I will start this thread out by talking about my own personal experience with cigars. I have smoked cigars on and off for about 15 years now. I started smoking cigars from Jamaica like Royal Jamaicans. I quickly moved to smoking cigars from the Dominican Republic such as Partagas. When I got the chance, I also smoked Davidoff cigars that were made in Cuba. At the time, it was difficult to find a cigar on the mild side that also had flavor and was interesting to smoke.
I took a period of time off from smoking cigars which included the "boom" years. I am told I have not missed anything here. LOL When I went back to cigars, I ended up smoking Ashton Cabinets, Paul Garmirians, and Buteras. I saw that the quality and selection of cigars had improved. And there now are non-cuban cigars made that is on the mild side but still smooth and flavorful. Considering my other alternative, the Cuban Davidoff, was no longer made and when found goes for $45 a stick, this was a nice discovery for me.
After another hiatus from smoking cigars, I ended up discovering the maduro leaf. I was surprised that these cigars can pack allot of flavor, but can be smooth and do not need to be strong. I have been smoking cigars made with maduro leaf ever since. Many of the cigars I smoke now are made by Villazon. IMO Villazon knows their maduro cigars. This includes Hoyo de Monterrey, Punch, For A Allones, El Rey Del Mundo, and the JR Ultimate lines of cigars. I smoke from time to time cigars made by other companies. This includes Perdomo products like Perdomo Squared and Dos Rios, and El Credito products like La Gloria Cubana and El Rico Habano. My recent find is the Ramon Allones. The Ramon Allones is a somewhat inconsistent cigar. But when it is "on", it is real good cigar that has does have some strength. And the price is right. I always do have trouble finding cigars I can afford on a regular basis.
Bob Graham |
