Vote on any you've tried...

[finecigar]

I would like to see what NC people on the forum are familiar with. Could be interesting.

This is a list of some of my favorites, some random add-ons to seek what members have

Or have not tried. Thanks

[mdzotti78]

One of my favorite NC's you have listed are Don Pepin's. The My Father Line especially. They are excellent smokes. The Limited Edition ones are superb. I am really liking the La Reloba Sumatra by Pepin as well. I am currently smoking a Jaime Garcia Reserva right now. It is also very good.

[cigcars]

I've tried all except about 3 on this thread stated. That stupidly high priced Stradivarius I only got because it was discounted on a local & popular vendor site. 'Twasn't bad at all. I'd say of all listed here, the Padron 45th Family Anniversary was the one that pleasantly and satisfactorily blew my socks off as a cigar right on par with the best of the Havanas

[randomhero1090]

You are missing a lot of great NC cigars....

Tatuaje - Black Label Petit Lancero, J21 Reserva, 7th Reserva, Verocu #9, Fausto, Cabaiguan Guapos Maduro RX or 46.

Viaje - Exclusivo, Oro, VOR5 (#2 CA cigar last year), 50/50 Red, 50/50 Black.

Illusione - mk, cg4, Epernay (several sizes).

EP Carrillo - Short Run, Short Run 2011, New Wave Connie.

Arturo Fuente - Don Carlos, Magnum Rosado

[TM-US]

I've voted, but the thing I've found is that I don't like most NC cigars.

The Don Pepin Garcia line is pretty good, but once you get close to the $10/stick mark, they don't make sense as long as you can reliably get CCs for that price.

The same thing with Tatuaje- I've only had two so far, which I both liked (Havana VI and the brown label line, don't remember the name) but again, the reserva sticks are in the $15+ range, which makes no sense to me.

I like the Opus X for the right price- my B&M carries them at a strong price (Petit Lanceros for around $8.50) but I wouldn't pay the $20 price I've seen some online vendors sell them for. The Lost City are even more expensive- no way I'm paying $35-40 for a Lost City when Behike splits are close to the $40 range- I'd rather try some Behikes.

Ever since I've found this place, I've decidedly cut down on my NC purchases down to a few sticks to try at reasonable prices and have lost interest in the high priced NCs, especially when something like a Bolivar GM ($12) or a Siglo IV ($16) can be had for the same price.

[thechenman]

I've smoked virtually all on your list. Some have been good, some great, and many horrible. The ones I can't comment on are:

San Miguel

Stradivarius

Man O' War

Ave Maria

As far as the others go:

Padilla Miami - The old Pepin blended 8&11s were fantastic. The current version of this cigar leaves much to be desired when compared to its predecessor.

Montecristo White - A very mild cigar, not bad, but extremely overpriced.

Montecristo Media Noche - I actually enjoy these, you can often find these deeply discounted. I smoke them often on the golf course.

Davidoff Classics - Never had a Dominican Davidoff that I've enjoyed...way over priced for what they offer. I think Kelner is overrated IMHO...

Arturo Fuente OpusX - A fantastic cigar...especially with a little age. I have several hundred on hand, but mostly the regualr production stuff to HTF cigars are way too expensive.

Davidoff Puro d'Oro - See my above comment on Davidoff Classics. The only difference is that these are cheaper and stronger, but they are still horrible.

Rocky Patel Decade - I really enjoyed this cigar when it first came out. Don't care for the Limited Edition Decade as it has a funky smell. Recent production leaves brown stains on your fingers and lips...that can't be a good thing.

Rocky Patel Connecticut - Can you even taste this cigar?

Graycliff - Smoke a few different ones...the only one worth mentioning is the Triple Espresso, the other's I could do without...especially at their high price points.

Padron - Honestly...you won't find a better NC out there period from their x000 Series to the 1926...hands down the best.

Don Pepin - I'm a fan of the Blue Label, I like the My Father Le Bijou...he has done wonders for Tatuaje blends...but I still prefer Padron and several other Fuente cigars to Pepin's stuff. However, I've met the man, and he is a great character...very humble.

[CigarAsh]

I'm a huge fan of the EP Carrillo line that someone else mentioned. I met him Saturday at a cigar event here in town. Super nice to me and autographed the boxes of limited 2009 and limited 2010 I bought. The 2009 is one of my favorite NC cigars of the past 2 years. Just a super blend - very reminiscent of some of his blends from his days at La Gloria Cubana. He was nice enough to sneak me a cigar of one his test blends for his 2011 limited editions - going to be a maduro this time. I can't decide whether to smoke it now or guard it zealously like it was pure gold (ok I'm kind of a Carrillo fan boy).

Tasted his new maduro every day line and was pretty impressed with it as well. If you like chocolate and coffee flavors in a cigar - this will do it.

[MadMax]

Liga Privada No.9 & T-52!!

[Orion21]

I smoke about 50% NC and they can be really good cigars. My issue is that because they are all made for the US market they seem to be very similar in profile. I enjoy a lot of them, but I mainly notice quality differences based on the tobacco used. An Oliva V is a great smoke, but it tastes very similar to a Brick House or La Aroma de Cuba. When you get to the ultra-premium smokes like the Padron Anni's there is some differentiation, but not like in Cuba.

My favorites:

My Father Le Bijou

Ashton VSG

Oliva V

La Flor Dominicana (Box Press II)

La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor

[livedavid]

There is something that I crave in the Maduro Padron 1964 Anniversary that I am yet to find anywhere else. IMHO, there is also a quality in the rolling that is hard to duplicate. I have actually dropped some PAM's on the ground (by accident) only to pick them up completely undamaged. I would agree that there are some great NC sticks, but they do seem to come at a premium that has made little sense these days with affordable and attainable CC's.

[TM-US]

Is it just me or does anyone else really dislike Padrons?

Every one that I've tried from them has been very bitter and acrid, couldn't smoke more than 1/2. The one that was the best was a 1926 Anniversary, but I still didn't like it very much and would never buy another.

Are these another cigar that you need to lay down for a year or more in order to get the nasty stuff to come out?

[Diamondog]

Curious as to what NC's El Presidente enjoys IF any...

[randomhero1090]

I am not a big Padron guy either. I was on a PAM 64 kick for awhile, but quickly got off that bus. Now the 45th and 46th are very good, but we are talking well over $20 a cigar.

I would agree with the "American Market" thought above. Cigars tend to be very strong and spicy. For me, I like some spice in

my cigars, but I don't need my nostrils burning. In fact, after several years of smoking now, my taste profile is really changing. Used to like really big cigars with a lot of strength and spice. JDC Gran Consul comes to mind. Now, I am looking for a full bodied cigar with TONS of rich flavor. If I can get some strength with it too, wonderful.

A NC that comes to mind with what I just described is an aged Opus X. After 2 years, these things just get really good. Recently smoked a Tatuaje Fausto, that had some spice and strength, but didn't blow my doors off. However, had a wonderful aroma with some really rich flavors.

But, the more well aged CCs I smoke, the less I want to buy NCs. 70-80% of my money is going to CCs right now.

[Orion21]

My issue with most Padron cigars = underfilled.

Pick one up and it feels light. Light one up and the draw on 85% feels like you are sucking air from a hose. The tobacco is great, aged well and the flavors are on. However, I can't get over the zero resistance draw. Because of the draw they tend to burn fast and hot.

[livedavid]

Is it just me or does anyone else really dislike Padrons?

Every one that I've tried from them has been very bitter and acrid, couldn't smoke more than 1/2. The one that was the best was a 1926 Anniversary, but I still didn't like it very much and would never buy another.

Are these another cigar that you need to lay down for a year or more in order to get the nasty stuff to come out?

I don't think you are alone in not liking Padron. Most people do prefer the 1926. I just like the Maduro 1964 the best. They actually need just a short rest in your humidor. They don't really benefit from additional aging. I could tell you to try 1926 80 Years, but I think you would just be wasting money, as the flavor profile may just not be to your liking. That's what is great about cigars...so many choices.

[Lotusguy]

My issue with most Padron cigars = underfilled.

Pick one up and it feels light. Light one up and the draw on 85% feels like you are sucking air from a hose. The tobacco is great, aged well and the flavors are on. However, I can't get over the zero resistance draw. Because of the draw they tend to burn fast and hot.

+1M!

[finecigar]

I've tried all except about 3 on this thread stated. That stupidly high priced Stradivarius I only got because it was discounted on a local & popular vendor site. 'Twasn't bad at all. I'd say of all listed here, the Padron 45th Family Anniversary was the one that pleasantly and satisfactorily blew my socks off as a cigar right on par with the best of the Havanas

Yea I would agree with that. Despite that price, the Stradivarius really was nice for me- it had to be some kind of lucky dud. I really love the 45th anniversary though. Close enough to a Cuban cigar

[finecigar]

You are missing a lot of great NC cigars....

Tatuaje - Black Label Petit Lancero, J21 Reserva, 7th Reserva, Verocu #9, Fausto, Cabaiguan Guapos Maduro RX or 46.

Viaje - Exclusivo, Oro, VOR5 (#2 CA cigar last year), 50/50 Red, 50/50 Black.

Illusione - mk, cg4, Epernay (several sizes).

EP Carrillo - Short Run, Short Run 2011, New Wave Connie.

Arturo Fuente - Don Carlos, Magnum Rosado

Yep I would add some of those to the list too. The poll only has an option for 20, so I didn't want to overwhelm everyone

[nick17]

ive hand a few padrons lots of rocky patel's but im most excited to smoke a padron family reserve No. 45 in two weeks

[PuffDaddie]

The Pardon Family Reserve is outstanding,the My Father is right behind.

[nick17]

it better be good for what it cost me...

[finecigar]

Looks like OpusX or Padron's are the more popular- Not that there is any kind of way to fully document NC's...there are so many brands it seems like each day there is a new one. That's what I love about CCs and the history behind them, seems to be more selective of a process (which it should be IMO). But I do know that if someone doesn't have access to CC's whatsoever there are many terrific choices for the NCs. The pricing is odd though- some of these premium expensive NC's will make Cohiba look like a bargain. But at the end of my day, it is kind of half and half. I think If I was given a 10 cigar per day limit I would pick 5 great NCs as well as 5 great CCs

[finecigar]

One of my favorite NC's you have listed are Don Pepin's. The My Father Line especially. They are excellent smokes. The Limited Edition ones are superb. I am really liking the La Reloba Sumatra by Pepin as well. I am currently smoking a Jaime Garcia Reserva right now. It is also very good.

I enjoy them all a lot too, Don Pepin for me is a cigar brand I always have in my stock.

[finecigar]

I've smoked virtually all on your list. Some have been good, some great, and many horrible. The ones I can't comment on are:

San Miguel

Stradivarius

Man O' War

Ave Maria

As far as the others go:

Padilla Miami - The old Pepin blended 8&11s were fantastic. The current version of this cigar leaves much to be desired when compared to its predecessor.

Montecristo White - A very mild cigar, not bad, but extremely overpriced.

Montecristo Media Noche - I actually enjoy these, you can often find these deeply discounted. I smoke them often on the golf course.

Davidoff Classics - Never had a Dominican Davidoff that I've enjoyed...way over priced for what they offer. I think Kelner is overrated IMHO...

Arturo Fuente OpusX - A fantastic cigar...especially with a little age. I have several hundred on hand, but mostly the regualr production stuff to HTF cigars are way too expensive.

Davidoff Puro d'Oro - See my above comment on Davidoff Classics. The only difference is that these are cheaper and stronger, but they are still horrible.

Rocky Patel Decade - I really enjoyed this cigar when it first came out. Don't care for the Limited Edition Decade as it has a funky smell. Recent production leaves brown stains on your fingers and lips...that can't be a good thing.

Rocky Patel Connecticut - Can you even taste this cigar?

Graycliff - Smoke a few different ones...the only one worth mentioning is the Triple Espresso, the other's I could do without...especially at their high price points.

Padron - Honestly...you won't find a better NC out there period from their x000 Series to the 1926...hands down the best.

Don Pepin - I'm a fan of the Blue Label, I like the My Father Le Bijou...he has done wonders for Tatuaje blends...but I still prefer Padron and several other Fuente cigars to Pepin's stuff. However, I've met the man, and he is a great character...very humble.

Thanks for all the input. I honestly wasn't expecting most here to even be familiar with some of these brands- since this is a CC forum. Glad you have had them all and got an opinion well made. I like the media noche a lot because with all those discounts you can acquire many easily. And, on the "several hundred on hand (opusx)" That is impressive! They are great though I definitely agree on that!

[dicko]

I bought some tats, JDN atanos and illusion epernay on the recommendation of some people