Well that was a waste of 45 mins

[bopmachine]

Tried my first Jose L. Piedra just now. Was probably the worst cigar I ever had. terrible draw - felt like I was slurping sludge through a straw. Flavour was OK. Cost ?5 but wasnt nearly as nice as the ?4 nic Chinchalero's i prefer for cheap smokes.

Wont be buying that brand again...

[Dencappo]

I agree, they're not great. There is a slight 'trick' to smoking them in my opinion... They need to be smoked like a pipe: slowly with long, gentle draws. Doing this transforms a dire, fowl tasting cigar into a better, pretty tasty (though vegetal) cigar. Still, I agree, if buying in the UK there are better smokes for the wonga.

[Turbo]

I usually keep a couple of these kicking around for when I'm washing the car or cutting the grass etc...... or I give them to guests that have turned up and asked to have a cigar from the humi!!!

I have had some ok ones, so long as you never expect them to be great and like Dencappo said, smoke them slow and easy, they are not very forgiving.

[davidruddell]

Which Jose was it? I've smoked quite a few of the Nacionales, they're not great but found them to have more taste, but poorer construction than the Chinchalero's when I'm on a budget. (most of the time!)

[Smallclub]

IMO the best of the line is by far the Petit Cazadores; this is the only cheap (?1.20 in France) cigar that I buy/smoke?

[eggopp]

Jose L. Piedra... hmmm only one comment... Bleh

[eggopp]

Bopmachine... why dont you head over to newbie greets and introduce yourself and welcome by the way

[bopmachine]

Think I'll do just that :-)

[Drewmidorn]

I have to say that whilst they are not top dollar cigars by any stretch of the imagination I have to agree with turbo and think they (like the quinteros) are ok for a pottering around in the workshop/accounting cigar.

[BIG-KHOL]

pack of 5 nacionals in luxembourg 7.50 euro , i can smoke em at this price but wouldnt pay any more than that. ok for when washing the bike or using to show my other half she don't like cigars

[Turbo]

If they are really not working for you, you could try a Rafael Gonzales panatella extra or Por Larangana Montecarlo?

They are not a size that people normally go for but I think both punch above their weight and I have never had a bad Rafael! I tend to have these with a late morning coffee or after work if there isn't enough time to sit for a couple of hours. I smoke pretty slowly and they normally take up about 45 minutes.

[captain duff]

I usually keep a couple of these kicking around for when I'm washing the car or cutting the grass etc...... or I give them to guests that have turned up and asked to have a cigar from the humi!!!

Yes, but surely it would be even better to use these for such a special occassion:

[Dencappo]

If they are really not working for you, you could try a Rafael Gonzales panatella extra or Por Larangana Montecarlo?

They are not a size that people normally go for but I think both punch above their weight and I have never had a bad Rafael! I tend to have these with a late morning coffee or after work if there isn't enough time to sit for a couple of hours. I smoke pretty slowly and they normally take up about 45 minutes.

I would say the same of the Por Larra?aga panatelas. Short filler, 37 ring gauge 5" length. 1 to 1.5 hour smoke. Absolutely excellent cigar for the price... If you can find them, that is. It's my Go To for the price.

[daverave999]

Funny this thread should pop up as I almost bought a bundle in the airport earlier today but thought better of it...
Between the Por Larranaga Montecarlo and Panetela, I'd go for the former as the construction and how they smoke is remarkably different considering the similarity in price.

[HabanoSy]

Por Larranaga Montecarlo.

I must get myself some of these...

Cheers, HabanoSy