El Presidente Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 I know this is one of the questions I will be asked about in my travels. The good, the bad and the ugly. I would like to pass on your thoughts.
Guest rob Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 Love Genios. Sercretos not so much. Magicos. good. not great.
mkz Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 Only tried a few secretos: Bland taste and serious draw problems...
SofaKing Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 I'm interested in the general opinons to, as I may be looking to pick up a box of Genios and have read either rave or bad reviews.
sounddust Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 I have a 25 of the Secretos and I love it. 7 or 8 sticks now and fantastic construction, draw and flavor. It's incredible how something so small can knock you off your feet smiling like Ronaldinho. The Genios is fine for solid, complex smoke of the maduro kind. I have a tenner and the couple I smoked were fine. Also, the Maduro 5 series tend to burn slower than the rest of the CCs so that's something to consider. Also, they are gorgeously presented with the dark wrapper enhancing the double bands. All in all, a great idea from HSA as it's probably the only true maduros from them in current production. How about an extension to the other brands as these dark beauties are ultra expensive.
yossie Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 Genios is very good but not worth for the price. that's too pricy and unlike Cohiba.
patman24 Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 I agree with the secretos having poor construction, some are just plugged. However the flavor is great.
perfectform Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 I have only sampled a few Secretos and enjoyed them very much, but would not spring for a box. Siglo I blows it away to my tastes...
habanohal Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 HAd them all. Secretos taste like Siglo 1 to me. Actually look same shades from what I have. Magicos are .ok Genios are also ok, but taste more on the Non-Cuban side. Way too expensive for them, but that is why I think that thjey are putting everyth9ing in boxes of 10
Fatshotbud Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 I have smoked each - interesting and unique profiles with very good construction. Not sure on their decision of sizes though.... Secretos are competing with Siglo I and gut feeling is Siglo will prevail - Would have been more interesting IMHO if they had pushed out to a longer presentation maybe 155 length. Magicos? - Think they missed the mark here offering another 52ring - Cut down version on Genios was my first impression. It is still a good cigar but lowest on my list for further purchase (would go Genios) - Would be curious what this blend would do in a Grand Corona or even Double Corona presentation - random thoughts Genios are competing with Siglo VI - Gut feeling is they will hold their own (agree it is best of the three) - a Pyramid would have been kickass too!
Professor Twain Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 I know this is one of the questions I will be asked about in my travels. The good, the bad and the ugly. I would like to pass on your thoughts. Haven't had the Genios. I have had mixed experience with the Secretos, have smoked about half a dozen. Some of them have been rich and sweet with a chocolate graham cracker crust flavor. To me, not at all like a Cohiba though. Others have been very ordinary with a burnt espresso flavor like an EL wrapper. I bought 10 of the Magicos, have shared them with friends. They seemed dull compared to the best of the Secretos, I have not had a great one yet. The boxes are great. I need to bust into what I have and give you an updated report.
PigFish Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 Being generally against small numbers of expensive cigars in shiny boxes but otherwise for supporting efforts at producing smaller cigars I compromised my free will and tried the Secretos. Several friends had spoken highly of them so I gave them a try. I found the wrappers of poor quality but the overall construction good. I found the taste sour and dusty. They are dry, powdery and acidic on my palate. Considering that others have raved about them my conclusion is that they are inconsistent and I have proven to myself once more that 'premium' Cuban cigars are no better than normal production and often inferior. Give me an everyday Siglo, a proven thoroughbred over a hybrid anytime. Alas I am the village voice (idiot) as the hoards will continue buy into the hype of special cigars at the cost of Cuban heritage cigars and their wallets. If cigars were made of bullshit they would carry an EL band!!! Tell that to your friends at H SA. Feel free to quote me!
El Presidente Posted February 12, 2009 Author Posted February 12, 2009 Give me an everyday Siglo, a proven thoroughbred over a hybrid anytime. Alas I am the village voice (idiot) as the hoards will continue buy into the hype of special cigars at the cost of Cuban heritage cigars and their wallets. If cigars were made of bullshit they would carry an EL band!!! Tell that to your friends at H SA. Feel free to quote me! That is what they want to hear......and ignore
PigFish Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 Like I said Rob... village voice! I like the quote the quote on EL's though... feel free to share it at just the right drunken moment.
El Presidente Posted February 12, 2009 Author Posted February 12, 2009 Like I said Rob... village voice! I like the quote the quote on EL's though... feel free to share it at just the right drunken moment. I don't drink at strategic meetings
shrink Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 I wasn't impressed by either the Secretos or the Genios. To me, they tasted like regular Cohiba filler inside a sweeter, maduro wrapper. I found that the wrapper actually diminished the classic Cohiba flavor profile, rather than enhancing it. In fact, they don't taste Cuban to me.
PigFish Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 I don't drink at strategic meetings Yeah... and my humidor is filled with 50+ ring EL cigars!
kilroy Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 I bought 10 of the Magicos, have shared them with friends. They seemed dull compared to the best of the Secretos, I have not had a great one yet. I liked that Magicos that you gave me. Then again I'm a sucker for anything maduro. I've got a 10 box of secretos that I've gone through in about 2 months. I suppose I got a good box because they've all been wonderful. Too small though.. they need a laguito #1 or #2 size made. HSA could make an entire new line of just maduro cigars but marketing wise I'm betting they'd get a better response if they just did runs of each brand (monte maduro, hoyo maduro, etc)... ... Partagas Serie du Connoisseur #1... maduro... now I'm drooling...
Rogers72 Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 Too expensive. Won't even try a single b/c I am scared that I may fall in love!
Colt45 Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 Give me an everyday Siglo, a proven thoroughbred over a hybrid anytime.If cigars were made of bullshit they would carry an EL band!!! Once again, you are not alone. I've not tried any of the line, and won't be purchasing any on my own. I've no problem with the concept of a maduro havana, but something about the way they've gone with the marketing rubs me the wrong way. And though undecided about it, I think I feel that rather than bastardize current lines with offshoots, I'd rather see a new marque made up of maduro cigars. I guess I might say the same about the upcoming Montecristo sport. At the end of the day, to each their own.
DocRKS Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 HSA could make an entire new line of just maduro cigars but marketing wise I'm betting they'd get a better response if they just did runs of each brand (monte maduro, hoyo maduro, etc)... I didn't think they had the capability of producing enough Maddy wrapper to fill the production demands such an offering would require... I have thoroughly enjoyed the Genios I have tried - not the greatest QPR I have seen - but a tasty and well made cigar.
Van55 Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 On the strong recommendation of a friend, I invested in a box of the Secretos. At least I think I did. I can't remember on which shelf of my humidor that I stored it and wouldn't know where to find it. I haven't even thought about cracking it open yet.
shortsqueeze Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 I don't like them at all for multiple reasons. Not worth the money, not characteristic of the brand they represent, and a further distraction from many areas in the Habanos portfolio that need attention. IMO, Habanos is spreading itself too thin. The "Monte Lite" line is more of the same. Be honest with yourself Habanos, the resources you have are limited. Use them wisely; that includes those tangible and intangible.
Professor Twain Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 I just finished smoking a Secretos, I had set mine aside and almost forgotten about them. This one was remarkably sweet and chocolatey, right from the start. In fact the first puff reminded me of the taste of one of those dark chocolate dipped sugar sticks that you can dip into coffee. Throughout the cigar I got rich, sweet, dark chocolate taste, with a hint of espresso served with extra sugar. It is a one dimensional cigar that has nothing in common with the Cohiba taste to me, and really nothing in common with any Cuban cigar taste. But the one I just finished, from box code TMO MAY 07, is a great change of pace cigar. I got a full hour of great flavor from this cigar. It also tastes much smoother and richer than any non Cuban maduro I have smoked, and in the olden days I smoked a lot of them. I don't remember the price of these being much more than a Siglo I, I'm sure I paid less than $200 for a box on sale. I agree, it does not have the complexity of a good old Siglo I but it's worth having for the right occasion. I'm definitely glad that I have a few.
Bill Hayes Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 I think the Genios has its place as an LE. I think they would need some time for the flavours to mingle.
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