Popular Post djrey Posted March 27, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted March 27, 2023 With the warmer weather returning to my neck of the woods a new cigar season has arrived. I have effectively given up on buying any new Cuban stock and find myself back into new world cigars. Smoked a handful of these years ago and recall liking them. Purchased a box recently and this is my first one from it. The cigar starts out on the mild medium side with a perfect burn. Shortbread/gram cracker notes is how this one starts out. We hit medium body right around the midpoint and the burn keeps on just perfectly. If you puff on the quick side you get the slightest touch of "Nicaraguan spice." However, if you take smaller sips from the cigar you really could easily confuse this with Cuban. Smoke is medium body with a creamy texture. Sweetness encompasses nearly every puff from this cigar. I find myself continuously imagining I am smoking a HUHC, especially once under the last half. I was considering a cheaper box purchase of HUHC soon but considering I can get these for about the same price I know where my money is going. Overall a great start to a season dedicated to finding Cuban alternatives. 93 pts. 20 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCgarman Posted March 27, 2023 Share Posted March 27, 2023 It is a great blend and has no Nicaraguan spice or pepper. I am loving my box. Especially at $205/box25. I used to buy RASS and PSD4 at that price point, but not anymore. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djrey Posted March 27, 2023 Author Share Posted March 27, 2023 17 minutes ago, SCgarman said: It is a great blend and has no Nicaraguan spice or pepper. I am loving my box. Especially at $205/box25. I used to buy RASS and PSD4 at that price point, but not anymore. And now at $500 for RASS and PSD4 its laughable! People are still lining up for those prices meanwhile you can get 2.5 boxes of these for the same price. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99call Posted March 27, 2023 Share Posted March 27, 2023 Love these cigars, I can sort of get what you mean about the Upmann notes, but they came across as being a bit more Sancho Panza to me.....maybe a mash up between the two. The reality is (I guess) they don't need any CC comparisons as they are great cigars in their own right. At $166 you cant go wrong. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djrey Posted March 27, 2023 Author Share Posted March 27, 2023 24 minutes ago, 99call said: Love these cigars, I can sort of get what you mean about the Upmann notes, but they came across as being a bit more Sancho Panza to me.....maybe a mash up between the two. The reality is (I guess) they don't need any CC comparisons as they are great cigars in their own right. At $166 you cant go wrong. Have not had Sancho Panza sadly but based on what I have read I can see what you mean. A little salty brine character. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaptain Karl Posted March 27, 2023 Share Posted March 27, 2023 IMO these are the most cubanesque NC's I've had. Consistently excellent! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nocoins Posted March 28, 2023 Share Posted March 28, 2023 Yes, Epernay are nice. Le Elegance also is a fine cigar from this line. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabbie Posted March 28, 2023 Share Posted March 28, 2023 I just ordered a few singles to give them a whirl! Thanks boss! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KCCubano Posted March 28, 2023 Share Posted March 28, 2023 Have had a few from Epernay line and they are pretty good sticks. Would like to try Haut Toro and the HL Lancero as well. Heard some good things about them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiBo12 Posted March 28, 2023 Share Posted March 28, 2023 Illusione makes some great cigars. Always liked the OneOff series. Definitely get some Cuban-esque tasting notes off them especially with age. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JC67 Posted March 29, 2023 Share Posted March 29, 2023 I know this is a Habanos forum but it may be worth FOH starting to stock some of the the better NC`s?? i have bought a few lately but would much prefer to buy them from Rob. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99call Posted March 29, 2023 Share Posted March 29, 2023 9 hours ago, JC67 said: i have bought a few lately but would much prefer to buy them from Rob. couldn't agree more, but i'm sure easier said than done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoyoFan Posted March 29, 2023 Share Posted March 29, 2023 17 hours ago, JC67 said: I know this is a Habanos forum but it may be worth FOH starting to stock some of the the better NC`s?? i have bought a few lately but would much prefer to buy them from Rob. I believe this is coming, at least for a few select brands. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaptain Karl Posted March 29, 2023 Share Posted March 29, 2023 21 hours ago, JC67 said: I know this is a Habanos forum but it may be worth FOH starting to stock some of the the better NC`s?? i have bought a few lately but would much prefer to buy them from Rob. This is a good point. Maybe the more Cubanesque NC's. I love my local B&M but they're stocked much heavier on the stronger, punchier NC's which I'm not a huge fan of. They do keep a consistent stock of Epernays...bless their hearts! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabbie Posted April 29, 2023 Share Posted April 29, 2023 Coming back to report, I had one of the singles yesterday. Absolutely blown away. Very good cigar for being non Cuban. Definitely box worthy when I free up some humidor space. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cairo Posted April 29, 2023 Share Posted April 29, 2023 I have a 2012 50-cab of these--still have a few left in the cab--they aged beautifully. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabbie Posted April 29, 2023 Share Posted April 29, 2023 2 hours ago, Cairo said: I have a 2012 50-cab of these--still have a few left in the cab--they aged beautifully. That sounds wonderful. Glad to hear it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vortigan Posted April 29, 2023 Share Posted April 29, 2023 I've always heard very good things about the Epernay line! Haven't managed to get my hands on any but still hoping to at some point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizardGizmo Posted April 30, 2023 Share Posted April 30, 2023 I really love the Cruzado and will try these after this review - thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Diggamus Posted April 30, 2023 Share Posted April 30, 2023 Great review! I love these and always get a cookies and cream note from them. I read somewhere Dion blended the Epernay series to pair with champagne, I haven’t tried that but it does pair well with an IPA or tea. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjmaas Posted May 1, 2023 Share Posted May 1, 2023 Nice review. Can anyone comment on how it compares to other vitolas in the epernay line? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdmundGTP Posted May 1, 2023 Share Posted May 1, 2023 I recall Le Matin being a pretty nice smoke from this line. Haven't tried any other vitolas so I can't comment comparatively between them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmbarton Posted May 2, 2023 Share Posted May 2, 2023 On 3/27/2023 at 1:01 PM, Kaptain Karl said: IMO these are the most cubanesque NC's I've had. Consistently excellent! Have you tried the Herrera Esteli Habano line? I’ve heard folks make similar statements so I ordered a couple boxes of their Edicion Limitada Lancero that have yet to arrive. Curious as to your thoughts if you have tried them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoyoFan Posted May 2, 2023 Share Posted May 2, 2023 2 hours ago, cmbarton said: Have you tried the Herrera Esteli Habano line? I’ve heard folks make similar statements so I ordered a couple boxes of their Edicion Limitada Lancero that have yet to arrive. Curious as to your thoughts if you have tried them. I would say if memory serves that the Herrera was more leather and less cream and sweetness. That being said, it was still a solid smoke. I only had the pyramid though, not the lancero. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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