Nostalgia - just a fading memory?

[Zanaspus]

Great thread, and great food for thought! I'm new to serious cigar smoking, and I fall precisely into the trap you've mentioned.

After having a long think about why this is the case, I think I have it. I like to read others' views of a stick before I try it. I like to see if the flavor profile matches something I might enjoy. The problem with this is that there's just not that many reviews of the old stuff coming down the pike. My hypothesis on why this is the case; "Why review them? Everyone's tried them."

So in an effort to broaden my horizons, I'd like to invite the old war dogs to write some reviews of their favorite stand-bys. Give us some food for thought.

[Emjaysmash]

Originally Posted by Zanaspus

Great thread, and great food for thought! I'm new to serious cigar smoking, and I fall precisely into the trap you've mentioned.

After having a long think about why this is the case, I think I have it. I like to read others' views of a stick before I try it. I like to see if the flavor profile matches something I might enjoy. The problem with this is that there's just not that many reviews of the old stuff coming down the pike. My hypothesis on why this is the case; "Why review them? Everyone's tried them."

So in an effort to broaden my horizons, I'd like to invite the old war dogs to write some reviews of their favorite stand-bys. Give us some food for thought.

That's a great idea!
Also, I'm not sure if it would be taking the thread in a different direction than it wanted, but what are the "old blends"? I've only been smoking for 2 1/2 years so im a complete noob at all of this.

[MarkinAZ]

Originally Posted by Emjaysmash

but what are the "old blends"? I've only been smoking for 2 1/2 years so im a complete noob at all of this.

The following would give you a good idea and start MJ:

Padron
H. Upmann
Partagas
Hoyo de Monterrey
El Rey del Mundo
Punch
Macanudo
Romeo Y Julieta

[RevSmoke]

Originally Posted by MarkinCA

The following would give you a good idea and start MJ:

Padron
H. Upmann
Partagas
Hoyo de Monterrey
El Rey del Mundo
Punch
Macanudo
Romeo Y Julieta

Add to that...

La Gloria Cubana
Excalibur (a HdM line)
Ashton
Avo
Zino
Davidoff
Perdomo (relatively speaking, mid 1990s)
Canaria D'Oro
Joya de Nicaragua
La Aurora
Don Diego
Don Tomas

[Emjaysmash]

Originally Posted by MarkinCA

The following would give you a good idea and start MJ:

Padron
H. Upmann
Partagas
Hoyo de Monterrey
El Rey del Mundo
Punch
Macanudo
Romeo Y Julieta

Originally Posted by RevSmoke

Add to that...

La Gloria Cubana
Excalibur (a HdM line)
Ashton
Avo
Zino
Davidoff
Perdomo (relatively speaking, mid 1990s)
Canaria D'Oro
Joya de Nicaragua
La Aurora
Don Diego
Don Tomas

Well considering Padron is my favorite NC brand, I guess Im off to a good start!

[Ashcan Bill]

As far as older brands that have stood the test of time, I still keep a pretty good assortment of Fuentes on hand. DCs, Hemingways, Sungrowns, and even the lowly green bands can all be found in my "NC" humidor. What you won't find are Opus, Anejos, and all the newer high dollar specialty stuff they've come out with. Most of that stuff does little for me. Too easy to find things I enjoy more for a lot less money.

Although I don't smoke a great deal of Dominican tobacco any more, when the mood hits I still reach for a Fuente. I've been smoking Fuentes for at least the last twenty years. I guess old habits are hard to break.

[RevSmoke]

Originally Posted by Zanaspus

Great thread, and great food for thought! I'm new to serious cigar smoking, and I fall precisely into the trap you've mentioned.

After having a long think about why this is the case, I think I have it. I like to read others' views of a stick before I try it. I like to see if the flavor profile matches something I might enjoy. The problem with this is that there's just not that many reviews of the old stuff coming down the pike. My hypothesis on why this is the case; "Why review them? Everyone's tried them."

So in an effort to broaden my horizons, I'd like to invite the old war dogs to write some reviews of their favorite stand-bys. Give us some food for thought.

I think the problem is that I know there are a gazillion reviews out there of them... All someone needs to do is read them. I don't PUFF anymore, but their review site is a great wealth of information - yeah, I know, I should be flogged for suggesting that anybody go there, but...

Oh yeah, another great blend - El Rey del Mundo. My favorite maduros are still the ERdM Robusto, Robusto Larga, & Robusto Supremo. The presentation is exquisite with the tissue wrap around the stick. They are sweet and spicy, with flavors of cocoa and nuts. There is a hint of spice and citrus. What I like is the complexity and the evolution of this cigar as you smoke it - changing as it goes.

I will have to smoke one of the LGC maduro Torpedos I picked up the other - and do a review to post. Maybe some of the others senior smokers can do the same with some of the venerable smokes we keep on hand.

I must say, I was very disappointed when I had my last Punch double maduro Rothschild from 1997 or so. They were so very good, but... I know there are a few guys here that were gifted a few in trades/bomb/etc... when I first got on the boards. But that is a fine example of a great old smoke.

Who remembers Canaria d'Oro rotschild?

I remember the maduro wrapper and the fact that they shoved 50 in a box and the squeezed them in there so that they had to force the box shut. They weren't box-pressed, but they might have odd shapes. I remember these were a sweet smoke, not real complex, but just a solid smoke with hints of leather and some pepper.

Anyway, hope this helps.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

[MarkinAZ]

Originally Posted by RevSmoke

Who remembers Canaria d'Oro rotschild?

Spanish and presented in the glass tubes?

[RevSmoke]

Originally Posted by MarkinCA

Spanish and presented in the glass tubes?

Don't remember them that way.

[MarkinAZ]

Originally Posted by RevSmoke

Don't remember them that way.

Your right. I kept thinking Spain for some reason and now had to look the suckers up:

"Often overlooked by consumers, the Canaria D'oro Immensos sits on most tobacconists' shelves aging. Although owned by General Cigars this brand get very little promotion, and because of its name many consumers mistakenly believe this cigar is made in the Canary Islands rather than the Dominican Republic. Possessing a colorado colored Mexican wrapper this well made cigar is attractive and well made. The wrapper is full of oils and feels silky to the touch. The smoke is cool and pleasing with a slightly sweet honey taste highlighting the core flavors of its Dominican and Mexican blend. This cigar is not a powerhouse, but rather a creamy smoke that is very relaxing. The one word sums up this cigar more than any other is "smooth.""



made in: Santiago, Dominican Republic
size : 5 1/2 x 49
wrapper: Mexico
filler : Dominican Republic, Mexico
binder : Mexico

[RevSmoke]

Originally Posted by MarkinCA

Your right. I kept thinking Spain for some reason and now had to look the suckers up:

"Often overlooked by consumers, the Canaria D'oro Immensos sits on most tobacconists' shelves aging. Although owned by General Cigars this brand get very little promotion, and because of its name many consumers mistakenly believe this cigar is made in the Canary Islands rather than the Dominican Republic. Possessing a colorado colored Mexican wrapper this well made cigar is attractive and well made. The wrapper is full of oils and feels silky to the touch. The smoke is cool and pleasing with a slightly sweet honey taste highlighting the core flavors of its Dominican and Mexican blend. This cigar is not a powerhouse, but rather a creamy smoke that is very relaxing. The one word sums up this cigar more than any other is "smooth.""



made in: Santiago, Dominican Republic
size : 5 1/2 x 49
wrapper: Mexico
filler : Dominican Republic, Mexico
binder : Mexico

Yeah, dem's da ones!!!

I thought the Immensa was a larger cigar than the Rothschild. But, being as you cannot find them anymore... Just found some Rothschilds at CI, $109 for a box of 50.

Hmmm, is nostalgia worth it? It is a good price, but...

[neoflex]

I think there are plenty of people still buying and smoking a lot of the older long standing brands but as cigar smokers we are always searching for the holy grail. I know I still smoke and stock a fair share of some older brands like Padron, Fuente and Punch but if something new comes out, guess what? I'm trying it. Doesn't mean I no longer like the older brands but as others have mentioned our tastes and preferences change over time. Also, when something new and good comes out it's going to have some buzz especially here on the boards and it's going to be discussed until something new takes it's place especially nowadays where it seems like new blends are introduced daily. We on the boards also have a wealth of knowledge that the average cigar smoker who does not frequent boards might not have and those people sometimes tend to stick to the older long standing brands where the group of us that do discuss our hobby online tend to seek out the newer stuff and sometimes even know about it before the local retailers do.
Great topic by the way and it was fun to stop and think about how it all started for me and how far this hobby has come along for me. When I first started smoking back in college I would only smoke Punch exclusively.

[Perfecto]

Cigars are like women........why stick with a 50 year old when you can have two younger 25's. OK, maybe that's not such a good analogy......
There's certainly nothing wrong with old school. I love the perfecto shape in a cigar. But now, with all the scientific research being done in the labs on tobacco I think they can enjoy even more of a variety of tastes and flavors.

[MarkinAZ]

Originally Posted by Perfecto

Cigars are like women........why stick with a 50 year old when you can have two younger 25's. OK, maybe that's not such a good analogy......
There's certainly nothing wrong with old school. I love the perfecto shape in a cigar. But now, with all the scientific research being done in the labs on tobacco I think they can enjoy even more of a variety of tastes and flavors.

Nothing wrong with a 50 yr old lady that knows how to swing it Dave. Mine just won't allow me to bring two 25 yr olds into the picture

But, wouldn't it also be true that some of the old school brands would also be focusing-in on soil culture and PH to properly cultivate top quality tobacco too? Then it simply comes down to proper fermentation, aging, and blending...

[MajorCaptSilly]

I've been smoking cigars for 20 years and used to smoke mostly AF 8-5-8's. Punch Rothschild's, various LGC's, various Hoyo Excalibers, and various ERDMs. I remember that Dominicans and Hondurans were all the raqe during the boom and then the Nicaraguans came in as the red-headed stepchild of the bunch. Many of the first Nicaraguan made products were pretty bad and tasted like dirt. Now Nicaraguan smokes are the sweethearts of the bunch and are, for me, a better smoke than most of my old standbys. I still pick up a punch or ERDM for nostalgic reasons. I absolutely don't like AF stuff anymore and LGC is the only brand I still keep in my top 10 smokes.


MCS

[Emjaysmash]

Originally Posted by RevSmoke

Who remembers Canaria d'Oro rotschild?

I never had the Rotheschild, but my second handmade smokes ever was a CdO Petit Corona or cigarilo or something. From wha I remember it wasnt particularly bad.