What underrated cigar is in your Rotation right now? (And is consistently overachieving in satisfying time and again?)

[JohnS]

So here's the story...

About one month ago I decided to call down some local brand cigars from my OLH, you know, the type that most people never reach for consistently, after letting them age 3 years. The first box was the Rafael Gonzalez Petit Corona (UTE Oct 15), whilst the second box was a Partagas Serie D No.6 (RAE Dic 2014). I even shared them out amongst some Sydney FoH members (and El Pres) last month. The result? Commendations all round and gratitude for trying a cigar one wouldn't normally reach for.

So, I caught up with @Luca on the weekend just past and he gifted me an ETP Oct 2015 Quai d'Orsay Coronas which 'blew us both away' for how good they were. Have a look at that ashtray below...it reeks of cigars that were simply stupendous and they weren't your stand-outs, special editions and so on etc.

What underrated cigar is currently in your rotation and you can't get enough of it?

[Stump89]

I always reach for the RG Perlas time and time again. I have most of a box of RAE OCT 14, and they are starting to really hit the sweet spot for me. Also some BRS JUL 13 JLPC, which I fear will never be made again. Partagas Presidentes are also in there for me. I will take any one of these over a CoRo or Hoyo DC any day.

[99call]

1 hour ago, JohnS said:

ETP Oct 2015 Quai d'Orsay Coronas which 'blew us both away' for how good they were

Yep, Would defo agree with this. when looking for something light to medium body cigar with a Rolls Royce degree of class, and richness theres little out there that comes close. 

Cant get enough SOM 16 RGPC,  got a real Marron Glace about them, and something morishly savoury about them. 

JL1 (no code to hand)  have been stunning. Intriguingly JL2 are a great deal more direct in their choc orange, pipe tobacco richness,  but JL1 adds a layer of creaminess and i faint touch of woodiness. Just topped up on another box. 

It's interesting the concept of a 'underrated rep' isn't is.   We take something like a PLMC and say, "well done little pig, you're cheaper, you're tastier, you're more reliable....etc" but the overall effect is we're still suggesting that cigar is not as good, or we are giving it a sort of patronising pat on the head.  I would go a step further and say they're much better cigars,  full stop

[mike74]

Had a ERDM Choix Supreme yesterday that blew me away. Gorgeous. Also been loving a box of little RG Panetelas Extra.

[joshhooper7]

Been meaning to get myself a box of QD Coronas to put away! Thanks for reminding me

I can't really think of any cigars that come out of left field to blow me away as I only stock up on cigars I really enjoy, but if it were an enjoyment per dollar value, I'd almost always go with PLPC or reach into my non-Cuban stock and come up with a Crowned Heads Le Careme! The Le Careme 2018 LE is amazing. Easily my #1 cigar of the year 2018, and a box of 12 only costs $108 and can be had for much cheaper with daily discounts that come about.

[Stump89]

1 hour ago, 99call said:

JL1 (no code to hand)  have been stunning. Intriguingly JL2 are a great deal more direct in their choc orange, pipe tobacco richness,  but JL1 adds a layer of creaminess and i faint touch of woodiness. Just topped up on another box

For sure. JL1 doesn't get much love it seems. It's too bad because they are great cigars. I prefer them over the JL2 by far.

[Corylax18]

30 minutes ago, Stump89 said:

For sure. JL1 doesn't get much love it seems. It's too bad because they are great cigars. I prefer them over the JL2 by far.

Agreed.

I also agree with the RGPC and RC Perlas as well as the PLMCS. We constantly hear people (me included) bitching about the Coronas, PCs, and L&S cigars in general getting axed, but most of the cigars people have mentioned in this thread are 46 RG or smaller. There are still PLENTY of very good smaller ring gauge cigars. Over the last couple years I've smoked more PLMC's and RG Perlas than all other CC's combined. 

[RDB]

I’ve enjoyed a lot of RyJ Short Churchills over the past year. Not fashionable, but “There’s truth in what people actually drink.”

[99call]

3 minutes ago, RDB said:

I’ve enjoyed a lot of RyJ Short Churchills over the past year. Not fashionable, but “There’s truth in what people actually drink.”

From what I hear, these are having a bit of a renaissance (aka finally getting good).  Had one the other day (not an R&J fan) and it was excellent. 

[Philc2001]

Due to the Florida heat, humidity and most especially the winged draculas,  I've been on a steady diet of short smokes throughout the summer.  I am mildly surprised but pleasantly impressed with recent RASCC (UTE FEB 16), Du Depute (OMS MAR 16), PLMC (TOS ENE 17), and  PLP (LAU MAY 16). Value for the $ is tough to beat, but more importantly these have been smoking deliciously. 

[Vortigan]

I'm definitely on board with those of you shouting out The RGPC! Cracked a 2016 box recently and they're smoking great! They've got a grain cereal type of vibe going on with a vanilla/slight honey undertone. And they've got just a little bit of bite to them which I love! The only other vintage I have in this cigar are from 2009 and I think now that I've let the sun set on them, certainly, at the very least, as far as my personal tastes go. Living and learning all the time.

[BrightonCorgi]

Bolivar Libertador without a doubt.  Bolivar, sublime size, great price...  Win win in my book.  I like them a lot yet no one seems as big on them as me.  

[Duxnutz]

As you know @JohnS I’ve been a big fan of the RGPC for a while now, super under rated. I’m also a big fan of Sancho Panza Non Plus. That salty, danky taste just does it for me as a change up.

[Kaptain Karl]

4 hours ago, FatherOfPugs said:

H.Upmann Connie No. 1 right now. Last few I've had from boxes with the MEG or BRE codes have been just fantastic.

I've been crushing a box of may meg 17's that has been absolutely fantastic...quickly becoming my go-to stick. 

[TBird55]

Finishing up a box of QdO coronas from 16, they have been spot on. Have a couple of boxes in my OLH, trying to let them sleep a little longer. At least until they are available again, so I can replace them.

[Notsocleaver]

Perhaps a Contra-Contrarian hot take: The HdM San Juan is underrated on this forum because most of us hate large ring gauges.

The Prez constantly notes that the HdM San Juan ranks with the Connie A as one of the consistent Cuban cigars, yet some how it feels like it just doesn't get the love the Connie A does here on this forum. Maybe the 54 rg is a bridge too far? For me, its a great value, so I forgive the thickness. The 2015 codes I have are really starting to round out and the pricing seems like its getting better somehow. Plenty to love imho.

[Derboesekoenig]

7 minutes ago, Notsocleaver said:

Perhaps a Contra-Contrarian hot take: The HdM San Juan is underrated on this forum because most of us hate large ring gauges.

The Prez constantly notes that the HdM San Juan ranks with the Connie A as one of the consistent Cuban cigars, yet some how it feels like it just doesn't get the love the Connie A does here on this forum. Maybe the 54 rg is a bridge too far? For me, its a great value, so I forgive the thickness. The 2015 codes I have are really starting to round out and the pricing seems like its getting better somehow. Plenty to love imho.

I've only had a box of freshies, but I had an idea that they would greatly improve with some age. I may need to grab a box and let it sit for 3-5 now

[kwsaw63]

RyJ Ex 3 doesn't seem to get much love anywhere....but I find myself dipping into my 2013 box more and more often. Nice flavours, decent construction and above all....it's a Corona Gorda! I will also give a shout out to the RG Panatelas Extra. Yes, tight draws can be an issue but the flavours more than make up for it. Have smoked through 2 boxes in the last few years.

[JohnS]

Furthermore, my brother-in-law came @Cuzz came over today and enjoyed the Rafael Gonzalez Petit Corona I gave him so much, that not only did he nub it to its core, he set about purchasing a box whilst smoking it! ?

[Ritch]

Monte 4, I'm yet to have a bad one

[Puros Y Vino]

QdO Coronas for me as well.  Mine are 2011's.  I've had great success with PL Panatellas too.

[multi-useless]

I almost overdid it this summer and burnt myself out on them, but the Vegueros Mananitas and Tapados have been a hit for me 

[Guest Nekhyludov]

One of the things I most appreciate about this forum and the folks on it is that nothing stays under the radar for long. I don't see people in other places routinely singing the praises of JL2s, PLMCs, and RGPs. But here, everyone knows and shares what's good, so they end up in all of our rotations.

[ponfed]

On 10/9/2018 at 11:11 AM, Notsocleaver said:

Perhaps a Contra-Contrarian hot take: The HdM San Juan is underrated on this forum because most of us hate large ring gauges.

The Prez constantly notes that the HdM San Juan ranks with the Connie A as one of the consistent Cuban cigars, yet some how it feels like it just doesn't get the love the Connie A does here on this forum. Maybe the 54 rg is a bridge too far? For me, its a great value, so I forgive the thickness. The 2015 codes I have are really starting to round out and the pricing seems like its getting better somehow. Plenty to love imho.

I have a 10 ct of San Juan's. I can almost see the goodness, if you will. 

But right now, I can't really get into them. There's a lot going on , lots of flavors and aromas but it never seems to come together. Each flavor phrases in and out seemingly at random and in between those moments sudden blasts of hot bitterness. Like I'm suddenly smoking too fast.

It's an April 2016 box. And since there's so much amazing flavor and potential I'm laying them down, but right now the 54 RG doesn't bother me as much as its lack of polish.

Forgot the purpose of the thread?

I'm actually tearing through SLR Regios right now

LAT OCT 17 so just about a year old. 

Never had it before, bought a box on a 24:24 ( first purchase from our host!) .

Man are they good! Construction is perfect. Burn is getting sharper and sharper as it approaches proper resting time ( they should be perfectly rested by the time I polish the box .)

Fruity and sweet. Sweet spices like nutmeg and allspice with honey slide in at about the end first 3rd. Smooth all the way with just a tiny bit of savory getting in at the end, a bit like that pomegranate and beef dish in Persian cuisine.

Awesome and not even registering with me before now.

I never had the SLR Serie A. I gather that's it's the favorite from SLR, but I wouldn't know.

However those Regios are gonna be a mainstay in my humidor from now on.

 

[Notsocleaver]

Yeah, I didn't really feel like mine hit their stride until the 3 year mark.

22 minutes ago, ponfed said:

I have a 10 ct of San Juan's. I can almost see the goodness, if you will. 

But right now, I can't really get into them. There's a lot going on , lots of flavors and aromas but it never seems to come together. Each flavor phrases in and out seemingly at random and in between those moments sudden blasts of hot bitterness. Like I'm suddenly smoking too fast.

It's an April 2016 box. And since there's so much amazing flavor and potential I'm laying them down, but right now the 54 RG doesn't bother me as much as its lack of polish.