Your Thoughts on Villiger Grossformat Export?

[2013AD]

Generally, Villiger is reputed as one of the best machine made cigar brands on the market.

To put this enquiry into perspective, my first experience with cigars were with budget brands including Hamlet, Panama and (Castella) Classic. Even as a beginner I didn't think much of them - bitter tasting with fast burn time. Then again they were budget brands so I guess it was kinda expected. I then tried some of the cigars in the Henri Wintermans range, which I thought were decent - the Corona Deluxe was pretty decent. In the process of trying various brands of cigars, I was cultivating my taste, and this soon led me to hand-rolled Cubans.

As of today, I am strictly a Cuban cigar smoker. However, given Villiger's reputation as a premium machine made cigar brand I'm curious about their Grossformat Exports (Natural and Maduro versions, the latter of which is only sold in specialist tobacconists), which you can find in supermarkets throughout the UK. I am considering buying myself a pack, but before doing so I would like to hear your thoughts on this cigar. From your individual perspectives, could you describe the qualities of this cigar (details such as taste, body, burn time)? Could you also compare this cigar with other supermarket cigars (Henri Wintermans for example) as well as Cubans?

Before I forget, my greetings to all the other members on this forum.

[Zebedee]

I actually smoked one of these not too long ago though it was before I started getting into this a bit more seriously but it just wasn't a pleasant smoke. Every hamlet, H. Winterman, cafe creme, panama and cheap other off the shelf cigar at my local supermarket or dodgy corner shop has had the same acrid chemical laced tobacco taste that I do not associate with cigars anymore. Same with the Villiger, just not as awful.

The first few proper cigars I smoked were a Macanudo 1968 Corona and a La Rica Robusto Maduro (Which was actually a really pleasant smoke, not great- but good for the price though there are definitely better.) and the difference between these and the Villiger was huge. Absolutely no comparison.

From what I remember of it, it burned fast for a cigar that size- but knowing more about construction now I guess that's because they don't use long filler in machine rolled (unless these are an exception). Taste wise? Nothing special, it was a while ago and at the time I wasn't any good at picking up individual flavour notes but I remember smoking it because I had bought it and like fuck was I going to waste a few pounds throwing away that infernal thing. I couldn't tell you vitola but off the top of my head I'd guess something similar in size to a Robusto.

It just wasn't a nice cigar, it wasn't as cheap and nasty as some other ones are- but I wouldn't recommend picking them up, stick to hand rolled cigars. There are plenty you can get for I'm sure a fairly similar price range maybe slightly higher that are waaaay better.

Also start checking out some non-cubans if that's all you smoke.

Edited- Please don't discuss non-UK tax paid sources.

[butternutsquashpie]

Heyy mate,
Firstly, pop on over to the "introductions" section of the forum and spread your wings there! you should be greeted with the same way you do us: very kindly

secondly, i love their little cigarillos. I had a culebras cigarillos the other day.... and for a mixed fibre binder, the taste was absolutely fantastic!! culebras came to around 3 dollars a stick so each 1 dollar segment lasted me a good 20 minutes of fantastic flavour. I say they'd match up to the cohiba cigarillos that i have once in every little while. that should say enough, eh?
With that and this thread in mind, i'll definitely try some more vilager vitolas when i've the chance!!

[ValeTudoGuy]

Zebedee, I hope I'm not overstepping the mark here as a total newbie myself and I hope you take this in the friendly way it's meant.
I would be careful in making suggestions of places to trade cigars from outside of the UK, the forum has a specific rule which as I read it explicitly outlines its not acceptable to discuss exactly what your discussing.

I not trying to be a dick, I would just hate to see you get in trouble over an innocent mistake before you even have your feet under the table as they say.

If I have misinterpreted or misrepresented the forum rules in any way I apologise.

Marc

[tippexx]

so I would like to hear your thoughts on this cigar.

Could you also compare this cigar with other supermarket cigars (Henri Wintermans for example)

Before I forget, my greetings to all the other members on this forum.

In a word .... Awful.

Closest comparison would be a fire in a compost heap. If you really want a good machine made try these:- http://www.mysmokingshop.co.uk/index...an=448&cat=106

How do Villiger compare to Cubans? .... about as well as Dawn French would racing Mo Farah up an escalator. On the plus side Villiger are consistently horrible, with hand made Cubans you never know what you're gonna get!

Hi and welcome 2013AD!

[Deano]

lol brilliant comparison Arf. Never tried one, probably never will now!

[smokin_e2011]

In a word .... Awful.

Closest comparison would be a fire in a compost heap. If you really want a good machine made try these:- http://www.mysmokingshop.co.uk/index...an=448&cat=106

How do Villiger compare to Cubans? .... about as well as Dawn French would racing Mo Farah up an escalator. On the plus side Villiger are consistently horrible, with hand made Cubans you never know what you're gonna get!

Hi and welcome 2013AD!