Cigars to look for at the local shop

**Aperture** · 10-09-2008, 08:08 PM

This weekend I will be heading back home to visit my folks, and I'm planning on dropping by the local tobacco shop since I can't find a good one in my area. Could I have some cigar recommendations to take with me? I don't want to break the bank on something I won't be able to fully appreciate, but I will certainly pay what it takes to dodge the proverbial dog rockets. Any pointers for tenderfoot like myself?

**Hawk27** · 10-09-2008, 08:20 PM

I am by no means an expert in this field, but do enjoy a fine cigar on the patio from time to time. I have tried quite a few different brands and recently came across one that I really enjoyed. The first is the CAO Criollo a nice mild tasting cigar. The second is the CAO Gold Maduro which has more flavor but not overpowering. Both cigars are in the 5-6 dollar range. As you know there are a million choices, but I don't really see CAO getting the love I think it deserves. I've shared these with friends and have had nothing but positive feedback. Hope this helps.

Mike

**dpm802** · 10-09-2008, 09:11 PM

Stick to the big brand names like Macanudo, Fuente, H. Uppman, Davidoff, Dunhill, etc. All of these have good choices in the price range you're shopping.

Your tobacconist knows what's good. Ask him for his recommendations, and ask if he has any good sampler packs available (3~5 cigars selling for $20-$30 dollars.)

Tell him what you'll be eating before the smoke, and what you'll be drinking with it. Believe it or not, it does make a difference. Drinking good coffee with an H. Upmann is wonderful. Drinking Pepsi with a Davidoff just doesn't seem to work.

My personal choice for a general-purpose, all-around cigar is the Chateau Fuente, about $5 ... it goes well with anything, and you can smoke it for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a midnite snack. Its cheap enough to enjoy on a daily basis, but its classy enough to pass muster at formal events like a wedding or bar mitzvah. I've got around 50 high-end cigars in my humidor (including some genuine Cubans) but if I had to limit myself to just one, the Chateau Fuente would be it.

**Bluestaco** · 10-09-2008, 09:20 PM

Originally Posted by dpm802

Stick to the big brand names like Macanudo, Fuente, H. Uppman, Davidoff, Dunhill, etc. All of these have good choices in the price range you're shopping.

Your tobacconist knows what's good. Ask him for his recommendations, and ask if he has any good sampler packs available (3~5 cigars selling for $20-$30 dollars.)

Tell him what you'll be eating before the smoke, and what you'll be drinking with it. Believe it or not, it does make a difference. Drinking good coffee with an H. Upmann is wonderful. Drinking Pepsi with a Davidoff just doesn't seem to work.

My personal choice for a general-purpose, all-around cigar is the Chateau Fuente, about $5 ... it goes well with anything, and you can smoke it for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a midnite snack. Its cheap enough to enjoy on a daily basis, but its classy enough to pass muster at formal events like a wedding or bar mitzvah. I've got around 50 high-end cigars in my humidor (including some genuine Cubans) but if I had to limit myself to just one, the Chateau Fuente would be it.

**langod** · 10-10-2008, 09:15 AM

I'm a relative newbie when it comes to cigars, but ones that I have enjoyed include: Oliva "G" Cameroon, Punch Magnum & Macanudo Gold Hampton Court. All of these should be in the $5-7 range I believe.

If you want to spend some money on a great cigar -- the absolute best cigar I've had so far was a La Aurora Cameroon Platinum - they're about $15/each, but absolutely wonderful smokes. Rich, complex with lots of good flavors throughout the burn.

**citizensoldierny** · 10-10-2008, 09:48 AM

If you're looking to try something really different, try an Acid cigar. They will be entirely different from whatever you've smoked before. My favorites are KMV and Kuba-kuba but you can't go wrong with any of them. They even smell good enough to smoke inside.

**Tinzien** · 10-10-2008, 10:27 AM

Cusano 18's are a great, light smoke that won't break the bank if you pick up one or two from your local shop.

**sergio** · 10-10-2008, 10:33 AM

punch rare corojo...super super tasty and consistent

**Odsman** · 10-10-2008, 10:43 AM

Perdomo Lot 23
Rocky Patel "Edge" Maduro
Fuente Short Story
Joya de Nicaragua
El Rico Habano

For a start...
All around $5.00 a stick and worth every penny.
Most tobacconists have various house brands that are good smokes but are much cheaper.

Where is the B&M you're going? Someone here might be able to recommend what they have in stock.

If all else fails, tell the folks there what you are looking for and ask questions.

**detroityianni** · 10-10-2008, 10:50 AM

I like Ghurka cigars and am partial to rocky patel javas when I want something lighter..

**RexHavoc** · 10-10-2008, 03:11 PM

Well, I was gonna comment, but it looks like its been well covered, only thing I could add is Perdomo fresco, great price point, $2 or thereabouts.

**Lynchmeister** · 10-10-2008, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by RexHavoc

Well, I was gonna comment, but it looks like its been well covered, only thing I could add is Perdomo fresco, great price point, $2 or thereabouts.

Yes! The Perdomo Fresco Maduro is a $2.00 cigar in a $5.00-10.00 cigar's overpriced and overtaxed clothing. Highly recommended.

**B R A N D X®** · 10-10-2008, 04:41 PM

Two of the best bang-for-buck cigars IMO are Rocky Patel The Edge Toro Corojo and Ashton Classic Double Magnums. These are both reasonably priced......on the string side of mild, consistent and packed full of flavor.

You can also buy them at reasonable prices from Best Cigar Prices.

I started smoking cigars at the beginning of the yuppie cigar craze in the early 90's, smoke cigars daily, and these are The Best I have found for the money. YMMV.

**Aperture** · 10-12-2008, 09:37 AM

Thank you all for such a helpful and thorough response. I will be heading over to the shop tomorrow, list in hand. I'll be sure to post the haul, hopefully with pictures.

**PadronMan** · 12-02-2008, 02:39 PM

Padron 2000 Natural
Ashton Classic in any size
Rocky Patel Vintage 1999 Connecticut
Oliva O
Hoyo de Monterrey Tradicion or Legend
Perdomo Habano collection
Fuente Chateau or Hemingway
Saint Luis Rey Serie G

These are all go to sticks for a quality smoke with a good price. Bump it up a little and the world's your oyster. On the lower priced side, look at Flor de Oliva Gold.

Opus X -- over priced and over rated.
Padron 80th Anniversary -- best damn cigar I've ever smoked -- and I smoke ALOT of cigars.

**scp1976** · 12-02-2008, 02:57 PM

To me you can never go wrong with a good Montecristo #3 or #2

**General Burnside** · 12-02-2008, 09:09 PM

CAO Brazillia is great if you like a dark robust smoke, a little pricey. If no ones looking Backwoods honey flavored are excellent, too.

Dick

**joe2golf** · 12-02-2008, 10:12 PM

I agree with every choice listed by PadronMan.

I would also add Romeo y Julieta Cedros #2 to the list.

**prophetic_joe** · 12-02-2008, 11:11 PM

Originally Posted by PadronMan

Padron 2000 Natural
Ashton Classic in any size
Rocky Patel Vintage 1999 Connecticut
Oliva O
Hoyo de Monterrey Tradicion or Legend
Perdomo Habano collection
Fuente Chateau or Hemingway
Saint Luis Rey Serie G

These are all go to sticks for a quality smoke with a good price. Bump it up a little and the world's your oyster. On the lower priced side, look at Flor de Oliva Gold.

Opus X -- over priced and over rated.
Padron 80th Anniversary -- best damn cigar I've ever smoked -- and I smoke ALOT of cigars.

I also believed that the Opus was overpriced and over rated however you give that sucker some Humi time and I mean a lot. Aged it for 2 years and it is one of the best smokes you will ever have. Still though there are others just as good for less. I would have myself an Oliva V almost any day over it. Padron 64 is a great smoke as well.