the quality perception pyramid

[anacostiakat]

The one marca I find interesting that is missing is Robaina. Frankly I have always found them to be well made. Although I will admit my experience has been exclusively with the Don Alejandro.

[Ken Gargett]

The one marca I find interesting that is missing is Robaina. Frankly I have always found them to be well made. Although I will admit my experience has been exclusively with the Don Alejandro.

correct. it has slipped through the cracks being a new brand. forget exactly when it kicked off but i suspect post 1995/7, well post from memory, which was when the original list that brought all this about was done. i'd be thinking it would not be out of place on level 2, at least as far as my list goes. be interesing what rob thinks.

[dragon]

Ken,

Curious why you have Trinidad on level 2 as opposed to level 1? I've always considered the entire Trinidad line as top notch myself.

[Ken Gargett]

Ken,

Curious why you have Trinidad on level 2 as opposed to level 1? I've always considered the entire Trinidad line as top notch myself.

i guess for me they waver between the two but have had a few that have been less exciting so hence probably leaning to the second level. also, often had good trini's but can't say that i have ever had a great one. i know lots will have had better experiences than mine.

[Alberto_Magnus]

1. SLR, La Gloria Cubana, Diplomatico, Quai D'Orsay,

2. Upmann, Trinidad, Punch, Ramon Allones, Bolivar, Juan Lopez

3. Cohiba, HDM, ERDM, Por Larranaga, Montecristo, Partagas

4. Sancho Panza, Rafael Gonzalez. Fonseca, Cuaba

5. The rest.

I am just talking quality folks....not taste preference. Time period is the past 3 years.

Interestingly (at least to me) The top tier and bottom tier are all low production cigars. In the bottom tier shown (Sancho etc) they appear to have given up based upon some of the rubbish I have seen over the past 3 years. Very disappointing.

It's quite interesting reading Rob's pyramid...

Talking about Quai d'Orsay, here in Italy we've only recently (June if I'm not mistaken) introduced one vitola, the Imperiale, and they are way too fresh to be judged thoroughly. From what I've smoked, they have a tremendous potential; the bitter and ammonia bite of the fresh cigar came in between great flavours. We'll see in 2-3 years.

As La Gloria Cubana, in Italy we've remained just with the Tainos, as the no.s in between 1 and 4 have been taken away from distribution (maybe n.2 remained, I'm not sure). I have a box of n.3 and am enjoying them a lot. What a great construction and light yet persistant taste.