Armed Polite Society

Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Headless Thompson Gunner on December 13, 2006, 06:22:17 PM

Title: Cigars!
Post by: Headless Thompson Gunner on December 13, 2006, 06:22:17 PM

What kinda cigars do you all like?

I'm sitting here finishing off the last of a bottle of Macallan 12 and smoking my last Montecristo, and thinking that life is pretty darned good sometimes.  I really should do this more often. 

I'll need to buy some new cigars soon, and I'm curious what cigars you all like and what you like 'em.

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: Sindawe on December 13, 2006, 10:51:32 PM

Tobacco is not one of my vices, but on those rare occasions I consume the stuff I tend to favor Nat Sherman's Nat's Cigarillo's. http://www.cigarsinternational.com/prodDisp.asp?item=CS-NSA&cat=79  It goes quite well with The Macallen actually.

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: Cosmoline on December 13, 2006, 11:18:40 PM

If cigars are the single malts of tobacco, then pipe tobac is the fine wine.   I'm currently hooked on Esoterica's famous Penzance flake.  With pipe tobac you can mix a vast array of flavors from the ultra-intense and spicy Louisiana Perique to smokey Latakia and sharp Virginias.   

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: Ex-MA Hole on December 14, 2006, 12:00:11 AM

Monte Christo White Label.

Actually my local guy has his house blend that is my lastest addiction.  I like them a lot.

Headless Thompson Gunner - If you want- shoot me your address and I send you a couple.  Real good stuff, in my opinion.  Kurt's out of Londonderry, NH.

I quit drinking, but from what I remember, these would go real good with the Macallan.  Have you ever tried the 15?  I liked a lot more.

Hey- any suggestions for NA drink to go with a cigar?  No mater what I've tried, I can find a damn thing that even comes close a nice scotch and a cigar.

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: SpookyPistolero on December 14, 2006, 12:12:26 AM

Hear, hear! Cosmoline speaks the truth. Any flavors you like, at any depth and complexity. Marrying pipes to a favorite blends is one of the genuine pleasures in life (my meerschaum loves light english blends, for example). It's difficult not to feel a solid sense of improvement in your general situation whilst puffing slowly on your briar (or cob, or meer or.....). See my sig for more information.

I did used to smoke cigars from time to time, however, and always leaned towards very mild ones. I had a genuine Cuban a couple of weeks ago and was really not very impressed.

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: S. Williamson on December 14, 2006, 12:36:45 AM

Let's see...

If someone else is buying, a Fuente Fuente Opus X is always good. 
Padrone Anniversary maduros are up there.
CAO L'Anniversaire Cameroons, torpedo shape, are the ones I first fell in love with. 
For indulgence in a guilty pleasure, Acid Liquids are pretty decent.  Almost like a Cojimar White Sage.

Toranos, though, are what I have most often.  IMO, the best are the 1916 Cameroon or the Exodus 1959.

Regarding pipe tobacco, the only stuff I like that's sweet is Blockade Runner by Cornell & Diehl.  For everything else, I like varying combinations of red virginia, latakia, a relatively small amount of white burley, and maybe a dash of light cavendish.  Any of 'em are good out of my only remaining (and by far, the most expensive) pipe I have (or can find)... a Peterson Churchwarden Dublin Ebony.

plus plus

over



equals a true day off. 

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: S. Williamson on December 14, 2006, 01:03:28 AM

Quote

ex-ma hole: Hey- any suggestions for NA drink to go with a cigar?  No mater what I've tried, I can find a damn thing that even comes close a nice scotch and a cigar.[/b]
Try ginger ale.  Just about any will do--Seagrams, Schweppes, Canada Dry, whatever. 

Also, good coffee (not Folgers, not even Starbucks) is a fine companion. 

Oolong or Earl Grey tea. Milk/sugar/honey/whatever as you see fit. Green tea is too delicate.

Any of the above work for me whenever I'm uninterested in alcohol for the time being. 

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: SpookyPistolero on December 14, 2006, 01:08:05 AM

I find that rooibos red tea goes really well with pipe smoking, so you could give it a try with cigars. It always feels like the coffee of the tea world, sans caffeine.

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: Ex-MA Hole on December 14, 2006, 03:47:19 AM

Thanks!

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: TarpleyG on December 14, 2006, 04:10:03 AM

Quote

Headless Thompson Gunner - If you want- shoot me your address and I send you a couple.

We should get some cigar trading going amongst us....

Greg

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: Waitone on December 14, 2006, 04:19:33 AM

Someone tag me!  I'm goin' in.

Cigars???  Drop by www.jrcigars.com
Largest cigar retailer in the world.  I've been to three of their 4 storefronts.  Lets just say I'm impressed.  The Burlington, NC walk-in humidor is only 25,000 sq ft.  The company has a great website.  Selection is unfreakin' believable and shipping charges are reasonable.

Me?  I specialize in good but cheap cigars.  Unbranded but sourced from branded factories.  JR's is the Disneyland of cigars.

http://www.jrcigar.com/index.cfm?page=cigars

Prefer single malt scotch.

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: TarpleyG on December 14, 2006, 04:54:00 AM

Oh, and I prefer either CAO Criollos or Partagas Spanish Rosadas....

Greg

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: Ben on December 14, 2006, 06:49:57 AM

Hey HTG -- I smoked your recommended Cuban Montecristo when I was in Belize last week. My first Cuban. It was nice and mild (how I like my cigars).

Given that, I did find out for myself that though good, Cubans aren't necessarily tops over cigars from other countries. I like Hoyo Excaliburs best, then in no particular order, Punch, Romeo y Julieta, and Espanolas (when I can find them).

I also recently got into Redneck cigar smoking via the much maligned Thompson Cigar Company, smoking those flavored Roughnecks -- little ugly looking things, but fun.

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: Ezekiel on December 14, 2006, 06:57:08 AM

I'm a HUGE fan of Onyx Reserve.

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: ilbob on December 14, 2006, 07:09:02 AM

I am not a big fan of tobacco at all, and don't use it, but I find second hand pipe and cigar smoke far less offensive than second hand cigarette smoke.

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: Devonai on December 14, 2006, 07:21:03 AM

I rarely smoke cigars, but when I do I prefer an Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva (I believe that's the correct spelling, don't hold me to it) in the $6-$10 range.

I smoke a pipe almost every day.  I've been working through a supply of Black Mallory recently, as well as a strong Perique/Black Cavendish blend the tobacconist (Gold Leaf, Seabrook, NH) calls Lobotomy.  I also normally have a supply of Mac Baren Navy Flake on hand, something with Latakia in it, and some "candy" (white or golden Cavendish with a light case).

As far as pipes go, I prefer Canadians.  Anything with a straight stem, really.  I can't stand trying to clean anything greater than a quarter-bent.

And as far as I'm concerned, there is no scotch other than Laphroaig.

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: StopTheGrays on December 14, 2006, 07:31:06 AM

Quote from: Waitone on December 14, 2006, 03:19:33 AM

Someone tag me!  I'm goin' in.

Cigars???  Drop by www.jrcigars.com
Largest cigar retailer in the world.  I've been to three of their 4 storefronts.  Lets just say I'm impressed.  The Burlington, NC walk-in humidor is only 25,000 sq ft.  The company has a great website.  Selection is unfreakin' believable and shipping charges are reasonable.

Me?  I specialize in good but cheap cigars.  Unbranded but sourced from branded factories.  JR's is the Disneyland of cigars.

http://www.jrcigar.com/index.cfm?page=cigars

Prefer single malt scotch.

What??? They do not carry Rocky Patel's 

I smoked a 12 year vintage torpedo last night and it was so good. I tried his newer 7 year vintage and was a little disappointed in the flavor.
I also like the Esplendido from Partagas. The shape and size of it is perfect for the tobacco inside it. In fact I like most cigars that are shaped like that.

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: auschip on December 14, 2006, 09:10:46 AM

For an everyday smoke I prefer the La Gloria Cubana Serie R - usually the #6.  I smoked a couple really nice cigars over the weekend; the Funete Opus X Churchhill, and the Davidoff Diademas Fina.  Of the two I prefered the Davidoff.  Both of those cigars are considered pricy at $30 & $25 respectively. 

For a shorter smoke the Ashton VSG Sorcerer is nice, but you have to be careful, since it is easy to get en uneven burn because of the odd shape.

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: wingnutx on December 14, 2006, 09:13:54 AM

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: Cosmoline on December 14, 2006, 05:07:17 PM

Those price tags are another reason I favor pipes.  Thanks to the boomers who decided they were hip a decade ago, the good ones run over $10, $20 or more each. But you can still get the finest pipe tobac in the world for $6 to $12 a tin, and it will last for dozens of smokes.  The pipes cost a bit, but they also last a long time.  I favor a basic Stanwell churchwarden which ran about $90.  I attach the short stem to it.  It's not exactly orthodox, but it's a survivor.  I bought it five years ago and it's still going strong.  The cheap wood pipes are best avoided.  Here's a site that reviews the top tobaks:

http://www.tobaccoreviews.com/

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: wmenorr67 on December 15, 2006, 12:25:42 AM

Had my first Cuban last night.  Had to come to Iraq to get it.  While I did like it everyone is in agreement that they are not any better or worse than Dominicans or others.  The biggest thing about them is that they are banned in the states.  That being said it would be nice to have a humidor over here since the ones that we bought yesteday were dried out could use some time to rehydrate and then they probably would smoke even a little better.
As for the alcohol that is forbidden for me while I am here where I am for the time being.  However, a Cuban and Mountain Dew is not all that bad.

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: Ex-MA Hole on December 15, 2006, 03:16:08 AM

wmenorr67-

Thank you for your service.  If you run low on smokes, let me know.

I'd be honored to send you some.

M


P.S.  TarpleyG- I'm in.

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: wmenorr67 on December 15, 2006, 04:32:54 AM

ex-ma hole,
Running low on smokes could become a problem on a two-fold account.  I have a humdior full back in the states and I am debating on having SWMBO boxing them up and sending them.  The other issue is that even if I purchase them here is getting a humidor to maintain the freshness.  Things tend to dry up here in a hurry.  Also I have found that non-alcohol Beck's is not half bad.  Not as good as the real stuff but better than nothing.

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: Ex-MA Hole on December 15, 2006, 04:56:53 AM

Cigars in a plastic wrapper + damp Paper towel + double Ziplock bag?

What do you think?

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: Waitone on December 15, 2006, 08:14:47 AM

Place cigars in a ziplock and zip it closed.  Place the cigars (in the bag) into another ziplock bag.  Wet a paper towel so that it is wet but does not drip.  Place the towel in the second bag and close it all up.  Polyethylene will transmit moisture at a slow but steady rate.  Watch the towel and when it looks dry, pull it out and insert another wet towel.  Great method for slowly rescuing dry cigars.  Great field improvised humidor.

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: Ben on December 15, 2006, 11:19:18 AM

Looks like there are discussions that would end the mystique of Cuban cigars in the US:

U.S. delegation seeks ties with Cuba
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061215/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cuba_us_2

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: grislyatoms on December 15, 2006, 11:52:16 AM

I don't smoke 'em anymore, but when I did my favorite was a quality rum crook.

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: wingnutx on December 15, 2006, 12:45:58 PM

I saw lots of "Cuban" cigars in Iraq, but I'm not sure if they are any more authentic than any of the other merchanise you can get over there.

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: Headless Thompson Gunner on December 15, 2006, 05:48:07 PM

Quote from: TarpleyG on December 14, 2006, 03:10:03 AM

Quote

Headless Thompson Gunner - If you want- shoot me your address and I send you a couple.

We should get some cigar trading going amongst us....

Greg

Absolutely!

Who here is interested in trading some cigars?  So far it looks like Waitone and TarpleyG are definitely interested.  Maybe ex-ma hole and a few others?

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: Dannyboy on December 15, 2006, 06:54:31 PM

I started smoking Macanudo Maduros a few years ago.  I highly recommend them.  Very smooth.  I'd also like to say that Cubans are overrated. 

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: wmenorr67 on December 15, 2006, 11:09:12 PM

Thanks to both ex-ma and waitone for the "humidor" tips.  Will try that out.

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: Ex-MA Hole on December 16, 2006, 03:59:40 AM

wmenorr67 -

Email your address to aublatt2 then put the at sign, then the yahoo thingie them the dot com.

I'll send you a starter kit.


Oh, and I'm in for the swapping-

How should we work this?

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: wmenorr67 on December 16, 2006, 06:28:42 AM

Thanks for the offer Ex-ma.  Email sent.

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: Ex-MA Hole on December 16, 2006, 11:39:21 AM

And replied to.

On the way, sir!

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: Headless Thompson Gunner on December 16, 2006, 12:56:54 PM

I think I'm gonna start another thread to handle the cigar trading thing...


"Try new cigars on someone else's dime!"
http://www.armedpolitesociety.com/index.php?topic=5320.msg80592#new
"Be a man among men!  You missed the Rhodesian war, so make up for it by joining the APS cigar trading ring." 

Title: Re: Cigars!
Post by: alan on December 16, 2006, 01:00:07 PM

Re scotch and cigars, I find Johnnie Walker Black to bxe really good booze, at least as good as many of the single malts I've had.

When I smoked cigars, Punch Chateau El's were excellent. Hardly smoke anymore, which alas leaves scotch. Dry red wines can be lovely with dinner too.