Smoked a NC

[Guest robusto101]

I am not a seasoned cigar smoker at all. Been at it for barely a year. Probably smoked more NCs than Cubans. I can't pick up all the lovely flavors many of you report in your reviews but I can tell what my pallete considers to be agreeable and pleasant.

This evening I had an Arturo Fuente Rosado Gran Reserva. It was a mini torpedo and it looked awesome. It was gifted to me and I was ready to smoke it and not only that, was excited to try it. Long story short, I suffered through it. The worst Cuban I had still had a much more delightful flavor than the AF. It also seems that I've had numerous bad NCs and not really a single bad CC.

I was expecting a great NC and it wound up to be flat. I've had four or so different AFs and none have wowed me. Maybe it doesn't fit my flavor profile but I'm beginning to notice that there are less bad CCs and NCs have disappointed on numerous occasions.

I'm really trying to be fair and see some joy in smoking NCs here and there but it's been too many let downs. Anyone else feel that way? I realize this is a CC lovers forum but I figured I'd ask anyway.

[j0z3r]

I think there are many fine non-Cuban cigars out there. Even as I explore what Cuba has to offer more and more, I still enjoy Nicaraguan and Honduran cigars. In my opinion, variety is a great thing to have in this hobby, and quite frankly sometimes I simply don't want a Cuban cigar.

As far as Fuente goes, I've never been a fan of there cigars, I think they're highly over-rated and refuse to spend my money on them. That's one man's opinion of course, and I say to each his own.

You'll find your own way as you get better acquainted with the hobby and refine your tastes, but if I can make one recommendation it would be to keep an open mind and never be afraid to try something new or different...a cigar doesn't have to be Cuban to be good.

Good luck with your journey.

Joe

[brazoseagle]

Agreed, I smoked a Padron 1964 the other day at a local B&M, (it was the best they had ), anyway, it was horrible like always! It was the first NC I'd had since June. I don't know why I thought that it would be different again, but it was horrible! I couldn't wait to put it out, and my mouth tasted bad for 2 days , ( which never happens to me with good CC's). Now, to be fair, the previous cigars that I smoked in line before this over a a couple of weeks, was a Behike, a Hamlet, a Cohiba Genios, a Vintage Partagas Chirchill, PLPC, RASS, and a PSP2, so it wasn't really fair, but Padrons are always highly sought after. I vowed then and there that I will never smoke another NC if I can help it. Luckily I've built my CC stash up pretty good , and I'm currently trying to trade off my remaining NC's.

Put NC's in the past and never look back!!!

[brazoseagle]

I think there are many fine non-Cuban cigars out there. Even as I explore what Cuba has to offer more and more, I still enjoy Nicaraguan and Honduran cigars. In my opinion, variety is a great thing to have in this hobby, and quite frankly sometimes I simply don't want a Cuban cigar.

As far as Fuente goes, I've never been a fan of there cigars, I think they're highly over-rated and refuse to spend my money on them. That's one man's opinion of course, and I say to each his own.

You'll find your own way as you get better acquainted with the hobby and refine your tastes, but if I can make one recommendation it would be to keep an open mind and never be afraid to try something new or different...a cigar doesn't have to be Cuban to be good.

Good luck with your journey.

Joe

Joe, can I interest you in some premium NC's up for trade???

[cigcars]

I've had the Arturo Fuente Rosado and found it to be...okay If you want to sample some reasonably steller NC's might I suggest the Tatuaje brown bands from Pete Johnson, Alec Bradley's new Black Market cigar and Liga Privada's new Undercrown. Despite its being a Drew Estate, there are some of those selections that DON'T have that nightmarish sweet/incense additives to it. The Undercrown and the Chateau Real are fine, fine smokes. JM2C

[Guest robusto101]

Joe, I agree about keeping an open mind. That's one reason I reached for the Fuente and not a CC. But considering I don't smoke that often, I'm not going to be as likely to reach for an NC. Here is a preview of very underwhelming NCs I've had, followed by a few that I enjoyed:

NOT GREAT

- AF Rosado Gran Reserva

- Padron 2000

- Flying Pig

- RP Renaissance

- EP Carillo Connecticut

- Oliva Serie V (many people love this one)

- Illusione

ENJOYABLE

- My Father

- Don Pepin Black Label

- Alec Bradley Family Blend and Prensado

- Ashton Virgin Sungrown

- Padron 64 (but waaaayyyy over priced)

VERY GOOD

- Cohiba Sig VI

- RASS

- Upmann Mag 46

[Guest rob]

I tossed away an Opus X the other day... smoked it for 20 mins but couldn't tolerate the disgusting flavour anymore.

Definitely worth having though.... as it made me appreciate the BBF I had after it a whole lot more than I would have.

Like all things in life - if you have what you like all the time... you can become complacent and lack appreciation for it!

[Bunner]

I agree that CC's are much better. But There are some NC's I dont mind.

Like you said cigcars the tatuaje brown labels are good I enjoyed the last few I had.

I also like the AF Anejo #50, Torano Exodus 50 year robusto, and AF SS.

But..... I find myself reaching for my CCs 85% of the time and increasing as time goes on. Like everyone else has already said, I find that I am let down more often than not with NCs.

[Colt45]

VERY GOOD

- Cohiba Sig VI

- RASS

- Upmann Mag 46

It just goes to show how subjective this all can be - of the three on this list, the only one I find to very good is the Mag 46.

For me, the other two would be not great.

Smoke what you like, like what you smoke....

[dicko]

I reach for NC's a fair bit. Im actually trying out the various premium brands over the last few months. padron and alec bradley have been my favourite so far.

best thing about NC's is the quality control

[riazp]

I reach for NC's a fair bit. Im actually trying out the various premium brands over the last few months. padron and alec bradley have been my favourite so far.

best thing about NC's is the quality control

yup you'll never get a NC with draw or burn issues...I enjoy a few NC brands like AF, My Father, Illusione, Tatuaje, and recently Jon Huebers new brand Four Kicks. i've been spoiled with great cuban cigars, i've built up a little nc collection thanks to trips to the US and generous BOTL's bombing me with NC sampler packages. I think i'll be smoking through my NC's for a little while so my CC stock can get some time to rest and age a little.

[mdzotti78]

Quesada Espana Corona's are in my opinion on of the best NC's on the market right now. Try one if you get a chance.

[rcarlson]

I've had the Arturo Fuente Rosado and found it to be...okay If you want to sample some reasonably steller NC's might I suggest the Tatuaje brown bands from Pete Johnson, Alec Bradley's new Black Market cigar and Liga Privada's new Undercrown. Despite its being a Drew Estate, there are some of those selections that DON'T have that nightmarish sweet/incense additives to it. The Undercrown and the Chateau Real are fine, fine smokes. JM2C

No, no, no. Stick with Drew's No. 9, T-52, dirty rat (or flying pig, althugh they've been discontinued). They are all the mac daddy for NC.

(sorry, I am a huge fan of Drew and was so dissapointed with the Undercrown despite the kick-ass wrapper).

The "flavored" Drews should vanquished from the planet. Don't ever put one in your humidor. They'll throw that putrid stink on everything. I know. Somebody had the audacity to think he was giving me a gift of an Acid and took the liberty of putting it in my humidor. I shot his dog.

[ptrthgr8]

yup you'll never get a NC with draw or burn issues...

I hope you're being facetious here. Or perhaps you've just gotten lucky.

Regarding Fuentes specifically, I absolutely love them - the Double Chateau is one of my all time favorite smokes (thought I prefer the natural or sungrown wrappers to the maduro). The King B and King T are some other great smokes from that maker. All of the Ashton brands are made by the Fuentes, too, which explains their similarity and I definitely agree with the OP regarding the Ashton VSG line - those are some great smokes, although my favorite Ashton sticks are the Heritage Puro Sol. I think the OpusX cigars are all ridiculously overpriced for all they are... but I've still got a box of Lost City sticks in the humidor. Bought them simply because I could.

I have far, far, far more experience with NCs - I've been smoking those for years and years and it's really only in the last year or so that I've really been able to get into CCs. I've got some boxes of CCs in the humi at the moment that I sort of regret buying (the BBFs and Lusis are so-so), but others that were insanely awesome out of the box (i.e. the Upmann #2s and PSP2) and others that are getting great the longer they sit (i.e. the Siglo VI and RA Gigantes). It seems to me that the CCs only get better with age - I can honestly say that none I have in the humi at the moment have gotten worse with age; nearly all are better now than they were when I first got them (with the exception of the BBFs and Lusis... even after sitting for a couple of months they're leaving me with a "meh" feeling.) I haven't noticed much of an aging effect with the CCs, with the exception of the Cain 660 and 554, La Flor Dominicana Dbl Ligero #700, and the Perdomo Habano Connecticut Gordos - those seem to get less raspy/harsh and more mellow with age. But most of my NCs don't seem much diffent now than the first one I tried right out of the box. I've got a few boxes of Fuente Double Chateaus, Ashton Puro Sol DCs, Upmann Vintage Cameroon Toros, Ashton Cab Selection #7, La Gloria Artesanos Tainos, and several others that seem the same as day one.

Right now I if I had to choose one, I would choose CCs over NCs... but I think that's also related to me being new to them. I love having all sorts of sitcks in the humidor. And, for me, NCs are a helluva lot easier to obtain, so that's gotta be a factor, too.

Cheers,

~ Greg ~

[TheMcG]

wow didn't know so many people here had such strong feelings about CC vs NC. Personally i enjoy both and am rather new to this hobby with just over a year under my belt. I find NC's have a very large number of great cigars just like CC's.

for those looking for good NC's to try i would start with some

- Ashton VSG's

- savinelli liga especial

- Oliva V Maduro

there are a tonne out there that are good, you just need to fine them.

[TexAg]

Without a doubt, every time I have decided to try an Arturo Fuente, it has been a bad experience. A general waste of money in my book.

[Bcrowell]

I smoked an AF Julius Ceaser yesterday that was amazing. I love AF's and DE LP series

[Guest robusto101]

I've got plenty of other NCs in my stock. Maybe Fuentes aren't my thing. I'll keep trying them if for nothing other than to remind myself that CCs truly are better and I'm not just drinking the kool aid

[fishinguitarman]

Give me a PAM 40th or an AF Between The Lines and I'm good to go!

[Bcrowell]

Yeah but your a hillbilly. These gentlemen are more refined. You smoke cigars while riding your four wheeler lookin for hogs.

[fishinguitarman]

And your point is?

LMAO!

[Bcrowell]

To offend and poke fun. It didn't work damnit.

[fishinguitarman]

HA! Nice try though!

[Lastroll]

The non CC's that I like more than anything; Fuente OpusX XXX Belicoso, E.P. Carrillo Elencos "Don Rubino", Illusione Epernay Le Taureau and Le Matin, Camacho Corojo, Viaje Oro Reserva, cost too much or I would probably smoke them exclusively. Thank God regular production Cuban cigars are reasonably priced.

[perfectform]

I tossed away an Opus X the other day... smoked it for 20 mins but couldn't tolerate the disgusting flavour anymore.

Definitely worth having though.... as it made me appreciate the BBF I had after it a whole lot more than I would have.

Like all things in life - if you have what you like all the time... you can become complacent and lack appreciation for it!

Interesting Rob. I'm curious, what was the size? And also, did it have any age on it? In my experience, they need to have about 3+ years on them to really shine. I smoke maybe 1 or 2 a year and they have always been one of the top 5 cigars I smoke each year.

On a side note, the 898V I smoked last night was superb.