Never Buying from a Cigar Store Again!

[daflorc]

As much as I believe in supporting small businesses and small business owners, I am just too poor and like to smoke cigars way too frequently to be purchasing my cigars at cigar stores. Have you guys seen some of the deals by buying online? Unbelievable! Quality, tasty, easy drawing hand rolled cigars for a buck a stick. Two bucks if you want popular name brands. Can't go wrong with that!

On that note, what do you daily cigar smokers like to smoke that doesn't run you broke after a week?

So far, the only $1 smoke I really enjoy is the Flor Del Todo with a Maduro wrapper, hand made in Honduras from cuban-seed tobacco. I've tried a few other brands...bleh

 

[nesta]

Yep, sure have seen some of the deals!

However, there are some machine made smokes which I enjoy more than most one dollar hand mades, many of which are abysmal. If you're getting Flor del Todo, my guess is CI or cigar.com? If so, try La Aurora Principes. Boxes of 55 for about 35 dollars-ish. They are short filler and machine rolled, but the flavor is great, and they don't even need to be kept in a humidor because they're wrapped in foil instead of cellophane.

But if you're dead set on hand rolled smokes, overruns and seconds are a good way to go. If you like really full bodied smokes, try A.J. Fernandez overruns - they are firsts, but you won't know what blend because they come bundled and unbanded. I've gotten two bundles, one lonsdale and one corona, and they ran me around a buck a piece and smoke as good as any 5-10 dollar cigar. The lonsdales I got happened to be mild, which I gather is very unusual for A.J. Fernandez blends and given the wrapper, flavor, shape, and strength, I'm guessing they are Man o' War Virtue. The coronas I got are extremely full bodied, and I suspect they are Man o' War Puro Authentico.

If you really want a better chance of a mild cigar, get the Fonseca overruns. I got the churchills, and they're quite mild and a fantastic smoke.

If you want medium-full, try the Super Premium Seconds. Being seconds the quality is a little less consistent, but they're really good anyway. These are Punch maduro seconds. They only sell a few sizes, but they're tasty smokes for a bargain.

If you want bands, and need to know what blend you're getting, I really enjoy Hoyo de Monterrey Sabrosos, which run at less than two bucks a stick for a box of 25. They are petite coronas, 5x40, and I like them as much as or more than the larger, more expensive shapes.

 

[daflorc]

I've been buying off of Hoyne, cigarsinternational (the best of the website deals) and thompson cigars - the Flor Del Todo was from cigars international.

At this stage in the game I'm enjoying the hand rolled aspect of them, and since I pass around the cheapo handrolls to my buddies when were barbecuing, I feel like I need to stick with that for now- don't need any jabs about my short filler machine rolled goodies with guys who think they know cigars, right? (This is precisely the reason why I didn't buy the long filler robusto swisher sweets that are aged 8 years for a buck a piece - I'm thinking they'd be good but I'd get **** for it).

However I was eyeing up the overruns and seconds but haven't taken a risk on them yet. Its good to hear that they're quality!

Thanks for those tips - they're going on the list of cheap-oes to fill my humidor with.

As far as type of cigars I like - I haven't been smoking them long enough to make definitive judgements yet - I've tried several milds, and mediums, a few medium/fulls, some maduros and habanos... I'm halfway through a habano sampler right now, and they're OK - I'm not a fan of the salty flavor I get from some of them. I've had a few dark maduros, I enjoy them, but I'm not a fan of too much pepper on my palate. I like the Flor del Todo as an everyday kind of smoke, but I'm looking for other kinds for an everyday kind of smoke as well. I think of mild cigars as everyday cigars, while the stronger ones are more of weekend or special occasion kinds to be had while drinking

As you can see, I'm still learning!

 

[Boro62]

I order buy from both, yes the B&M is more expensive but a lot of times online guys after shipping isn't that much cheaper unless its like on CI's deal of the day or cigarmonster or other deal sites...and also a lot of times my B&M have harder to find stuff that u can't even get online

 

[nesta]

I wouldn't worry about getting crap from people who think they know cigars...I smoke what I like. If I have something I can part with, I might offer a cigar to somebody. If they are "too good" to accept it without giving me crap about it being a "cheap" cigar, then they won't be getting another from me.

Then again, I don't have many friends.

 

[daflorc]

I wouldn't worry about getting crap from people who think they know cigars...I smoke what I like. If I have something I can part with, I might offer a cigar to somebody. If they are "too good" to accept it without giving me crap about it being a "cheap" cigar, then they won't be getting another from me.

Then again, I don't have many friends.

Aside from getting crap from my friends, for me, there's more to it. I enjoy history, tradition, nostalgia. None of my straight razors are any newer than 1892.

With cigars, visualizing a little Nicaraguan man with tiny hands rolling my coronas adds an element of appeal I think as long as I can still find hand rolls for a buck a stick, I'll have to stick with them

 

[nesta]

You want tradition? Marsh Wheeling. Parodi. Muniemaker.

All I'm saying is that >I< enjoy those smokes, and they are important hangers-on from the days when America made a decent, honest, workingman's cigar that won't break the bank.

None of them will win awards for appearance, and they aren't going to blow you away flavor wise, but they're smokeable, impeccably consistent, and at least I prefer them to many of the dollar handmades out there.

But Nicaraguan cigars have a history, sure...but you aren't likely to find a cigar richer in tradition than Marsh Wheeling. Maybe some Cuban brands or La Aurora...maybe.

Just giving you a hard time though

 

[daflorc]

And I appreciate a friendly rib-jabbing, lol. I have on occasion smoked backwoods and swisher sweets and those little capone mini cigars. I am actually gonna look up those brands you mentioned. Anything cheap that keeps me away from cigarettes is a good thing.

 

[nesta]

Well, Muniemakers are good, but they aren't as "cheap" as you might expect - probably just a bit over a dollar a piece. Marsh Wheelings are good, and about a buck a piece for the Deluxe (25ct box for 25 bucks at JR - which I highly recommend as an internet retailer, much better service than the others in my experience, and fantastic prices)

However, while I enjoy both of those brands, the real show stealer for me is the Parodi. Unlike the others, you can still get these a lot of places, such as CVS (never been in one that didn't carry them)

They are machine made and dry cured, made in the Italian style. Unlike most other machine mades, they are NOT intended to resemble or smoke like Caribbean style cigars. They are ugly, dry, and hard. However, they are MEANT to be this way and it's not a sign of inappropriate storage. Actually, humidifying them would ruin them, causing the filler to swell slightly and plugging the thing up! Around here you can buy a five pack for about six bucks and some change. They are around the size of a petite corona (though thickness varies a lot) but they smoke like a robusto in terms of duration. They are made with Kentucky and Tennessee tobaccos - no traditional Caribbean tobacco. They don't taste like a wet cigar, they taste a little more like a cross between a "normal" cigar and Peterson's Irish Flake. They are very lightly sweetened. They smell bad, but taste great in my opinion.

And the best part is their strength. These are NOT mild cigars. They pack a punch nicotine wise. They have no prestige points, but if you want something to keep you off cigarettes but which doesn't need to be inhaled, this is it! Remember, they're American made Italian style cigars, so they are not meant to be anything like a Cuban, Dominican, Honduran or Nicaraguan cigar. They don't pretend they can be like it, don't try to be like it, and therefore don't fail at it like Swisher Sweets or White Owls.

While I like some of the other, more typical machine made cigars (or the better examples of them, anyway) the Parodi is a hands down favorite. I actually like it as much as or prefer it to 75-90% of hand rolled cigars. Obviously your mileage may vary

 

[Boro62]

I wouldn't worry about getting crap from people who think they know cigars...I smoke what I like. If I have something I can part with, I might offer a cigar to somebody. If they are "too good" to accept it without giving me crap about it being a "cheap" cigar, then they won't be getting another from me.

Then again, I don't have many friends.

I'm of the sentiment that if someone gives you something you accept it gracefully, express gratitude for it, and light it up regardless if its a nice hand rolled cuban or a swisher sweet.

You want tradition? Marsh Wheeling. Parodi. Muniemaker.

All I'm saying is that >I< enjoy those smokes, and they are important hangers-on from the days when America made a decent, honest, workingman's cigar that won't break the bank.

None of them will win awards for appearance, and they aren't going to blow you away flavor wise, but they're smokeable, impeccably consistent, and at least I prefer them to many of the dollar handmades out there.

But Nicaraguan cigars have a history, sure...but you aren't likely to find a cigar richer in tradition than Marsh Wheeling. Maybe some Cuban brands or La Aurora...maybe.

Just giving you a hard time though

I've heard good things about both parodi and marsh wheeling when it comes to machine rolled cigars.

 

[daflorc]

Mine is the 29 year old generation, with friends I've known since high school, and are major ball busters about anything and everything, as good friends usually are. But I wouldn't mind trying Parodi and Marsh Wheeling cigars for my own enjoyment.

 

[cwf71]

Parodi.... nice.

De Nobili is another similar dried italian style cigar of a similar mold.

Two of my faves.

Backwoods are even ok for a quick smoke. IMHO, Sweets & such are strictly used as bug repellent when in a pinch. I hear some yutes use them to smoke their ganja on the DL. Don't mess with me. I'm one crazy mo-fo. I had to pop a cop cause he wasn't giving me my props in Oaktown. No? I've heard that somewhere.

Well, Muniemakers are good, but they aren't as "cheap" as you might expect - probably just a bit over a dollar a piece. Marsh Wheelings are good, and about a buck a piece for the Deluxe (25ct box for 25 bucks at JR - which I highly recommend as an internet retailer, much better service than the others in my experience, and fantastic prices)

However, while I enjoy both of those brands, the real show stealer for me is the Parodi. Unlike the others, you can still get these a lot of places, such as CVS (never been in one that didn't carry them)

They are machine made and dry cured, made in the Italian style. Unlike most other machine mades, they are NOT intended to resemble or smoke like Caribbean style cigars. They are ugly, dry, and hard. However, they are MEANT to be this way and it's not a sign of inappropriate storage. Actually, humidifying them would ruin them, causing the filler to swell slightly and plugging the thing up! Around here you can buy a five pack for about six bucks and some change. They are around the size of a petite corona (though thickness varies a lot) but they smoke like a robusto in terms of duration. They are made with Kentucky and Tennessee tobaccos - no traditional Caribbean tobacco. They don't taste like a wet cigar, they taste a little more like a cross between a "normal" cigar and Peterson's Irish Flake. They are very lightly sweetened. They smell bad, but taste great in my opinion.

And the best part is their strength. These are NOT mild cigars. They pack a punch nicotine wise. They have no prestige points, but if you want something to keep you off cigarettes but which doesn't need to be inhaled, this is it! Remember, they're American made Italian style cigars, so they are not meant to be anything like a Cuban, Dominican, Honduran or Nicaraguan cigar. They don't pretend they can be like it, don't try to be like it, and therefore don't fail at it like Swisher Sweets or White Owls.

While I like some of the other, more typical machine made cigars (or the better examples of them, anyway) the Parodi is a hands down favorite. I actually like it as much as or prefer it to 75-90% of hand rolled cigars. Obviously your mileage may vary

 

[nehpets4627]

Back to the subject, I found myself buying from local shops way more frequently early on when I was trying everything just to see what would stick. At the time it was mostly about instant gratification, but also not having to buy 5+ or pay shipping on small orders from the online shops. Now that I have a better idea of what I like, I buy far more online. I'm still not buying boxes frequently, but lost of 5-packs, Wingmans, and other samplers that fall into a general genre that I know I like. Lately CigarMonster.com has been my go-to source... I can pick up many of the Drew Estates sticks I like most for $3/piece in 5-packs and Wingmans that would run $9-$12/piece at the local shop.

 

[daflorc]

Back to the subject, I found myself buying from local shops way more frequently early on when I was trying everything just to see what would stick. At the time it was mostly about instant gratification, but also not having to buy 5+ or pay shipping on small orders from the online shops. Now that I have a better idea of what I like, I buy far more online. I'm still not buying boxes frequently, but lost of 5-packs, Wingmans, and other samplers that fall into a general genre that I know I like. Lately CigarMonster.com has been my go-to source... I can pick up many of the Drew Estates sticks I like most for $3/piece in 5-packs and Wingmans that would run $9-$12/piece at the local shop.

I've been really wanting to try the Drew Estates Java. I have a mental aversion against flavor infused cigars - just wanting to go the authentic route and find the tastiest in that category - but if they're as good as I hear I won't care. I haven't heard of cigar monster.com, definitely gonna check it out!

I'm pretty confident that I know that I really enjoy maduros, and even though habanos aren't my all time favorite, I can deal with and enjoy a few. There's not too much I don't like. I'm pretty sure, though, that maduros are gonna be my staple...

 

[Boro62]

I've been really wanting to try the Drew Estates Java. I have a mental aversion against flavor infused cigars - just wanting to go the authentic route and find the tastiest in that category - but if they're as good as I hear I won't care. I haven't heard of cigar monster.com, definitely gonna check it out!

I'm pretty confident that I know that I really enjoy maduros, and even though habanos aren't my all time favorite, I can deal with and enjoy a few. There's not too much I don't like. I'm pretty sure, though, that maduros are gonna be my staple...

I keep trying to give infused cigars a try, but every time i go to one (at least when im sober) i just can't finish it, and end up tossing it and lighting up a non infused smoke. I want to like them, just can't seem to. But like everyone here says YMMV. cheers and happy smoking!

 

[daflorc]

Back to the subject, I found myself buying from local shops way more frequently early on when I was trying everything just to see what would stick. At the time it was mostly about instant gratification, but also not having to buy 5+ or pay shipping on small orders from the online shops. Now that I have a better idea of what I like, I buy far more online. I'm still not buying boxes frequently, but lost of 5-packs, Wingmans, and other samplers that fall into a general genre that I know I like. Lately CigarMonster.com has been my go-to source... I can pick up many of the Drew Estates sticks I like most for $3/piece in 5-packs and Wingmans that would run $9-$12/piece at the local shop.

I keep getting this screen when I hit checkout on cigar monster. What the hell?

 

[Boro62]

yup does it for me too, seems like theres something going on overe there with their website

 

[nehpets4627]

CigarMonster is working for me right now, and in the middle of a Mashup (all the daily deals for the last week available at the same time)... though nothing is grabbing my attention at the moment.

As for the Javas, they have surprisingly been one of my least favorite Drew sticks. The Latte (Connecticut) comes across as harsh and the Maduro seems to carry more bitter coco than coffee infusion. The Mint Maduro is a nice change of pace but, at the price, I don't pick them up very frequently. I prefer the Tabak Especial or even the cheap Isla del Sol for a coffee-infused smoke.

 

[daflorc]

CigarMonster is working for me right now, and in the middle of a Mashup (all the daily deals for the last week available at the same time)... though nothing is grabbing my attention at the moment.

As for the Javas, they have surprisingly been one of my least favorite Drew sticks. The Latte (Connecticut) comes across as harsh and the Maduro seems to carry more bitter coco than coffee infusion. The Mint Maduro is a nice change of pace but, at the price, I don't pick them up very frequently. I prefer the Tabak Especial or even the cheap Isla del Sol for a coffee-infused smoke.

Thanks for the tip. I think a sampler is in my future.

 

[BigKev77]

A cheap yard gar I used to keep several bundles of were Pirate's Gold #4 maduro. They were hand made long filler cigars. These are the old Rolando Reyes Sr stick not the new version. If you can still find them I think I was giving $20 or so a bundle for them on cbid (the devil site). Not a bad smoke at all for what it is.

As far as B&M's go I would buy singles to try a brand before I bought boxes on the net. Other than that or an accessory or two I bought on line.