JoeyBones777

I've been smoking cigars for quite awhile, since I was 21 and I'm now 40. While I agree, mostly, with the op I would make a distinction. I don't necessarily need a milder smoke but one with refinement, smoothness, balance and little to no pepper burn on the retrohale. I find these qualities in a wide range of strength cigars. While I tend to stay more medium to mild, there are stronger cigars that I enjoy, such as Liga Privada No.9 and an aged Opus X. I smoke a lot of Illusione, not the ultra line, Warped, Fuente and some Tatuaje, Surrogates, EPC, Foundation and Dunbarton when I'm not smoking cc.

For me, 5 years or so. In the interest of transparency, I haven't been in the Cuba game long enough to speak of anything aged much more than that. I do have 1 Monte 2 from a 2012 box that I bought in honor of my wedding that I will be smoking for my 10 year anniversary next year. It will be interesting to see if it holds up to the one I smoked on my 5 year anniversary which was one of the best cigars I ever smoked. All that said, it is subjective but 5 years seems to be the money spot for Montecristo for me.

I hear ya and tend to agree. What I typically think of is similar strength and flavor profile but I would rather they state those specs rather than try to ride Cuba's coat tails.

This cigar is supposed to have cubanesque flavor. I'm skeptical but it is made by United which makes Atabey. While I wouldn't say Atabey are cubanesque I do enjoy their flavor profile. After a cut and a light there is some earth, roasted nuts and pepper. The retrohale has some pepper as well but isn't too rough. Ash starts off nice. Staking dimes! As I smoke through the cigar there aren't any changes other than some coffee and dark chocolate flavors coming in but fairly muted. Those that call this cubanesque haven't had any Cubans. This screams NC to me and an average one at that. How 'bout that ash you ask? Well... it held on like a stripper on a greased pole. I give it an 84. While not my cup of tea it wasn't bad. I won't buy it again but if someone handed it to me I would smoke it.

I think a 100 pointer is a cigar experience you will always remember...and sometimes not always just because of the cigar itself but other factors that play into it such as the company you hold or reason for smoking it. I've had 2 such experiences. The first was the original release Padron serie 1926 80 years Maduro. I got 1 for me and one for my buddy who was moving out of town due to a promotion. I still remember the vibrant orange zest note along with rich coffee, dark chocolate, earth and a slight nuttiness. We both gushed over that cigar. The second was a 5 year old Montecristo No.2 that I smoked for my 5th wedding anniversary with my wife. Rich creamy cocoa, sweet biscuit and balancing Cuban twang that literally went straight through until there was nothing left without getting bitter...I busted out a skewer to hold it so I wouldn't burn my fingers. With these experiences it was a culmination of the cigar along with the company and celebration that made them memorable 100 pointers. True, this is subjective to me but I believe everyone has 100 pointers themselves whether they believe in them or not. You don't have to believe in something for it to truly exist.😉

Yeah, I'm originally from Buffalo. I was 9 when they made their first superbowl. I'm excited for their chances this year. Thank you, I did win poker last night.?

I'm expecting the Bills to roll over the Colts 31-17!

Yeah, right. Small area like Buffalo and it takes a cigar forum based in Australia for us to meet.? A buddy of mine lives close to that area. Whenever I'm in town we tend to hit up The Tinderbox after we smoke through the Cubans I bring.

Thank you! You're in Buffalo...what area? I was born and raised a couple blocks from the zoo and Delaware park.?

Good game, everyone! Thanks to a little help from Lady Luck I actually pulled off a win my first time back in awhile.?

Been awhile for me. I'm in!

Sir Winston, Party 898, Sir Winston, Siglo V, Sir Winston, Colonials.....Sir Winston. My biggest problem is money. At least I've been blessed enough to be able to try the Sir Winston and I do have a partial box of 898.

Hard pass for me. First RNA vaccine, rushed trials, no idea of long term effects, scary side effects reported plus statistically I'm more likely to die of the flu and I don't do flu vaccines either. My household likely had it last January though we were never tested for it. A couple recent studies show robust multilateral immune response in those that have already had it. So much so that immunity is likely to last years.

This is only the second time smoking this one. Both were from samplers so not 100% on box date. Draw was good and burn decent. Flavors were consistent throughout showing cake, twang and some nuts. Very enjoyable, smooth and on the sweeter side which I like. This is not the size I would typically go for. I'd like to try the corona Claro to see how its flavors compare as that size is more my style but it has been elusive compared to the 50 and 54. Overall an enjoyable cigar that I rate a 91.

Both are likely true.