[radix]

I don't know if there are any cigar buffs here on the forums. Today I had to say goodbye to some suspect old friends. After a careful inspection of this humidor (a Prometheus):



I found several bad apples.



Despite my best efforts, I must have been remiss as they all developed relatively minute, but still worrisome amounts of mold. I've purchased a replacement hygrometer as I'm certain that I've maintained the proper temperature and humidity. In all, three of my Trinidad Fundadores,

http://www.cigars-review.org/Trinidad-Fundadores.htm

two of my Por Larranaga Petite Coronas:

http://www.cigars-review.org/Por-Lar...it-Coronas.htm

and one Partagas Serie D No. 4

http://www.cigars-review.org/Flor-de...rie-D-No-4.htm

bit the dust today. I'm going to really miss the Trinidads.

[radix]

Anyhow, I figured we could start an official cigar thread since we don't seem to have one. FWIW, I've got some Trinidad Robusto Extras on the way to console me for my loss. Although I've given plenty of advice on spotting fake Habanos on this forum before, when my next box arrives, I might post a quick tutorial here with photos.

[Dan in PA]

How do you know you're getting genuine Cuban cigars? I don't doubt that yours are real, I'm just curious.


Edit: You beat me to it.

[radix]

Originally Posted by Dan in PA

How do you know you're getting genuine Cuban cigars? I don't doubt that yours are real, I'm just curious.


Edit: You beat me to it.

There are several ways. The first is buying from a known good vendor who is an authorized dealer for Habanos SA. The second method is be careful inspection of the packaging, this gets pretty detailed, but more on that later. Third would be observation of the presentation. Last would be an inspection of the bands and the cigars themselves. I personally don't buy from vendors that deband, but there are some legitimate ones that do nevertheless.

For the record, I'm not going to discuss sources in this thread, nor should anyone else.

[Dan in PA]

Originally Posted by radix

There are several ways. The first is buying from a known good vendor who is a friend of Habanos SA. The second method is be careful inspection of the packaging, this gets pretty detailed, but more on that later. Third would be observation of the presentation. Last would be an inspection of the bands and the cigars themselves. I personally don't buy from vendors that deband, but there are some legitimate ones that do nevertheless.

For the record, I'm not going to discuss sources in this thread, nor should anyone else.

Interesting. I live close to Cigars International, their retail location is very nice. The entire store is a humidor and the smell is just delicious.

I know very little about cigars and no longer consume tobacco or alcohol, but they're still an interesting topic.

[kaykay]

The difference between a Cuban and a Dominican cigar is night and day. You can tell the moment you light up.

Montecristo No. 3 is my top cigar, not too heavy, just nice. Can't go wrong with a Cohiba Piramides Millenium. My father loves Partagas, they're very nice. Some of their limited or special cigars are fantastic. Romeo y Julieta's belong in the humidor as well.

Haven't order cigars, usually pick them up from the airport or cigar shops while abroad.

[radix]

Originally Posted by Dan in PA

Interesting. I live close to Cigars International, their retail location is very nice. The entire store is a humidor and the smell is just delicious.

I know very little about cigars and no longer consume tobacco or alcohol, but they're still an interesting topic.

Of course they won't have habanos, at least not in the walk-in humidor, but that doesn't mean that you can't enjoy a good Padron or Fuente now and again.

[radix]

Originally Posted by kaykay

The difference between a Cuban and a Dominican cigar is night and day. You can tell the moment you light up.

Montecristo No. 3 is my top cigar, not too heavy, just nice. Can't go wrong with a Cohiba Piramides Millenium. My father loves Partagas, they're very nice. Some of their limited or special cigars are fantastic. Romeo y Julieta's belong in the humidor as well.

Haven't order cigars, usually pick them up from the airport or cigar shops while abroad.

Never tried the No 3's to be frank, I'll have to give em a shot. I still have a few Edmundo's and several No 4's as well. The Edmundo's are pretty good, but not as good as the Serie D's IMO. The No 4's are a decent giveaway or daily smoker. PLPCs give you more for the price though IMO.

[gonzo]

There is a cigar shop by my place and EVERY day ALL day from morning until night the lot is full of Mercedes and such. I may be in the wrong bizzness.

[Feyd]

MMmm... I like cigars.

OP you should check out Bodeva humidipaks.... I was skeptic, but I've been using them for over a year now and they work wonders, and there is very little/no chance of mold.

I really like dunhills... just something about that connecticut wrapper that makes them so good.

I've only got one Cuban at the moment (Cohiba) that I actually got from Wolfgang Puck ironically... but I'm waiting for a special occasion before I tear into that one.

[2000gsr]

I'm onto the Romeo & Julietta no#2 right now.

[OEMconcept]

Originally Posted by 2000gsr

I'm onto the Romeo & Julietta no#2 right now.

+1 best bang for the buck IMO

[PsychoSlug]

Big fan of Rocky Patel's Vintage 1999. I haven't tried any of his others, but plan on it.

[BTM]

Have very casually smoked cigars before, Montecristo was my favorite, not too expensive or heavy. I always see ads for Davidoff...what's the word on those?

[Feyd]

Originally Posted by BTM

Davidoff...what's the word on those?

They aren't bad, but in my experience they are pretty expensive. There are better smokes for that kind of money IMO. $18-$30 a stick kind of takes the fun out of it. LOL..

[BTM]

Originally Posted by Feyd

They aren't bad, but in my experience they are pretty expensive. There are better smokes for that kind of money IMO. $18-$30 a stick kind of takes the fun out of it. LOL..

Haha wasn't aware they were that expensive...hard for me to spend that much on cigars...I like drinking much better than smoking, I'll just save it for my scotch budget

[Feyd]

Originally Posted by BTM

Haha wasn't aware they were that expensive...hard for me to spend that much on cigars...I like drinking much better than smoking, I'll just save it for my scotch budget

They do have some less expensive ones, but they are a really small gauge.... Trust me, you don't want to be caught in public smoking a cigar the size of a #2 pencil.

[Lagger1]

Originally Posted by Feyd

They do have some less expensive ones, but they are a really small gauge.... Trust me, you don't want to be caught in public smoking a cigar the size of a #2 pencil.

why not?!? I do all the time (well not that real skinny shit I think you're talking about). The minitaures are more convienent about 90% of the time when you dont have an hour & a half to burn having a stogie. Besides, CAO's little cameroons & maduros are not bad. Padron's always gonna be best bang for the buck. Patel's killing it with his line ups right now and I like La Flor Dominicana after it opened back up & Camacho.

[Feyd]

Originally Posted by Lagger1

why not?!? I do all the time (well not that real skinny shit I think you're talking about). The minitaures are more convienent about 90% of the time when you dont have an hour & a half to burn having a stogie. Besides, CAO's little cameroons & maduros are not bad. Padron's always gonna be best bang for the buck. Patel's killing it with his line ups right now and I like La Flor Dominicana after it opened back up & Camacho.

I'm 6'3" @ ~255lbs, and built like a brick shit-house..... they look a bit "diminuative" when I smoke them.

Also, I only smoke cigars when I have the time to enjoy them completely. Outdoor party/golfing, etc. If I needed/wanted to smoke more frequently maybe my story would be different, but I don't so it isn't.

[Lagger1]

Damn dog, and you drive a 135?!? But yeah, smoking stoges that small, people think you be smoking blunts

but yeah, kidding aside, I feel ya on the occassional front. Definately good to keep to minimum. On a side note, I like enjoying my cigars rolling thru a Vegas lobby or after a good Mortons/Mastros steak & bottle of wine.

[ragingclue]

Crap, what a disappointment this thread is... I was expecting Monica Lewinsky noodz....

[Feyd]

Originally Posted by Lagger1

Damn dog, and you drive a 135?!?

Yep, and quite comfortably. I actually used to own a Z4 before the 135. It's important to note that I am far from "heavy-set" just kind of wide... Shoulder clearance has always been my issue.