EAR: Email Assistance Required. Consistent 93+ NC smokes.

[El Presidente]

EAR = Email Assistance Required. 

 

"Hey Pres, you got any non-Cuban smokes you’d recommend that consistently hit 93+? Cubans are pretty much outta my price range now, but the ones I still got—Coloniales, P2, Reyes, Fundies, VI, V, Lanceros—those always land in that 93-96 sweet spot. Strugglin’ to find NCs that bring that same level of consistency. Plenty of solid sticks out there, just tough to find that top-tier greatness, ya know what I mean?"

 

Consistent 93+ NC smokes. 

 

That is a tough ask. I would suggest there are only maybe 8-10 Cubans that would make that list (IMHO), and that would be with 3 years down. 

[chasy]

For pleasurable and consistent NCs, look no further than the Nudies line. It's that simple.

[MagicalBikeRide]

Not sure I have one example I could offer. Some Davidoff and also some of the Fab5 - I really like. But could I honestly say they are 93-96 consistently - probably not. 

[Chibearsv]

That's a heavy hitter list of CCs to try to compare to. I don't have any NCs that I smoke consistently with one exception that's a 93+ every time, and Prez doesn't make that blend anymore. 😢  I'd say if P2 is a 93+ for the emailer regularly, stock up!

[mikejh]

Ashton VSG

[MrFolgers]

Davidoff Winston Churchill Late Hour, Churchill

Sin Compromiso no. 5 (shout out to Saka)

Any Casa Fuente 

[Ford2112]

Not sure about number ratings. The Padron 64 Anni Maduro gives me what I want in that cigar consistently. If I want a chocolatey, rich and creamy smoke with a good draw and construction, I know I will get it.

Same with the Oliva Melanio natural. Its my go-to Robusto. 

If you want something readily available and consistent with excellent flavors and construction, the Nudies line has a vitola and profile somewhere in there. I am partial to Ninfa, Robusto Trinity and the Fat Fundy so far.

Ymmv

[Grimlock]

I guess P2's are the cheapest on that list at around 30 bucks each so the NW would need to be below that. That eliminates pretty much all of the OpusX Forbidden X's and OXO Oscuro lines. Davidoff Anniversario Special R sits just below 27 bucks so that would get a vote from me. There are many Padrons that would make my list too but have a much stronger profile than those on his list. 93+ every time is tough.   

[Glass Half Full]

It's all personal preference, especially at that rarified level.  

In NC land, I can think of only certain Davidoffs and Fuentes that ever consistently reach 90-93, and only very special ones in the 93+ area. In the current climate, your into only Davidoff LEs and rare or aged rare Fuentes (such as the more common Rare Pink Signature 1600 series perfecto; 90+ in my book --  or one of the aged Don Arturo Gran Aniverxario Destino al Siglo lines, and of course certain aged Opus). And then your at price levels comparable to "regular" line CCs.  

My 2 cents. (Or minimum $30-50+ dollars plus aging in our current world )

[Çnote]

La Palina Goldies, GoF, Padron Family Reserve, Davidoff Colorado Claro & Grand Cru, Byron, TTA coffins - top tier, top $

Tatuaje La Tache, SW, 10th Capa - got look around for these, but <$20 per

Fuente Don Carlos, Anejo - better with time but great fresh. Casa Fuente and basic FFOX as well, but harder to find at msrp.

LFD #5&6, Colorado Oscoro, anything with the Litto Gomez band, special editions, be prepared to let them sleep.

Viaje Exclusivo and Oro - personal favorites, ymmv

[HoyoFan]

I think the issue here is reference point. What’s the reference point in terms of flavor, strength, pepper level when referring to a 93+ cigar? The reason this isn’t a concern with CCs is because you’re only dealing with less than a dozen Marcas all from the same type of tobacco. Obviously NCs are the opposite. What I would suggest is to try a “reference” cigar from a few groups:

AJ Fernandez or My Father representing strong Nicaraguans.

Aladino representing medium bodied Hondurans (my preference)

Padron representing premium Nicaragua

Davidoff representing premium Dominican

Fuente Hemingway / Anejo representing medium body flavorful Dominicans.

Based on where those land for you, you can then come back here and we can direct you further.

[Greenhorn2]

12 hours ago, Chibearsv said:

That's a heavy hitter list of CCs to try to compare to. I don't have any NCs that I smoke consistently with one exception that's a 93+ every time, and Prez doesn't make that blend anymore. 😢 I'd say if P2 is a 93+ for the emailer regularly, stock up!

Those N1 Lanceros! Bring 'em back, bring 'em back!

[DeeBeezy]

Pretty much anything Davidoff will give you a consistent and classy smoke - the only smoke that can stand up to the best of Cubans in terms of class. If you’re looking for value, Fuente Don Carlos Is where to park your coin. 

[El Presidente]

9 hours ago, HoyoFan said:

I think the issue here is reference point. What’s the reference point in terms of flavor, strength, pepper level when referring to a 93+ cigar? The reason this isn’t a concern with CCs is because you’re only dealing with less than a dozen Marcas all from the same type of tobacco. Obviously NCs are the opposite. What I would suggest is to try a “reference” cigar from a few groups:

AJ Fernandez or My Father representing strong Nicaraguans.

Aladino representing medium bodied Hondurans (my preference)

Padron representing premium Nicaragua

Davidoff representing premium Dominican

Fuente Hemingway / Anejo representing medium body flavorful Dominicans.

Based on where those land for you, you can then come back here and we can direct you further.

I suspect that growing up on CC he is looking at light-medium bodied NC cigars, low on pepper and high on flavour with complexity thrown in on the journey. 

Now I can recommend quite a few that meet most of those requirements. 93+ consistently however and I am out of ideas. 

[riderpride]

11 hours ago, Ford2112 said:

Not sure about number ratings. The Padron 64 Anni Maduro gives me what I want in that cigar consistently. If I want a chocolatey, rich and creamy smoke with a good draw and construction, I know I will get it.

Same with the Oliva Melanio natural. Its my go-to Robusto. 

If you want something readily available and consistent with excellent flavors and construction, the Nudies line has a vitola and profile somewhere in there. I am partial to Ninfa, Robusto Trinity and the Fat Fundy so far.

Ymmv

V Melanio is where it's at. Could also add Aganorsa Leaf Signature Selection Corona Gorda. Graham cracker and marshmallow (vanilla).

Cheers

[zeedubbya]

Going to be brutally honest here, and maybe I am biased, but I’ve smoked very few NCs I would put above 93 points, and the list of CCs consistently at this number would be small as well. From personal notes and memory:

• Padron Family Reserve 45 year Maduro- 95 points, aged by me for about 5 years, my personal favorite Padron
• Rocky Patel Edge Corojo aged by me for about 10 years and two of them from a 5er rated high-was shocked, but these were great cigars 
• Davidoff Winston Churchill Belicoso— RUN and get a tin of 4, this will be what you want. Consistently a mid 90s cigar, small(ish) but priced right for the experience, cue @LizardGizmo and crew on these—they’re excellent.  

• Tatuaje Caibaguan Guapos- not sure they make them any more but they would have been above a 93 back when I smoked through a couple boxes.  Coronas Extra was one I liked a lot. Very tasty.  
• Last but not least JRE is crushing it with the Aladino Classic— I’ve smoked the Elegantes, Toro, and Robusto and they’re all fantastic. These are going to become my replacement every day smoke instead of over paying for Habanos.  

I’ve reached the point of enough already…Nudies and BR Petit 109 was the writing on the wall, Current price for D4 IS the end point. Sad… really. I hope the emailee (?) finds their 93 plus pointers!!

[Ayub]

Gurkha double torpedo aged 18 and 21 years.

[Tunkat92]

10 hours ago, Çnote said:

LFD #5&6, Colorado Oscoro, anything with the Litto Gomez band, special editions, be prepared to let them sleep.

Agreed with the LFD’s, especially the Colorado Oscuro. Not quite as powerful as the most of LFDs lineup, but so unique and delicious.

[BrightonCorgi]

These questions are amusing. Asking an NC cigar manufacturer which brand of NCs should he buy is like asking a Honda salesman which brand family car should they consider.

[LizardGizmo]

Consistent 93+ NCs for me right now are:

Padron 1964 Exclusivo Maduro
MOFOH Trinity Robusto + Ninfa
BR Petit 109
Aladino Classic Elegante (probably the most humidity-sensitive NC cigar I’ve experienced)
Aging Room Quattro Sonata Maestro
Davidoff Winston Churchill Belicoso

Oliva V Lancero has fallen off my list due to serious underfill and the resulting fight to keep it lit.
 

[Namisgr11]

Huge fan of Fuente Opus X with at least a few years of age on them. Especially the robusto and perfecxion x/toro vitolas. Consistently rich, complex, well constructed, and subtle on the pepper and savory spices. Once considered top end expensive, they're much more reasonable now on a comparative basis. Someone else mentioned above the Aniversario Destino Al Siglo, which I've also thoroughly enjoyed but I have only smoked a couple, and am finding them scarce to buy and potentially no longer being rolled.

[Ruggerpgh99]

I would have to say, ROTT, Plasencia Alma Fuego Flama would be one to look for. It's a top 5 smoke for me all-time. 

[mikejh]

14 hours ago, zeedubbya said:

Going to be brutally honest here, and maybe I am biased, but I’ve smoked very few NCs I would put above 93 points, and the list of CCs consistently at this number would be small as well. From personal notes and memory:

• Padron Family Reserve 45 year Maduro- 95 points, aged by me for about 5 years, my personal favorite Padron
• Rocky Patel Edge Corojo aged by me for about 10 years and two of them from a 5er rated high-was shocked, but these were great cigars 
• Davidoff Winston Churchill Belicoso— RUN and get a tin of 4, this will be what you want. Consistently a mid 90s cigar, small(ish) but priced right for the experience, cue @LizardGizmo and crew on these—they’re excellent.  

• Tatuaje Caibaguan Guapos- not sure they make them any more but they would have been above a 93 back when I smoked through a couple boxes.  Coronas Extra was one I liked a lot. Very tasty.  
• Last but not least JRE is crushing it with the Aladino Classic— I’ve smoked the Elegantes, Toro, and Robusto and they’re all fantastic. These are going to become my replacement every day smoke instead of over paying for Habanos.  

I’ve reached the point of enough already…Nudies and BR Petit 109 was the writing on the wall, Current price for D4 IS the end point. Sad… really. I hope the emailee (?) finds their 93 plus pointers!!

They do still make the guapos.

[MrBirdman]

Davidoff Grand Cru No. 2 - they’re light but extremely consistent and delicious. Better than a Coloniales and now cheaper too. As aged as the tobacco is, they really benefit from a year or two down - no way to know how long they’ve had but I’ve had a box for three years that just keeps getting better. Great with milk coffee earlier in the day. 

The big caveat here is that the traditional Davidoff mushroomy-ness is pronounced in these especially as they age. People seem to either love it or hate it, I’m in the former. Unless you know where you stand on that question, I’d advise buying a 5-pack first. Full boxes can often be found at good prices on the grey market. 

[BrightonCorgi]

1 hour ago, MrBirdman said:

Davidoff Grand Cru No. 2 - they’re light but extremely consistent and delicious. Better than a Coloniales and now cheaper too. As aged as the tobacco is, they really benefit from a year or two down - no way to know how long they’ve had but I’ve had a box for three years that just keeps getting better. Great with milk coffee earlier in the day. 

The big caveat here is that the traditional Davidoff mushroomy-ness is pronounced in these especially as they age. People seem to either love it or hate it, I’m in the former. Unless you know where you stand on that question I’d advice buying a 5-pack first. Otherwise they can often be found at good prices on the grey market. 

Big fan of them as well.