Your best cigar experience. Cigar & Reason why?

[culebra]

Mine was a 2001 Saint Luis Rey Double Corona. Our team wrapped up a shaky deal which had taked 12 months to put together and which was in the balance until the last minutes. Once the signatures were on paper I felt the weight of the world leave me. I went onto the roof of our building with a bottle of Bollinger, one glass and the SLR DC.

Man, I spent the best hour and a half of my life. Every time I pick up a SLR DC I get that feeling back.

[Ben]

Mine would definately be the Trinidad Fundatore(Spelling?) I lit up at 10 minutes to Midnight on the 31st of December 1999. Not only was the setting perfect, the company superb and my mood truly mellow. The cigar was truly mindblowing

[CastleCrest]

1985 Longos (La Esepcion)

Don't know much about this cigar, but it was amazing!

A Long thin smoke,(33/178)

the kind that I always worry will draw bad.

Last year had a Cigar weekend here at my place.

Great People, Great Food and we light up a big Bon-Fire

Misa (my wife) and I sat down by the fire just after dinner.

It was dark the stars were coming out and we shared a pair of these.

Don't remember where they came from, but WOW!

One of the best cigars I have ever smoked.

The band said: Jose Gener - Habanos

Thanks for reminding me of this.

CC

[rd123456789]

An '86 Davidoff Latour the night I sign my death certificate :-) ... I mean, the night I proposed to my lovely fiance. Great cigar, but the moment made it Outstanding.

Best cigar that didn't need a special moment was a Cuaba Salomone II. Incredible flavors to die for. Now if only these suckers were around.

BTW, HI CC.

[El Presidente]

In the thousands of cigars I have enjoyed three come immediately to mind.

1. RASS. This was a red wrappered rass from 2001 and it tasted like Belgian Chocolate from beginning to end. Red wrappered Rass are as rare as tax officials with a sense of humour, but whenever I come across a box I set it aside.

2. Cohiba Robusto. 5 years age on it and it dripped Honey and Cream. Time stood still as I savoured every nuance of flavour possible. Superb.

3. Ramon Allones Gigantes (2000) shared with good mate Mike Machin over a BBQ and a bottle of Bleasdales Shiraz. The RAG tasted liked stewed ripe fruit. Unforgettable!

Of all the cigars...I can remember these three from beginning to end.

[habanablue]

SCDLH La Punta. one of many memorable smokes. Lit up on rooftop of our hotel overlooking Habana. Don't remember much of the cigar but with a mojito in one hand, and my wife (then soon to be fiance) next to me I enjoyed my first cigar overlooking the promised land!!!

[Sparky]

There are a few highlights all while enjoying the company of others. I will list which happened first as all are special.

1. Romeo y Julieta Churchill, while bowling. My first cuban cigar and it turned into a weekly ritual.

2. a pre 98 BBF from Dragon at our first get together at Ditkas in Chicago, my first aged cigar and I have never been the same since.

3. Castlefest 04. One hell of a weekend sharing stories with great people and the key cigar was a custom rolled salomone while watching fireworks. A weekend I will never forget.

All in all I feel its the company that make the experience the best and I have been blessed too many times to mention.

[Tampa1257]

Fortunately, I have had several that could rate as the best cigar experience, but one that comes to mind happened last fall. A good friend happened to be visiting family in my area, and we hooked up to smoke a couple of cigars. I picked him up and took him to my favorite cigar lounge where I am a member and the traveldors popped open. Not only were the stories going back and forth, but he gave me a cigar that IMHO could be one of those "Once in a lifetime" type cigars, a Partagas Serie C #1 from the Partagas Book! I remember the full rich leather and typical Partagas spice and was in bliss the entire 1.5 hours of enjoying that cigar. After about 45 minutes to let the palate rest, he presented me with my first Cohiba Sublime. In my opinion, the Sublime kicked the Cohiba DC in the rear, in complexity, flavors and strength. That was an outstanding evening that was shared with good friends and excellent cigars. Doesn't get any better!!!!!!!!!! Thanks again Karlz, where ever you are!

Tampa

[HawaiiBill]

This was not the BEST cigar I ever smoked. But the combo of a great night with family and a fantistic cigar put me in heaven. It happened a few years ago and was also a time when my ability to identify specific flavors had increased significantly and every cigar presented wonderful new discoveries.

(Since then, my palate has matured even more and a review of this cigar would be much more detailed. However this experience was so memerable I did not want to change my original words. This pretty much how I posted it back then)

It was around 10 pm halloween night. My kids were starting to come down from thier sugar high. My daughter was falling asleep in her barbie costume and my son was playing quietly with his bionicle toy's. I decided to finish the night with an HDM piramide EL. Up to this point I had only smoked a few of these beauties and each was better than the last. .

As I held the cigar gently my anticipation grows. You just know something great is about to happen! I admire the beautiful dark chocolate wrapper and excellent craftmanship as i take a few pre light draw's. All kinds of flavors come thru. I have really learned to take my time and enjoy the whole experience. I also think about the cuban people and what it must have taken for them to create this masterpiece. I feel tremdous gratitude.

The FIRST THIRD has HUGE volume's of smoke and a perfect burn. Very strong expresso flavors with some subtle undertones of ceder,cocoa and some others i can't define in words. Perhaps i'll get better at this as i smoke more.

THE SECOND THIRD- IS WOW!! Once again i am in blissfull amazment/satisfaction at how the flavors evolve in a cuban cigar. Within a few puffs it changed dramaticaly. Can this be called performance art? It was like a slightly sweet black coffee suddenly had a large dose of heavy cream and a little more cocoa added to it. I slump into my couch and take it all in. I'm drinking cold water only. I don't want to miss a thing!

FINAL THIRD-This thing is firing on all cylinders! It remains smooth but many other flavors are comming out. The strong coffee returns. I now taste cashews,chocolate and some kind of fruit. Is that possable? Am i still describing a cigar? I don't care. All i know is this has been one of the most amazing cigars of my life!

As i finish down to the nub i put the bands up next to the ash tray. They stand in honor of a truly great moment. I leave them there for the next day as a reminder. I go tuck the kids in bed. I have the feeling that i won't forget this halloween any time soon. Oh yea i think i'll buy a box of these thing's.

[ALB]

Two truly memorable cigars come to mind :

1) First cigar I ever had (R y J # 3), not because it was the best smoke I've had, but because after a lot of dramas I had just finished my final exams to finish my BSc degree, really gave me a feel that an important moment in life had occured.

2) H. Upmann Magnum 46, the day I arrived in Havana, went around the corner from the hotel Ambos Mundos in Habana Vieja & picked this up. Then headed to the famous rooftop bar to chill with mojito in hand to enjoy sunset over Havana.

The beautiful sounds of Cuban Son music drifted up from the surrounding restaurants in the Palza del Armas, & for nearly 2 hours the Magnum kept me feeling like I had finally arrived in Nirvana. Unforgettable.

[jamesward]

I have always felt a good cigar was not just the cigar itself, but a place and a time as well. Don't get me wrong, the cigar does matter, but cigar smoking is more than just bringing a flame to tobacco. There have been a few memorably occasions and most have them involved my mates, golfing and Asia. However, one time I had gone out clubing in Tokyo with some friends. I stepped outside as it was not my scene. As is the case, I had brought a couple of Monte No. 2s with me with the hopes of lighting up with my like minded friend who could not be found. I took one out to inspect it and pondered my next move. As if on queue the cutest thing you could imagine said, " now that's how I like them: big and fat." To my surprise she was actually into cigars. We found a great smoke shop on Gaien Nishidori to light up at while sipping rum and watching people. Suffice it to say, what great smoke that was. I will leave the rest up to your imagination.

[ramon_cojones]

For me it was four cigars.

09 sig iv last year

08 d4 last year

08 coro last year

01 lancero

The sig iv, well I don't know what it was but it had so much going on power, complexity, spice, vanilla, earthiness oh my god I savored every puff. As I was driving home I had this smile on my face and the next morning I was smacking my lips together remembering the taste and wishing I had another. The d4 was just immaculate, my buddy's whole box was smoking phenomenally but there were a few above the pack and these were absolutely ridiculous whenever we lit them up. The coro was the best I've ever had, just so much caramel sweetness and spice, leather, earthiness I've not had another like that one though I am sitting on an 09 el laguito box. The lancero well it was an 01 lancero, it's an event whenever one of those are lit and just a vanilla milkshake like only aged cohibas can be.

RASS would be on here except they weren't mine to smoke, both a 92 and 94 that were mind boggling-ly complex.

[cigcars]

*It was 1997. I'd been given my first Habana in a Montecristo Especial No. 2 with the twisty top, courtesy of a B&M owner. I was watching Sam Raimi's "The Quick and the Dead", savoring and contemplating every draw, every moment. I'll always treasure that experience. No, the cigar didn't do all that much for me since that's not my preferred size, but I'd been finally introduced to a Cuban cigar.

[kodebusan]

Hi,

1. Partagas Série du Connaisseur #1. It was my revelation (epiphany?) cigar back in 1998. I was smoking cigars now and then since few years already but in the late 1997 i became more interested by the subject. Was trying different brands, different sizes and then this cigar hit me. It was so good, wasn't very accurate on the flavors at this time but remember a earthy/spices very mellow cigar with hints of sweetness (just a bit) and the first time i recognize the leathery taste.

2. A 2001 Montecristo A who was a clockwork with 3 third of one hour each. Which started with a creamy/buttery spices, grassiness to follow with toasted/brioché (don't really know how to translate this one brioche-like, cupcake-ish?) woody flavor, and finish with the typical earthy montecristo taste, a bit of fruity some touches up of the creamy/buttery from the start and the last end with hints of leather.

3. My discover of the Por Larrañaga Petit Corona and his nutty, caramel mellow sweet taste and then the Encantos....Gosh i love these cigars.

4. Ramon Allones Phoenicios 32 a month ago. Starting like a bakery Brioche-like, cupcake with dry grape and then toasted bread, coffee and hints of honey with a fresh floral back taste. The honey turn to a fruity flavor and here's come the leather being supported by a wonderful cedar flavor.

Consedering now a detour via Beirut for getting one box....

[BonVivant]

1984: Davidoff's Dom Perignon - first introduction to a Cuban

late 80s- early 90s all the Davidoffs, some Dunhills, Punch, Cohibas, HdMs and ERDMs

throughout the mid- late 90s Davidoffs, HdM and Punch DCs, PSD4, Cohiba Robustos and Esplendidos, Montecristos and Ramon Allones, Punch Churchills and Partagas Lusitanias, lots of Diplomaticos and Quai d'Orsay.

All attractions remain

[aavkk]

great thread and to for me it would have to be:

1. A 2003 Cohiba Siglo VI watching my dad's eyes nearly come out of his head for 2 hours. About every 6 minutes he would say something to the effect of "this is Fing unbelievable". Great cigars they are and man do I love being apart of people's "aha" moment.

2. A 1986 La Escepcion Longos gifted to me by Brian, I sat alone at Cigar Inn in NYC and just reveled in the moment, didnt answer a phone call and was totally in the moment for 2 hours. I still remember that cigar like it was yesterday. Nothing has compared to it since, incredible earthiness, complexity, nothing short of 100 points in my book.

[kidmac]

March of this year on vacation in London. I picked up a nicely aged Cohiba robusto from a great shop in Mayfair. Left the shop and the sky parted to somthing they call sunshine i guess its rare in London! I found my way to Hyde park found a great spot to sit and i watched the world go by for the next hour and a half. I'm not sure I've had an hour and a half to myself since!! I will try and recreate that moment every time I'm in London!!

[Freefallguy]

I have always felt a good cigar was not just the cigar itself, but a place and a time as well.

Nice to go into the archives.

It truly is a package experience; mine without question:

Good Friday evening, 2007, Brisbane: Not a restaurant open, not even McDonald’s. Good friend that he is El P takes three vagabond Yank travelers (two sons and me) home for dinner. Boys punting a rugby ball on the front lawn, Rob’s cooking up steak and egg sandwiches on the barbie. Robust, velvety Barossa shiraz in the glass and Rob disappears into the house, emerging with an unbanded corona gorda. I'm told he was gifted them by Don Alejandro. Rolling it in my fingers I was in awe, both of the cigar and a good mate's generosity. It was a luscious mouthful of toasted tobacco and cream. A was glorious evening.

[canadianbeaver]

First time Matthew and I ever sat down with a pair of BHK52's, we really crossed the line into the world of premium cc's. We had to really decide whether to smoke them or save them. Since we only had 2 and we did not know if we would ever have this opportunity again.

We went crazy for each puff and took lots of photos.

I have had a couple of boxes since and even more valuable cigars, but that had to be the clincher.

[ramon_cojones]

Great story freefall.

Actually had a really good (wouldn't say best but felt like sharing) story with a partagas short from 2010. Met a mate of mine for our usual weekly smoke by the beach on tuesday afternoon. Started off with a robo T that was good but just not doing it for me. I powered through it in my semi-exhausted state after having some clam chowder and a rosemary biscuit. Good smoke, plenty of flavor, perfect draw but not hitting the spot. After I was done with it I was extremely exhausted almost to the point of falling asleep (maybe it was the clams lol). Waitress who is the absolute best asked if I was alright and if I would like a cup of coffee and I said sure why not. We were going to make it just a one cigar night with the short still sitting on my lap for another time. Cofffee woke me up a bit and said to hell with it and sparked up the short. First few puffs were delivering in spades with power. Draw was perfect and this was from a cabinet so I love the roundness. I couldn't believe the intense partagas spice coming through so I passed it off for my buddy to try. He was blown away and said it was like a mini d4. I couldn't have put it better myself, he said it made his mc4 taste bland and thanked me for messing up his palate. It came out firing on all cylinders from the get go and stayed consistent for 50 minutes so I nubbed it. This was undoubtedly the best short I have smoked to date (out of maybe 60-70) and so glad I did. It pretty much woke me up and salvaged my day. I gave it a solid 93 and drove home with a smile on my face.

Also there were a couple of kind canadian gentlemen who we gifted two decade old fuentes when they asked if they could buy some smokes off my buddy who had his traveldor. Friend looks at me and I said give them something you think they would enjoy (they were here on business and were enjoying the ambience but lacking in the cigar department). They ended up picking up our tab and endlessly thanked us, top class gentlemen.

[ajgagnon]

What a wonderful thread. I'm not sure I can put my finger on the best, but just thinking of them all is such a treat. The Monte A in Vinales with my father, a Cohiba Lancero in the park, a Hamlet with a friend on a boat at night on Vancouver Island, a P2 on my back patio by myself, a Cohiba Esplendido in the garage in mid-winter with a friend, heaters blasting, drinknig Ron Santiago de Cuba, a Cuaba Distinguido in Cayo Santa Maria on the deck... a farm smoke rolled for fun by a veguero in Vuelta Arriba with pigs running loose and horses eating grass and coffee tree leaves in the shade of the oppressive heat with my new wife along for the ride on our honeymoon... a cigar I can't even remember in a belly boat that distracted me from fly fishing with my father in law on a mountain lake in BC... some great memories.

Thanks!

[craigos]

I had a few Cohiba Robustos boxes in the FOH humi and I asked Lisa last year to ship me one of the 06 boxes. I picked it up at the post office on the way to work, thinking it needed 4 weeks of rest before i smoked. Well it was a lovely summer day in august and worked sucked, so i asked my friend to have a cigar at 3pm with some zacapa xo rum. Expecting an average cigar - i openned the box and it smelt so rich, within 5 minutes of starting the smoke this was the best darn cohiba I had ever smoked. It was bliss - like rich honey. We still talk about that cigar every time we have a cohiba. I put that box in the staebell that night but none of the remaining cigars tasted so good.

A close second is one of the first cohiba maduro (magicos). I got into cubans by meeting a guy on another board and he was from TX and was in spain on business - he came back and sent me this maduro - was my fist cuban. It was salty and rich - i was in bliss. Never had another one like it.

[papatrips]

My best cigar experience had to be a couple of days after my kids were born and it was a '98 Bolivar Corona Extra. I was punch drunk after hours of no sleep. My wife, the doctor and nurses in the NICU told me to go home and get some sleep. When I eventually woke up and had some food I fired this amazing cigar up that I had purchased while on my honeymoon in Cuba. It had seven years of age was all coffee and cocoa and some strength and I enjoyed every second of that cigar while I relaxed and kicked back to take in the last couple of days. Finally sinking in that I am a father of healthy triplets!

To this day BCEs take me back to that day and that is why they are my favourite cigar.

[ckile2012]

A couple weeks ago I brought some Monte #2 to celebrate my sister's new home. They had some fine wine, samples of cheese and the Monte's were superb.That was one of my best cigar experiences especially since toward the end of the night even the ladies were smoking cigars.

[MIKA27]

I have enjoyed many great cigars but memorable would be but just 3 occasions.

1) My first cigar with my dad whilst Hunting and fishing in the Victorian High country. Enjoyed a Padron 3000 (Not a GREAT cigar, regular if anything but still, I think it's because it was with my father).

2) Vegas Robaina Unicos (My favourite cigar). What set it apart from the rest? Enjoyed it with my great friend Steve (OZCuban) and to put it in Steve's words which was his first Unicos "Revelation".

3) Punch Super Robusto: Again, enjoyed this as it was gifted in person by Steve (OzCuban) where he and his lovely wife were down visiting at my home. Again, I think that the Punch SR is one of the best cigars in recent times for me, I love them, but it was the company again that made this so memorable. We smoked these down to the Nub.