Reyes alternate?

[GoodStix]

I enjoy weekend morning coffee and Reyes or El Principe.  But Reyes price now doubled, and El Principe seems to be MIA.   Any lighter profile, smaller vitola CC suggestions please?  (I enjoy fuller profile PCs like P Short and BPC, but am seeking something lighter here to replace Reyes.)  Your thoughts?

[NSXCIGAR]

I would recommend Hoyo de Depute for a lighter but quite flavorful option. 

You might also try LFDC Petit Coronas. 

They're smaller but ERDM Demi Tasse and Hoyo Du Maire are both excellent.

[Edicion]

Montecristo 5 are flavorful and smooth or if you could accept Upmann with a slightly larger RG the half corona is a great morning smoke imo

[teamrandr]

There is no replacement for the Reyes.  We are all screwed.

[Ford2112]

RASCC

[Fugu]

Concur, no replacement, and of all Minutos-sized cigars the RASCC is coming closest flavour-wise.

That said, the Reyes has never been a “lighter” cigar for me. Quite like the RASCC, it resides more on the med to med-full side. (the Allones a bit under, give and take)

[El Presidente]

Good Monte 4 or Rafael Gonzalez Petit Corona will need to do it for me.  Maybe N3 Carlota

Tough one to replace. 

[SCgarman]

2 hours ago, teamrandr said:

There is no replacement for the Reyes.  We are all screwed.

I agree with the first statement. The Reyes was a one of a kind stick within the portfolio. There honestly isn't an exact replacement to be found.

[NSXCIGAR]

5 hours ago, Edicion said:

Montecristo 5

Monte 5 is quite punchy. Definitely a step up from Reyes levels. Monte MC, however, is a great option I should have included. 

1 hour ago, El Presidente said:

Monte 4 or Rafael Gonzalez Petit Corona

Might be a little larger than he's looking for and the Monte 4 can be fairly full when "on"  but RGPC is a great suggestion. RG Perlas not so much. Much punchier than the PC. That's why I like them!

2 hours ago, Fugu said:

RASCC is coming closest flavour-wise

Yowza, I think RASCC is the peppiest of the bunch. Never heard an RA-Trini comparison made before. But smooth and light the RASCC is not. In fact I think it is one of the strongest cigars in production. 

[Puros Y Vino]

The smaller Cuaba's to me have a profile similar to Trinidad.  Give that a shot perhaps? 

[La_Tigre]

Have to be a good RGPC with some age on it…value is there and flavor.

[Duxnutz]

I’d say go visit your parents. I found a 1/2 full 2013 box of El Principe on my last visit. 

[SCgarman]

17 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

Monte 5 is quite punchy. Definitely a step up from Reyes levels. Monte MC, however, is a great option I should have included. 

Might be a little larger than he's looking for and the Monte 4 can be fairly full when "on"  but RGPC is a great suggestion. RG Perlas not so much. Much punchier than the PC. That's why I like them!

Yowza, I think RASCC is the peppiest of the bunch. Never heard an RA-Trini comparison made before. But smooth and light the RASCC is not. In fact I think it is one of the strongest cigars in production. 

I love the Rafael Gonzalez PC, but it has nothing in common with the Trinidad Reyes. Just like we all were looking to replace the Upmann PC when it was killed. Short answer is no replacement. 

[Fugu]

18 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

Yowza, I think RASCC is the peppiest of the bunch. Never heard an RA-Trini comparison made before. But smooth and light the RASCC is not. In fact I think it is one of the strongest cigars in production. 

Haha, what y’been smoking bro? 😂.

The Reyes has never been a „light“ or „milder“ cigar, as some in this thread seem to insinuate. Can even be a little nic-hitter. And it has nothing, but so much nothing in common with Monte. RGPC couldn’t be further apart with its pronounced nutty-peatiness (if at all the Perlas would be closer showing more complexity, plus being of similar compactness in its mechanics). Also, I don’t quite get the duDep comparison - completely diff animal (for me that is. The duDep with it’s unparalleled dry seriousness can be considered as the antithesis of a Reyes - I like both). I can somehow relate to the ERDM reference though. That all is „flavour-profile“, mind you. Strongest Minutos would be the Boli, no doubt about it, followed by Party and RA. Where also the Reyes sides. Then Monte, then San Cristóbal. But flavourwise, the RASCC and the Reyes side on top in their richness and complexity, followed perhaps by El P. (Boli in its own right...)

True, the Reyes is smooth, even creamy at times, and that, I think, might lead folks to consider them being a light(er) stick. It’s the typical fist in a velvet glove. Which is why I love them that much. And I’d consider neither a typical morning smoke.

When I made the reference to RA, I am finding some similarities in their beany, dry fruit/stone fruit character (more of that in the RA), some fragrant vanilla, hints of clove and precious mace even (way more of that in the Trini, and here also comes your ERDM-ref into play). Those are sided in a similar aromatic camp. But with more woody-leathery, almost bucolic overtones in the RASCC, something that’s widely lacking in the Reyes, which in general appears simply better integrated. But leave your Small Clubs alone >5-8 years and they evolve into refined little gems (their fate is that most are being smoked way too young, as nobody is taking Minutos serious).

Both have in common that no-(bell)pepper, no-chocolate, no-floral notes, no-citrus, no-forrest floor, and - heaven forbid! - no-“caramel” attitude. At least that’s how I perceive it, ymmv. But in the end, and the bitter truth indeed, it all boils down to “there’s nothing like a Reyes”.

[NSXCIGAR]

26 minutes ago, Fugu said:

The Reyes has never been a „light“ or „milder“ cigar, as some in this thread seem to insinuate.

I was responding to the OP who is asking for a "lighter profile, smaller vitola" so it appears that he also feels the Reyes is not particularly full and punchy to say the least. I would definitely have to disagree with your characterization of the Reyes. About medium on its strongest day. And BCJ and Party Shorts strong? BCJ is certainly a step down from BPC and Party Shorts is downright tame. RASCC is significantly stronger than either. As I said I think it's one of the strongest cigars in production. I guess we're miles apart on this one.

And I'm not drawing any comparison in blend to the Reyes--as many have noted it's unique. Only suggesting what the OP asked for which are "smaller, lighter" options. 

[El Presidente]

I am always amazed that people expect others to taste what they do given that the tasting aparatus is unique in each of us! 

You can have similar palates but not the same.   Talking in absolutes is pure madness........ or hubris 

[Ford2112]

I only recommended the RASCC because I think they are a great tasty little smoke,not because I would compare them to Reyes. 

[Fugu]

The title says “Reyes alternate”, perhaps I should have read the post 😂

But as the saying goes, de gustibus non est disputandum @NSXCIGAR , but that’s actually what we are here for, aren’t we? All meant in good spirit 😅👍

 

12 hours ago, El Presidente said:

You can have similar palates but not the same.   Talking in absolutes is pure madness........ or hubris 

No, it’s fun! You instituted a cigar forum, Rob. What better to discuss in absolutes?! Stay out of that debate if you can’t keep up intellectually 😂😂😈

(in jest, in jest, said it In jest!!)

[grabow32]

Not CC's but I genuinely like the Davidoff Escurio Petite Robusto and Nicaragua Short Corona which give me about the same time wise smoke as a Reyes. I find the Davidoff's different but still quite delicious. 

[Chas.Alpha]

53 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

I am always amazed that people expect others to taste what they do given that the tasting aparatus is unique in each of us! 

You can have similar palates but not the same.   Talking in absolutes is pure madness........ or hubris 

I’m just glad that you found my box of Lusi’s to have included licorice in the mix. I thought I was losing mind... 🙂

[El Presidente]

5 minutes ago, Chas.Alpha said:

I’m just glad that you found my box of Lusi’s to have included licorice in the mix. I thought I was losing mind... 🙂

that was very distinctive indeed!

[Chas.Alpha]

11 hours ago, El Presidente said:

that was very distinctive indeed!

As a statement of fact, the P Lusi is by far the DC/Churchill size cigar I have smoked the most. Probably over 1000 of them. 1st I ever had with a licorice note. 😳 Thanks again for confirming my sanity!!!

 

I thought the Reyes were just little Fundadores. I don’t suppose recommending the Fundy as a replacement for the Reyes is of any help?... 😔

[KCCubano]

My vote would be Monte Media Corona. 

[gustavehenne]

On 6/5/2022 at 8:48 PM, NSXCIGAR said:

I would recommend Hoyo de Depute for a lighter but quite flavorful option. 

You might also try LFDC Petit Coronas. 

They're smaller but ERDM Demi Tasse and Hoyo Du Maire are both excellent.

I'd second @NSXCIGAR here with the Hoyo du Depute - beautiful little smoke, a mini-Lanceros at 4 x 38.

I'd also look out the Quai d'Orsay 50 which is clearly not the same but very creamy, light and full of flavour. I don't think there is an alternative Reyes - it is so distinct - but there are heaps of other light to medium cigars that smoke beautifully.

[HDGSN]

Never had them but Punch Petit Coronations are similar in size