Which regionals are "worth it"?

[yuppie]

Many new regionals coming out over the last few years and from what I've heard are quite underwhelming considering the hype around them.

For you, which regionals are "worth it" or are "must haves" that you'll jump on whenever they come up?

[loose_axle]

The Bushido was certainly fantastic when that was around. For me the PCC 30th anniversary beat it though and that is a cracking cigar. 

Sancho Panza HOMER another cracker. Sancho Panza El Rey wasn't a huge fan but it was young. 

I've the SLR La Cuna and PL Leones but haven't smoked them. Semi-considering just putting them away for 10 years and then seeing whether I'd rather smoke or sell (as I find myself moving more and more away from thinner ring gauges). 

[BrightonCorgi]

In general, I find that all Regional cigars are "worth it".  Some take longer to age to be ready.  I cannot think of any I did not like.

[gormag38]

A couple of my favorites are: Boli Simones RE Cananda, ERDM Tainos RE Formosa. 

There's a good thread on it here: 

 

[Montezüma]

I adore REs and have always sought them out, yet oddly in terms of performance, satisfaction and the lot, LCDH releases are -to quote a certain release- "Superiores".

[yuppie]

So rule of thumb is: If you like the marca and vitola, grab it?

[BrightonCorgi]

3 hours ago, yuppie said:

So rule of thumb is: If you like the marca and vitola, grab it?

So rule of thumb is: If you like the marca and/or vitola, grab it?

I buy any I am able to get a reasonable cost. Some regionals are just too expensive considering the local market they sell in.

[Havanaaddict]

Anything Italia 👍

[targa88]

Personally - It is all relative. I have always enjoyed the marcas:

Por Larrañaga PCC RE

2007 Robusto was exceptional 

2008 Belicoso Extra - terrible

2010 Encantos Excellent

Ramon Allones RE

2010 RE Canada Gordito - very good

2013 RE PB  Robusto Corto - not so much

some singles from RE Libano: Phoenicio & Eshmoun - excellent.

Bolivar RE Canada

2010 RE Canada B2 Very good

2013 RE Belux Poderoso Not so much

Hit and miss IMHO. I have steered clear of REs in recent years.

 

[Lucas Buck]

Hit and miss indeed. Mostly great for my taste but there have been a few duds. Italians have all been amazing. I’ve had wonderful luck with LFDC, PL, RA & Boli in particular. The Bolivar Colasales being an exception as they are garbage. 

[Mike Mecklenburg]

"WORTH  IT"     (3 for 3 with Dip)

Diplomaticos  El Dipulato - Belux 2019

Diplomaticos  Leal - Cuba 2023

Diplomaticos  Grandes - Germany 2024

Punch  898 - Asia Pacific 2020

Rafael Gonzalez  North Star - Nordic Bultico 2018

St. Luis Rey  Pura Vida - Costa Rica 2022

HONORABLE MENTION   (GETTING BETTER WITH TIME)

La Gloria Cubana  Ser D No. 5 - Spain 2019

NOT WORTH IT

El Rey del Mundo  Petit Cayo - Andorra 2019

Juan Lopez  Punto 55 - France 2018

 

[habanohal]

Have had many regionals and I think they are all hype and a cash grab. If they were different blends than reg production, or different taste, then would change my mind. Worst has been RA Mexico for me.

[Fuzz AI]

On 7/22/2025 at 3:39 PM, loose_axle said:

Sancho Panza HOMER another cracker.

Sancho Panza Homer?

[KCCubano]

7 hours ago, habanohal said:

Have had many regionals and I think they are all hype and a cash grab. If they were different blends than reg production, or different taste, then would change my mind. Worst has been RA Mexico for me

Which RA? I have a couple boxes of the 2020 Perfecto. Have yet to try one but hear good things.

[yuppie]

7 hours ago, habanohal said:

Have had many regionals and I think they are all hype and a cash grab. If they were different blends than reg production, or different taste, then would change my mind. Worst has been RA Mexico for me.

They're all the same blends, just different vitolas?

[Ford2112]

2 hours ago, yuppie said:

They're all the same blends, just different vitolas?

Cuba will never disclose their secrets 🤣

[loose_axle]

7 hours ago, habanohal said:

Have had many regionals and I think they are all hype and a cash grab. If they were different blends than reg production, or different taste, then would change my mind. Worst has been RA Mexico for me.

How were the Edmundo Dantes or did they just taste like anything else in the marca? I've heard great and mediocre things about them. 

[Ford2112]

None of them are worth it. I've had a few decent regionals. But none really stand out as having made a huge impact on me.

[RSG]

I used to think any cigar over $20-30 was too much. Now $30-40 seems to be my new ceiling. Of course this means my ER experience is a tad limited. That being said, the 2 ER’s that stood out for me were the 2015 Dip Paises Bajos and the 2019 Punch 898 Asia Pacifico.

[loose_axle]

On 7/22/2025 at 11:54 PM, gormag38 said:

A couple of my favorites are: Boli Simones RE Cananda, ERDM Tainos RE Formosa. 

There's a good thread on it here: 

 

I have the ERDM Tainos but haven't had the heart to reach into the box. They look sublime. 

[gormag38]

6 hours ago, loose_axle said:

I have the ERDM Tainos but haven't had the heart to reach into the box.

I know the feeling all to well. I think I have 7 or 6 left in my box, but haven't touched it in at least two years. The last one I smoked I remember it being very good though; lots of bread/cake vibes from it. 

[El Hoze]

I would argue the experience with ERs is skewed to the upside vs. regular production generally speaking. To my taste there have been a ton of great ERs, and in a shrinking line of regular production their uniqueness is increasingly appreciated. Lots of great ones mentioned, the Orgullosos is also an incredible cigar I would throw out there.

As always, value varies person to person and in the secondary market at today’s levels it adds another dynamic. But I would characterize ERs as worth understanding. If you want to go real coin, I would make the same argument for Reserva/GR. I have never been disappointed. 

[Glass Half Full]

On 7/24/2025 at 6:05 PM, loose_axle said:

I have the ERDM Tainos but haven't had the heart to reach into the box. They look sublime. 

These are wonderful! Do yourself a favor and try one. If they are not peak, then peak will be even more wonderful.  

On 7/23/2025 at 5:51 PM, loose_axle said:

How were the Edmundo Dantes or did they just taste like anything else in the marca? I've heard great and mediocre things about them. 

IMO the Edmundo Dantes are different in profile from any other marca -- and they taste nothing like Montecristo if that's what was being asked. In my opinion, the Edmundo Dante is most characterized by a strong "wheat toast" retrohale, yet it possesses the wonderful minerality and funk and the best of Cuban twang. It is a classic all its own.  

I do not favor all REs. However, certain ones certainly end up as wonders that are far and above the average marca production IMO -- and the Italian REs are in a class all of their own. The La Escepcione Selectos Finos?!? Has there ever been a better RE? And yet, the Edmundo Dantes from Mexico are up there along with certain very special vitolas for BELUX and for PCC and for Phoenicia, and then sometimes there are skinnies!  (Increasingly rare in the current HSA portfolio of standards.)  

Yes. Pricing is ridiculous. But on rare occasion, expensive stuff can be worth the cost. It's all relative to when you got into the game of course. And it never gets cheaper.  

[loose_axle]

11 hours ago, Glass Half Full said:

IMO the Edmundo Dantes are different in profile from any other marca -- and they taste nothing like Montecristo if that's what was being asked. In my opinion, the Edmundo Dante is most characterized by a strong "wheat toast" retrohale, yet it possesses the wonderful minerality and funk and the best of Cuban twang. It is a classic all its own.  

I do not favor all REs. However, certain ones certainly end up as wonders that are far and above the average marca production IMO -- and the Italian REs are in a class all of their own. The La Escepcione Selectos Finos?!? Has there ever been a better RE? And yet, the Edmundo Dantes from Mexico are up there along with certain very special vitolas for BELUX and for PCC and for Phoenicia, and then sometimes there are skinnies!  (Increasingly rare in the current HSA portfolio of standards.)  

Yes. Pricing is ridiculous. But on rare occasion, expensive stuff can be worth the cost. It's all relative to when you got into the game of course. And it never gets cheaper. 

Ah sorry, I think I meant anything in the Cuban portfolio but Montecristo was playing on the mind. It was only because the original post stated no Mexican RE was worth it and I was thinking that maybe that just meant Mexican RE's from the regular marcas. 

Would love to try grab an Edmundo Dantes or La Escepcione release if they ever do use them for RE's again but the way its going I doubt I'll have the cash. Such is life. 

[Montezüma]

I just wanna put some words on this recent ER that I found to be extraordinary. Seems like I am not the only one saying this as its also been receiving praise from others - present company included - with suggestions that it will only improve further down the years. It's very satisfying and I felt rewarded to have come across them. Throughout the session I considered whether I would chose this over a CoRo given its size and especially similarities in value. I feel like I would choose this instead, just because of how it fits my palate. The most impressive thing about this ER though is how it stays true to the PL marca, I certainly associate this ER with the PL profile but its elevated in a unique direction, which is how I would like to see the ERs positioned. Construction was also near flawless. Haven’t had a cigar I enjoyed this much over the last few weeks, after some less fortunate sessions with a Turquinos, Punch 48 and Cristobal Prado. Although versatile, I feel like its an evening cigar, there's quite a complexity to them. Overall a solid A, maybe even A+.