharing, aside from pointing out all of the flaws.

kuzi16 said:

Inland44 said:

I had an unexpected smoking opportunity today while out on errands, so I stopped by the cigar store to pick up something halfway decent. I chose a Partagas 1845 robusto, which was right at $5. Unfortunately, it turned out to be not one of the world's best cigars. It had a tight draw and just didn't make much smoke. What a disappointment. I had tried the 1845s before and remembered being less than happy with them. Anyway, that was a good article but had no tips at all on how to actually get one of the world's best cigars for $5 as the title implies. In fact, you're not going to get that much for $5. Maybe the problem was the cigar I smoked yesterday - my cousin had been visiting upstate NY and slipped over the border and got some 'Q*bans' (I was skeptical of their origin). Anyway, he's not a cigar smoker and had no way of keeping them, so he and a buddy each smoked one and he brought me the last one. I wasn't expecting much, and it turned out to be a small toro, about 50 x 4.5", with no band. Looked good, though, a nice Maduro, and it felt like a very good roll. Well, I thought, it's firm so it'll have a tight draw. Pretty good scent, though. I punched a .30 caliber hole in the cap with a sharpened .30 Carbine casing and proceeded to light up. !Extra Super Fuente! Wow. This thing is good, I thought, as the ash turned white and grew to 1/4". The draw was perfect - easy but not too 'free'. Plenty of smoke with each small drag - no burn correction needed. Now I know why they make the smaller cigars - if it's a good one, it's all you need. It never got hot or bitter. The ash stayed on past 1", and this was outdoors on a very gusty day. I was thinking the whole time 'I don't know what this thing is or where it came from, but if it's Q*ban then it all makes sense'. I think maybe it really was. If not, I sure would like to get some more of them. Anyway, it sure ruined me for that Partagas. You know, if Q*bans became legal again, that would really shake things up, wouldn't it?

Click to expand...

in a way i disagree.

i have plenty of cigars in my humi that are under $5. I think that the camacho havana is wuite good. I also think that most of the stuff sancho panza puts out is good. and my favorite is just about $5. 5 Vegas type A

im not saying that the real deal isnt better. im just saying that a good inexpensive cigar is available.

i think the article is vague because how can you tell someone else what they will like. finding a good cigar is all about trying everything and remembering what you like.

iduno just my two cents.

Click to expand...

You're probably right. I sure haven't tried every low-priced cigar, but I'm working on it! I also agree on most of the Sancho Panza line, and they're in the $3 range. my favs there are Escudero and Madrid. The little torpedo they make seemed just barely okay to me.

Sancho Panza... another great one for the price. I forgot about that one.

For a great smoke on the cheap 5Vegas all the way baby. Nothing but the best for momma Mizics little boy stevie!