DIPPING INTO NEW WORLDS. LOOKING FOR SUGGESTIONS!

[Juliano88]

Fuente 

Davidoff 

AG cigars 

Meerapfel

Illusione 

Tatuaje 

Paul Garmirian 

Avowed 

Casdagli 

Atabey/Byron.

[JDoughty]

Hands down, the entire line of Fabrica 005 and Bond Roberts 109. No question that they are the most Cubanesque I've ever found, especially for the price. They can go head to head with classic Cuban cigars and the comparison is quite favorable, as you can see in the video. I love the Piramides, the Lonsdale and Lancero, the Trinity Robusto and the Sovereign Sun, but they're all excellent and worth getting the sampler to try. The Bond Roberts line is slightly more expensive but still an absolute bargain for the depth of flavor and complexity you get. Warning: unlike most New World cigars, much more like Cubans, some of the Fab5's change drastically with a little age on them. I did not like the Robusto or the Sovereign Suns at all when freshly arrived, but a few weeks later they were quite nice, and in a few months they were really superb.

You can also check out the Lounge Lizards podcast for more good recommendations and reviews, not to mention discount codes, https://www.loungelizardspod.com/

[Ford2112]

Check out the Fab 5 line, Ninfa, Queen Corona, Sovereign Suns, MohFoh Robusto Trinity. 

I also like: Foundation, Tatuaje, Viaje, Roma Craft, Rojas, Padron Maduros, among others. Its fun to try different brands. I have found some real under the radar smokes that I like a lot. Remember, not everyone likes the same foods. Same goes with tobacco. I find all the regions bring different things to the table.

[NYGuido]

20 hours ago, Allroz said:

Davidoff Gran Cru Robusto is an excellent smoke.

Yes!  And the Anniversary Special T. And Millennium Robusto. And, and, and

[ha_banos]

21 hours ago, jps2345 said:

What is Fab5?

Why scroll to the header or bottom banner on this very forum!

[Capn_Jackson]

Many good suggestions here. Don’t try to “replace” Habanos, so much as be open to discovering something you might like a lot, for a good price. I’ve really enjoyed Aladino cigars, the Corojo and Cameroon lines as well as the Vintage Lancero.

Curivari is another brand I’ve gotten into this year. Extremely affordable, and good flavor. I like the Seleccion Privada coronations line, and the Reserva Limitada lines. 

Also enjoying a lot of Warped stuff, especially the lines with Corojo wrapper. Some standouts to me are Futuro, Gran Reserva 1988, and Guardian of the Farm Apollo.

Casdagli is one introduced to me by a friend this year, and I have found smoked awesome things there. The Basilica line, and Gran Marevas.

Out of everything, though, my favorite NC are the Fab 5 things made by FOH team, and Illusione cigars. Love the Illusione Haut 10’s, and the Fume d’Amor stuff. Very low on the nic strength.

Good luck in your journey!

EDIT: Oh, and I love Padron 1964 natural wrapper, but yeah, more power there.

[jps2345]

6 hours ago, Goldeneye said:

I was in the same situation over the last number of years and through trying lots on NC cigars, I have settled on AF Hemingway and Don Carlos and Fabrica 5s.  Even if CC became widely available and reasonably priced again i would continue to purchase these cigars as I thoroughly enjoy them.

 

6 hours ago, Goldeneye said:

I was in the same situation over the last number of years and through trying lots on NC cigars, I have settled on AF Hemingway and Don Carlos and Fabrica 5s.  Even if CC became widely available and reasonably priced again i would continue to purchase these cigars as I thoroughly enjoy them.

So how can I get Fabrica cigars in Canada?  

[JohnS]

3 minutes ago, jps2345 said:

So how can I get Fabrica cigars in Canada?  

You order them on-line like everyone else. I've had to edit your post above because the mentioning of shipping on our forum is not permitted as per our Forum rules.

And, as a reminder, a kind note to every new member who joins our forum to read over those rules prior to posting.

[Rhod]

At the risk of sounding like a message board ass-kisser, I have to say that about all I seem to want over the past year plus is Fab 5 smokes. Particularly the Spada Gorda and the Lancero. My Cuban collection seems to consistently disappoint me with either construction or lack of taste. Exceptions being my Feb '23 box of RASS that is down to the halfway mark. Also, a box of '19 Romeo No 1 that is sadly down to the last 7 or 8 sticks.

[griller]

3 hours ago, Capn_Jackson said:

Many good suggestions here. Don’t try to “replace” Habanos, so much as be open to discovering something you might like a lot, for a good price. I’ve really enjoyed Aladino cigars, the Corojo and Cameroon lines as well as the Vintage Lancero.

Curivari is another brand I’ve gotten into this year. Extremely affordable, and good flavor. I like the Seleccion Privada coronations line, and the Reserva Limitada lines. 

Also enjoying a lot of Warped stuff, especially the lines with Corojo wrapper. Some standouts to me are Futuro, Gran Reserva 1988, and Guardian of the Farm Apollo.

Casdagli is one introduced to me by a friend this year, and I have found smoked awesome things there. The Basilica line, and Gran Marevas.

Out of everything, though, my favorite NC are the Fab 5 things made by FOH team, and Illusione cigars. Love the Illusione Haut 10’s, and the Fume d’Amor stuff. Very low on the nic strength.

Good luck in your journey!

EDIT: Oh, and I love Padron 1964 natural wrapper, but yeah, more power there.

I read this & realized that our palates are nearly identical! Completely agree that it is best to separate CC and NC as unique cigar experiences & each can stand on their own depending on what YOU prefer in flavors, body, strength, etc. I love my CCs, but really enjoy NCs from Fab5/Bond Roberts, Illusione Epernay, Fume d'Amor and Haut 10s, Curivari Seleccion Privada & Gloria de Leon lines, Aladino (the Vintage Lancero is AMAZING!), Paul Garmirian, Davidoff Aniversario, and Leaf by Oscar Corojo. Maduro wrappers are a bit of a turn off for me, but any of these in a natural wrapper is going to deliver a sublime experience if it has been stored & treated well. 

[jps2345]

13 hours ago, JohnS said:

You order them on-line like everyone else. I've had to edit your post above because the mentioning of shipping on our forum is not permitted as per our Forum rules.

And, as a reminder, a kind note to every new member who joins our forum to read over those rules prior to posting.

Apologies.

[Hoosh]

A couple more for you…I smoked a Leaf by Oscar Sumatra yesterday that was surprisingly good; very mellow in the strength department and tasty enough to leave an unlabeled sweetness in my mouth. 

A couple by AG cigars would probably be in your wheelhouse as well…the Ambassador:

Or the Gloriosa:

I don’t get the reports of Padróns being strong nicotine cigars, but then again, I smoke mostly heavy hitters that perhaps blinds my palate and would probably not work for you. 🙂 Good luck in your search.

[Lucas Buck]

Fab5 ad infinitum.  After 20+ years smoking Cubans exclusively I decided to try some of the newer NCs last year to see if any of them were to my liking. I tried everything from Ashton to Padron and everything in between. Even smoked my first ever NC Davidoff. The only ones that satisfied were Fab5. I’ve tried half a dozen vitolas so far and the only one I didn’t like was the PC. The Ninfas & Robusto Trinity are especially good. And you can’t beat the price. When my CC stash is depleted at least I have these to enjoy. So jealous of you all that like NCs. Life would be so much easier. 

[Çnote]

18 hours ago, Juliano88 said:

Fuente 

Davidoff 

AG cigars 

Meerapfel

Illusione 

Tatuaje 

Paul Garmirian 

Avowed 

Casdagli 

Atabey/Byron.

Lots of high points here.

[Capn_Jackson]

17 hours ago, griller said:

I read this & realized that our palates are nearly identical! Completely agree that it is best to separate CC and NC as unique cigar experiences & each can stand on their own depending on what YOU prefer in flavors, body, strength, etc. I love my CCs, but really enjoy NCs from Fab5/Bond Roberts, Illusione Epernay, Fume d'Amor and Haut 10s, Curivari Seleccion Privada & Gloria de Leon lines, Aladino (the Vintage Lancero is AMAZING!), Paul Garmirian, Davidoff Aniversario, and Leaf by Oscar Corojo. Maduro wrappers are a bit of a turn off for me, but any of these in a natural wrapper is going to deliver a sublime experience if it has been stored & treated well. 

Forgot about the Curivari Gloria de Leon, yes that’s a great smoke! And yes, the Aladino Vintage Lancero is excellent. I didn’t like the Robusto as much, something about it was off-putting, but the skinny is glorious

[Chibearsv]

20 hours ago, Rhod said:

At the risk of sounding like a message board ass-kisser, I have to say that about all I seem to want over the past year plus is Fab 5 smokes. Particularly the Spada Gorda and the Lancero. My Cuban collection seems to consistently disappoint me with either construction or lack of taste. Exceptions being my Feb '23 box of RASS that is down to the halfway mark. Also, a box of '19 Romeo No 1 that is sadly down to the last 7 or 8 sticks.

I think you share a common opinion with many of us. I would always recommend that someone looking for NC suggestions should purchase the Fab 5 sampler, give it 30-60 days before smoking any of them and then try them all. Wait another 30-60 and try them all again.  

[NYGuido]

3 hours ago, Chibearsv said:

I think you share a common opinion with many of us. I would always recommend that someone looking for NC suggestions should purchase the Fab 5 sampler, give it 30-60 days before smoking any of them and then try them all.  Wait another 30-60 and try them all again.  

And do them at 65% RH. I know, I know, Cuban cigars and Cuban-profile cigars a lot of folks like at 62, which I do as well and prefer for the Bond Roberts blends. BUT I recently tried 65% for Fab5 on Rob's recommendation, and I love it!

[ScubaDave]

I will second the folks who said Oliva Serie V Melanio and the Arturo Fuente Hemingway; in the natural and maduro (can be hard to find in the Hemingway's) for both. If like a little more punch to the flavor, the Partagas 2000s are also tasty. 

[MrBirdman]

The choices can be overwhelming. There’s a lot of good suggestions here already. 

The one I would add is my perfect morning cigar: Davidoff Grand Cru No.2. It’s on the lighter end, but if you like Cuban tobacco it is a great fit. With some coffee on a Sunday morning - 🤌. Back when Coloniales were less than half the price of these, the Trini was my regular morning smoke while the GC2 was a treat. Now that the price differential is inverted, there’s no contest. 

They’re still pricey, but you should be able to find singles, and can keep an eye on gray market sites for boxes. They’re frequently available for 10 to 20% off retail, with occasional dips well below even that.

Advanced user tip: in spite of all the aging Davidoff does, these nevertheless really benefit from at least a year or two of additional aging. They can be a little vegetal when young. While most non-Cuban cigars are well into their decline by 7 years, I have some GC#2 sticks at least that old that are smoking as good as ever. I’d say they continue to improve for at least 2 to 3 years.