CC VS. NC Win?

[akumushi]

I thought it would be fun to start a thread for those who have smoked NCs and CCs back to back to rate which one was the better smoke.
For me, tonight was an NC Tatuaje Sir Winston Reserva for the Win, over a CC Romeo y Julieta Mille Fleurs.
;s

[bigdix]

Clayton, I love this idea! This should be a great thread. I haven't thought about it much, but I often smoke the two back to back.

[MarioF]

What a great idea, this will be an interesting thread to follow along with.

[md4958]

For me, tonight was an NC Tatuaje Sir Winston Reserva for the Win, over a CC Romeo y Julieta Mille Fleurs.
;s

Clayton, this is an interesting idea. But is it fair to pair up an $12 Tatuaje Reserva, with a $3 mille fleur?

Perhaps try the Tatuaje vs a CC of similar value and/or rareness.

[JDTexan]

Put up a Tat Sir Winston vs a real Upman Sir Winston, no comparison.

[Blueface]

Put up a Tat Sir Winston vs a real Upman Sir Winston, no comparison.

:tpd:

Not a good comparison by the OP since it involves a premium NC Tat v. a very relatively low end CC.

However, didn't see any rules so I guess anything goes.

[HK3-]

When I first read the title I thought to myself... "not another one of these!"

Cool idea and interesting as well. Gotta be careful that the first one smoked is not too strong as it may kill your tastes for the second stick involved.

[rennD]

Clayton, this is an interesting idea. But is it fair to pair up an $12 Tatuaje Reserva, with a $3 mille fleur?

Perhaps try the Tatuaje vs a CC of similar value and/or rareness.

Hard to compare either way. One has duties and the other .....


Is it truly a $3 Partagas?

[wayner123]

Hard to compare either way. One has duties and the other .....


Is it truly a $3 Partagas?


No, I believe it's a Romeo y Julieta


I thought it would be fun to start a thread for those who have smoked NCs and CCs back to back to rate which one was the better smoke.
For me, tonight was an NC Tatuaje Sir Winston Reserva for the Win, over a CC Romeo y Julieta Mille Fleurs.
;s

[rennD]

No, I believe it's a Romeo y Julieta

Oops. RyJ then. Question still stands

[Emjaysmash]

I smoked an '08 RASS and an LGC Series R Natural Robusto, and it was a tie.

[wayner123]

Oops. RyJ then. Question still stands

I don't know. And from what I have been told and gather we are not to discuss CC pricing on CA. ;s

But I think this thread will get a lot of biased comments one way or the other on the OP's subject. I am going to guess he meant this to be fun and not a scientific or comprehensive testing of NC vs CC.

[rennD]

I don't know. And from what I have been told and gather we are not to discuss CC pricing on CA. ;s

But I think this thread will get a lot of biased comments one way or the other on the OP's subject. I am going to guess he meant this to be fun and not a scientific or comprehensive testing of NC vs CC.

Ok then. Why dont you ask the person that first brought up cost/value?

All I am saying is compare apples to apples. Either subtract the duties from the NCs or add "imaginary" duties to CCs (which is not the good way), then compare.

[GreekGodX]

When I first read the title I thought to myself... "not another one of these!"

Cool idea and interesting as well. Gotta be careful that the first one smoked is not too strong as it may kill your tastes for the second stick involved.

I wanted to say the same thing but my version wasn't as nice ;) HAL FTW!

Ok then. Why dont you ask the person that first brought up cost/value?

All I am saying is compare apples to apples. Either subtract the duties from the NCs or add "imaginary" duties to CCs (which is not the good way), then compare.

Regardless of price, you are comparing a limited reserva release from Tatuaje to a regular production cigar from RyJ. It isn't apples to apples.

[BORIStheBLADE]

Cool idea and interesting as well. Gotta be careful that the first one smoked is not too strong as it may kill your tastes for the second stick involved.

+1

This can totally ruin a good cigar. I always try to avoid this at a HERF.

[Emjaysmash]

+1

This can totally ruin a good cigar. I always try to avoid this at a HERF.

This unfortunately happens to me after the 3rd cigar.
I've had to change up my game plans as I usually would leave that special cigar for the end of the herf. I remember one herf I brought a Padron 80th to smoke, and since it was my 4th cigar in a row, I could hardly taste the nuances.

[akumushi]

I don't really think the cost matters at all, and I'm not looking for a scientific experiment of which are better, CC or NC. I've had 3 dollar CCs blow 20 dollar NCs out of the water, and I smoke predominantly CCs, so tonight doesn't really show any bias on my part. The whole point of the exercise is to catalogue the experience. Sometimes the NC will win, sometimes the CC will. I expect the results to vary from day to day with each person, so let's not get too serious about, oh, well that just isn't a fair comparison. Which was the better smoke?

[sobranie10]

Great Idea!

[Mugen910]

Clayton, this is an interesting idea. But is it fair to pair up an $12 Tatuaje Reserva, with a $3 mille fleur?

Perhaps try the Tatuaje vs a CC of similar value and/or rareness.
:tu
Put up a Tat Sir Winston vs a real Upman Sir Winston, no comparison.

:banger


It's better not to compare...just enjoy what you smoke.

[Bunker]

This unfortunately happens to me after the 3rd cigar.
I've had to change up my game plans as I usually would leave that special cigar for the end of the herf. I remember one herf I brought a Padron 80th to smoke, and since it was my 4th cigar in a row, I could hardly taste the nuances.

If you really wanted to compare, smoke them at the same time and alternate :D

[HK3-]

If you really wanted to compare, smoke them at the same time and alternate :D

That would be like texting and driving. ;)

[DennisP]

At the S.H.I.T. herf last week I decided on a little blind taste test among everyone. I grabbed 3 cigars of similar size and we passed them around.

The cigars were a Trini Coloniale (CC), Punch RS12 (CC) and Little Havana Overrun PC (Pepin NC).

The first time around the reaction was very mixed, with about half think the NC was a CC and the RS12 was NC. Not sure if others opinions influenced others, or just getting passed the first few puffs changed the cigar, but by the end the NC and the RS12 were unanimous (with rennd saying he was buying a box of whatever the RS12 was) the Trini was a CC lean, but no one too enthusiastic about it.

[rizzle]

Why do we just have to bring cost into the equation? Had nothing to do with the OP's proposition. People get so freaking sensitive on this issue sometimes.
:2

[Blueface]

Why do we just have to bring cost into the equation? Had nothing to do with the OP's proposition. People get so freaking sensitive on this issue sometimes.
:2

I get the OP's point.
As I said, no rules were stated so anything goes.

However, to answer your question, I think it matters, generally speaking.
As with anything, there will always be exceptions.
If I smoke a Padron 80th and compare it to a R&J Mille Fleur, any guess on what I will think is the hands down winner?
If I smoke a very pricey Montecristo Dunhill Selection from the early 70's and compare it to a Garcia Vega from my local gas station, any guess on what I will think is the hands down winner?

I think that is the point some are trying to make. Sort of like driving a BMW M3 and then comparing it to the ride of a Smart. The winner should be obvious, with occasional exceptions due to taste and personal preferences.:D

Not my thread so onward with the experiment.

[68TriShield]

I smoked an '08 RASS and an LGC Series R Natural Robusto, and it was a tie.
This is a surprise given the wide differences in taste profile.
It's better not to compare...just enjoy what you smoke.

I can't argue with this statement though it's still a fun thread.

[akumushi]

Again, I wasn't trying to get too serious with the thing.
I just posted it to see peoples smoking habits, and find
out what cigars they pair together in an evening and how
they all stack up to each other. If it is normal for you
to smoke a Cohiba Behike and then light up a Grape
White Owl, or smoke a Guantanamera then chase it with
an Opus X, then awesome, I want to hear about it, just
tell me which was better:r
Obviously, the more interesting contests will be those
where the playing field is level, but I'd prefer if people
didn't get too wrapped up into arguing whether the
comparison was fair or not. I don't set out to compare
two cigars, I just smoke them and one of them might
stand out as really awesome. Those two just happened
to be what I smoked last night. Both cigars were good
and each was the right cigar for the time and place. The
SW Reserva just happened to be a WOW kind of experience
and it got me thinking, that hey, this is rare for me, the
NC was the best of the night.

[Powers]

Again, I wasn't trying to get too serious with the thing.
I just posted it to see peoples smoking habits, and find
out what cigars they pair together in an evening and how
they all stack up to each other. If it is normal for you
to smoke a Cohiba Behike and then light up a Grape
White Owl, or smoke a Guantanamera then chase it with
an Opus X, then awesome, I want to hear about it, just
tell me which was better:r
Obviously, the more interesting contests will be those
where the playing field is level, but I'd prefer if people
didn't get too wrapped up into arguing whether the
comparison was fair or not. I don't set out to compare
two cigars, I just smoke them and one of them might
stand out as really awesome. Those two just happened
to be what I smoked last night. Both cigars were good
and each was the right cigar for the time and place. The
SW Reserva just happened to be a WOW kind of experience
and it got me thinking, that hey, this is rare for me, the
NC was the best of the night.

:tu

i have been on a RyJ mille fluer kick myself lately. As others have said, if i plan on smoking two sticks in a sitting i normally always start w/a CC and then switch to a NC

[CasaDooley]

I think this looks like a fun thread, especially if we all take it for what it is, a comparison of cigars based on our own personal experience. Last night I smoked a vintage Cerdan and right after it fired up a 99 HDM du Depute. The Depute won. Even though I did like the flavors of the Cerdan, I liked the HDM more. And to show how varied everyones tastes are, I would pick the RyJ Mille Fleurs CC over the Padron 80th NC as I really enjoy RyJ's and am not a big fan of Padrons.
I think we should all keep this thread light hearted. YMMV :ss

[yourchoice]

I think we should all keep this thread light hearted. YMMV :ss

:tpd:

[icehog3]

Tatuaje "The Face" and a Bolivar Corona Extra.

Bolivar for the easy win.

[Blueface]

H. Upmann Corona Major and Murcielago Robusto.

The aged H. Upmann won.

[RevSmoke]

H.Upmann Mag 50 & a Francisco Socrates Gordo.

Too be honest, they were both spectacular smokes. But, I'd have to go with the Francisco.

[Noodles]

07 PLPC and one of those La Flor Dominica Double Ligero (corona size I think). Very different. Both were good and I wouldn't mind smoking both.

[yourchoice]

07 PLPC and one of those La Flor Dominica Double Ligero (corona size I think). Very different. Both were good and I wouldn't mind smoking both.

Wow, they are different! Hope you've been well, Ronnie! It's been a while.

[srduggins]

Last night I had a Liga Privada T52 and a Cohibo Esplendidio - at the same time. The T52 looked great, very oily wrapper, tons of smoke, near perfect burn and very little flavor. It was so dissapointing that 1/2 way into it I fired up the Cohibo - which I have enjoyed in the past, but it didn't do enough for me, so I went back to the T52. Both losers in my book, but I suppose the T52 won. Not really by the rules of the thread, but thought I would post it anyway.

Last month a Davidoff Diademas Finas better than the '01 CoLa.

Last year, I smoked a Tat Noella and MC #4 at the same time and while both were great and different, I liked the MC #4 better.

[akumushi]

Last night it was Romeo y Julieta Exhibition No. 4 vs. Opus X Reserva D' Chateau, with the R&J winning hands down. The Opus had a really distinctive mouth feel, kind of like eating raisins, but it still had that unpleasant metallic aftertaste that I get from NCs sometimes. Some leather and wood came and went, but overall it was pretty one dimensional. The retrohale was pure burning pepper and all I could manage was about 5% every few drags. At any price, I just can't get into the Opus series. The R&J had a nice crisp mouth feel with that citrusy R&J tannic bite, while the nose was pure sweet floral and woodsy aromas. Probably my favorite R&J yet, definitely a better robusto than the short churchill, IMO.

[Chingas]

Yesterday.

'02 La Gloria Cubana MdO #3 and then a Boris 11

The LGC won. Hands down. And I Love the Boris 11. Strange.

Luckily, I thoroughly enjoyed Both of them, which, at the end of the day, was the whole point!:tu

[bopmachine]

Saturday I smoked Sopranos Associate, then followed with a Cohiba Siglo IV. Two very different cigars, but on overall enjoyment I'd say it was tie. I like the full flavour of the Sopranos, very nice draw and tons of smoke. I got leather, hay and nutmeg out of it. The cohiba was also very nice with a classic cuban twang, also leather and small touches of cinnamon. Very mellow by the last 3rd which was perfect as it was the tail end of a pub visit anyway. As I said, very different smokes but equally enjoyable.

[auburnfan1980]

Last night I had a Liga Privada T52 and a Cohibo Esplendidio - at the same time. The T52 looked great, very oily wrapper, tons of smoke, near perfect burn and very little flavor. It was so dissapointing that 1/2 way into it I fired up the Cohibo - which I have enjoyed in the past, but it didn't do enough for me, so I went back to the T52. Both losers in my book, but I suppose the T52 won. Not really by the rules of the thread, but thought I would post it anyway.

Last month a Davidoff Diademas Finas better than the '01 CoLa.

Last year, I smoked a Tat Noella and MC #4 at the same time and while both were great and different, I liked the MC #4 better.

You smoked a T52 with very little flavor?! I LOVE those cigars and think they have quite the complex flavor....I'm thinking you got a hold of some counterfeit T52s. I must ask....was 'Liga Privada' written in cursive or plain text on the band? :D

[68TriShield]

The 2 Escencia robustos I smoked this weekend blew away everything else I smoked.

[rennD]

The 2 Escencia robustos I smoked this weekend blew away everything else I smoked.

hhmmmmm......tempting

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

hhmmmmm......tempting


Same here. I can't remember if I have had one or not:sh I will try to find some now.

[srduggins]

You smoked a T52 with very little flavor?! I LOVE those cigars and think they have quite the complex flavor....I'm thinking you got a hold of some counterfeit T52s. I must ask....was 'Liga Privada' written in cursive or plain text on the band? :D

Really? there are fake ones out there? It came from another brother and I don't recall what style of writing was on the band. Had a similar problem with my 1st LP #9 too, but subsequent ones have been excellent. I'll try another one tonight to see if it's just me, or if I got a dud.

[elderboy02]

The 2 Escencia robustos I smoked this weekend blew away everything else I smoked.

Esencia's rock. I love those darn things :dr

[auburnfan1980]

Really? there are fake ones out there? It came from another brother and I don't recall what style of writing was on the band. Had a similar problem with my 1st LP #9 too, but subsequent ones have been excellent. I'll try another one tonight to see if it's just me, or if I got a dud.

I was kidding...thought it'd be kinda funny to talk about couterfeit Drew Estate product in a thread with Cuban product. Damn...my jokes fail. haha :hn

[T.G]

It's better not to compare...just enjoy what you smoke.

I couldn't agree with you more Bao.

[srduggins]

I was kidding...thought it'd be kinda funny to talk about couterfeit Drew Estate product in a thread with Cuban product. Damn...my jokes fail. haha :hn

Guess I forgot my sarcafont, but this was even funnier.

[jimmyk26]

Just finished a Punch Churchill (2000) and a Davidoff Maduro Robusto...the winner is...the Davidoff. These Maduro Robustos are possibly the best Maduro Robusto I've ever had.

[E.J.]

These Maduro Robustos are possibly the best Maduro Robusto I've ever had.

I keep eyeing these, but cannot get myself to pull the trigger..... Comments like these make me wonder what I am waiting for.... Putting a 5er in my cart at Holts and seeing $85 reminds me....:r

[jimmyk26]

I keep eyeing these, but cannot get myself to pull the trigger..... Comments like these make me wonder what I am waiting for.... Putting a 5er in my cart at Holts and seeing $85 reminds me....:r

They really are that good. As with all davidoffs the price is hard to stomach, but of the whole product line these are definitely worth it.

[auburnfan1980]

Guess I forgot my sarcafont, but this was even funnier.

:r sarcafont. love it. I feel like an idiot now. haha

[Ferrari5180]

It all comes down to the smoking setting and mood. I have had some CCs that I have liked way more than NCs, and then I have had NCs that have blown CCs out of the way. Personally, I enjoy smoking both. They are both very different, and it just does not seem fair to me to compare the both. It would be like comparing white and red wine. They are both wines, different tastewise (at least to me), but yet both quite enjoyable.

[Superbad]

I smoked a Fonseca Cosacos from 01 or 98 not 100% on the date. I am currently following it with a tatuaje petite cazadores reserva. I am about halfway through the tat now. So far the Fonseca spanked it. These sticks are about the same size, and both fairly similar in price. I had to shift gears as I was exhaling the fonseca out my nose most of the time, and enjoying the floral and mint tea-esq flavors. Burned the heck out of my nose on the first nasal exhale of the tat. I can only pass a tiny amount of smoke from the tat before it gets to be too much. I am getting some decent cocoa flavors, but nothing as crisp and clean as the fonseca. Gonna give the win to the cosacos.

[akumushi]

99 Punch Coronas Vs Liga Privada No. 9 Belicoso. First smoke after fending off a cold and my tastes were a little off. The Punch was typical wonder years; good flavor when you could get some smoke but otherwise a complete tentpole. I chucked it and lit up the LP instead. The LP was good, not great, but smooth with earthy/herbal flavors and spotless construction. Had the Punch been drawing better I would have stuck with it and liked it better, but sometimes you're just not in the mood to fight with a cigar, so I guess I'd call it LP by a technicality:r

[akumushi]

Fuente Anejo No. 48 Vs. 08 H. Upmann Coronas Major Tubo. The Anejo was a good, strong-coffee flavored, full bodied NC smoke but that still doesn't compare to a CC when it's On for me, and that little H. Upmann was ON. Tonight it was CC by a landslide. I'm defininately considering a box of these with the price they command; great woody/spicy flavors and smooth as silk.