Construction

[Mattb82]

Curious what everyone's thoughts are on the brand with the most consistent construction. I know it's slightly subjective as storage conditions greatly affect perceived construction issues but just looking to see if there are any trends for best and worst construction among robustos 

[earthson]

Among robustos?

I've had the best luck with Upmann Connie #1s. Also had a lot of luck over the last 10 years with RASS, although I know there are folks who would disagree with me.

[Mattb82]

I know there will be multiple perspectives. Really curious to see what trends pop up compared to my limited experience. Thanks for the feedback, robustos just seem to be my go to 

[NSXCIGAR]

For brand, I might have to second the above and say Upmann, at least 14 codes onward. Had very good luck with HUPC and No. 2, and the Connie 1s I've smoked. Had a few Regalias that were off, but Majestics were good. The one Mag 56 I've had wasn't perfect. But I don't think I've smoked a brand with less issues than Upmann recently.

I've also always found San Cristobal and RA to have good construction in general, although I noticed a run of some tight draws in some 13 RASCC last year.

 

 

[RijkdeGooier]

Let me reverse this. 

It's been a long time since I experienced any construction issues. Maybe on some of the 1999-2001 boxes but generally not thereafter. 

 

Mind you I do smoke on the drier side of Rh at around 62-65. 

[PigFish]

There are so many variables and filters in this topic I am afraid that I have no relevant input with regards to the direct question. Construction consistency will mean a lot of different things to different people, some of which may even include 'taste' consistency as a part of the subject matter.

I have noticed one thing about recent production (an item we have debated many a time) and that is a move to under-filled cigars (based on my opinion over the decades) verses consistently tightly filled cigars.

This is not about arguing again of who likes what and why. It is a question of consistency, and when I go to the precision scale, I find a greater degree of ranges of weights and more soft and spongy cigars than I have ever experienced before. Any person reading my rantings knows what I think of this, and my post is not about a duplicitous rant. It is simply about the consistency of fill, across everything I have purchased this year.

I think production quality when viewed from at a structural level is pretty lousy! What a wrapper looks like means precious little if the cigar does not contain the right tobacco in the correct proportions. "Correct" is a subjective term based on the cigars that I prefer and have smoked over these many years.

To come to the OP question, it does not appear to be brand specific, across the brands that i have purchased this year.

-Piggy

[skalls]

I had a box of gorgeous looking hdm ee, but half were underfilled.  Good flavors but burn issues applenty and they didn't last much more than 45 minutes.

That said, since buying from Rob I've yet to run into any construction issues

[Philc2001]

Funny thing is I sort of approach this differently. While you're trying to focus in on the consistently well rolled, I've always approached it from the other end, the ones that are most likely to be poorly rolled. Two different approaches to the same end. 

Anyhow, from recent stock (2014, 2015) I've had some tight rolls in Partagas and MC. From older stock, 1990's through 2012 or so, I found RyJ, Punch and MC had the most inconsistent (too tight, or under-filled). I can deal with under-filling, but I've pitched a lot of plugged cigars because you just can't undo a knot in the middle of a cigar. Some people spear them, but that's never worked for me without cracking the cigar.    

[garbandz]

19 minutes ago, skalls said:

I had a box of gorgeous looking hdm ee, but half were underfilled.  Good flavors but burn issues applenty and they didn't last much more than 45 minutes.

That said, since buying from Rob I've yet to run into any construction issues

I have had the MOST construction issues with these.

among robustos I find the Upmann connie very consistently well rolled. 

[Smallclub]

28 minutes ago, garbandz said:

among robustos I find the Upmann connie very consistently well rolled. 

even better: the Upmann half corona. I've smoked 4 boxes so far and out of these 100 cigars only ONE was really too tight. Zero underfilled, and impressive consistency of taste/flavors.

At the opposite end, I recall problems with Punch Punch, PLPCs, a few underfilled El Principe…

[SloppyJ]

I smoke a lot of bolivar PCs and they're normally on point. 

 

The only cigar I've had a major issue with lately has been the PSD4.

[ayepatz]

Another vote for the Connie 1s, but I echo @PigFish about the sponginess in many recent offerings. My older cigars seem to be much tighter rolled than my recent purchases, a box of recent Sir Winnies excepted. 

[Mattb82]

Thanks guys. @PigFish I completely agree there are numerous variables and interpretations but I do think it's possible to pick up on trends. Completely putting flavor aside and just looking at how well the cigar is made from individual perspectives. 

[NSXCIGAR]

2 hours ago, PigFish said:

There are so many variables and filters in this topic I am afraid that I have no relevant input with regards to the direct question. Construction consistency will mean a lot of different things to different people, some of which may even include 'taste' consistency as a part of the subject matter...

I suppose it could be subjective but for me, it's really not, so I'll offer my definition.

Underfilling or overfilling usually manifests itself in the cigar's performance. Tight draw, loose draw, rapid burn, smoking hot, poorly burning, tunneling, not staying lit. Those things can affect flavor but it's difficult to quantify the influence. My criteria for judging "construction" are those above. If a cigar appears underfilled or overfilled but the cigar displays none of the above characteristics, I deem the cigar as well-constructed, although it is unlikely but possible to perform well with those filling issues. I personally judge construction by those performance criteria.

[PigFish]

1 hour ago, NSXCIGAR said:

I suppose it could be subjective but for me, it's really not, so I'll offer my definition.

Underfilling or overfilling usually manifests itself in the cigar's performance. Tight draw, loose draw, rapid burn, smoking hot, poorly burning, tunneling, not staying lit. Those things can affect flavor but it's difficult to quantify the influence. My criteria for judging "construction" are those above. If a cigar appears underfilled or overfilled but the cigar displays none of the above characteristics, I deem the cigar as well-constructed, although it is unlikely but possible to perform well with those filling issues. I personally judge construction by those performance criteria.

... of course construction is not just about filling, filling amount per vitola, but filling content, the correct mix of core tobaccos, and the dispersant along the axis, foot to head. Bunching, wrapper and binder leaks, poorly fermented tobacco all play a role. I proffer all these attribute to taste.

So ultimately poorly constructed cigars generally have links to taste, so I image that is why we talk about them.

No argument here, just expanding on the topic.

Ultimately, if a cigar does or does not align with a 'brand taste profit' is it poorly constructed? Just food for thought!

I judge construction issues on many, variables and it is why I answered the way I did. Somehow I suppose I have to ask, as NSX answered, "What is poor construction?" Or, what is satisfactory or good construction?

Cheers! -Piggy

[El Presidente]

la Corona, El Laguito, Upmann, 

They are my top three factories for construction. The cigars rolled there are generally of above average construction. 

[garbandz]

"just looking to see if there are any trends for best and worst construction among robustos "

have had good luck with San Cristobal as well as St Luis Rey........

no luck at all with Edmundos,RASS,50/50 on Bolivar.

[stogieluver]

2 hours ago, El Presidente said:

la Corona, El Laguito, Upmann, 

They are my top three factories for construction. The cigars rolled there are generally of above average construction. 

Factory codes?

[soutso]

6 hours ago, PigFish said:

There are so many variables and filters in this topic I am afraid that I have no relevant input with regards to the direct question. Construction consistency will mean a lot of different things to different people, some of which may even include 'taste' consistency as a part of the subject matter.

I have noticed one thing about recent production (an item we have debated many a time) and that is a move to under-filled cigars (based on my opinion over the decades) verses consistently tightly filled cigars.

This is not about arguing again of who likes what and why. It is a question of consistency, and when I go to the precision scale, I find a greater degree of ranges of weights and more soft and spongy cigars than I have ever experienced before. Any person reading my rantings knows what I think of this, and my post is not about a duplicitous rant. It is simply about the consistency of fill, across everything I have purchased this year.

I think production quality when viewed from at a structural level is pretty lousy! What a wrapper looks like means precious little if the cigar does not contain the right tobacco in the correct proportions. "Correct" is a subjective term based on the cigars that I prefer and have smoked over these many years.

To come to the OP question, it does not appear to be brand specific, across the brands that i have purchased this year.

-Piggy

Hi Ray,

As you know I smoke mainly Petit Coronas, Perlas and Minuto size cigars. I think that construction is generally inconsistent but the Rafael Gonzalez PC and Perlas are the best in terms of construction consistency. They are almost always perfect.

 

I hope this helps Matt!

Cheers

[El Presidente]

29 minutes ago, stogieluver said:

Factory codes?

 

MUO/AMO/TOS/EML/MEG/LEP     

Would love to confirm where SLE is from. 

[shlomo]

Ive never had a tight or loose bhk52. Not that I have smoked many, but certainly enough from various boxes to comment.

Everything else has always been hit or miss with mostly hits lately.

[PigFish]

18 hours ago, soutso said:

Hi Ray,

As you know I smoke mainly Petit Coronas, Perlas and Minuto size cigars. I think that construction is generally inconsistent but the Rafael Gonzalez PC and Perlas are the best in terms of construction consistency. They are almost always perfect.

 

I hope this helps Matt!

Cheers

A perenial favorite of mine too, as you know.

I am still working on boxes from '01, 06 and 07. Don't think I will be tasting form '15 for a number of years yet. Remind me in 5 years...! -LOL

I have miss the RS12... Have one old box around somewhere but cannot find it. I bought some Punch PC's in tubes (forget the name, coronas major, or whatever) and I am hoping to rekindle an old memory. Will probably have to wait a year for them to gas-off, but I am looking forward to it. Paying more for cigars in tubes irks me, but you sometimes you gotta' do what you gotta' do.

Considering my cardiologist just insisted that I give up cigars, what is Pig to do?

Cheers! -Piggy

[ayepatz]

3 hours ago, PigFish said:

Considering my cardiologist just insisted that I give up cigars, what is Pig to do?

Cheers! -Piggy

Flip 'em! Flip 'em ALL!!!!! Mwaaaaaahahahahahahahahahahahaaaaa!!!!!!!?

[Bohn007]

On September 16, 2016 at 1:28 PM, PigFish said:

A perenial favorite of mine too, as you know.

I am still working on boxes from '01, 06 and 07. Don't think I will be tasting form '15 for a number of years yet. Remind me in 5 years...! -LOL

I have miss the RS12... Have one old box around somewhere but cannot find it. I bought some Punch PC's in tubes (forget the name, coronas major, or whatever) and I am hoping to rekindle an old memory. Will probably have to wait a year for them to gas-off, but I am looking forward to it. Paying more for cigars in tubes irks me, but you sometimes you gotta' do what you gotta' do.

Considering my cardiologist just insisted that I give up cigars, what is Pig to do?

Cheers! -Piggy

Phil, are you sure your cardiologist is not a cigar smoker and just listing after your collection? 

[soutso]

On 17/09/2016 at 4:28 AM, PigFish said:

A perenial favorite of mine too, as you know.

I am still working on boxes from '01, 06 and 07. Don't think I will be tasting form '15 for a number of years yet. Remind me in 5 years...! -LOL

I have miss the RS12... Have one old box around somewhere but cannot find it. I bought some Punch PC's in tubes (forget the name, coronas major, or whatever) and I am hoping to rekindle an old memory. Will probably have to wait a year for them to gas-off, but I am looking forward to it. Paying more for cigars in tubes irks me, but you sometimes you gotta' do what you gotta' do.

Considering my cardiologist just insisted that I give up cigars, what is Pig to do?

Cheers! -Piggy

I suggest you give them up and send your stash to me!! Lol