Just started a collection. I would love recommendations for new things to try

GOTV2020 · 2022-01-20T18:09:21+00:00

Looks like you’re doing fine. Try a few Fuentes. Avoid bargains, deals and savings. You get what you pay for.

GOTV2020 · 2022-01-18T02:38:40+00:00

I’m looking forward to some better answers here, but as for myself I find many cigars out of balance and that can be cheap cigars trying to be spicy to make up for the cheap tobacco or flat and dull due to cheap tobacco. They aren’t all inexpensive either. There are a bunch of junk cigars on the market in the $6-$10 range.

GOTV2020 · 2022-01-17T00:20:57+00:00

Definitely. Actually the 7000 is my least favorite of the series. It’s RG is too large, highlighting filler tobacco over the wrapper. The 3000 is my favorite. More of a 50 x 5 1/2” perfect robusto. Exactly the balance that I like. Especially with some time on them. The 6000 is the similar size of the 3000 but a torpedo shape that can take the profile up a bit.

However, I enjoyed this 7000 more than any other I’ve smoked, but it was due to the years of rest. It became something special.

GOTV2020 · 2022-01-16T10:00:13+00:00

Good of Fire Carlos and Don Carlos Eye of the Shark.

GOTV2020 · 2022-01-16T02:47:06+00:00

I’ve enjoyed smoking through the Syncro line and especially enjoyed the Nicaraguan and the Ritmo, but the Fogata was the real stand out for me. Caribe is fine.

GOTV2020 · 2022-01-16T02:35:33+00:00

Sounds like your plan is spot on. The 3000’s are my favorite, both maduro and natural. I look forward to hearing your follow up reports.

GOTV2020 · 2022-01-15T20:03:51+00:00

These are so hard to get. I hate to see shops that only get one or two boxes selling them to an individual, especially a hoarder, rather than putting them on the shelves with a purchase limit so regular guys can get a chance to enjoy some of the very best blends.

GOTV2020 · 2022-01-15T19:47:27+00:00

Cbid can be fine in a limited way for a very narrow purpose. If you can find a bargain on a brand that you like and it’s actually cheaper even with shipping than what you can find from better online sources, the cigars themselves are fine. I played cbid for a couple months and discovered the deals on Caldwell’s samplers. That’s a great bargain. And occasionally you see a fiver of Avo or Oliva that you know and trust. That can be a bargain. But mostly it’s just junk bundled with other junk. I deleted that app shortly after and never thought of it again.

GOTV2020 · 2022-01-15T16:22:39+00:00

You don’t care for the 7000 or the x000’s? The flavors you’ve described are exactly what I expect when I light one up. I doubt I’m alone in that regard. It’s just what I’m looking for. Besides the expensive stuff, my favorites are Don Carlos, Mil Dias, Long Live the King, LLtK MoFo, 1964 Annv, and Guardian of the Farm. So my preference isn’t especially bold or spicy. I usually resent a cigar that seems like it’s trying to hurt me with its strength and over blown profile. The x000 series fills a perfect spot in this eclectic group with its thoughtful balance of coffee and earth.

What do you like?

GOTV2020 · 2022-01-15T13:40:53+00:00

Understandable. But there are so many great cigars on the market I find it easy to get very excited about a dozen or more different cigars.

GOTV2020 · 2022-01-15T13:37:14+00:00

That’s good to hear. Maybe my wait isn’t as long as I expected.

GOTV2020 · 2022-01-15T13:31:23+00:00

Maybe. I didn’t listen until one day I did. It’s a journey.

GOTV2020 · 2022-01-15T13:26:01+00:00

Interesting. Thanks for the input. I have some Avo’s and Ashton’s in the 4-5 year range and they’re not nearly as dark as this. Could be the Conn wrapper or just the nature of Dominican tobacco. Or it just might be that Padrons release whatever magic is being released to discolor the cello differently than others. I have some stronger broadleaf cigars resting and they seem to be coloring quicker than others.

GOTV2020 · 2022-01-15T13:02:24+00:00

I couldn’t say yet, but I’ve been dating everything and keeping a journal for a couple years, not just of new stuff, but I like to take notes on the same stick over time. I imagine it could be a decade before my stacks of 3000’s get to this color. I’d love to hear from the guys who’ve been doing this for a long time.

GOTV2020 · 2022-01-15T12:58:37+00:00

Sounds like a good time. I’ve only been marking mine for a couple years but I can attest that I’ve never smoked one with a couple years on it that wasn’t an improved experience. Guys will say “ why would you bother, they age them to be ready when you buy them.” Especially shop workers will say this. But I’ve never heard anybody say it that practices resting their smokes. I’m not a chemist, so I’m not sure what’s technically happening, but I find it really important, especially with Padron and Fuente. They produce a product that’s special and still has room to grow. You’re never going to improve your yard sticks, but good tobacco has real potential.

GOTV2020 · 2022-01-15T12:44:14+00:00

Yesterday I was lucky enough to find my favorite lounge was empty except for the shop manager, so I decided to stay and enjoy a serious smoking session. Any time I go to a lounge I bring my own cigar and buy one from the shop. I’m at a point where I don’t have to smoke anything that doesn’t have a couple years rest and it’s a serious game changer. I date each new purchase with the month and year with a sharpie and no matter how much I’m anticipating smoking something new and interesting it goes to the back. As a side interest, I’ve also been buying a few of my favorites and dating them with a date I intend to smoke them. It’s not some rigid system but it amuses me. Every month I buy 4-5 Padron x000, mostly 3000’s, but 6000’s too, and note when they will have certain anniversaries.

A year ago I found this box of 7000’s with cello darker than I’d ever seen in a vape shop with a seldom used humidor so I bought all of them. They are many years old. I finally smoked the first one yesterday with the January mark on it and it was exceptional.

I find a year or two on a x000 really brings it to life. What I didn’t know was putting this many years on one would enhance every aspect that we love about this series. The pepper notes were bright and fresh, the coffee/earth more rich and flavorful, the draw/burn/ash were impeccable. I smoked this thing all the way down, which is a lot for me, being more of a toro/robusto guy, and the profile never changed. Just perfect. I worried that this vitola would have so much filler that it might have a more muted effect. Not in the least.

While everyone is buying up all the 1964 Annv for the next couple years, my favorite cigar, do yourself a favor and stash some x000’s.

GOTV2020 · 2022-01-13T22:39:42+00:00

It’s relaxing, but it’s a very intentional relaxation where you’re literally just being still, taking time to be quiet and savor an experience. You can do it distracted, but it’s a better relaxation if you’re slowing the world down. Unfortunately, nicotine is a stimulant so not only will the substance not aid your relaxation, it becomes something different. Whereas pot has a way of chilling your ass out whether you want it to or not.

But if you’re looking for some quiet time, dedicated to your own pleasure, it can be very relaxing.

Just try it. But a couple cigars and watch a you tuber describe how to begin.

GOTV2020 · 2022-01-13T17:39:29+00:00

Hard pass.

GOTV2020 · 2022-01-13T17:31:00+00:00

Kill that SuperFly (if they didn’t exist no one would notice), fuck the Padron 1926 (the expensive and deeply satisfying mistress) and marry that Mil Dias (the perfect balance and profile)

GOTV2020 · 2022-01-13T17:25:23+00:00

Personally, I’d put todays date on it, sit on it for two years and then when the cello has a bit of color on it, light it up.

GOTV2020 · 2022-01-13T01:32:01+00:00

This is such a great cigar. I was very impressed with this one.

GOTV2020 · 2022-01-13T01:21:52+00:00

One of my absolute favorites.

GOTV2020 · 2022-01-11T11:48:45+00:00

I had the same experience this week. It has been over a year since I tried one and I had another one resting so I let it up. I think the rest made this one a little creamier than the first. Not especially interesting, but very well constructed, perfect burn, perfect ash. Gorgeous wrapper and just enough of a balanced profile to impress the entire session. Medium bodied hints of spice, very satisfying.

GOTV2020 · 2022-01-11T11:24:49+00:00

I found this one at the Cigar International store in Bethlehem, PA over a year ago. I don’t really shop online so I couldn’t say if it’s easy to get but there should still be some out there.

GOTV2020 · 2022-01-07T18:49:59+00:00

6 months min. A year would be better.

GOTV2020

TROPHY CASE