Enduin

If I smoke outside, I always bring a backup cigar. Having to go back inside to get a replacement when a cigar is a dud really breaks the magic for me.

Number 6 gets my vote

This 100%! Also if you don't have a Sunpass keep an eye out for toll roads because the exits are only Sunpass or quarters. As far as cigars Corona is the definitely the way to go and the Downtown location for me is a step above all the others for cigars selection, drinks and ambiance.

While it's true that taste is subjective, relativism can't be applied without limitations, otherwise all products would lose their identity. I'm sure there's someone somewhere who likes ammonia in a cigar, it doesn't mean that cigars that taste like ammonia are "just as good" as cigars that don't because someone likes them. There are also many people who like the taste of young wines so would you also argue that there is no benefit to aging wines? I don't think so. Cigars DO benefit from aging, obviously up to a point and some more than others, same with wine, whisky, and a lot of other stuff. And with benefit I mean the development of flavors that are historically considered desirable in relation to a specific product. This is a well known fact. Now, your personal preference? That's a whole different story.

The one I know of is called "Il Moro" and it's one of the very few Toscano still made in Italy with Italian tobacco (most other Toscano are not). It's quite big (but can be cut in half like all Toscano) and very expensive but if you want a really special Toscano that is the one I would suggest (never tried myself though, the price always put me off).

Let's put it this way: if you don't tell a person he got ripped off, not only you are not helping him but you are also supporting the counterfeit industry because he will keep buying fakes. If you tell him in a respectful manner there is no good reason for him to react poorly, if he does he's not the kind of person you want as a friend. With friends, like with cigars, quality trumps quantity every time.

Just in case you are not aware of the most recent developments: any vendor that is not FOH or a LCDH at this point is not 100% safe. There is a new wave of very sophisticated fakes that affect trusted vendors and potentially B&M stores. If the new stock smells consistently different than the older stock it might not be a bad idea to invest in a black light and read up on the relevant thread here and on Reddit.

I wouldn't trust the end product to be 1% Cuban tobacco... Knowing how difficult it is to determine beyond doubt (aka scientifically as opposed to based on subjective opinions) where the tobacco is from, it would just be too tempting to claim that the cigars are 100% Cuban tobacco and then use whatever leaf is cheaper and not too awful tasting.

Toscanos are no doubt the kings of ugly, but if I gotta be honest I'd rather smoke a Toscano than a peppery NC...

My experience is that the Perfect Draw helps a lot and has saved a lot of cigars from being pitched, especially if the problem is a classic knot around the band area, stem, etc. If the cigar is overstuffed I've had a 50/50 rate of success fixing it, and if it's really overstuffed there is no hope even with major Perfect draw surgery... My worst has been a 1/4 box of RyJ Exibicion No4 that were more than 50% over official weight. Not kidding. Official weight is 10.86g and they were all over 15g. They were so stuffed that just inserting the Perfect draw made the wrapper crack from the pressure. I have to believe that there was a "hold my cerveza" moment at the factory with someone saying "No one can put this much tobacco in a Hermoso No4".

I guess I'm one of the only 3 who doesn't get the Famoso... I got cocoa/chocolate and a nutty note and that's it, no raisin/prune for me. I found it good but really boring. On the other hand other flavor notes like cream, fruit, cake and shortbread I'm happy to have just that one note for the whole cigar!

Ok so this is a stupid question but... we know different farmers all have their secret curing recipes that can include honey, guava leaves and other stuff. Are we sure that the whoever processes the leaves that go into SP doesn't just include some seawater? I mean salt is used in a lot of fermentation not to mention gose beers... Would it be that crazy?

So, to recap: First third: almost too peppery Second third: disappointing/bland Third third: decent Burn/Lack of tooth: disappointing Consistency per box: not great Final result: highly recommend it! I feel like I'm missing something... 🤔

It seem like the Partagas factory and La Corona are almost always in the top 10! Good stuff.

I do prefer not dealing with others at the moment, but that aside I just like smoking in my back yard surrounded by greenery and nature; I find it enhances my enjoyment of the cigars. I will say that I greatly prefer lounges better than indoors at home due to the high ceilings and excellent air filtration good lounges have. Still, if I have a choice it's outdoors any day of the week for me.