The PH Cigar Thread
Discussion
I have to say, I wasn't blown away by the Oliva V Melanio Figurado, although frankly I think it may have been down to the fact it was a figurado and not just a regular shape. The flavours were nice, though not amazing, but my main complaint was that in the second half it became quite hard to smoke and just kept going out if not smoked fairly briskly. A total pain, as it meant that I had to keep hitting it with the lighter and to keep the cherry hot enough to stop it choking out meant it needed to be smoked hot and the flavours were spoiled. This was coupled with a draw that got progressively worse as it went on, possibly a tar or moisture buildup in the narrowing part of the tip. The first half, when it was smoking well, I'd say was a 7.5/10 for me, but as the second half was hard work, I'd give it a 5/10. Maybe Olivas just don't work with me!
My smoking buddy had a Por Larranaga Robusto, I wish I'd had the same, I had a few puffs on it when I was lighting it (it was his first cigar, he was worried he'd choke down a lung full trying to get it lit) and it was lovely, and had none of the burn and draw problems I had.
I maintain my position that it's good to not be a snob when it comes to cigars, Oliva aren't cheap are a lauded brand but they don't resonate with me. A CAO Brazilia on the other hand, a relatively cheap stick from a fairly new company, is my favourite smoke. I've had a few and they've been very consistent, expertly constructed and blended to perfection.
My smoking buddy had a Por Larranaga Robusto, I wish I'd had the same, I had a few puffs on it when I was lighting it (it was his first cigar, he was worried he'd choke down a lung full trying to get it lit) and it was lovely, and had none of the burn and draw problems I had.
I maintain my position that it's good to not be a snob when it comes to cigars, Oliva aren't cheap are a lauded brand but they don't resonate with me. A CAO Brazilia on the other hand, a relatively cheap stick from a fairly new company, is my favourite smoke. I've had a few and they've been very consistent, expertly constructed and blended to perfection.
To this day I still don't know if they are the same company or not but the nicest Oliva I've had is the Flor De Oliva in both the Corona and Robusto. A great cheap smoke. Very sweet tasting.
This weekend I had an EP Carrilo Inch. It was a nice tasting smoke but hard work. At a 64 ring gauge it is huge. It required lots of relights and constant attention to keep it lit. After about 3 hours I called it a night.
I'm a slow smoker.
This weekend I had an EP Carrilo Inch. It was a nice tasting smoke but hard work. At a 64 ring gauge it is huge. It required lots of relights and constant attention to keep it lit. After about 3 hours I called it a night.
I'm a slow smoker.
Miguel Alvarez said:
To this day I still don't know if they are the same company or not but the nicest Oliva I've had is the Flor De Oliva in both the Corona and Robusto. A great cheap smoke. Very sweet tasting.
This weekend I had an EP Carrilo Inch. It was a nice tasting smoke but hard work. At a 64 ring gauge it is huge. It required lots of relights and constant attention to keep it lit. After about 3 hours I called it a night.
I'm a slow smoker.
They've got the EP Carillo Inch Maduro in at my local lounge in 70 ring gauge, 7" length. It's supposed to have 6g more tobacco than an Alec Bradley Texas Lancero in the same size, which is not an insignificant amount - but I do wonder if that might just make it a tighter draw. I enjoyed my Texas Lancero, but the Inch is supposed to be a heartier smoke, particularly in Maduro. I might have one on my next smoke out, I might have another Texas Lancero.This weekend I had an EP Carrilo Inch. It was a nice tasting smoke but hard work. At a 64 ring gauge it is huge. It required lots of relights and constant attention to keep it lit. After about 3 hours I called it a night.
I'm a slow smoker.
The disappointment of the Oliva Serie V has stayed with me. I think Cigar Aficionado gave it a 92/100. Maybe I built it up too much in my head. Never believe the hype! That said, my main annoyance was the draw and burn issues, the draw could have been down to it's figurado shape. I may have another, but not for a while.
Mastodon2 said:
They've got the EP Carillo Inch Maduro in at my local lounge in 70 ring gauge, 7" length. It's supposed to have 6g more tobacco than an Alec Bradley Texas Lancero in the same size, which is not an insignificant amount - but I do wonder if that might just make it a tighter draw. I enjoyed my Texas Lancero, but the Inch is supposed to be a heartier smoke, particularly in Maduro. I might have one on my next smoke out, I might have another Texas Lancero.
The disappointment of the Oliva Serie V has stayed with me. I think Cigar Aficionado gave it a 92/100. Maybe I built it up too much in my head. Never believe the hype! That said, my main annoyance was the draw and burn issues, the draw could have been down to it's figurado shape. I may have another, but not for a while.
The inch had some nice flavours but it was just too much for me. If I do have one again I'll probably cut it in half and have it that way. I'm a heathen I know haha. Anything more than 2 hours and I start getting restless. The disappointment of the Oliva Serie V has stayed with me. I think Cigar Aficionado gave it a 92/100. Maybe I built it up too much in my head. Never believe the hype! That said, my main annoyance was the draw and burn issues, the draw could have been down to it's figurado shape. I may have another, but not for a while.
I've also built cigars up in my head before to the point the actual smoke is a bit of an anti climax. I try and buy at least 2 of each one just to make sure it wasn't a dud.
Funnily enough a work colleague has decided he's having a BBQ this weekend and he wants some advice on cigars. Asked me to pick some up for him. My remit is 6 cigars that "look like cigars" under a tenner. Not too strong.
I was going to suggest Davidoff for a first time smoke but they're over his price limit.
Any suggestions?
I was going to suggest Davidoff for a first time smoke but they're over his price limit.
Any suggestions?
For under a tenner each, what about a Punch Coronations Tubed Cigar?
Generally an easy smoke for the casual smoker. And as they are in a tube, its will not matter too much if they don't all "go".
Generally an easy smoke for the casual smoker. And as they are in a tube, its will not matter too much if they don't all "go".
Cuchillo said:
For under a tenner each, what about a Punch Coronations Tubed Cigar?
Generally an easy smoke for the casual smoker. And as they are in a tube, its will not matter too much if they don't all "go".
I did think of these. I tend to pick these up in Waitrose if I want a quick smoke and supplies are low but I find them hit or miss. About half of the ones I've had have been a tight draw but when they're nice they are nice. Generally an easy smoke for the casual smoker. And as they are in a tube, its will not matter too much if they don't all "go".
The tube element is a good shout though.
RichUK said:
I have nothing but good things to say about Cgars Ltd. Mitchell and his team are very knowledgeable.
+1All my purchases are from them. At one point they even sent me a baseball cap and a couple of mouse-mats
I also like it that they are willing to do same day delivery (in London) if you make a reasonable purchase.
Cuch
Miguel Alvarez said:
Funnily enough a work colleague has decided he's having a BBQ this weekend and he wants some advice on cigars. Asked me to pick some up for him. My remit is 6 cigars that "look like cigars" under a tenner. Not too strong.
I was going to suggest Davidoff for a first time smoke but they're over his price limit.
Any suggestions?
What do cigars that "look like cigars" look like? I suppose he means something pretty thick, thinking he will look like Arnie when he smokes, and I'm guessing that he isn't a regular cigar smoker. In that case, you need to choose carefully, limiting yourself to £10 a stick means you could get some amazing smokes, or you could get some absolute rubbish. I was going to suggest Davidoff for a first time smoke but they're over his price limit.
Any suggestions?
I'd go for something fat, short and not too strong, anything more and you'll be smoking all night and your host and other non-smoker guests dabbling in cigars will lose interest, or just not enjoy it if it's too heavy or too long in duration. I'd recommend some NUB Cameroons. These are made by Oliva, who are a reputable brand, they're thick and will meet the necessary thickness limit your friend is probably after. They're not hard to smoke, they're not that strong or rich in flavour, and they don't last that long. That said, even a short cigar will last an hour if you smoke it properly and don't draw every couple of seconds.
Are you a cigar smoker? Are any of the people who go to the BBQ smokers? Because you're going to need a cigar cutter and a butane lighter / cigar matches.
To make sure you get them fresh, and you're ordering from Cgars, maybe phone them before you order and see how they post them, more than likely they'll come in a ziplock bag with a little humidity element in it to keep them moist. In this case, they should last fairly well for a little while as long as you don't open or damage the bag.
I've got into smoking a cigar over the last year or so, problem is that I enjoy it quite a lot but don't want to make too much of a habit of it for health reasons!
But the missus bought these cigars from the local retailer here in Bergen I forget the name of them but they were nice!
Does anyone have any recommendations for a nice cuban style cigar for a non smoker?
But the missus bought these cigars from the local retailer here in Bergen I forget the name of them but they were nice!
Does anyone have any recommendations for a nice cuban style cigar for a non smoker?
Mastodon2 said:
What do cigars that "look like cigars" look like? I suppose he means something pretty thick, thinking he will look like Arnie when he smokes, and I'm guessing that he isn't a regular cigar smoker. In that case, you need to choose carefully, limiting yourself to £10 a stick means you could get some amazing smokes, or you could get some absolute rubbish.
I'd go for something fat, short and not too strong, anything more and you'll be smoking all night and your host and other non-smoker guests dabbling in cigars will lose interest, or just not enjoy it if it's too heavy or too long in duration. I'd recommend some NUB Cameroons. These are made by Oliva, who are a reputable brand, they're thick and will meet the necessary thickness limit your friend is probably after. They're not hard to smoke, they're not that strong or rich in flavour, and they don't last that long. That said, even a short cigar will last an hour if you smoke it properly and don't draw every couple of seconds.
Are you a cigar smoker? Are any of the people who go to the BBQ smokers? Because you're going to need a cigar cutter and a butane lighter / cigar matches.
To make sure you get them fresh, and you're ordering from Cgars, maybe phone them before you order and see how they post them, more than likely they'll come in a ziplock bag with a little humidity element in it to keep them moist. In this case, they should last fairly well for a little while as long as you don't open or damage the bag.
I won't be going as I have other engagements but I've got a couple cutters he can have and some matches lying around. He's definitely after the Arnie look as you put it.I'd go for something fat, short and not too strong, anything more and you'll be smoking all night and your host and other non-smoker guests dabbling in cigars will lose interest, or just not enjoy it if it's too heavy or too long in duration. I'd recommend some NUB Cameroons. These are made by Oliva, who are a reputable brand, they're thick and will meet the necessary thickness limit your friend is probably after. They're not hard to smoke, they're not that strong or rich in flavour, and they don't last that long. That said, even a short cigar will last an hour if you smoke it properly and don't draw every couple of seconds.
Are you a cigar smoker? Are any of the people who go to the BBQ smokers? Because you're going to need a cigar cutter and a butane lighter / cigar matches.
To make sure you get them fresh, and you're ordering from Cgars, maybe phone them before you order and see how they post them, more than likely they'll come in a ziplock bag with a little humidity element in it to keep them moist. In this case, they should last fairly well for a little while as long as you don't open or damage the bag.
Have you tried the Nub? I keep thinking I should get one or two and give them a try. I didn't realise Oliva made them.
A bit of a direct question here.
If I went to a country where they make a lot of cigars, Cuba, Columbia, Spain, USA (?) and bought a box of a well known brand from a store how would the price compare to buying the same or similar here in the UK.
Not in a tourist type shop but in the equivalent of a tobacconist for locals?
Thanks
If I went to a country where they make a lot of cigars, Cuba, Columbia, Spain, USA (?) and bought a box of a well known brand from a store how would the price compare to buying the same or similar here in the UK.
Not in a tourist type shop but in the equivalent of a tobacconist for locals?
Thanks
Miguel Alvarez said:
He's got a few more people coming now so the price has dropped. I've ordered a box of 20 Chinchalero Novillo. Told him I'll have whatever is leftover. Got myself some Diplomaticos as well for the long weekend.
This was my concern, that the event would end up being a load of tanked up BBQ attendees having a go at smoking, trying some right dog rockets. From what I gather, the Novillos are extremely light, so hopefully no one will be put off smoking in the long term. A common experience among my friends who tried cigars and didn't like them was smoking bad cigars, in the wrong setting and not knowing how to do it properly. Wonky cuts causing wrapper unraveling, cigars burnt rather than lit, smoked too hot etc, a cigar can be awful when not smoked right. Hopefully the Chinchaleros will be ok, and you'll get a few decent smokes out of it yourself.With regard to the NUBs, I've had the Cameroon. It was mild-medium, medium at the most, with some nice flavours, and had a notably excellent construction and burn. However, don't believe the hype, they're not the "sweet spot of a cigar distilled", nor do they last as long as a longer cigar. Despite what the advertising may claim, you can't beat the laws of physics. My main complaint is that being so short, they get hot quite quickly, whereas I prefer longer cigars that stay cooler for a greater portion of the smoke. That said, if you've only got 45-60 minutes and want to fit a cigar in, a NUB wouldn't be a bad choice.
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