Suggestions for larger ring sizes?

[ptrthgr8]

Hi, folks.

I prefer the larger cigars - something in the 50+ ring and 6+ inches. It seems that the #2 shapes are close to that, as are the H. Upmann Mag 50s. (I've got one box of Monte #2s and the H. Upmann Mag 50s in the cabinet at the moment.) I'm thinking about getting a box of H. Upmann #2s soon... but want to get some others, too. Here's what I was looking at:

San Cristóbal de la Habana Muralla

San Cristobal de la Habana La Punta

Romeo y Julieta Belicoso (I've heard mixed reviews of these lately)

Partagas Serie P No. 2

H. Upmann #2

Bolivar Belicosos Finos

Diplomaticos No. 2

Vegas Robaina Unicos

Any thoughts about those I've listed? Also, any suggestions for a larger cigar size that isn't a pyramide? It seems that most of the Cuban makers don't offer larger sticks like the factories in the DR, etc. Are those larger sizes simply not that popular outside of the US?

Cheers,

~ Greg ~

[Puros Y Vino]

Some nice "larger" sticks.

Romeo Y Julieta EL 2009 Dukes.

Punch Gran Coronas. (tasty)

BHK56

Partagas Series E (release impending)

Partagas Salomones (mixed reviews)

You've already snagged Mag50's which would've been my first suggestion.

[tmac77]

+1 on the Mag 50's a great Cigar.

Some others that, allthough might not meet your specific ctiteria but are good large size cigars:

Partagas Lusitania's

Punch Double Corona

HDM Double Corona

Ramon Allones Gigantes

SLR Double Corona

Monte cristo Grand Edmundo LE 2010

Trinidad Robusto Extra

[Rushman]

Of this you mentioned I have had lots of good luck with the party sp2 and the Robaina unicos

[laficion]

It seems that most of the Cuban makers don't offer larger sticks like the factories in the DR, etc. Are those larger sizes simply not that popular outside of the US?

Cheers,

~ Greg ~[/color]

Yes, not at all popular !!!

[SCgarman]

Greg, you will see here that most of the jawbreaker sized large cigars are mostly a US thing. For me, a 5 x 50 robusto is as large as I like. And Cuba really seems to excel at the smaller format cigars. And don't be mistaken about smoking time, I have smoked petite corona sized cigars that lasted just about an hour- suprisingly!

[ptrthgr8]

I've tried smoking some of the smaller corona sizes and just didn't find them as enjoyable as the larger sticks. Interesting, though, that Cuba doesn't make any bigger smokes. I smoked a La Flor Dominicana Dbl Ligero #700 on Sunday (it's 60 x 6 1/2") and I thought it was almost too big... but I really was hoping there was a Habano that big. Just because.

I enjoy DCs and #2 sizes, so I think I'll be good to go.

Cheers,

~ Greg ~

[bacalao]

I got a Partagas P2 10 count on the way. As many I prefer a pc but love having P2 and 898's in the humidor.

[Diamondog]

Siglo VI and Maduro 5 Genios...

[sharks]

Siglo VI and as u mentioned the Mag 50!

Mmmmm

Sharks

[jedipastor]

First off, I'm a thin-ring smoker primarily. There aren't too many big-ring Habanos that I've liked, but here are some:

I've had a couple great BBFs, and some run-of-the-mill ones as well (but that's true for most Habanos for me). But overall I think that's a pretty solid cigar, as are all Bolivars imvho.

The most recent 2010 HU#2 I had was spectacular, and I think everyone should try them for sure.

I've had good experiences with PSP2s, especially the Tubos. I like them better than the PSD4s, not quite as much as the 898vs (but I seldom have time for an 898).

I've only had 2 Dip#2s, but they were both excellent. Just a shade below medium, but lots of wonderful cinnamon.

I've only had one HdM EE (an '09 a few weeks back), and while I enjoyed it I thought it needed some more time. It's a milder HdM than the Des Deux or Petite Robo, but also creamier with that elegant quality. Again, I expect they'll be good with age.

The Trinidad Robusto Extra is a great cigar, needs a few years I think (well, I had a couple 08s, so at 3-years I thought they were very good but probably not quite "there" yet)

I've had only 1 Siglo VI that I liked, it was an '03 and really great. I think that's a line that just needs a lot of age.

Those are my recommendations, for what it's worth. For a 50-ring I personally prefer the Trinidad Robusto T and Bolivar Royal Corona to most of the above, but that's shorter than you're looking for. I'm also smoking a RASS right now that's fantastic

[headstand]

I've been enjoying torpedoes and pyramids recently. The tapered end really works for me as it allows me to enjoy the fatties without having to wrap my entire face around them. Burning through some Monte#2, have enjoyed both the Partagas P2 and the H. Upmann 2, and trying real hard not to keep reaching for BBFs. Looking to buy a split box soon.

[Stalebread]

I've tried smoking some of the smaller corona sizes and just didn't find them as enjoyable as the larger sticks. . . . /quote]

What is it about the larger ring gauge cigars that makes them enjoyable for you?

Is it flavor? Do you think they are more complex than smaller ring gauge cigars?

In your experience do they deliver more smoke volume?

Is it how they feel in your hand?

Does it have to do with how long it takes to smoke a bigger cigar?

Etc.?

[ptrthgr8]

What is it about the larger ring gauge cigars that makes them enjoyable for you?

Is it flavor? Do you think they are more complex than smaller ring gauge cigars?

In your experience do they deliver more smoke volume?

Is it how they feel in your hand?

Does it have to do with how long it takes to smoke a bigger cigar?

Etc.?

I definitely like the heft of a bigger cigar. I've also found the larger cigars to burn cooler, so you're not tasting the heat as much. (If that makes any sense.) I also feel there's a greater complexity in the larger ring gauges - getting larger amounts of 3-4 types of leaf in a cigar certainly helps. (Perhaps that's less of a concern with Habanos?) Visually, I certainly like the greater volume of smoke that comes out of a larger stick and I also like to make an event out of smoking cigars - and I smoke at least one cigar a day, sometimes two or three on the weekends. I'll usually keep a box of robustos in the cabinet for those moments when I want a quicker smoke, but for the most part all of my cigars are the much larger sizes.

Cheers,

~ Greg ~

[CanuckSARTech]

Everyone's hit on things so far that I myself would have also mentioned (I'm laughing at how similar the thoughts/suggestions/likes/dislikes are so similar between Tom and Frank and myself!).

I gravitate towards a lot of robustos and piramids, for lots of smoke. And yet, I find that the robustos are still almost a bit too big in diameter. With piramides, the actual head of the cigar is a bit smaller than the overall gauge of the cigar, due to the tapering - I'd say more close to 46 ring gauge or so. So, with that, you might also really like the corona gorda sizings (46 ring gauge by just about 6" usually) - SCDLH La Fuerza, Mag 46, Cohiba Siglo 4, etc. Some nice stuff there as well.

[tmac77]

There are also some nice churchill's out there.

[riazp]

Montecristo Edmundo comes to mind, one of the better cigars in the monte lineup