CC cheapies that age gloriously?

[El Presidente]

Cheapies that age gloriously? 

OK, cheapies is a relative term but lets categorise them as boxes today under $350 USD or boxes pre cigarmageddon under $150 USD. 

The subject piqued my interest as I am currently enjoying an 2004 H. Upmann Corona Major, a box of which I discovered in my long term storage. Very good and delivering far more than I was expecting. 

[MagicalBikeRide]

Patragas PCE is one that comes to mind.

[Ford2112]

Rafael Gonzalez Perlas.

[Chucko8]

PL Montecarlo

RG Perlas.

[loose_axle]

Vegueros Tapados. Went from an awful old hay and lemongrass to a caramel vanilla swirl after 8 years of being left alone. 

I should try this experiment on some family and friends of mine 🤔

[Habanoschris]

My kinda thread 🤣. 

Monte Media Corona, RG Perlas, R&J Petit Royales, R&J No 2, RASCC, Vegueros, Partagas Shorts, Super Partagas, Upmann Corona Junior, Bolivar CJ, Sancho Non Plus ... I'm missing some others 🤔

[gormag38]

7 hours ago, El Presidente said:

H. Upmann Corona Major

Honestly this is one that I too have been most impressed with. Someone on this forum gifted me a HUCM that was 10-15 years old. Smoked it last year and was blown away by how good it was. Been trying to keep an eye out for a box ever since. 

[Lucas Buck]

Tubos usually bring big rewards long aging. All the cheapie small format tubos are good bets. Coronas Major are one of my favorites. Some great ones already listed. I would add Monte Joyitas & ERDM Demi Tasse. 

[Puros Y Vino]

I'm finding some old boxes of Quinteros keep getting better with age. The odd JLPs I have also do better with sleep. 

[Duxnutz]

Ryj Mille Fleurs. Off the truck they are good, several years down the road even better. 

[Chibearsv]

Wow, I can't believe I get to be the first to add BPC to this list.@Chas.Alpha is sleeping on the job 😁

[KCCubano]

1 hour ago, Duxnutz said:

Ryj Mille Fleurs. Off the truck they are good, several years down the road even better. 

Sometimes you get the odd box that tastes like cherry cough syrup-jackpot!

[SUP8333]

PLPC, PLMontecarlo, Punch Coronations, HUMajestics & Corona Major, RGPerlas. All so good! 

[CaptainQuintero]

RyJ Mille Fleur, Tres Petit Coronas stand out for me, Partagas Shorts too.

H.Upmann Coronas Major too, tubed as well so even better.

[westg]

Punch Petit Coronations

Punch Royal Coronation 

Punch Coronation 

Por Larranaga Montecarlos 

 

[Gubbins]

On 8/27/2025 at 1:26 AM, Puros Y Vino said:

I'm finding some old boxes of Quinteros keep getting better with age. The odd JLPs I have also do better with sleep. 

Funny you say that. I have a box full of Quinteros and JLPs for handouts that I never touch. I sorted a friend a JLP at the weekend and had to do a double take after I tried a bit.

[Fugu]

On 8/26/2025 at 5:26 PM, Puros Y Vino said:

I'm finding some old boxes of Quinteros keep getting better with age. The odd JLPs I have also do better with sleep. 

 

On 8/29/2025 at 1:18 AM, Gubbins said:

Funny you say that. I have a box full of Quinteros and JLPs for handouts that I never touch. I sorted a friend a JLP at the weekend and had to do a double take after I tried a bit.

Had you guys not already mentioned it…! 👍

How could this one escape me? I guess I am probably the one on here smoking the most cheapos. My daily staple. A 350-$ box for me (still) doesn’t qualify as a cheapie, per se. Media Coronas or Petit Royales are certainly not in the cheapo category. The same holding for most Minuto offerings. Small they are, good cigars, yes, but cheap?! Considering their size they come with a pretty serious price tag.

Best truly cheap cigars for aging in my book are first and foremost Quintero Brevas and Panetelas. Granted, not for everyone I guess. Another love-hate thing: RyJ Cazadores (has once been a cheap and completely undervalued offering). Then, most JLP (in full agreement with @Puros Y Vino here). Also, the numbered Tubo line of RyJ, too often bashed. Poor reputation does stem from their mecanizado-times, when they were considered a gas-station grab in passing. Prices picking up, but as has been quality. Recent production is punching far above its weight class and is perfect for long-term aging (I believe). Not that cheap anymore, but needs being added to the list, rightfully mentioned a few times already, is RG Perlas. More than a decade in and the original release cigars from 2012/13 have become just so beautiful little smokes! Also RGPC and PLPC, PLM excellent good-value candidates for ageing. Were it not for its current price, one would have to add MdO4 here. The MFs of RyJ and Partagás have been mentioned.

Finally, for all those not dismissing the small cigar ICT offerings - and I am being serious here - a ten year old Chicos or Party Puritos is a special treat in its own merits, good storage provided, a >30-min smoke for <1.50 $. But again, those rolled-up “floor-sweepings“ are certainly not for everyone. And surely not the best pick for showing off. 😂

[Nevrknow]

On 8/26/2025 at 7:57 PM, loose_axle said:

Vegueros Tapados. Went from an awful old hay and lemongrass to a caramel vanilla swirl after 8 years of being left alone. 

I should try this experiment on some family and friends of mine 🤔

Do it. It is very...refreshing.

[yuppie]

This thread reads like my wishlist. PLPC, PL Montecarlos, Perlas, Punch Petit Coronations, HU Majestics, RASCC, SPNP's... Any of these with around 3-5 years on them are going to be awesome smokes. Better than "cheap" would just be the smaller underdogs since all Cubans these days are up more than $NVDA 🤣

I'll add the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Depute, Montecristo No. 5's, and the HUHC. In the summer I tend to smoke in the morning with a coffee so something short is perfect before starting the day.

[Mike Mecklenburg]

I like the Petit Coronas from RG, Hoyo, RyJ, Punch, H.Up Bol, Monte and the Vegueros Entretiempos.