One box of NCs?

[bbeberle]

Padron for sure I prefer the 1964 Exclusivo. The 1926 are great and the Family Reserve 85 is superb!

[Deodato]

Guys, thank you for all the suggestions. Super helpful. A lot of love for the Illusiones so I'll take a look at those as well as the Tatuajes and others. Will let you know what I pick up

[Rushman]

  On 5/15/2012 at 3:59 AM, Shlomo said:

If your in the US, just get yourself some CCs. Easier and cheaper there than anywhere else in the wordl except Cuba.

X2. Many shops in LA and OC have back room lockers just ask nicely.

[sblevit]

Easy answer. If I could have only one NC it would be the Fuente Anejo Sharks.

[MIKA27]

Go the Padron 1964's and or the Camacho Select's

[backslide]

  On 5/14/2012 at 6:33 PM, AndrewT said:

Take a look at illusione as a brand, they make good cigars.

this, Illusione is my favorite nc brand by far.

[brazoseagle]

Why wouldn't you just spend the money on CC's ??????

Seriously, your taste buds and palate will thank you.

[maverickdrinker]

Fuente Opus X or Anejos.....

[LeafLover]

Tatuaje Black Petite Lancero

Guillermo Leon Signature (corona gorda)

[Orion21]

Fuente Opus X Perfecxion X

Tatuaje Anarchy

[Bandyt09]

  On 5/14/2012 at 7:41 PM, Deodato said:

Tobacco Barn in Lake Forest, near Laguna Woods

The Barn is within walking distance of my house and where I go to escape. Great selection and an outstanding staff, very friendly and welcoming. Having a lounge membership and locker there makes it a nice end of a bad day. The lounge there is phenominal if you get a chance kick your feet up for a while. They do carry a My Father Lounge Exclusive there that is only available in 2 other places. One is in Arizona and the other is from Federal Cigar. I would suggest picking a couple of those up as they are wonderful. The selection of Illusione is impressive as well as the Fuente selection. The DPG Blue Lancero's are getting close to yellow cello and the bands are going to turn green pretty soon, maybe another year and they will be a great treat.

[Wil]

  On 5/16/2012 at 5:19 AM, brazoseagle said:

It's just like wine.  Does California make some great wine - sure, of course they do, so does Australia, South Africa, South America, and many other places.  Would anybody be happy drinking a good quality wine from one of those places - Absolutely, but any one of those regions that tried to produce what they call a "Bordeaux style wine" will fall short, simply because they lack the main ingredient, the soil and weather patterns in the Bordeaux region of France that lends the grapevines such a unique and decedent taste structure.  It is the same with cigars.  Good flavor is just good flavor and it can be unique to each individuals palate, but there is no mistaking that the Cuban flavor profile is different, unique and one of a kind! In when you get a good one, there is nothing better.

Quite a rebuttal! But in the end it all comes back to personal taste (which is of course subjective). Give me a Barolo over a Bordeaux anyday!

[Wil]

  On 5/16/2012 at 6:19 AM, brazoseagle said:

I love Barolo Wines as well, just like there are good Italian wines and bad Italian wines, as is, there are good wines from Bordeaux and there are not so good wines from Bordeaux. Do you think , say California, could succeed at making a Barolo style wine, better than Barolo itself. You can't replicate heritage, environment, climate, and soil. I agree if no that to each his own, but if faced with options, as we always are in life, I will always choose the best if presented that way. If given a glass of Barolo Reserve or an '89 Lafite Rothschild, which one would you choose?

I would have both!

  On 5/16/2012 at 5:19 AM, brazoseagle said:

One thing is for sure though, there is no mistaking that authentic Cuban taste ! Many have tried and some have come close, but that is one thing that has not and can not be replicated. But that doesn't mean other flavors can't be just as good. I think it's rediculous when some Non-Cuban makers spend so much time and marketing trying to get into the public's brain that the seed is of Cuban decent, the wrapper is from cuban decent, the recipe was smuggled out from cuba, the family is from cuban decent, and the roller was a famous cuban roller. That's all fine and dandy, but what's great about such products made from the earth is they are leaving out the MOST IMPORTANT KEY to the recipe- The soil and secondly the weather and ambient surroundings. That can't be replicated. The soil that the tobac is grown in in Cuba combined with the surroundings and the weather, is exactly what makes it stand apart.

I agree that the taste of cuban cigars cannot be replicated and that the marketing of the 'Cuban-ness' of NCs is ridiculous.

But taste is subjective. Just as there are people who prefer Barolo to Bordeaux, I'm sure there are people out there who favour Honduran or Nicaraguan cigars to Cuban.

[brazoseagle]

I would have both too.

[Ophidion]

Variety is the spice of life and Opinions/preferences are just that. There, I just ended the argument.

[Zigatoh]

Likely to get flamed but having not smoked many NCs i actually quite liked (to the point of buying a box of) the NUB Habanos 460, and also enjoyed a My Father Cedros Deluxe Cervantes I had from a swap.

[Ophidion]

There is nothing wrong with liking NCs. People judging you that are vehemently opposed to anything that's not a CC because they happen to not like it shouldn't really blow a gasket any time they are mentioned. I also enjoy the nubs, but I prefer the Connecticut and there are a lot of don pepin sticks that are really good as well. The main reason I don't smoke them very much anymore is because I get CCs for around the same price as most medium-budget NCs. Yes, there are some exceptions, but for the most part, if I am going to throw down 8-10 dollars on a cigar, I am most likely going to reach for a CC since I prefer the taste.

[khomeinist]

You might want to try the EPC line. The Connecticut and Short Run series are both excellent. Am surprised other Americans missed these. Might be the best NCs currently made.

I also recommend La Aurora Preferidos. The type of old-school perfecto that this line provides is not currently available in the regular production HSA inventory.

While 1926 Padrons are tasty (if not one-note), they are a poor value. In California, these will approach $40 per cigar. I would pass at that price.

[iGrizz]

Tatuaje Little Monsters...

[Deodato]

Thanks all. I picked up a really nice cab of Illusione 88's which I'll look forward to cracking after a couple of months of rest.

Bandyt09 - I agree... the barn is a great spot and Tom is a real gent. I'll look forward to stopping by there again next time I'm in town. Maybe Siglo over in Newport Beach as well.

It was a pretty tough week over there so I'm glad to be back home in Melbourne. First cab of the rank, a fantastic Sir Winston. Can't imagine anything better on a beautiful afternoon like this.

[canadianbeaver]

I forgot about the La Aurura Preferidos, especially the colored tin figuradoess. Gimmicky yes but oh so tasty! The most coveted of all the sapphire blue one, will make you do and say crazy lovesick things.