Your Choice for Most Underrated Cigar From both the CC and NC world.

[El Presidente]

Your Choice for Most Underrated Cigar  From both the CC and NC world. 

 

• You can list no more than two cigars 
• They can be either  Cuban or Non Cuban

underrated

adjective

not rated or valued highly enough.

"a very underrated cigar "

If you call something underrated, it means you think the general opinion about it is lower than it should be

 

Give it some thought. List no more than two. Let us know why you picked them. 

[loose_axle]

For me the Ramon Allones Gigantes - when I started out it almost was never mentioned and I didn't know it existed before I started really enjoying DC's and grabbed a box just to see what they were like and they rose to be my favourite cigar. I know the opinion of it has swung a bit since but... 

The other is Davidoff cigars, no particular one. I often got told overrated, overpriced, bland, avoid but I've only had one that was terrible and the rest have been brilliant. I really like them especially after a year down to let the flavours meld a bit. 

[RDB]

Conventional pick: RyJ Mille Fleurs. Unbelievable qpr and sometimes shockingly good by any standard.

Unconventional pick: Lusitanias. Yes it is widely respected, but I would argue for it being in the very pinnacle of Cuban cigars (Espy, Winnie, specialities), and it’s rarely talked about like that.

Reserve: Monte 2.

[KCCubano]

2 minutes ago, RDB said:

Conventional pick: RyJ Mille Fleurs. Unbelievable qpr and sometimes shockingly good by any standard.

Unconventional pick: Lusitanias. Yes it is widely respected, but I would argue for it being in the very pinnacle of Cuban cigars (Espy, Winnie, specialities), and it’s rarely talked about like that.

Reserve: Monte 2.

I agree on RyJ Mille Fleurs. Have had some magnificent boxes over the years. 

[rcarlson]

JL1s:  I think they are just overlooked. So well-rounded in flavor and body.  Infrequently discussed and rarely gets the praise it deserves.

PSdP: Yes, they get mighty high praise from many here, but not high enough.  Bright, complex, unique flavor profile that's hard to pin down but all there.  

[jakebarnes]

Underrated CC: PL Picadores. I think people run away because they aren't the same as the standard line and are constantly overshadowed by the Galanes. Galanes are beautiful in their own right, but the Picadores are sort of a salt of the earth cigar--vegetal with a bit of woody sweetness that just hits right for me. Sort of goes with everything. Plus, they get a HUGE benefit from age. 

Underrated CC pt 2: Coloniales got so overrated (by HSA) that they are underrated. I personally love the flavor profile--it's truly decadent. 

[MrBirdman]

17 minutes ago, jakebarnes said:

Underrated CC pt 2: Coloniales got so overrated (by HSA) that they are underrated. I personally love the flavor profile--it's truly decadent. 

Back when they were under $250 a box the Coloniales was one of the best values in cigars. Sad.  

[Guest Nekhyludov]

Most underrated NC: Fratello Classico. Medium-bodied, rich, interesting blend. Consistently great construction. And inexpensive to boot.

Most underrated CC: There are no underrated CCs anymore.

[targa88]

Under rated CC: RyJ Cazadores (followed by the Milles Fleurs)

Under rated NC; Onyx Reserve

[westg]

Thanks to 99cal for jogging my memory with these . Punch coronation I just love them . The Royal Coronation are just bombs .

 

 

[jakebarnes]

2 hours ago, targa88 said:

Under rated CC: RyJ Cazadores (followed by the Milles Fleurs)

Under rated NC; Onyx Reserve

Cazzies are so good. Such a unique experience. 

[karp]

Vegas Robaina Famosos and SCdlH la Fuerza… Yes, they have fans, but seem to be less popular than the major brands. I wouldn’t be too surprised if these disappear sometime over the next few years. Both unique and tasty flavours, usually decent construction too. 

[Glass Half Full]

5 hours ago, loose_axle said:

For me the Ramon Allones Gigantes - when I started out it almost was never mentioned and I didn't know it existed before I started really enjoying DC's and grabbed a box just to see what they were like and they rose to be my favourite cigar. I know the opinion of it has swung a bit since but... 

The other is Davidoff cigars, no particular one. I often got told overrated, overpriced, bland, avoid but I've only had one that was terrible and the rest have been brilliant. I really like them especially after a year down to let the flavours meld a bit. 

Entirely agree on Davidoff's -- reliably good, and their "primeros" are often a wonderful little finish to an evening.  "Cheap and cheerful" (by today's prices, and considering the flavors), which is remarkable for a Davidoff.  

...Just FYI, just today, Davidoff re-released their Classic No. 1 -- a 7 1/2" x 34 lancero -- which I'm excited to try.  Also "reasonably" priced by CC standards, though I haven't tasted them as yet.  

From a CC perspective, I'm always surprised that panatelas aren't more appreciated.  I know Cohiba Panatalas are overpriced now, ...but if you let most any of the small and skinny's age, they are just wonderful; (again) just my opinion.  

All the best, 

[Capn_Jackson]

On 1/27/2023 at 10:40 AM, rcarlson said:

JL1s:  I think they are just overlooked. So well-rounded in flavor and body.  Infrequently discussed and rarely gets the praise it deserves.

PSdP: Yes, they get mighty high praise from many here, but not high enough.  Bright, complex, unique flavor profile that's hard to pin down but all there.  

The JL1 is one of my tops. Love it. The PSdP too

 

CC: Not really sure any are under-appreciated right now, but echoing from above, I think the Punch Short is one not spoken about enough. It has a great sweetness, with lots of baked bread-like qualities, and a slightly oily mouthfeel that I love. 

NC: One that I never hear anyone talk about, and even I forget it at times, the Don Pepin Garcia Series JJ. The white label Garcia. Has a bit of pepper to it, but they can be fantastic if given several months downtime. I get a very smoky hickory twang, along with some coffee and leather. Even a little orange peel zip at times.

[cigcars]

        *Even though I know this will put me on the "she doesn't deserve to live!" list - The Guantanamera (Cuban), and the machine made Cuban Sandwich available on Mike's Cigar Co. website with its Cameroon wrapper NC.  They may not be popular but the flavor, taste, and aroma cannot be disputed.

[BrightonCorgi]

Fonseca No. 1 - The whole Fonseca line is often overlooked.  Do consumers think they are sub par due to pricing or packaging?  Were they down on quality 20 years ago and that stigma has stuck with them?

Montecristo Petit Tubo - Perhaps they are lumped with other tubo's that buyers think are more "buy a cigar at the gas station" or that serious cigars are not tubos?  Not sure why the lack of fanfare when this Montecristo is one the most flavorful in their portfolio.  Is the blend different than the No. 4?

[KCCubano]

Montecristo Tubos-Corona Grandes. Used to be able to find at every vendor site. Rarely see them at all anymore. Love the size and never had construction issues. Maybe one day they will reappear along with many others that have dissapeared recently. 

[PigFish]

I no longer believe that the Cuban catalogue is large enough or of sufficient value to find a cigar underrated. With random value hardship pricing models in place underrating has no more value component.

From a purist perspective there would be no additional factors beyond what people say about their taste. However the conflating of factors, rightly or wrongly drives my opinion here. Underrated implies a comparison. With the comparison an evaluation of the ‘whole body’ of work is implied. If I am no longer finding value in obtaining Cuban cigars, there can be none underrated. Good or bad, with no value component there can be no ‘gems.’ A gem would be a value analysis of the underrated. In other words, a cigar that I would still find value in purchasing.

If the entire body of work is then overrated by lack of value, there would be no underrated cigars.

That is the best I can do while typing with my thumbs.

MHO

[NweakO]

hmm I would go for the JL#1 & Monte 2.
 

In general though most CC are underrated compared to NC in terms of flavor.

[benfica_77]

Most underrated cigar has to be PLPC an PLMC....yes in this forum they get love but overall not nearly as much as they should. 

A good box of PLPC is the best CC petite corona you can buy. 

[gormag38]

My first thought is the monte tubos. Love the size and the sticks can be superb with a little bit of down time. 

[Puros Y Vino]

Underrated CC:

• RyJ Cazadores.  Great blend. For those lamenting the loss of "long and skinnies" this one seems to stick around.  Long time CC smokers tell me this is as close as it gets to Pre-Revolution blends out of Habanos. 
• Quinteros Petite Quinteros: For me, these have replaced the HUHC for when I need a short, cold weather smoke or a chaser after a bigger cigar.  The flavour range on these is quite good for the pricing.  They smell great and taste great and the price is hard to beat.  Runner up: Quinteros Panatelas. Great lunch time smoke.

Underrated NC: Not a huge NC smoker myself, but when I started smoking in 2009, NC's were amongst the first cigars I tried.  I went through a whole box of Casa Fernandez Lanceros.  TBH, I look for them now and then but they're hardly available. So maybe there aren't underrated at all?  I would buy a few boxes today if I could find them.

[KCCubano]

3 minutes ago, Puros Y Vino said:

Underrated CC:

• RyJ Cazadores.  Great blend. For those lamenting the loss of "long and skinnies" this one seems to stick around.  Long time CC smokers tell me this is as close as it gets to Pre-Revolution blends out of Habanos. 
• Quinteros Petite Quinteros: For me, these have replaced the HUHC for when I need a short, cold weather smoke or a chaser after a bigger cigar.  The flavour range on these is quite good for the pricing.  They smell great and taste great and the price is hard to beat.  Runner up: Quinteros Panatelas. Great lunch time smoke.

Underrated NC: Not a huge NC smoker myself, but when I started smoking in 2009, NC's were amongst the first cigars I tried.  I went through a whole box of Casa Fernandez Lanceros.  TBH, I look for them now and then but they're hardly available. So maybe there aren't underrated at all?  I would buy a few boxes today if I could find them.

I have several boxes of QPQ's. Construction always spot on and every once in a while you get a stunner. Like em with a few yrs on them. Keep many boxes of aged Q Brevas in my cabinet as well. 

[99call]

14 hours ago, westg said:

That'll do me.......a little rustic, but these looks like they've got a nice bit of brindle wrapper blotchy oil going on. 

[SCgarman]

2 hours ago, Puros Y Vino said:

Underrated CC:

• RyJ Cazadores.  Great blend. For those lamenting the loss of "long and skinnies" this one seems to stick around.  Long time CC smokers tell me this is as close as it gets to Pre-Revolution blends out of Habanos. 
• Quinteros Petite Quinteros: For me, these have replaced the HUHC for when I need a short, cold weather smoke or a chaser after a bigger cigar.  The flavour range on these is quite good for the pricing.  They smell great and taste great and the price is hard to beat.  Runner up: Quinteros Panatelas. Great lunch time smoke.

Underrated NC: Not a huge NC smoker myself, but when I started smoking in 2009, NC's were amongst the first cigars I tried.  I went through a whole box of Casa Fernandez Lanceros.  TBH, I look for them now and then but they're hardly available. So maybe there aren't underrated at all?  I would buy a few boxes today if I could find them.

Taste is no doubt subjective amongst individuals. The RyJ Cazzie is one of the worst tasting, one dimensional, harsh Cuban cigar I have ever had. Has nothing in common with the "typical" RyJ profile. If all pre-Castro cigars tasted like this, I certainly didn't miss anything LOL!