Age & Experience

[RevSmoke]

Just thought of this. The boom was really fading fast by 1999, so if someone didn't smoke over 15 years - they almost wouldn't know and certainly wouldn't remember - AFs for the prices I mentioned.

[Emjaysmash]

Originally Posted by RevSmoke

Just thought of this. The boom was really fading fast by 1999, so if someone didn't smoke over 15 years - they almost wouldn't know and certainly wouldn't remember - AFs for the prices I mentioned.

Ha, I was going to say "Where can I get AFs for that price??!"

Top 5:
Padron (any and all)
Perdomo
Tatuaje
...I cant think of anymore...

I dont have a Top CC list becuase I 've only had a few, but I'm a fan of Partagas.

Been smoking for 1-2 years.

[Lucky_Hippo]

I've been a cigar smoker for just over 14 years. I was pretty serious about it for the first 3 or 4 years, and after a few years of just smoking occasionally I really got back into it about 4 years ago or so. I worked close to my local B&M so I was still there 4 or 5 times a week, I just did a lot more hanging out than smoking.

The first go around I was really into:

A. Fuente (smoked a lot of 8-5-8's)
Macanudo portofinos (from Jamaica)
and
Ashton (when you could easily find VSG's by the box)

The second go around I've really been into:

DPG
Rocky Patel
Pete Johnson
and
Ashton

For some reason A. Fuente, who I almost smoked exclusively before, has fallen off my radar. Even the Hemmingway stuff just doesn't hold my attention like it used to.

**Remeber Lone Wolf cigars, a Belushi and Chuck Norris collaborative? With all the differnt flavors I tend to remember them as the Acid cigars of the 90s.

Not my cup of tea at all, but what a unique pairing in the cigar world.

[RevSmoke]

Originally Posted by Lucky_Hippo

For some reason A. Fuente, who I almost smoked exclusively before, has fallen off my radar. Even the Hemmingway stuff just doesn't hold my attention like it used to.

**Remeber Lone Wolf cigars, a Belushi and Chuck Norris collaborative? With all the differnt flavors I tend to remember them as the Acid cigars of the 90s.

Not my cup of tea at all, but what a unique pairing in the cigar world.

Actually, the Belushi & Norris cigars weren't flavored. That was Lars Teten - and they are still available, only very much limited.

I know what you mean about the AFs. They used to be exquisite. But, during the boom, something happened. Their best were the Hemis. I don't know if it was the addition of the DC and Opus line, but something happened to the flavor, body, strength of their other lines, including the Hemis. I enjoy an occasional SS, but they are not the same. And the Chateaus and the Rothschilds that were my staple, I visit only rarely - though I do have some Chateau SGs that are better. The few Opus I have had, have failed to really "WOW" me. Considering their price tag, I'd expect something spectacular. I must say that one I had was incredible - very, very nice. The other 2 though have left me sorely wanting. When they came out in the 90s, I had a few, but remember construction & burn issues - flavors were decent, but I had Hemi SSs in my humidor that made me happier.

I don't know if I am unusual in that regard, or if others have also noticed the diminished satisfaction that is received from Fuentes in general. It might be that my tastes have changed and I like fuller-bodied cigars. Who knows.

[e-man67]

age 36 been smoking cigars since 93...

It all started with a trip to Windsor, CA...Bought various Partegas, Punch, and a Jose Piedra...started hitting the local shops after:

Top 5 all time favorite NC:
1). El Sublimado (not made anymore)
2). Ashton VSG
3). Monte Cristo Platinums (love whites too)
4). Casa Magna (new and I love them)
5). tie Partegas Black label, Punch Rare Corojo

*I tend to stick with what I like and not venture much...I am exploring more...recently with pepin's stuff which so far I am enjoying. Fuente's with the exception of the Anejo, need more aging IMO...especially the Opus. I do love them when they are right.

Top 5 CC's:
1) Monte Cristo torpedos
2) Various Cohibas Siglos (non cubans are blah)
3) Hoyo's
4) Ramon Allones
5) Romeo J's

[icantbejon]

[quote=e-man67;301508]age 36 been smoking cigars since 93...

It all started with a trip to Windsor, CA...Bought various Partegas, Punch, and a Jose Piedra...started hitting the local shops after:

Top 5 all time favorite NC:
1). El Sublimado (not made anymore)
2). Ashton VSG
3). Monte Cristo Platinums (love whites too)
4). Casa Magna (new and I love them)
5). tie Partegas Black label, Punch Rare Corojo

JK5 and I tried these not too long ago. It was a funny experience (as cigars can be it seems). I bought two from the same box, at the same time. I brought them home and placed them immediately in the humi. We smoked them about 5 days later. Mine burned perfectly and the flavor was solid. JK5's burned terribly and he didn't care for the flavor at all. Just a random occurence from two cigars from the same batch.

[JJG]

I got into cigars briefly in the late 90's (96-98) and most of the brands I remember are still around today although not as widely discussed here. Macanudo, Partagas, Montecristo (non-Cuban)

I would say most of the popular brands today are fairly new. (within the last 10-15 years) I know some of them have been around longer but probably as boutique brands, not widely distributed to the average late 90's B&M.

I think the reason for the shift away from some of the older brands has to do with the fact that the average smoker has a wealth of information available to them online and tend to be better informed than they might have been 15 years ago. In my opinion it has also led to an industry-wide increase in the quality of what's being produced because frankly, smokers have higher expectations.

That being said, I think the internet has done wonders for storefront retailers too. I notice them carrying more of the exciting cigars generally discussed on this board instead of the usual blah brands like Macanudo, red-dot Cohibas, etc...

[Seanohue]

Started July 4 when I was 17, so it'll be 3 years this July. My favorites marcas are:

H. Uppman
Cohiba
Partagas
Por Larranaga
SCdLH

[BORIStheBLADE]

I've been smoking for three years. I didn't hit it hard till about late last year.

My Fav CC so far..

Montecristo
Bolivar
Cohiba
Hoyo de Monterrey
Ramón Allones


My fav NC

Don Pepin
Olivia
Cruzado
Ashton

[Cenookie]

I started smoking about 3 yrs. ago. My favorites:
NC
Tat
Monte White
5 Vega "A"
AVO XO
In no particular order
CC
Punch RS 11
Hoyo Petite Robusto
Dip #4
Hoyo Du Prince
Monte #4

[Snake Hips]

Shoot, I haven't been in the game long enough to even say really. Been smoking for almost a year now, but since about December I kind of dropped my NC experimentation for Dark Side experimentation. So as for non-Cubans, I haven't done much but sample around a bit. But here's what I've been attracted to with so far on the NC side, in no particular order:

Tatuaje
Joya de Nicaragua
Oliva
Padron
Saint Luis Rey
Romeo y Julieta

[stitch]

Well, I'm one of those Geezers who's been doing it off and on for over 30 years, ...On for the last 20 at least ... Used to smoke a lot Munimakers, Toppers, King Edwards, A&C's ... That stuff. ... My how my tastes have changed! ... My Favorites?? ...Hmmmm...
La Aroma de Cuba
Padron Aniversary (Actually ANY Padron!)
Tat's
RYJ Habana Reserve
And my newest Fav. ... San Cristobal! (Thanks John!)
But other than that, Hell ...I'll smoke a tree branch if it tastes good!

[croatan]

13 strong years for me so far.

Top five marcas would probably be:
Partagas
Bolivar
SLR
Punch
Sanch Panza

I don't own or smoke many non-Cubans (probably 1% ish), but a few that I've smoked and enjoyed recently:
Oliva Serie V Lancero
Tatuaje Noella
Most Tabacalera Tropical stuff

I smoked a whole lot of Fuentes in the 90s. Now, I might have one a year.