The Hidden Affordable Gems of the Cuban Portfolio

[El Presidente]

Eddie is a class act. 

Let's all agree that "affordable" is relative. . 

Let me ask a question or two after you answer this short. 

 

Two Questions.

1. To your mind. What are the "hidden affordable gems of the Cuban portfolio?.

Now to me, "hidden affordable gem" = world classs value when balancing sheer excellence and price. 

2. That NC cigar (if any) that has now taken the place of a Cuban Cigar that was once in your rotation. 

No, you haven't settled for that Non Cuban cigar. It has actually earned the right to be there and you look forward to smoking it every time. Nominate that cigar and the CC it replaced 

 

[LizardGizmo]

The standouts in the ~$20 range that regularly overdeliver for me are JL1, SLR Regios and QD Coronas Claro. I'll add in the La Flor De Cano Eligidos but I hesitate to fully suggest it, as I've only had two with some age on them.

MOFOH Trinity Robusto has replaced what I was chasing with Cuban piramides like HU2, P2 and Monte 2. I used to smoke one of them practically daily and can't tell you the last time I've had any of the three. It's taken 'slot number two' when I sit down for cigars, often after something a bit lighter to start the night. The vitola is quite different, but what I'm searching for is accomplished with the robusto.

He's not an internet guy so I'll share that Senator has replaced his Partagás D4 with the Aladino Cameroon Robusto, which I thought was crazy; but after trying it, he isn't crazy at all.

[11BNMR]

Punch Short de Punch have been very good in my opinion. I wish they came in 50 cabs…

[GP012]

Affordable Hidden Gems in the HSA portfolio you say?

[zeedubbya]

This isn’t really a hidden gem exactly but the PLPC continues to be as good as they’ve ever been and still are probably a solid value under $15 each. Fresh, they are good solid cigars and with age they are truly wonderful. Also, and I’ve said this 137 times - PCs give me as much smoking time/pleasure as a Robusto, if not more. As for true “hidden gems” it has to be Coronas which are still available (Partagas-Super P, Upmann-Majestic and Hoyo-Palmas E).  

Also, the legend Habana Mike (RIP) was so right about Jose Piedra being very excellent everyday cigars. Sure haven’t seen many lately but the ones I have from 2014-2016 are really great now. I’ll be hunting more soon enough. So rustic but so tasty.  

I have taken a deep dive into Aladino. Fortunately my cousin owning a shop which is highly supportive of JRE has afforded me the opportunity to pick up several boxes of them at a great price. I’m thinking their popularity is only going to soar. Eiroa family are masters of their craft. Also, the Trinity Robusto is a superb cigar—can’t wait until they’re back in stock. Feel like I could comfortably close up buying any more CCs, and buy Fabrica 5 and Aladino and have all I need.  

[yuppie]

I'm finding immense joy in Petit Coronas. It's very hot in the summer here in AZ so a short smoke is nice. The thinner ring gauges deliver a more impactful smoke to the otherwise more subtle and mellow flavored Cubans. Anything below $15 per is a great deal in Cuban terms. The SLR Regios I had recently was just perfect for me at $20 per.

[Montezüma]

Rafael Gonzalez

[Duxnutz]

The gems are falling away in affordability. 

[Li Bai]

  On 6/12/2025 at 2:08 AM, zeedubbya said:

As for true “hidden gems” it has to be Coronas which are still available (Partagas-SuperP, Upmann-Majestic and Hoyo-PalmasE).

Expand  

Very much agreed !

[Ford2112]

If I tell what my hidden gems are people will buy them all 😵‍💫

[Arabian]

1- None. It’s a myth.

2- Honduran tobacco replaced 90% of my Cuban portfolio. I became a big fan of Eiora cigars. Asylum 13 sticks as well. The new CASDAGLI BROTHERS OF THE SABRE BRAVE (Dominican) is a great option too. 

Honestly, I don’t see myself returning to buying Cuban boxes unless I see there’s a value and maybe sticks. New Habanos strategy made me get out of my comfort zone and discover other options. 

[El Presidente]

Around $20/sub $20 in CC's. 

Juan Lopez 2. 

QD Corona Claro

PLPC

SLR Regio (when they are around, jump on them). 

NC's I am largely Nudie/MOFOH. 

Robusto Trinity

Ninfa

Queen Corona

[Goldeneye]

1. I don't consider there to be hidden gems available in Canada for a reasonable price

2.  AF Hemingway and Don Carlos and MOFOH Trinity Robusto are all wonderful cigars that have taken the place of CCs in my regular smoking rotation. Even with reasonably priced and available CCs I would continue with these.

[avitus]

  On 6/12/2025 at 2:14 PM, Goldeneye said:

1. I don't consider there to be hidden gems available in Canada for a reasonable price

Expand  

Cigar Chief's customs from Claudio Sgroi are actually pretty good. $6.75CAD for robusto and $7CAD for toro is very reasonable for such a nice cigar.

[El Niño]

1. I feel like Partagas Mille Fleurs give me my Partagas fix at a reasonable price. 

2. I'm pretty new to CCs, but they've definitely changed my tastes and perspective. I used to reach for more heavy Nicaraguans – now I'm grabbing Aladino Classic Corona/Robusto/Elegante A LOT. I got my first 5-packs of Nudie/MOFOH last week, and they SHOCKED me. Can't wait to try the others and see what a little resting does to them.

Anybody feel like there's a NC that scratches the Partagas itch?

[Manny Sotelo]

My votes going to be for the Juan Lopez #1 & SLR Regios. 

[BrightonCorgi]

Juan Lopez and Fonseca are the two gems. Juan Lopez is pretty popular with the committed Habanos smoker, but Fonseca is still on the perimeter for whatever reason.

[Çnote]

  On 6/12/2025 at 4:42 PM, El Niño said:

Anybody feel like there's a NC that scratches the Partagas itch?

Expand  

Tatuaje Black & Cojonu, Crowned Heads Mil Dias, Fuente Anejo. Lots of Partagas itch in different ways.

[Havanaaddict]

  On 6/12/2025 at 7:23 AM, El Presidente said:

Around $20/sub $20 in CC's. 

SLR Regio (when they are around, jump on them). 

Expand  

I’ve been trying to jump on them for the better part of a year now, just too slow. 

[LordAnubis]

I’m still keen on JLP Petit Caballeros. I think they’re a good smoke for the price. Nowadays, they’re closer to 10 bucks a stick which is not too great, so I think maybe some NCs are better value for less price. 

[Fugu]

  On 6/15/2025 at 3:25 AM, LordAnubis said:

I’m still keen on JLP Petit Caballeros. I think they’re a good smoke for the price. Nowadays, they’re closer to 10 bucks a stick which is not too great, so I think maybe some NCs are better value for less price. 

Expand  

Yeah, could be an interesting cigar, and, mind you, I am an avid JLP proponent. But I haven’t been convinced by them so far. Don’t know what they are doing there with the Petit Caballeros (around EUR 3.60 B&M here atm), but I’ve mostly come across overfilled, difficult burning specimens. I much prefer the Petit Cazzie for a shorter smoke (around EUR 2.30).

In a similar, Short Robusto format and pricing-regime, for me, the Quintero Favoritos is always a good (the safer?) bet.

But I will not give up on the JLP one, yet.

[Montezüma]

  On 6/15/2025 at 8:54 AM, Fugu said:

Yeah, could be an interesting cigar, and, mind you, I am an avid JLP proponent. But I haven’t been convinced by them so far. Don’t know what they are doing there with the Petit Caballeros (around EUR 3.60 B&M here atm), but I’ve mostly come across overfilled, difficult burning specimens. I much prefer the Petit Cazzie for a shorter smoke (around EUR 2.30).

In a similar, Short Robusto format and pricing-regime, for me, the Quintero Favoritos is always a good (the safer?) bet.

But I will not give up on the JLP one, yet.

Expand  

JLP over Quinteros any day for me. No contest.

[griller]

  On 6/15/2025 at 3:25 AM, LordAnubis said:

I’m still keen on JLP Petite Caballeros. I think they’re a good smoke for the price. Nowadays, they’re closer to 10 bucks a stick which is not too great, so I think maybe some NCs are better value for less price. 

Expand  

+1 for me, too. Love these little buggers & glad I grabbed a bunch about 3 yrs ago. If they're running $10/per now then there are some NCs that would come into play for me, (that are similar in size/smoke time) like Illusione Epernay Le Petit, that is now around $8/per or Aladino Corojo Reserve Robusto for right at $10/per after the 10% box purchase discount, it seems all the online stores are offering right now.

I'll give a shout out to Quintero Favoritos, too. This is another one I sort of lucked into a few years ago & grabbed a couple of boxes from a guy who was liquidating his collection. One box was from 2012 and the other from 2020. I think I paid $125 shipped for both and they've been great delivering that "twang" when I'm grilling burgers or multi-tasking and I want a cigar. You won't mistake them for an aged long filler Havana but definitely well suited for the market it's targeting.

[Habanoschris]

  On 6/15/2025 at 3:25 AM, LordAnubis said:

I’m still keen on JLP Petit Caballeros. 

Expand  

I have about a million of these aging lol. When I smoked them years ago the first third was pretty good but that was it.  

[cnov]

I'm not entirely sure of the price these days but I've had some Vegeuros Mananitas that have really surprised me. JL2 gets another vote.

PLPC are firm favourites, the 50 cabs come in at just under $10/stick and are well worth every penny.