What Non Cubans have you guys tried?

[Montesmoke]

As mentioned before, i think there are some NC cigars that would give cubans a good run for their money.
Let us know about your experiences on what NC's you most rate.

Monte.

[rokkitsci]

As mentioned before, i think there are some NC cigars that would give cubans a good run for their money.
Let us know about your experiences on what NC's you most rate.

Monte.

As I think I've mentioned before, I favor virtually any vitola made by Carlos Tora?o, plus I'm partial to the Rocky Patel Sungrown (toro and torpedo).

Remember, however, that I don't really have a good basis for comparison, being ISOM cigar-deprived here across the big pond.

[cohibaIV]

Can't wait to get my Rocky Patel Decades.......

[SmokinCohibas]

Look at that lot:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/La-Flor-Dominicana-Bands-36-Bonus-Cohiba-7-NR_W0QQitemZ220268718471QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item220268718471&_trkparms=39%3A1%7C66%3A3%7C65%3A3%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&timeout=1219004636270

[larrysputnik]

The best NC cigars

Padron 1926 Maduros. You can't beat the #6 without having to go to a Cuban cigar.

I am sending a 1964 Anniversary Natural to Robusto, so we should have his take on the comparison of these milder Padron cigars soon.

[SmokinCohibas]

Look at that lot:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/La-Flor-Domini...=1219004636270

I wonder how much they gonna go for at the end of the auction??

[Gary]

I'm of the opinion that Cubans are still far superior to non-cubans, however I agree that there are quite a few non-cubans out there that are great and could certainly rival cubans, for example I have tried Padron 1964 Anniversary, Rocky Patel 1990 & 1992, Aston ESG & VSG, Opus X as well as most things by Fuente. Don Pepin Garcia's cigars are also fantastic and have a couple of Oliva Serie V resting in my humidor that look absolutely fantastic, some of the best wrappers I've ever seen in fact.

However, on the other hand I have had some non-cuban cigars that were absolutely shocking, like Macanudo, I bought a box of 25 of these when I was in New York in 2006, still have 12 left that I can't get rid off, I have several mates who know basically zero about cigars, but still know to avoid those!

[cohibaIV]

I'm of the opinion that Cubans are still far superior to non-cubans, however I agree that there are quite a few non-cubans out there that are great and could certainly rival cubans, for example I have tried Padron 1964 Anniversary, Rocky Patel 1990 & 1992, Aston ESG & VSG, Opus X as well as most things by Fuente. Don Pepin Garcia's cigars are also fantastic and have a couple of Oliva Serie V resting in my humidor that look absolutely fantastic, some of the best wrappers I've ever seen in fact.

However, on the other hand I have had some non-cuban cigars that were absolutely shocking, like Macanudo, I bought a box of 25 of these when I was in New York in 2006, still have 12 left that I can't get rid off, I have several mates who know basically zero about cigars, but still know to avoid those!

I agree, First choice will alway be Cuban, but the high end Non-Cubans are really nice smokes, you can not beat them in terms of value and great taste!!!
Macanudo's? which type mate?

[Gary]

I'm quite sure the Macanudo's are "Hyde Park Cafe" or something very similar, they're the ones in my pictures you saw in the "Humidor" News thread, maybe they just needed a couple of years in the humidor (been in there since August 2006), but I'm afraid to light one up in case they tast the same as the previous ones lol. Also have a few Miami 5 Vegas and a few from Cigars International that got sent to me as a gift with a Don Pepin Garcia order because the order was late, but will probably never smoke them, will keep that for when the mates are round, keep them away from the Cohibas and Montecristo's ha ha.

Also brought home some cigars called Gispert (don't know if you've ever heard of them) maduro robusto from NY, they got a good rating from Cigar Aficionado magazine and at only $4 each I thought what the hell, but they certainly not bad for the money, jesus what's $4/?2 compared to what we pay over here!

[Renefatdude]

Arturo Fuente, Ashton VSG, Oliva V, Joya de Nicaragua, Padron, Alonso Menendez, Carlos Torano, Puros Indios, are some of my favorites.
The Griffins, Flor de Selva and Jose Marti are some I don't particularly like.

In Holland there is a good choice of NC's

Rene

[Wildwood]

I haven't smoked many non-Cubans, but the one that got me back into cigar smoking was a Honduran Zino No.8. As I said in my newbie intro, this gave me the most relaxed hour and a bit I've had in years! Not smoked enough to know how good this cigar really is, and how it stacks up against others, but I'm working on it...

Wildwood

[RhiannonBW]

I adore Rocky Patel Vintage and Sungrown. Although a good cuban will always be better, for everyday and affordable smokes I prefer non-cuban.

Rhiannon

[Montesmoke]

Yea the vintage & sungrown a good line of cigars.

[Renefatdude]

Had a Padron 3000 maduro yesterday and I really liked it (smoked it after an SLR series A). It is a powerful cigar!

Rene

[shed17]

Recently tried a couple of Rocky Patels, Vintage 1990 Torpedo and a Sun Grown Toro, both were good. Should never have gone on that cigar cruise down the Thames, pocket was a lot lighter at the end

Also Ashton VSG corona gordo is one of my favourite non cubans.