\"Necessary\" smokes for an Habanos newbie

[nadavspi]

I apologize if there is already a thread covering this, I didn't find it.

I'm going to visit my family in Israel next week and I'd like to pick up some singles to figure out what I like before I start buying boxes.

I'm mostly looking for medium to full cigar, and some cheap and/or short cigars.

I've only smoked a few Habanos so I appreciate any suggestions.

On the non-Cuban side I've been smoking a variety of Don Pepin sticks, Carlos Torano, Padron, etc.

Here's what I have in mind so far:

Bolivar PC, RC

Partagas Shorts

Punch Punch, RS11, RS12 (I had one and loved it)

RASS©

What should I try from San Cristobal? I had one La Punta and thought it was great.

I hope you can help. This might get expensive so I will consider it a belated birthday present to myself. :-P

[havanaclub7]

I'd add Monte 2, Cohiba Siglo VI, Boli Coronas Gigantes. All of these are excellent cigars when they are "on" and the last three have had great recent stock, which means you don't have to sit on the cigars for 3 or 4 years before they are truly good.

[hoyopr]

» I apologize if there is already a thread covering this, I didn't find it.

» I'm going to visit my family in Israel next week and I'd like to pick up

» some singles to figure out what I like before I start buying boxes.

» I'm mostly looking for medium to full cigar, and some cheap and/or short

» cigars.

» I've only smoked a few Habanos so I appreciate any suggestions.

» On the non-Cuban side I've been smoking a variety of Don Pepin sticks,

» Carlos Torano, Padron, etc.

»

» Here's what I have in mind so far:

» Bolivar PC, RC

» Partagas Shorts

» Punch Punch, RS11, RS12 (I had one and loved it)

» RASS©

» What should I try from San Cristobal? I had one La Punta and thought it

» was great.

»

» I hope you can help. This might get expensive so I will consider it a

» belated birthday present to myself. :-P

Can't help with the SCdLH, not a fan, but you might want to try Diplomatico #2 for a piramide and the Dip #4 for a short and well priced PC

[Jimmy2]

RASS

Mag 46

Monte #2

Patagas Lusi

Bolivar BCF...

R& J Churchill A/T

[winelover]

You've got to try a monte 4 I think. There is nothing quite like a good monte 4 and you might find better examples in the tubes, sold as montecristo petit tubos.

[Colt45]

There are many great cigars, and you'll get many answers. Some cigars will need time to show

their true selves, others, as mentioned, are nice right now. Nothing wrong with your list as it stands.

As for San Cristobal, I enjoy the Principe, and it fits the bill of a shorter cigar. In my opinion, the Punch

RS 12 will need time. I've smoked a few from an '05 box, and they are tannic buggers.

I agree with a number of the cigars mentioned - Montecristo No.4, Bolivar Coronas Gigantes.

I might add the RyJ Short Churchill A/T...... the list goes on :-D

Have a great trip!

[Tampa1257]

You have a good list started. I noticed several people suggesting very large cigars, where you stated that you short cigars or inexpensive ones. Let me suggest the following:

Por Larranaga PC

RyJ Short Churchill

Partagas Serie D No.4

Montecristo No.5

SCdH El Principe

Diplomaticos No.5

Vegas Robaina Famosos

H.Upmann Magnum 46

These along with several of the other already suggested cigars should give you a good mix to decide what you like or don't before you start buying boxes.

Good luck and enjoy!

Tampa

[gpg]

A lot of good suggestions so far.

I'll add another vote for the Por Larranaga PC and the El Principe. You might also try the Hoyo Petit Robusto.

[armedak]

» A lot of good suggestions so far.

»

» I'll add another vote for the Por Larranaga PC and the El Principe. You

» might also try the Hoyo Petit Robusto.

Your idea of going with short sticks is a good one more bang for the buck. I would go with

Partagas Shorts

Por Laranaga Petit Corona

Trinidad Reyes

Cohiba Siglo I

SCDLH El Principe

Bolivar Corona Junior

Montecristo 5

Le Hoyo De Monterrey Du Prince

Ramon Allones Small Club Corona

This will give you a good sampling of the major marcas at somewhat reasonable cost. Good Luck!

[Grasso]

» Here's what I have in mind so far:

» Bolivar PC, RC

» Partagas Shorts

» Punch Punch, RS11, RS12 (I had one and loved it)

» RASS©

Bolivar PC and RASS are great choices. A couple other suggestions:

Diplo #4 or #5

RASCC

Por Larranaga PC

Not on the cheap side - but you should definitely try a Cohiba. Maybe a Siglo III or Robusto. Be careful though, you will probably want to buy more :-P

[Evo03]

Partagas PC Especiales

Punch RS#12

Bolivar Coronas Extra

RASS

[88keys]

The only thing to add to the great advice guys have already given is that when I was in Israel (unfortunately a long time ago) I got some Habanos that were in subpar condition. You want to think about where you buy.

Since 2000 there's been an LCDH in Jerusalem -- here's an article about it from the Jerusalem Post last month:

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid...ticle%2FPrinter

[nadavspi]

» You want to think about where you buy.

Thanks, I'll keep this in mind. I'm planning on checking out the duty free store on the way out as well.