What is your "backup" cigar?

[El Presidente]

This was asked of me on the weekend and it is something I haven't given much thought to. 

Scenario

...."Saturday afternoon and you have the chance of catching up with an old mate for a pub lunch and a cigar post. Your mate enjoys a cigar when you catch up, but doesn't smoke regularly. You think it might be a great opportunity to bring two new Regional Releases as you know he hasn't tried them before and neither have you. However, experience has taught you that CC quality control being what it is, a pair of backups is always the smart play.   You reach for old faithful"

What cigar is that for you? 

 

[JohnS]

I had this scenario play out about three months ago. My son's friend from university, Ignacio (Spanish for the name Ignatius in Latin) caught up with him at our house after he was away overseas for a time. Ignacio has lived in Australia for around 15 years, but he still has his Argentinian roots and a semblance of that unique Italian-sounding accent. He was looking forward to some fine drinks and cigars.

For this occasion, as Ignacio was an occasional smoker, I first offered him the quintessential Habanos, the Montecristo No.4 and then I offered him an aged Cohiba Siglo IV, just to give him two cigars across the spectrum of what is on offer in the Habanos range. 

They turned out to be two good choices, both as a premium choice (i.e the aged Cohiba Siglo IV) and a backup choice (i.e. the Montecristo No.4). 

[GVan]

Easy - right now the best back-up cigar for the casual smoker is a RYJ Mille Fleurs (ELU MAR-14). I've given this to a few of my friends that are looking for a lighter-medium cigar and all have told me it is one of the best cigars they have ever smoked. It is one of my brother-in-law's favorites for his twice a year cigar!

[Dlowil]

My “side stick” most times is the RGPE. She’s not expensive. Some days she’s full of flavor and some days she temperamental and rough around the edges. There’s suspense in not knowing what I’m going to get. A close second would be a young PLPC.

[chasy]

Inventory will help dictate, but if I need a crowd pleaser that I know has little risk of going sideways on me, I’ll offer up the PSD4.

[scottm12]

JL2 

[wjs]

JL2, N8

[MickVanWinkle]

JL1 has been consistent in quality for me.

[Montezüma]

43 minutes ago, Dlowil said:

A close second would be a young PLPC.

This is usually quite strong for the less accustomed, I would pack an RASCC instead but then the RA profile isn't everyone's cup of tea. In fact, the most ideal backup for me isn’t even a Cuban cigar because a backup cigar needs to perform every single time. So the answer is a Davidoff Signature 2000.

[zeedubbya]

Easy…Punch Punch, no hesitation. Have had more casual smokers burn a Punch Punch to the end than any other cigar.  

I have told this story more times than I care to admit (getting old, sorry), but I took a near full box of 2016 Connie 1 to a “dinner hosted by the boss” last year. I had remembered them in humidor and didn’t enjoy them at all in 2016-2018. Thought they’d be good giveaways. I laid them out on the wax paper on the outdoor fireplace side-table with tools for everyone, and they were great!  Amazing even. At first I regretted bringing them, but when I reflect on how much people enjoyed them (some non-smokers even smoked a second), I am reminded of how much greater it is to share this hobby of ours with others. Sadly, those times will likely be going away due to exorbitant replacement costs, which just is just plain sad really.  

[unaslob]

The regionals I would bring Sancho Panza El Rey Asia Pacifico. I have had one or two so far out of the cab - both plugged. I always have some PSD4s handy. Rare to have a plug. Rare to have a dud. Always smoking good young or old. I bring a couple at all times. 

[Lucas Buck]

PLPC - almost everybody loves them and they are consistent. 

[Çnote]

7 hours ago, Montezüma said:

So the answer is a Davidoff Signature 2000.

Great answer.

Don Carlos. Tatuaje Escacos Noellas. Viaje Exclusivo. PG dealers choice. La Paulina Goldie.

But yeah, PLPC money train.

[havanaclub]

Connie 1, never ever lets me down.


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[Dlowil]

7 hours ago, Montezüma said:

This is usually quite strong for the less accustomed, I would pack an RASCC instead but then the RA profile isn't everyone's cup of tea. In fact, the most ideal backup for me isn’t even a Cuban cigar because a backup cigar needs to perform every single time. So the answer is a Davidoff Signature 2000.

They (Davi 2k) do tend to be smoother than a politician dodging questions. I tend to throw my mates into the deep end.

[Redgoldband]

JL2 or HUHC. Consistent. Smooth. Flavorful. Good smoke output usually.


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[Li Bai]

JL1 or N3 👍

[Jerryvonkramer]

The Connie 1, although I'd feel loathe to give one to a casual.

[Marco_011t556]

Easy...

Mild - Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2

Strong - Partagas Serie D No.4

Premium - Cohiba Siglo II.

[Edicion]

I was kicking myself the other day when I had only brought one cigar with me and accidentally dropped it on the ground, it was wet, dirty and the wrapper exploded so nothing to do but to toss it. I was thinking I should have brought a backup with me (rookie mistake) and since I had already ordered a beer I had plenty of time to think about a second choice and decided that my backup should be anything else I like to have regularly, but not the same as the intended. If I couldn't have what I wanted (for whatever reason), then there was no reason to downgrade or pick something not as satisfying, just get something else of similar length (time it takes) that I enjoy and go for that as a backup for my intended cigar so it becomes a true replacement to have the same experience, not just a second cigar. 

[gormag38]

18 hours ago, unaslob said:

The regionals I would bring Sancho Panza El Rey Asia Pacifico. I have had one or two so far out of the cab - both plugged.

I've heard that these suffer from draw problems. (Much like Cola's.) At least with the first batch I heard they were pretty rough, maybe they've gotten better since then. 🤷‍♂️

Regardless, bitter pill to swallow when forking over a few grand for some cigars. Smh.

[BrightonCorgi]

All good consistent picks.

[joeypots]

Punch Punch and PSD#4 come to mind. 

[El Niño]

On 7/1/2025 at 6:17 AM, El Presidente said:

CC quality control being what it is

Honestly, a couple Spada Gordas in light of CC quality. Partagas Mille Fleurs are also a good "old faithful".

[RSG]

PLPC, RASC, Padron 64 Principe, Epi 2, Boli RC, JL1/2, RASS.