blind 10 spot review(s) - Page 7

Starscream · 08-04-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by borndead1

Really? Man, that thing was nasty. Damn...that's 2 strikes for me.

CAO needs to work on their cigars instead of the presentation of their cigars.

That's what I thought about the VR as well.

08-04-2009, 01:26 PM

Hmmmmmm that sounds like the same sentiment I have towards Gurkha. How anyone smokes cigars from a guy that doesn't smoke his own cigars is beyond me.

Starscream · 08-04-2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EEE

Hmmmmmm that sounds like the same sentiment I have towards Gurkha. How anyone smokes cigars from a guy that doesn't smoke his own cigars is beyond me.

Every Gurkha I've tried have tasted like dirt. I'm sure there's a good Gurkha out there, but I've yet to try it. I don't want to try out 15 different Gurkhas just to find one good one.

08-04-2009, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andysutherland

Every Gurkha I've tried have tasted like dirt. I'm sure there's a good Gurkha out there, but I've yet to try it. I don't want to try out 15 different Gurkhas just to find one good one.

Cmon Andy...........

five blind Gurkhas, five blind others.

You got this down to a science, don't quit now!

Starscream · 08-04-2009, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lou2row

Cmon Andy...........

five blind Gurkhas, five blind others.

You got this down to a science, don't quit now!

You offering the challenge?

08-05-2009, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andysutherland

You offering the challenge?

pm me your addy.
EEE, you want in?

edit; don't know if this forum has that feature. Just in case; lou2row AT hotmail. Borndead has herfed with me before, he can vouch for me (I think).

borndead1 · 08-06-2009, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andysutherland

Every Gurkha I've tried have tasted like dirt. I'm sure there's a good Gurkha out there, but I've yet to try it. I don't want to try out 15 different Gurkhas just to find one good one.

My favorite Gurkha is the His Majesty's Limited Edition Royal Grand Centennial Gold Vintage Triple Ligero Anniversario Reserve Ancient Nepalese Titan Beast Warrior.

I've tried quite a few Gurkhas. The Expedition was a decent smoke, there was another one, I think Grand Reserve, in a Connecticut wrapper that was pretty good, and I smoked through a 5 pack of Centurian perfectos that I thought were pretty good smokes. Didn't like the Doble Maduro, the Royal Brigade, Nepalese Warrior, and there are a couple others I can't remember the names of.

My problem(s) with them are the inconsistent construction and flavor of the cigars, and, quite frankly, the hype. I hate hype. Make a GOOD, CONSISTENT cigar. I don't give a crap about the name on the band. I don't care what the box looks like. And I don't wanna see a ridiculous price tag either. A cigar that retails for $30 a stick? $40 a stick? $750 a stick? Who are you trying to fool? My mama didn't raise no sucka!

Starscream · 08-06-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by borndead1

My favorite Gurkha is the His Majesty's Limited Edition Royal Grand Centennial Gold Vintage Triple Ligero Anniversario Reserve Ancient Nepalese Titan Beast Warrior.

I've tried quite a few Gurkhas. The Expedition was a decent smoke, there was another one, I think Grand Reserve, in a Connecticut wrapper that was pretty good, and I smoked through a 5 pack of Centurian perfectos that I thought were pretty good smokes. Didn't like the Doble Maduro, the Royal Brigade, Nepalese Warrior, and there are a couple others I can't remember the names of.

My problem(s) with them are the inconsistent construction and flavor of the cigars, and, quite frankly, the hype. I hate hype. Make a GOOD, CONSISTENT cigar. I don't give a crap about the name on the band. I don't care what the box looks like. And I don't wanna see a ridiculous price tag either. A cigar that retails for $30 a stick? $40 a stick? $750 a stick? Who are you trying to fool? My mama didn't raise no sucka!

I've had one in a Connecticut wrapper. Not bad if you like Connies, but too mild for me. The Doble Maduro and whatever the barber pole one was were awful. They both tasted like dirt (a heavy earthy flavor).

We started this out with PI and Reyes, move on to Rocky Patels, and now Gurkhas. Where did we go wrong?

08-04-2009, 09:31 PM

Ohhhhhhh snap!

LOL

Starscream · 08-04-2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EEE

Ohhhhhhh snap!

LOL

08-05-2009, 09:52 PM

Andy - understand being leary of the response. Admittedly i'm not a consumer for them. While I don't work for them I do sell their cigars on the side. I have hung out with these guys on numerous occasions. They have been very frank with things that go on in the industry. If you want to talk in more detail I would be more than happy to talk one on one with you.

As far as Rocky.... Yeah, you don't have to be an insider to question some of his stuff. How is he getting 15 year+ tobacco when the Boom was going on and even the big guys were struggling to get leaf in?

I don't want to start any conspiracy theories here though.....

GoldnGT · 08-06-2009, 09:16 AM

I knew that some of them were dyed, but had no problem with it (RP's) but overall I've always enjoyed a good RP cigar, but like Andy.. i'm not as huge into them as I once was.

borndead1 · 08-06-2009, 11:05 AM

There are very few cigar makers that don't "enhance" their maduro wrappers in some way. I smoked a Padron 80th and my fingers looked like I ran out of toilet paper. Smoked an Anejo that did it too. On the other hand, I've smoked cheapo, pitch black bundle cigars that didn't stain my fingers.

I think it depends on the "dye recipe".

Also, I've found that some cigars will "absorb" some of the dye with time. La Floridita and El Mejor Espresso are 2 examples.

If'n it makes ya feel any better, they don't use shoe polish or anything to color the wrappers.

Starscream · 08-06-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by borndead1

If'n it makes ya feel any better, they don't use shoe polish or anything to color the wrappers.

I figured they used something similar to food coloring. I'm sure it's safe to smoke, but then again...

08-06-2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by borndead1

There are very few cigar makers that don't "enhance" their maduro wrappers in some way. I smoked a Padron 80th and my fingers looked like I ran out of toilet paper. Smoked an Anejo that did it too. On the other hand, I've smoked cheapo, pitch black bundle cigars that didn't stain my fingers.

I think it depends on the "dye recipe".

Also, I've found that some cigars will "absorb" some of the dye with time. La Floridita and El Mejor Espresso are 2 examples.

If'n it makes ya feel any better, they don't use shoe polish or anything to color the wrappers.

I've had behind the scenes looks and conversations with more than just the Reyes group and I can tell you this may have been the case 10/15 years ago but not anymore - at least with most manufacturers. Consumers are becoming too educated and expecting better.

I can't speak for ALL manu's but there are fewer and fewer of them that dye their cigars.

08-07-2009, 09:16 PM

Well, Andy took me up on my offer. EEE, you have first shot at the other position since you graciously put on round one. If not, Mark or someone else that has followed this thread can step in.

I'm more interested in which cigars you enjoy more than picking the Gurkhas. My biggest issue with gurks is construction. Several have flavors I've enjoyed, but they have fell apart on me more than any other cigar manufacturer. I always believe that in a blind review without any hype, you are more prone to find what you like.

So, who else wants to play?

Starscream · 08-07-2009, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lou2row

I'm more interested in which cigars you enjoy more than picking the Gurkhas.

Is this a question for me? What do I like right now?

I'm into strong sticks. I like about anything Nicaraguan at this point. I mellow out with some Padrons and a few CCs that people gift me, but if I'm picking it out, I go for the power and strength. I haven't found much power in Gurkhas yet.

bigloo · 08-06-2009, 11:28 AM

You guys do realize that the oils in tabacco, especially those in Maduroed leaves, can stain and impart color? Just because a leaf leaves a mark is no indication of dying.

08-08-2009, 09:05 AM

Mark # 10 - hoya de nicaragua

Very interesting.

This was the only cigar that Andy didn't get because he was the one I was actually challenging to the Reyes part of this. I'm wondering if you psyched out and thought you were smoking a Reyes stick and your brain told you what to taste vs what you were actually tasting. Almost like if were given an Opus X with a Mac label.... Would we still think it tasted like an Opus X? This is very interesting.

borndead1 · 08-09-2009, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EEE

Mark # 10 - hoya de nicaragua

Very interesting.

This was the only cigar that Andy didn't get because he was the one I was actually challenging to the Reyes part of this. I'm wondering if you psyched out and thought you were smoking a Reyes stick and your brain told you what to taste vs what you were actually tasting. Almost like if were given an Opus X with a Mac label.... Would we still think it tasted like an Opus X? This is very interesting.

Not a big fan of JdN...that might explain it. Smoked a few Celebracions and did not like them at all, smoked a few Antanos that were OK but nothing special. I found that they needed too much humi time for a NC. I guess I coulda been a little bit psyched out though.

My final word on Reyes cigars:

I've smoked a lot of them over the past few years, and they all had a familiar flavor and aroma that I just don't like. Obviously they have fans or they wouldn't have been in business this long. Maybe it's the way they cure or ferment their tobacco, I dunno.

But hey, that's what makes this hobby/obsession of ours so interesting. Different smokes for different folks. It's the same with food. I don't like asparagus. To me, PIs are the equivalent of smoking asparagus.

EEE -- thanks for the challenge, bro. It was an eye-opening experience.

08-04-2009, 01:26 PM	#2
EEE Guest Posts: n/a	Re: blind 10 spot review(s) Hmmmmmm that sounds like the same sentiment I have towards Gurkha. How anyone smokes cigars from a guy that doesn't smoke his own cigars is beyond me.

08-04-2009, 09:31 PM	#9
EEE Guest Posts: n/a	Re: blind 10 spot review(s) Ohhhhhhh snap! LOL

08-05-2009, 09:52 PM	#11
EEE Guest Posts: n/a	Re: blind 10 spot review(s) Andy - understand being leary of the response. Admittedly i'm not a consumer for them. While I don't work for them I do sell their cigars on the side. I have hung out with these guys on numerous occasions. They have been very frank with things that go on in the industry. If you want to talk in more detail I would be more than happy to talk one on one with you. As far as Rocky.... Yeah, you don't have to be an insider to question some of his stuff. How is he getting 15 year+ tobacco when the Boom was going on and even the big guys were struggling to get leaf in? I don't want to start any conspiracy theories here though.....

08-06-2009, 09:16 AM	#12
GoldnGT Hibbidy Jibbidy Join Date: Jul 2009 First Name: Michael Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 178 Trading: (2)	Re: blind 10 spot review(s) I knew that some of them were dyed, but had no problem with it (RP's) but overall I've always enjoyed a good RP cigar, but like Andy.. i'm not as huge into them as I once was. __________________ Michael TheMustangSource.com

08-06-2009, 11:05 AM	#13
borndead1 Ayatollah of Rock n Rolla Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mark Location: Lancaster, CA Posts: 1,390 Trading: (7)	Re: blind 10 spot review(s) There are very few cigar makers that don't "enhance" their maduro wrappers in some way. I smoked a Padron 80th and my fingers looked like I ran out of toilet paper. Smoked an Anejo that did it too. On the other hand, I've smoked cheapo, pitch black bundle cigars that didn't stain my fingers. I think it depends on the "dye recipe". Also, I've found that some cigars will "absorb" some of the dye with time. La Floridita and El Mejor Espresso are 2 examples. If'n it makes ya feel any better, they don't use shoe polish or anything to color the wrappers.

08-07-2009, 09:16 PM	#16
lou2row Guest Posts: n/a	Re: blind 10 spot review(s) Well, Andy took me up on my offer. EEE, you have first shot at the other position since you graciously put on round one. If not, Mark or someone else that has followed this thread can step in. I'm more interested in which cigars you enjoy more than picking the Gurkhas. My biggest issue with gurks is construction. Several have flavors I've enjoyed, but they have fell apart on me more than any other cigar manufacturer. I always believe that in a blind review without any hype, you are more prone to find what you like. So, who else wants to play?

08-06-2009, 11:28 AM	#18
bigloo Crazy like a fox Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Lu Location: Rose City Posts: 905 Trading: (27)	Re: blind 10 spot review(s) You guys do realize that the oils in tabacco, especially those in Maduroed leaves, can stain and impart color? Just because a leaf leaves a mark is no indication of dying.

08-08-2009, 09:05 AM	#19
EEE Guest Posts: n/a	Re: blind 10 spot review(s) Mark # 10 - hoya de nicaragua Very interesting. This was the only cigar that Andy didn't get because he was the one I was actually challenging to the Reyes part of this. I'm wondering if you psyched out and thought you were smoking a Reyes stick and your brain told you what to taste vs what you were actually tasting. Almost like if were given an Opus X with a Mac label.... Would we still think it tasted like an Opus X? This is very interesting.