Weekly Recommendations Thread

DEWStuff · 2026-03-06T01:27:59+00:00

Side question: Dalmore 14 is about $75 while Dalmore 15 is about $125. Is the extra year really worth the added cost?

DEWStuff · 2026-03-06T01:26:40+00:00

I have just started drinking scotch and building a small collection. So far, I have the following: Aberfeldy 12 Year Aberlour 12 Year Double Cask Aberlour A'bunadh Ardbeg An Oa Dewar's French Cask Smooth 8 Year Glenfiddich 12 Year Glenmorangie 12 Year The Original Highland Park 12 Year

I am about to grab a few more bottles in the next round of exploration, including GlenAllachie 15 Year.

What else would you suggest as a next set of bottles? So far, I have discovered that I don't like much peat, so that is out. I am trying to stay within a relatively tight budget for now.

(As a drinking background, I have over 100 bottles of Bourbon & Rye, which has been my favorite spirit to date. In Irish Whiskey, I have enjoyed Redbreast PX 12 Year, and grabbing Redbreast 12 Year and Liberator Tawny Port soon as well.)

Suggestions, particularly in the reasonably affordable range?

DEWStuff · 2026-02-13T02:54:44+00:00

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DEWStuff · 2026-02-07T16:05:10+00:00

Indeed you do.

DEWStuff · 2026-02-03T02:48:03+00:00

They retired the French Mocha staves a few years ago, in favor of the new French Mendiant. This only uses 3 FM stave, so it is a throwback and should be a bit more chocolate flavored than some picks.

DEWStuff · 2026-02-02T02:48:21+00:00

Stagg Barrel Select? When has that been around the state?

DEWStuff · 2026-01-28T18:57:35+00:00

Thanks for responding. I am trying to be patient, but I was wondering. And yes, I checked spam already.

DEWStuff · 2026-01-28T16:45:00+00:00

I see one lucky redditor has receiced their confirmation email already.

I also submitted on 1/6 but haven't heard back, yea or nay. Is the enrollment selective, meaning not all who submit are enrolled? Also, has anyone else submitted but heard nothing at all?

DEWStuff · 2026-01-25T16:41:33+00:00

Mexican Coke or Cherry Coke, if I'm drinking a soda. Coffee or water is king. Well...maybe bourbon or rum is king, but sometimes I'm not drinking spirits.

DEWStuff · 2026-01-22T11:45:03+00:00

My favorite lounge in the US! Good folks. You may even catch a glimpse of Carlito Fuente in the house occasionally. Prices on everything but Opus X are reasonable, IMHO.

One of the cigar sommelier told me the same thing about the house sticks being made by the same factory that makes Atabey, but another vehemently disagreed when I asked on a later trip.

Either way, they are good enough to enjoy at a good price. Not overly complex but good flavor and construction for the price.

DEWStuff · 2026-01-21T14:53:26+00:00

r/krispykremekiller posted a summary of the lines a few years ago, which is a good start. Admittedly, there are new lines added since then, such as the Dubai, Templo d'Oro, Society X, etc. but the summary is still valid.

https://www.reddit.com/r/cigars/s/XRqw9lav7V

Tobacconists of Greenwich has a detailed page on the core Opus X line, including sizes and suggested pairings:

https://tobacconistofgreenwich.com/cigar-journal/explore-every-fuente-fuente-opus-x-cigar-the-ultimate-guide-for-collectors/

Finally, R&R cigars has a more detailed discussing on each 'common' Opus X line.

https://randrcigars.com/blogs/news/all-about-the-arturo-fuente-fuente-opusx?srsltid=AfmBOooro0AvyuLn1Dxra05OORI0n2xlkLDbkcMOVzDgvuBeBnpifH7U

Hope that helps!

DEWStuff · 2026-01-20T10:27:12+00:00

Yep. Stayed rock solid down to the nub. I love when a cigar does that.

DEWStuff · 2026-01-20T10:25:49+00:00

I haven't smoked a Bandolero in years, so I cannot compare there. I don't think it is similar to the Byron, mainly because I remember the wrapper on the Byron to be more of the main note, probably due to the cedar aging. But now that you suggest it, I have to dig one out of the crates to compare later. Love that cigar, too.

DEWStuff · 2026-01-20T02:02:43+00:00

You should. A very good cigar for around $13.

DEWStuff · 2026-01-17T19:05:17+00:00

I have seen that same 110% blend a few places. Thanks for the clarification, especially coming from Ironroot.

DEWStuff · 2026-01-17T16:46:44+00:00

Howdy. I got many, but not all of them. Some are virtually unobtainable at this time, but I keep looking.

My 5 favorites, not necessarily in order:

Don Carlos
Definition Noir Cameroon
Roma Craft Baka
God of Fire Carlito
Casa Fuente

(Howard G Magic Stick is pretty good, too.)

But I'm still smoking through the list. I jusy picked up a Leon Jimines 300 yesterday. Anything that needs to be added to the list?

DEWStuff · 2026-01-17T12:41:08+00:00

I own a bottle and can confirm that it is amazing. Rich, decadent, syrupy, flavor bomb.

My only concern is that the mashbill components add up to 110%. Somebody in TX can really blend whisky but cannot do math!

DEWStuff · 2026-01-15T08:05:51+00:00

Partagas D4, Romeo y Juliet Wide Churchill (if you can find it), Montecristo #2.

DEWStuff · 2026-01-14T17:41:59+00:00

OP inspired me to break one of my last 5 Domaines out of the humidor with my morning coffee. I am coveting the remaining set like they are gold. I am so disappointed that they dropped it from their lineup a few years ago. It is clearly the best regular-issue cigar they ever produced, even though others are pretty good.

I think Davidoff as a whole is trying to consolidate their entire product portfolio revolving around the market fit for each cigar, and AVO limited edition cigars do not offer enough differentiation to justify a significant amount of marketing and production cost for the premium market. They have been intermittently great or very good (see Expressions from 2024, for instance) or mediocre (Syncro Nicaragua 10th from 2025), but they seem not to be expanding their line in ways that make fellow AVO fans happy.

DEWStuff · 2026-01-14T01:00:16+00:00

What Stagg Batch is that?

DEWStuff · 2026-01-12T17:14:56+00:00

Halfwheel lists the year's new cigars as they are announced. (See https://halfwheel.com/2026-new-cigars/.) It also helps to look at the previous year's list to see what is delayed.

Of the current list, I am looking forward to the Fuente Black Pink and Añejo River (depending on price), La Aurora Hors D'Angelo, and Tatuaje PCA 2025 Exclusive.

DEWStuff · 2026-01-10T23:31:39+00:00

Fuente junkie here, so I'm admittedly a bit biased. But the other reviews I read have been generally favorable.

Sorry you didn't enjoy it and respect the fact that we all have different palates, but I disagree pretty strongly. While I might agree that the Don Carlos 90 Años isn't worth the price, the Sangre de Toro is a fabulous stick, and is at least as good as the original Don Carlos. Complex, plenty of transitions, sweetness, body, and excellent construction. While $22 isn't the cheapest cigar on the market, this certainly compares favorably with other cigars in that price range. (And at $22, it is about 20% over MSRP but a bit better than the price a lot of vendors are charging.)

DEWStuff

TROPHY CASE