I like variety, do you?

[dizedean]

I can't choose just one.

I would say I have liked/loved cigars from at least a dozen different marca.

Why cheat myself, variety is the spice.

[ironpeddler]

This can vary from cigar to cigar, vintage to vintage, etc, and is also subject to personal preference. Generally speaking, in my opinion a cigar which exhibits strong or at least distinct traits early on will tend to have better long term potential than a cigar which does not.

Using the Bolivar as an example, if / when the distinct leather started to turn to more of a tea-like profile, I'd consider it fading. Others may enjoy and even look forward to this time in a cigar's development.

There can of course be exceptions. I have a box of H. Upmann Magnum 46 from '05 that early on, were fairly one dimensional and rather bland. Over this past year or so, they have taken on more flavor, body, and intensity, and I think still have some maturing to do.

I think that with experience it becomes a little easier to get a feel for how a cigar may develop.

This is so true, there is no substitution for experience....and I don't mean 20-30 years of smoking cigars. I mean, if you are a constant smoker over a reasonable amount of time, smoking various vintages, you can taste potential in a new cigar. But that potential is ALWAYS based on your personal preferences...as Colt45 mentions...I don't think that can be helped. I also think this prediction process has a lot to do with the particular brand. If you smoke a lot of H.Upmann, you have a measured advantage in noticing potential than someone like me who doesn't smoke the entire line.

Now, there are many basic traits that span the whole spectrum of the cigar world that cross over, taste wise, but we all know there are inherent taste traits within each brand. Recently there seems to be an increase in the mavericks within a brand with Regional releases & Limited Editions, but all in all, the brands TRY to remain consistent to their past and tradition.

I'm not one to pick out many different flavors, I have my own base line of 5 or 6...but that has served me well for many years. I look at the flavor wheel and try to pick up some other, new flavors, but for me, I'm not able....fresh cut oak is one of them!...lol

I have always preached personal preference when smoking cigars, the very first rule we teach a new smoker when asked, but I DO volley with others when we talk about potential of a particular cigar or brand that I am familiar with.

Most of the time I can't explain it in words when I detect a lack or increased potential in a cigar...it's more of an overall feeling from all my senses...experience I guess.

[CoventryCat86]

Five to ten. I used to pick up others but found out that I don't really like them so I stopped looking for them.

[audio1der]

I beleive I counted 22 including hand-rolleds as one.

Some marcas I do not enjoy as production, but their REs are outstanding (Punch) so I don't have many.

Others, (boli, RYJ, Upmann, Hoyo) dominate.

But who doesn;t like variety? There's nothing better than standing in front of the humi and picking out what you're in the mood for, rather than picking from what you have.

[Ken Gargett]

really interesting thread.

Bolivar -- more and more (but not the fat boys).

Cohiba -- love them, a good range within.

Cuaba -- the only reason i have any of these left is simply because i cannot bring myself to smoke them. a few of the larger formats.

Diplmaticos -- a few.

El Rey del Mundo -- sadly lacking

Fonseca -- no

Guantanamera -- no

H. Upmann -- yes but probably fewer than i should.

Hoyo de Monterrey -- yes

Jose L. Piedra -- are you kidding?

Juan Lopez -- also, poorly represented.

La Gloria Cubana -- love the two's but i don't think anything else.

Montecristo -- compulsory

Partagas -- even more compulsory

Por Larranaga -- must have the plpc's and the regionals have been good.

Punch -- still a few SS2's but not much else.

Quai D'Orsay -- no

Quintero -- no

Rafael Gonzalez -- no

Ramon Allones -- a few

Romeo y Julieta -- yes.

Saint Luis Rey -- actually have doscovered that i have more SLR DC's than any other smoke in the humidor but little else. a few churchills.

San Cristobal de la Habana -- only a couple of sticks

Sancho Panza -- a few remaining big boys.

Trinidad -- only a few sticks.

Troya -- no

Vegas Robaina -- none left

Vegueros -- no

so i guess, technically, i'm in the over 15 category but the vast majority fall within about 8 to 10 maques.

[Ken Gargett]

i guess you could add a bunch of hamlets and a few other rollers in there as well.

[jwm8592]

This can vary from cigar to cigar, vintage to vintage, etc, and is also subject to personal preference. Generally speaking, in my opinion a

cigar which exhibits strong or at least distinct traits early on will tend to have better long term potential than a cigar which does not.

Using the Bolivar as an example, if / when the distinct leather started to turn to more of a tea-like profile, I'd consider it fading. Others may

enjoy and even look forward to this time in a cigar's development.

There can of course be exceptions. I have a box of H. Upmann Magnum 46 from '05 that early on, were fairly one dimensional and rather

bland. Over this past year or so, they have taken on more flavor, body, and intensity, and I think still have some maturing to do.

I think that with experience it becomes a little easier to get a feel for how a cigar may develop.

Thanks Colt, makes quite a bit of sense. And as you put it personal preference is a big part of it.

[smokem]

If I had the room I would have them all!

If I had the MONEY I would have them all!

[DocRKS]

Got to experience them all!!!!!

Otherwise it's like a composer sitting down to write a musical piece but be limited to using only the same few notes over and over... It can be done, that's certain. But why?

There is such a spectrum of flavors and tastes out there to experience - go for them all!!!

[BonVivant]

Got to experience them all!!!!!

Otherwise it's like a composer sitting down to write a musical piece but be limited to using only the same few notes over and over... It can be done, that's certain. But why?

There is such a spectrum of flavors and tastes out there to experience - go for them all!!!

Great comparison to a composer!

Variety is always the answer. From the current production (mid 90's-200X) Los Statos, Troya and Vegueros are not with me (smoked and gave away all of those long time ago).

[jeromeroselli]

I find myself always being prejudice against variety.

Sometimes I feel.. Well, I can have x amount of this cigar I've never tried, or 2 coro's for the same price.

The coro's always seem to win.

Unless there is a 20% off sale, then everything is game for the taking

I love Robustos, am just beginning the Petit Corona education, love half coronas, and as far

as larger vitolas go, I find that I enjoy them far less. I've been smoking for awhile and have gone through several stages. I do find that a Lonsdale can be completely satisfying if you've got the time.

Bigger Cigars = Buddies hanging out after a great meal

Robustos= same

Smaller cigars= Grill, yard, etc.

[Mr Peales]

12 Marcas; mostly Partagas, then Bolivar, then Upmann, with Monticristo, Punch, Ramon Allones and Vegas Robania tied for fourth position. Then all of the rest with one or two boxes of each.

[mash]

Great poll. Variety is key. 23 Cuban marcas, 150 different sticks.

[Vetteman]

Yes, but only in the 5-6% I smoke that aren't Partagas shorts