Piggy's Picks

[PigFish]

I thought that I would try to make a commitment this coming year to post some reviews and random cigar thoughts on my own thread. It seems to me that I just get kinda' lost in a daily smoke thread, not as though I regularly post to it. I thought I would keep my cigar comments, ones less than formal reviews here so that I can come back to them a year from now and see where I have been. Now this does not mean that others cannot post to or follow the thread, hell, that is what the forum is for, but this particular thread is oriented somewhat like a blog and as far as I am concerned centered around what I am smoking.

Now I have not discussed the idea with the heads of state here... best sneak this in while the cat is out to play, but I thought it would keep me focused on posting regularly about what I smoke and why and allow any interested to comment and follow along. Perhaps you can even start your own!!!

Happy New Year my friends at FOH. Raise a glass to Rob, Chuck, Ken, Ross and Wilkey for keeping us honest and keeping the place clean. God bless you all this new year.

Now... What am I gonna' smoke?

[Colt45]

but this particular thread is oriented somewhat like a blog and as far as I am concerned centered around what I am smoking.

I'll be honest.......

This is one of the more surprising things I've seen posted here in some time - the antithesis of the spirit of the forum.

But that's just me.

[PigFish]

Not at all... Not a cigar has been posted yet and it has already elicited a reply. My Lord... the dusty old hennishness; a new idea... bah humbug, we can't do that, what would the neighbors think?

Start one of your own Ross, it is not as if it were a private affair; you mistook the point. Haven't you ever thought what a certain friend of yours was choosing to smoke today, perhaps 1000's of miles away? You don't see the fun in a public chronicle of your own that you can look back at over the year? I have often wondered what you were going to be smoking and why. What Rob, or Ken or Wilkey, Van or anyone else was smoking? It is just a different way to skin a cat my friend. I did not say that you had to drop a quarter in just to look!

Cheers! -Ray

[demiurgic]

you gave me an idea Piggy...

I think there is potential for a great thread by old time smokers who advocate/review lower-priced-thin-guaged-regular-production smokes.

Tampa is another person who comes to mind as an ideal candidate for this because of his experiance and I dig what the two of you believe in. Pitch the EL's and vote with your dollars to buy the tastier, and usually cheaper, albiet smaller and skinnier smokes. Yes, YES!

Over time, this hypothetical thread would develop a voice of experiance and a database of guidance to steer newbies to the tastyland of affordability. Because it deals with the cigars which are not reviewed since they may be cheap smokes perhaps, or simply not of the highest caliber. Well, let the thread determine this over time...right?

In my opinion, this is a singular area where FOH is lagging in reviews, and community thereof because to me, the true strength of Habanos lies in dominating NC's in the price vs. perfomance ratio.

Meaning, medium priced Habanos taste like higher priced NC's!

Just a thought which I felt comfortable sharing since you are the thread starter Piggy.

aloha!

[Colt45]

In my opinion, this is a singular area where FOH is lagging in reviews, and community thereof because to me......

And what would the simplest remedy be? For the members who smoke these cigars to post a review. In the review forum. That's what it's there for.

But let me back up a bit. I consider Piggy a friend, and he has my utmost respect (yeah, yeah, kumbaya). I'm in no position to tell anybody what they

can or cannot do. When the blog function was available, it was utilized by one member. I know that there was a technical issue as well, but it was

deactivated either way.

My thought and understanding is that all our opinions are valid, and our takes on cigars we've smoked over time hold equal value. Post a review in

the review forum. Post a thought in the discussion forum. One of the many things I miss about the original forum was that member post counts, post

count related categories, member numbers, etc, were not shown next to posts. I'm no socialist, but I'm no advocate for separatism here.

Again, just my simple opinion.

[demiurgic]

And what would the simplest remedy be? For the members who smoke these cigars to post a review. In the review forum. That's what it's there for.

I agree, go ahead post a review on the review forum!

However, What I am referring to in the above post is a dearth of reviews of cigars such as Partagas Chicos, Partagas Aristrocats, Partagas Petit Coronas Especials, Partagas Habaneros etc etc. And this just in the Partagas Marque!!!

And I think we have some champions for this cause...who have the experiance and gusto required

[samb]

So what will you be smoking?

[PigFish]

But let me back up a bit. I consider Piggy a friend, and he has my utmost respect...

That's the nicest thing you have said to me all year!!! (whiff, whiff... tear... tear!) -LOL

Feeling is mutual my friend! -R

[PigFish]

After smoking my 25 yo Monte Especial on Christmas I thought I would make a parallel comparison to some younger cigars. My first trip back the humidor produced this sample; '03 Monte Especial #1 bought from our friend Rob.

I have had this box in the humidor for a number of years now and sneak a cigar out of it occasionally. Like a bad boy, I have opened up a few too many boxes of the Monte Especial from several years. It is bad form I know but I do love the cigar and it provides for some interesting vertical tasting.

My ''03 #1 started off considerably more pungent than my '80's cigar. I am afraid that the '03 was not quite as well constructed but that is as far as my criticism will likely go. The cigar started off immediately with burnt sugar, caramel with a hint of sweet and a peppery bite. This was in contrast to my '08's cigar which lured me to my doom more gracefully and slowly. The '03 still progressed but to a much more potent cigar from start to finish.

It is hard to say which cigar was "better." Technically it probably be the newer cigar as I tend to like my cigars to bite me back a bit, but overall there was certainly parity of enjoyment of both cigars and the '80's cigar was certainly more refined and more complex.

I have never really pursued too many "well aged" cigar as a result of the hit and miss characteristics redolent of the breed. My wallet does not allow for the purchase of expensive underperforming cigars, my '80's sample was certainly not one of them, but as a result of some bad experiences in the past, I don't often take the risk.

Next up will likely be a more ubiquitous '99 or '00 #1. Cheers! -Piggy

Pictures forthcoming.

[thechenman]

Nice Piggy...looking forward to the pics and reading more comparisons...

[PigFish]

Box...

Cigars

Date

[Colt45]

That's the nicest thing you have said to me all year!!!

shhhhhhh!!!!

[thechenman]

Box...

Cigars

Date

Thanks Piggy...very nice.

[PigFish]

For me the last cigar of the year was nice, rather spicy SLR A from '01. Lady Piggy has been caring for the neighbors pets while they are away skiing. We took the liberty to use their spa, drink their wine, play with their dogs and I was able to squeak in a cigar. It was a nice way to kiss the remainder of 2009 off and kick it in the can on the way out. Cheers, Piggy.

[bassman]

I agree, go ahead post a review on the review forum!

However, What I am referring to in the above post is a dearth of reviews of cigars such as Partagas Chicos, Partagas Aristrocats, Partagas Petit Coronas Especials, Partagas Habaneros etc etc. And this just in the Partagas Marque!!!

And I think we have some champions for this cause...who have the experiance and gusto required

PC Especiale is a good but not great cigar. None of the other 3 impressed me at all.

[FlyingFossil]

While this thread is great for newbies people like me who are not into the judging of how good a cigar is, its very informative

and interesting reading .

My one and only thing is how do you judge whats really good to whats acceptable to others i guess personal views differ

You see I think that cigar smoking its about enjoying it the smoke ( if you can with friends) and really relax .

But everybodys palate diferent to what you really like in a cigar .

Its a bit like wine tasting/drinking, we all have diferent tastes to some a very good wine will taste like cheap plonk and some cheap wines taste great this even goes from drinking of single malt to conagc its a general rule.

Also the frequency of the smoker some of you guys smoke a cigar everyday while others like me smoke maybe 2/3 times a week

I guess its what would be considered subjective palate from the reviewer, the smoker will determine what he was doing at the time if he was if he was alone or in good company (this does affect the outcome too) .

by these comment i dont wish you guys stop doing this on the contrary as a new member I defently want to read more and more about your opinions.

So I will continue to read reviews and find somebody who's palate is similar to mine and see where it leads to as this site is a wealth of information to cigar smokers

Thanx

[PigFish]

While this thread is great for newbies people like me who are not into the judging of how good a cigar is, its very informative

and interesting reading .

My one and only thing is how do you judge whats really good to whats acceptable to others i guess personal views differ

You see I think that cigar smoking its about enjoying it the smoke ( if you can with friends) and really relax .

But everybodys palate diferent to what you really like in a cigar .

Its a bit like wine tasting/drinking, we all have diferent tastes to some a very good wine will taste like cheap plonk and some cheap wines taste great this even goes from drinking of single malt to conagc its a general rule.

Also the frequency of the smoker some of you guys smoke a cigar everyday while others like me smoke maybe 2/3 times a week

I guess its what would be considered subjective palate from the reviewer, the smoker will determine what he was doing at the time if he was if he was alone or in good company (this does affect the outcome too) .

by these comment i dont wish you guys stop doing this on the contrary as a new member I defently want to read more and more about your opinions.

So I will continue to read reviews and find somebody who's palate is similar to mine and see where it leads to as this site is a wealth of information to cigar smokers

Thanx

This is in part the use of the the thread; to see what I like. Not that what I like is better or more important than what you like, it is in part to see if we have similar tastes. If we do we can easily communicate cigar value. What I value you will value. If we discover a big difference in what we like we again can communicate value. What I like you won't and vice versa.

About that part about not being interested in how good a cigar is, don't fool yourself. Once you smoke a bad cigar and a good cigar, you are capable as a judge and as seasoned a jury as any of the rest of us. The thread is about finding common ground and discussing it. As it is not private one can certainly use it as they see fit, hopefully it is enjoyed. -Piggy

[FlyingFossil]

This is in part the use of the the thread; to see what I like. Not that what I like is better or more important than what you like, it is in part to see if we have similar tastes. If we do we can easily communicate cigar value. What I value you will value. If we discover a big difference in what we like we again can communicate value. What I like you won't and vice versa.

About that part about not being interested in how good a cigar is, don't fool yourself. Once you smoke a bad cigar and a good cigar, you are capable as a judge and as seasoned a jury as any of the rest of us. The thread is about finding common ground and discussing it. As it is not private one can certainly use it as they see fit, hopefully it is enjoyed. -Piggy

I see what you mean about the information, I hope it didnt sound wrong or come off as a smarty pants on my part..

I do agree with all your points in fact the statement about not judging a cigar on my part I think its flawed , your right i can tell when its a crap cigar(actually your right we all can)

Its just that some of my smoking friends find some of the cigars they smoke good enough and i find them to taste terrible I guess thats personal choice

But dont think for a moment this was some sort or critism on my part to your thread, on the contrary i was hoping that i may point a few things about as a newbie in cigar smoking or should i say less experienced.

We do have to buy cigars and we will buy them on somebodys assesment hoping they are what they say or at least as good as they say .

I think that the reviews ( personal ones) are extremely helpful provided that your palate is close to the reviewer.

I look forward to your coments on what you find in your choice of smoke and hope that we can keep sharing info on the threads

Cheers and have a good smoke

Diego

[PigFish]

I cannot believe the holidays are over. Man I packed a lot of cigars into the last two weeks.

I made a bit of an exception to my smoking on New Years day. I don't often smoke really large cigars but I have had this custom diademas in my humidor of sometime now and I thought that it might be the time to smoke it. This cigar lasted me the entire Rose Bowl game... and then some.

Days after the 'event' and several cigar under my belt since then I can say that it would have been worthwhile to make my cigar notes prior to today but there is not much I can do about that now.

The cigar was beautifully constructed and was a heavenly smoke. The construction was really flawless but the burn took some time to equalize. The cigar overall was smooth and somewhat monotonic in flavor but not boring. The progression was from that of lightly sweetened cereal; an oaty, milk-sweet flavor of very cool tobacco was just the beginning. For hours the cigar gradually progressed to that of a powerhouse that tasted as though it could have been rolled a month ago. The progression was amazing! I never experienced any tarring or bitter, acrid tastes.

I wish I could tell you more about the cigar, who rolled it and its vintage but I just don't remember it all now. I am sure you know how it is; many cigars in loose cigar area, ones that you had intended to label as special somewhere, somehow but never did. Well this one finally found its way into the history book at La Casa Pigfish... and its time had come! Cheers.

... did I say I smoked more than just a cigar on New Years?

[Van55]

I'll be honest.......

This is one of the more surprising things I've seen posted here in some time - the antithesis of the spirit of the forum.

But that's just me.

In the immortal words of Smithy, "Colt, you're an idiot!"

Seriously, I don't think Piggy's idea is the antithesis of the spirit of the forum at all. He will chronical his views of various cigars that he smokes. We can chime in with our own thoughts. We might be persuaded to try something that we haven't or to look at cigars we've tried from a different perspective.

As is said, no people's tastes are identical. By following this thread I will get a chance to compare my own mental tasting notes to Piggy's and decide whether we have similar tastes or not.

This will be Piggy's on-line cigar diary, so to speak, and I look forward to reading it.

[greenpimp]

Love the thread. It's got it all.

One thing I would like to add to the fray, is that one's tastes change. Our palettes "develop" (or really just change, I believe) based on acquiring experience and through the suggestions/experiences of others. So others trumpeting their preferences is valuable, as long as there is not one viewed as "correct."

A cigar that doesn't do it for you today may ring your bell 5 years from now. Often because you have changed, not the cigar.

[Colt45]

In the immortal words of Smithy, "Colt, you're an idiot!"

No argument from me.

[PigFish]

Alright my friend Ross is not an idiot... Where is that crossed finger smilie? I have had enough of that kinda' talk!!!

I admit that when I first thought about this thread I thought that it might come off a bit egocentric but I think that I have cleared the air of that misconception. Looking for a means to motivate myself to post more cigar mini-reviews and pictures, while at the same time encouraging others to comment has always been the goal. I like the way that it is shaping up so far and I am hoping that more people post up or subscribe to it... and start their own! Cheers! - Piggy

[PigFish]

Love the thread. It's got it all.

One thing I would like to add to the fray, is that one's tastes change. Our palettes "develop" (or really just change, I believe) based on acquiring experience and through the suggestions/experiences of others. So others trumpeting their preferences is valuable, as long as there is not one viewed as "correct."

A cigar that doesn't do it for you today may ring your bell 5 years from now. Often because you have changed, not the cigar.

Obviously I cannot predict the future, if I could I would be a commodities trader! I think that I have settled into my smoking niche, however that does not preclude me from stepping out at times. I am primarily a PC and sub-PC cigar smoker. It is not that I don't want to spend 2 hours smoking but more that I have the need to do other things and I don't like to do those other things while smoking. I don't mind driving or gambling while smoking, I don't even mind working (mentally) while smoking but I don't like being physical while smoking. I like to concentrate on my cigar and enjoy what it is adding to my life. Cigars are hedonistic. Cigars are "me" things!

I don't see myself graduating back to large ring cigars; 42 ring and smaller are my favorites but I can't very well post...

... smoked PLPC

... smoked PLPC

... smoked PLPC

... smoked RGPC

... smoked du Depute....!

I am thinking of posting a series, say 5 days of du Roi! But that might well come on another thread rather than having it get buried in here.

Cheers - the smokin' Pig

[greenpimp]

I've gravitated towards smaller ringed cigars the past 4 or 5 years myself, as my tastes have changed. (I wasn't suggesting you would change Pig, I forgot to inculde the old fart exception )

Someone had just said how everyone's palate is different. While that is true, I just think sometimes we forget, especially when starting out, that what we like now will likely not be exactly the same years from now.

Anyway cheers!