birthday cigar?

[habanos_specialist]

im 24 on the 31st march. im a relative cigar noob so only smoked regular production stuff like epi 2's, psd4, brc etc plus a few regionals n shorter LE's (upman 48's etc).

i have never tried a top quality cuban and my birthday is D day so i need some suggestions. im thinking right now cohiba 1966 but i need some alternatives guys.

ideally i dont wanna spend any more than what a 1966 costs but i want a top quality stand out cigar to enjoy for my birthday. As i said it will be my first super premium cigar so i dont want it to be a let down. these are my choices so far.

please comment on my choices if youve had them flavour wise, or feel free to offer something not on the list

cohiba 1966
montecristo sublime
cohiba behike 56
partagas lusitanias
siglo 6

[Sligub]

I personally wouldn't go for the 1966, 2 reasons ive heard some hit and miss reviews and it will be a bit young.
Of the others I would go for the monticristo.

[habanos_specialist]

thanks, i heard some great reviews on the monty, sautters say its the best cigar they sell period on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhrYiYAlPlI.

plus its cheaper too so im glad u said that lol.

[Smallclub]

I disagree. There are bad boxes of Monte Sublime, and there are many people who find them weak.
The safe choice is the BHK, precisely the BHK 54 which is more intense than the 56…

[CaptainQuintero]

I'd go with an Upmann Sir Winston over any of the list if you like Epi #2, the Monte Sublime coming in a close second.

[Smallclub]

I'd go with an Upmann Sir Winston over any of the list if you like Epi #2,

Excellent suggestion, I totally forgot the SW…

[Deano]

Yep Sir Winston maybe, but for a special cigar I'd go for the Behike 54. The '66 is just poop.

[tippexx]

Cuaba Salomon .... or maybe a Diademas if I had one, but I don't!

[Seriesteve]

Siglo VI
If you get your hands on a decent aged one, you'll never forget the experience nor this Birthday
Ss

[Simon-JG-hr]

I'd agree with the suggestions for the BHK 54 - in my book definitely the best cigar in the Behike BHK range. That said, I must add that I absolutely adore the Monte Sublime. I'm not a huge Monte fan, but that is a cigar which always delivers for me, a real smoke in my book. Outside of them, the only other couple of options I'd suggest would be either an LGC Gloriosos (UK RE) - a handy bit of age on them now - or a special release Partagas (think Festival type releases, not LEs - but you've got to find the right vendor to get your hands on them).

[cbob]

I'd go with a classic that will probably continue in production for a long time to come over something that is currently being hyped and may disappoint or a LE or RE that will not be around next year.
It's your birthday. If you choose wisely, you could enjoy your 'birthday cigar' for years to come.

In my case, I celebrated my 40th with a Romeo y Julieta Churchill the most expensive cigar I had ever purchased at the time. It was suggested to me by a trusted tobacconist and was (again, at the time) the best cigar I had ever smoked. I was hooked on premium Cubans from that day forth.
If I had known then, what I know now-that age will improve those tasty Cuban smokes- I would have gone back, bought a box, and could have enjoyed one of my 'birthday cigars' for another 25 years. (Big sigh)

Your tastes are bound to be different from mine (perhaps a PSD4or a Boli CG or a Lusi is more to your liking) but the idea of picking out a 'yearly ritual' smoke is one you may wish to consider.

(Yes, I have a 'ritual' NYE smoke too; a Montecristo A)

[JOAO LA PEZ]

I have an un opened box of Quintero Panatella's that are approaching the 2 year mark will open next year and do the one on my birthday thing, i know they are cheap and cheerful but i likes em, anyhow today being that special day i have a Party PSDN4 EL crying out my name.

[Monkey Nuts]

I have an un opened box of Quintero Panatella's that are approaching the 2 year mark will open next year and do the one on my birthday thing, i know they are cheap and cheerful but i likes em, anyhow today being that special day i have a Party PSDN4 EL crying out my name.

Happy birthday Jon!! Have a good one mate - enjoy the 'Party'

[JOAO LA PEZ]

Cheers Geoff, it was delicious.