HoyoFan

Aladino continues to deliver with the latest anniversary edition. Lots of cereal with milk, hazelnut and slight sweetness. No pepper or strength. Great stick. Honduran tobacco remains the hidden gem we know it to be.

I haven't seen anyone really mention this cigar, but I have to say, after giving a 5er a try, I feel like I've stumbled onto something special and very much under the radar. I can see why Hamlet has been making these for himself. There was a moment there where I was thinking to myself, I wonder how different these really are from Trinity Robusto. So I smoked one right after the other. I came away noticing that the Piramide Corto is somewhat smoother, slightly sweeter almost. Either way, just wanted to say, great job and thank you! Will be getting more.

Haha I’m sure it’s a tough one to crack. Thanks again for all the insights and transparency to this amazing adventure!

When are tickets for the FOH Farm tour going on sale exactly? I can see it as a fun few day experience. Farm tour, tasting tobacco, education from Hamlet, dinner, drinks, repeat.

Try the Aladino Corojo Reserva.

I still remember being a poor college student and standing in a supermarket when I saw a Dominican Montecristo Tubo. If I’m honest, it was the packaging and design that got my attention. The cream color of the tube and the red twist on top. It looked almost good enough to eat. I walked over and cracked open the top and sniffed. To this day, every time I smell a cigar, a small part of me is transported back to that moment. There was something magical about that first experience. A mix of sweet hay and funk. There was also something mysterious, it felt somehow forbidden even though I was old enough to buy one. Just the idea that you’re not supposed to do this. I bought that Tubo and took it to my uncle’s house - the only guy who would allow me to smoke it and not give me grief about it. I think I made it maybe a quarter of the way down, but the experience made me fall in love with cigars forever.

I think the issue here is reference point. What’s the reference point in terms of flavor, strength, pepper level when referring to a 93+ cigar? The reason this isn’t a concern with CCs is because you’re only dealing with less than a dozen Marcas all from the same type of tobacco. Obviously NCs are the opposite. What I would suggest is to try a “reference” cigar from a few groups: AJ Fernandez or My Father representing strong Nicaraguans. Aladino representing medium bodied Hondurans (my preference) Padron representing premium Nicaragua Davidoff representing premium Dominican Fuente Hemingway / Anejo representing medium body flavorful Dominicans. Based on where those land for you, you can then come back here and we can direct you further.

I don’t think they do this annually but rather when there’s enough yield or simply when they feel like it. But I’m still seeing some places carrying the 2023.

EP Carillo Short Run 2023 Robusto Casdagli Daughters of the Wind Pony Robusto

You will undoubtably find too way too much information to process on this question, but as someone who’s done a lot of this back and forth and these days smokes mostly NCs, I think I can summarize it into two points. 1. Yes there are definitely plenty of cigars out there that stand up to CCs, the trick is not to look for a replacement in flavor. But rather think of it as simply just another new cigar I haven’t tried. 2. Look into Honduran tobacco. For me this has been an amazing discovery in terms of little to no pepper, light to medium strength and tons of fantastic flavors. Side note, Nudies are mostly Honduran. Others I’ve loved have been Aladino. As for non Honduran: Caldwell, Dunbarton Sin Compromiso, Fuente Anejo. If you want to dig in further just let me know. Enjoy the ride!

No! But it’s on my list! I’ve heard great things. I’d just love a consistent, monthly cigar related thing to read though. Cigar Journal for example on the surface has so many great titles and ideas, but the content is so shallow and I’m sorry to say, just not very well written, at least the English version.

One thing I’ve been kicking around is an idea for long form writing. I’ve always felt that what’s missing (and what I’d love to read) is something with the quality of The New Yorker but focused purely on cigars. The issue I have with virtually all cigar magazines is the quality of the actual writing is pretty poor. Or in the case of CA, simply uninteresting and somewhat untrustworthy. Being a writer, I’ve been thinking of doing this myself. Curious if it’s something folks would be interested in. Not trying to highjack the post btw.

@Chibearsv Epernay is one of my favorite blends. I love the Le Grande. They only get better with rest.

Ooh, I’ve been thinking about trying these. What are the flavor notes? Strength?

I’ve gotta add the EP Carillo Short Run 23 Robusto