RyJ Comparisons?

[Buffalo]

I have enjoyed the box of Short Churchills that I am about to deplete, and was thinking about trying something else RyJ, in a relatively similarly sized vitola. I am wondering how you would compare the SC to: Exhibicion No. 4s, Wide Churchills, and Cedros de Luxe. 

[scap99]

I don't think you'll throw rocks at any of those.

Although, I'm not a fan of the ring gauge of the WC.

[99call]

2 hours ago, Buffalo said:

I have enjoyed the box of Short Churchills that I am about to deplete, and was thinking about trying something else RyJ, in a relatively similarly sized vitola. I am wondering how you would compare the SC to: Exhibicion No. 4s, Wide Churchills, and Cedros de Luxe. 

R&J is an interesting brand when it comes to blending.  To me 80% of their portfolio is absolutely pointless and should be culled. 

The only important cigars that remain in this stable are:

Exibition No 4:   When you can find PSP,  it is the sweetest most floral, classy, sweet, rosewater laden expression of R&J.   A true classic

Churchills:  In step the the No 4's put obviously weighted to it's format, i.e. long and lilting, rich and inoffensive. lots of standard R&J flavours but in a slightly lower volume level

Petit Royales:  These are enigmatic little cigars.  Well packed, slow burning, Full bodied.  They uniquely marry the charry burnt berry jam and charcoal aspects of the Cazadores,  with fleeting aspects of the sweeter aromatic side or R&J.     If someone can find me a cigar that can fit more evolution into a 3.5 inch cigar I would be amazed.

Cazadores:  A classic for those who love full bodied, characterful cigars.   They may be a bit one dimensional,  but they express flavours that are very hard to replicate in the rest of the CC portfolio.   Along with the Partagas 898 there are no better cigars for a walk in the woods.   One of the few CC's that can still be put down for decades.

If you like SC and WC,  I would say,  stay on the sweet side of the R&J spectrum.  I think your goal (much like mine) is to find the highest quality box of Exhibition No 4 you can. 

Just my opinion though

 

[Buffalo]

 "I think your goal (much like mine) is to find the highest quality box of Exhibition No 4 you can." 

Thanks for the detailed assessment and recommendation. It's greatly appreciated.

[99call]

1 minute ago, Buffalo said:

 "I think your goal (much like mine) is to find the highest quality box of Exhibition No 4 you can." 

Thanks for the detailed assessment and recommendation. It's greatly appreciated.

Again it's just IMHO,  it's so hard with brands like R&J and Montecristo. They are brands everybody that knows, who knows nothing about cigars ....know,  but unlike Cohiba they are not on a level whereby quality control actually exists (in some form or another).  hence,  when you add everything up.... they are the worst offenders. 

If someone was inclined to buy a present of cigars for a friend, It's likely to be a PC R&J of some type, or a JLP etc etc. 

The reason why Ex No 4, Churchills, Cazadores are all a great bet, is they do not pander to tourist, they are for R&J loyalists, and if standards dip, these venerable veterans of the marca, with get online and call it out ASAP. 

I'm not a massive fan of R&J but the Petit Royales gave me reason to hope the brand still has aspirations towards greatness. 

[mprach024]

99call and I agree 100% here.  I love a good Churchill on the golf course, love a Cazzie when I’m looking for some power, but my fav R&J is the Ex4.  One of the best bargains in CC as you can find them sub $200/box quite frequently.  I don’t smoke a lot of robustos, when I do the ex4 is one of my top 3-4 I’ll reach for along with BRC, and RASS.  

[Buffalo]

Anybody have any thoughts on the Cedros de Luxe?

[JohnS]

4 hours ago, 99call said:

The reason why Ex No 4, Churchills, Cazadores are all a great bet, is they do not pander to tourist, they are for R&J loyalists, and if standards dip, these venerable veterans of the marca, with get online and call it out ASAP. 

I'm not a massive fan of R&J but the Petit Royales gave me reason to hope the brand still has aspirations towards greatness. 

Yes, that's exactly right! ? ?

[NSXCIGAR]

3 hours ago, Buffalo said:

Anybody have any thoughts on the Cedros de Luxe?

The LCDH CdL? It's very good. Very smooth, on the lighter side, but for the price I'd take the Churchills.

The standard CdL No. 2 & 3 are overpriced and mediocre IMO. Never been impressed with them. Don't know anyone who smokes them regularly. 

7 hours ago, 99call said:

The only important cigars that remain in this stable are:

I have to give the Belvederes a shout out. One of the best cheap and cheerfuls out there and certainly better than many other "premium" RyJs. 

 

7 minutes ago, Lrabold89 said:

The WC is a flavor bomb

Every WC I've ever had was about as weak and light as a CC can get. I've had Mag 50s more flavorful and that's saying something. Maybe they've picked up some flavor in the last couple years but they always had been just like smoking air.

[Fugu]

4 hours ago, Buffalo said:

Anybody have any thoughts on the Cedros de Luxe?

I am a fan. They are set apart from the other offerings in that they are less “in your face”. Less of the modern “instant gratification” type. But showing a higher degree of subtle complexity, the most complex perhaps of the brand. For me coming closest to the Church, in a smaller format. True old-school and bound to be axed sooner or later. The best, the No. 1, has been lost already a few years ago. But the 2 and 3 are still to be had and are coming not that much behind. Same blend but due do the shorter format showing a little less evolution.

As an aside, the No 2 is one of the last three Coronas still in production (the other being Monte 3 and the emblematic QdO)

Certainly a forgotten and greatly underappreciated “line” today.

 

Just to add: 

In that I am also coming to a slightly different assessment as for what’s been said above. 99call is right, those mentioned above are certainly top of the crop. But I’d also add the Short Churchill (I have to agree, can be a flavour bomb, in particular when given a few years to shine), the CdL-line (mind you, not the LCDH knock-off) and not least the Mille Fleurs. While indeed a cheaper offering, it also is a cigar that has its time and place. A staple for me e.g. when meeting up with a buddy, with a few beers and a lot of talking, when the cigar(s) take second stage.

But you see, quite a few different opinions / experiences. There’s no shortcuts, you‘ll have to find out for yourself.

[mprach024]

56 minutes ago, Fugu said:

There’s no shortcuts, you‘ll have to find out for yourself.

Amen to this.  Getting others opinions is fine, and sometimes helpful, but ultimately it’s a subjective game, with no wrong answer.  Aim to try as much as you can.  When in doubt ask Prez to see if he can hook up a sampler.