Help with NC Short List

[ACMCC]

Ok amigo's, never smoked an NC before (a henri wintermans 20 years ago... LOL) so it's time to put that right, got a new humi coming saving 3/4 drawers for NC's, going to the state's in a few week's, need some help from the BOTL, going to buy maybe 3/4 box's of low to middle price band and 3/4 box's of upper middle price band, will not have time to try many so going on rec's, all need to be good VFM - bargains and old faithful's also welcome.

What must I have in me humi?

My possibles so far are: (in no particular order and not Knowing the price's)

Padron Anniversary 1926? or 6000?
Rocky Patel Decade
Oliva Serie V
5 Vegas Gold
Arturo Fuente?
H Upmann Vintage camaroon Belicoso
Don Kiki red
Ashton Heritage
C.A.O ?
La Aurora Perferidos
Alec Bradley tempus
Nub Habano
Illusione No. 88

This is prob the oddest list right!

Not Keen on overly box pressed prefer round, not too strong, nice complex flavours.

Any tips will be greatly appreciated

A few silly questions! What's the main difference in taste to cuban's?
where's the best place on-line to order them? I'm staying with relatives first week so can get delivered there, and how many can you bring back through customs?

[G-man]

Ok amigo's, never smoked an NC before (a henri wintermans 20 years ago... LOL) so it's time to put that right, got a new humi coming saving 3/4 drawers for NC's, going to the state's in a few week's, need some help from the BOTL, going to buy maybe 3/4 box's of low to middle price band and 3/4 box's of upper middle price band, will not have time to try many so going on rec's, all need to be good VFM - bargains and old faithful's also welcome.

What must I have in me humi?

My possibles so far are: (in no particular order and not Knowing the price's)

Padron Anniversary 1926? or 6000?
Rocky Patel Decade Oliva Serie V
5 Vegas Gold 5Vega Miami
Arturo Fuente? Sungrown
H Upmann Vintage camaroon Belicoso
Don Kiki red
Ashton Heritage = VSG
C.A.O ? Italia
La Aurora Perferidos
Alec Bradley tempus
Nub Habano
Illusione No. 88
La flor dominicana double liegero
Perdomo habano maduro
man o war
Rocky Patel Sun Grown
Don Pepin Blue lable
Tats
Padilla Miami , 1968,1932,1948

Most can be had Cigars international . com
Famous smokes.com
Any more drop me a message
This is prob the oddest list right!

Not Keen on overly box pressed prefer round, not too strong, nice complex flavours.

Any tips will be greatly appreciated

A few silly questions! What's the main difference in taste to cuban's?
where's the best place on-line to order them? I'm staying with relatives first week so can get delivered there, and how many can you bring back through customs?

U ite want to ask Stoogiedog.

[matt257]

There are some great NC's out there. My list would be something like the following

Illusione - 68 (4x44), HL (7.5x40), CG:4 (5.6x46)
Tatuaje Cabinet Line - Especiales (7.5x38), Unicos (6.1x52 Torp)
Tatuaje Havana VI - Hermosos (5.6x46), Angeles (4.6x42)
Tatuaje Series P - P1 (5.6x46). This Line is the same blend as the Havana VI but a "Cuban Sandwhich" so are cheaper
Tatuaje Black - Only released in a Corona Gorda, but Pete gives out a 3 pack of Robusto's at events.
El Triunfador - Only released in a Lancero
Tatuaje "Frank" - A Double Corona released at Halloween 2008, each year will have a different name and size
La Riqueza - #3 (5.6x46) #5 (4.4x42)
Oliva Serie G Maduro - Any Size
Oliva Serie V - Any Size. They do a limited release Maduro that is very good.
NUb Habano - Any Size
NUb Connecticut - Any Size. I enjoy these as a good morning smoke
A. Fuente - Any Anejo, 858 SG (If you can find them)
CAO - L'Anniversaire Maduro (Any Size), Brazilia (Any Size), LX2 (Any Size)
Ashton - VSG (Any Size), ESG (Good but pricey)
EO 601 - Habano, Habano Oscuro, Connecticut, Maduro (Any Size)
Camacho - Triple Maduro (Any Size)
Padron '26 Maduro - Any Size (the 40th and 80th are best, but more pricey)
Padron '64 Maduro - Any Size
Padron Thousand Series Maduro - Any Size (Good cheap smoke)
La Flor Dominicana Maduro - DL700 (Big Bastard!!), Chisel (STRONG)

Not really a short list But its what I like. Hopefully you will get some ideas from it

[nicwing]

There are some great NC's out there. My list would be something like the following


Not really a short list But its what I like. Hopefully you will get some ideas from it

No Rocky sticks there Mat?

I thought they were highly regarded, any reason for not inclding them?

[Boss Hog]

I would definatley go for some of these that you have not already mentioned

Rocky Patel Old World reserve
Hoyo de Monterey Dark Summatra expresso
Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 Churchill
Any Acid range by drew estates (especially the red, or gold)
padron 2000 maduro robusto
Romeo Y Julieta Habano Reserve Beliscoso or robusto
CAO Brazillia


I would personally in my opinion drop the following as I spat them out.
5 Vegas Gold 5Vega Miami
Don Kiki red

I came through with 50 in a humi I bought and seasoned out there as hand luggage. 25 in a travel humi and another 50 in ziploc bags stuffed in shoes in each case including the kids cases! No bother.

[matt257]

No Rocky sticks there Mat?

I thought they were highly regarded, any reason for not inclding them?

Not a big Rocky fan. A couple of his sticks are OK, but nothing I would seek out. The Decade and Old World Reserve Maduro are good. Not to my tastes I guess

Rocky is held in high regard by many. I think he has way way too many blends. Like Gurkha, they are all very similar in my opinion.

Edited to add: Nic, how many time you hit "Edit" instead of "Quote" I have done that quite alot

[matt257]

I would personally in my opinion drop the following as I spat them out.
5 Vegas Gold 5Vega Miami
Don Kiki red

I enjoy the 5 Vegas Miami Knuckle. I thought it was pretty good

[ACMCC]

Thanks amigos very good info may have to go for a few samplers and a few boxes, any on my list that are duds or too pricey for what they are?......(list is too big so don kiki red gone - 5 vegas maybe a couple of singles)

shops on me list:

C.I
JR
Famous smoke shop
Atlantic
Phoenix
BCP

Any one else want to chip in with there favs feel free.

[cj121]

I've not had any of the more 'select' cigars mentioned, but for a cheap and cheerful everyday stick, you could do worse than the Alec Bradley 'Spirit of Cuba'. Anyone else tried them?

Oh yeah, and the Macanudo Maduro, which finished particularly nice.

[Major_Tom]

you could do worse than the Alec Bradley 'Spirit of Cuba'. Anyone else tried them?

I have! They're not bad, especially with the prices on US sites. Monte is selling the Churchills now, I've got one on its way.

Had some robustos from that line with a funny problem though. They just wouldn't burn properly and kept going out. I would have thought that is was a humidity problem, but all of the other sticks in my humi were fine at the time.

[Rennie]

How about some Ashton VSG?

[G-man]

V S G now were talkin. Great smoke fair $ for the treat.

[rokkitsci]

Funny you should mention it... Ashton VSG Torpedo was my smoke this morning on the drive into work. Had a Spellbound (Double Corona - 7 1/2 x 54 - BIG MOTHER two+ hour smoke!), previously, which was marvelous.

The Torpedo, other than having a bit firmer draw than I prefer (however, this also resulted in a slower burn, thus extending my smoking pleasure), was an absolute delight. Nice rich, deep flavo(u)rs with a wonderful aroma.

They're a bit pricey for an everyday smoke, but a nice occasional treat.

How about some Ashton VSG?

[Rennie]

Another one i like is the Fuente Double Chateau Sungrown.
Not easy to find sometimes, but great smoke for the $.

[celsis]

I was over in the states recently and tried some Rocky Patel 1990 Robustos and La Gloria Wavells. I can recommend both. This surprised me because my opinion of cigars available in the US had been quite low. These, however, were very good for the price.