What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?

[tupacboy]

NO nc is worth the premium... why bother when you can get like a monte sumblime, ryj duke, etc for the same price.. and from my understanding, nc dont' age well either

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by tupacboy

and from my understanding, nc dont' age well either

Not true. There are many nc's that age wonderfully. Pepin's and Padrons are just a couple that I have had with more than 4/5 years on them.

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by tupacboy

NO nc is worth the premium... why bother when you can get like a monte sumblime, ryj duke, etc for the same price.. and from my understanding, nc dont' age well either

95% of what I have is CC.
However, I would never make this blanket statement that others have made also, about "no" NC being worth the premium without first prefacing it with "TO ME".
For anyone that does not mind dropping $25-$30 and can afford it, I assure you they will smoke all the 40th, 80th and 45th they can scoop up and for me, I have not found many Cubans that to my taste rival those cigars for flavor and consistency (the latter being a word Cubans can't profess).

As to aging is a matter of personal preference also. Padrons age very well.
Many know that to my 74 yr old dad, who is Cuban no less, who has smoked them since he was 14, aging is nothing more than smoking a dried, old, no longer what it was intended to be cigar. Doesn't make him right or wrong. Just his style.

Originally Posted by Blueface

95% of what I have is CC.
However, I would never make this blanket statement that others have made also, about "no" NC being worth the premium without first prefacing it with "TO ME".
For anyone that does not mind dropping $25-$30 and can afford it, I assure you they will smoke all the 40th, 80th and 45th they can scoop up and for me, I have not found many Cubans that to my taste rival those cigars for flavor and consistency (the latter being a word Cubans can't profess).

As to aging is a matter of personal preference also. Padrons age very well.
Many know that to my 74 yr old dad, who is Cuban no less, who has smoked them since he was 14, aging is nothing more than smoking a dried, old, no longer what it was intended to be cigar. Doesn't make him right or wrong. Just his style.

Carlos,

I'd counterpoint that while all CCs are not consistent there are some that seem to be to me. Cohibas are pretty consistent, and from the ones I've had so are regionals and LEs.

Also I used to love the 80th, however I don't care much for them now. I'd take a Sig II over an 80th everytime.

[shilala]

Originally Posted by Addiction

Carlos,

I'd counterpoint that while all CCs are not consistent there are some that seem to be to me. Cohibas are pretty consistent, and from the ones I've had so are regionals and LEs.

Also I used to love the 80th, however I don't care much for them now. I'd take a Sig II over an 80th everytime.

Bryan, I've watched the "trend" for a long time now. Regular smokers always tend to end up at old cc's. Don't know why.
Recently, I've watched myself start to levitate towards cc's. I still love my mind numbing nc's, though. It's just my style, and what I like. I think it has to do with chewing snuff for 35 years. It's hard for me to get any nicotine unless the cigar is incredibly strong.
I smoked an 80th last night, and it handed me my ass. It was about four years old, I believe. Cello was nice and yellow. It was amazingly perfect and probably the strongest cigar I ever smoked.
In my search, I haven't been able to find a mind-numbing cc. Then when something is suggested, I have to smoke at least three sticks to get one that's representative. Cripes, I'd have to smoke a whole box of cc's to be sure that I know what the cigar is supposed to be "like".
On a positive note, I can see myself enjoying the more delicate cc's, because I snork every huff. If I were a mouth smoker, I'd definately levitate to nc's because I can taste things in my mouth. cc's, I can't. Just dirty smoke.
I'm definately going to spark a SigII as soon as I can.
Not to compare with the 80th, but to see where you're coming from, in hopes I'll enjoy the SigII as well.
Thanks, brother!!!

[rizzle]

Originally Posted by tupacboy

NO nc is worth the premium... why bother when you can get like a monte sumblime, ryj duke, etc for the same price.. and from my understanding, nc dont' age well either

Not to pick or anything, but your understanding? I'm to assume that would mean you are taking other's words at face value and haven't actually aged anything yourself. I would submit that you might want to experience it personally before you make a declaration one way or the other.

And this is something that has always made me scratch my head anyway. Why would only tobacco from one region age "well" but it won't age "well" if it comes from anywhere else? It just makes no sense to me and my experience, though somewhat limited, has shown to be different. I have a suspicion that those who primarily age and smoke cigars from a certain region probably don't make a habit out of aging and smoking cigars from other regions very often. But that's just me and my

Like Carlos says...different strokes.

[tupacboy]

Originally Posted by rizzle

Not to pick or anything, but your understanding? I'm to assume that would mean you are taking other's words at face value and haven't actually aged anything yourself. I would submit that you might want to experience it personally before you make a declaration one way or the other.

And this is something that has always made me scratch my head anyway. Why would only tobacco from one region age "well" but it won't age "well" if it comes from anywhere else? It just makes no sense to me and my experience, though somewhat limited, has shown to be different. I have a suspicion that those who primarily age and smoke cigars from a certain region probably don't make a habit out of aging and smoking cigars from other regions very often. But that's just me and my

Like Carlos says...different strokes.

From what I read... NC are made with the US market in mind... to be smoked right away... therefore age does not enhance the cigar as much as a CC...

In regards to your comment about the aging of region... wine's also age differently from different regions

[TheRiddick]

Originally Posted by tupacboy

From what I read... NC are made with the US market in mind... to be smoked right away... therefore age does not enhance the cigar as much as a CC...

In regards to your comment about the aging of region... wine's also age differently from different regions

Interesting statements. On number 1 above, what has been YOUR experience? I've aged both extensively, for 10-15 years, and can tell you BOTH do just fine. Anyone claiming otherwise has NO IDEA nor experience.

On wine, don't even go there, you obviously repeat same old, same old. Just a hint, whites wines age way better than red (yeah, those pesky red Bords and Burgs don't really do that well), something "experts" don't really discuss and many don't even understand.

[tupacboy]

Originally Posted by TheRiddick

Interesting statements. On number 1 above, what has been YOUR experience? I've aged both extensively, for 10-15 years, and can tell you BOTH do just fine. Anyone claiming otherwise has NO IDEA nor experience.
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Because your experience is the only one that counts right? we should all stop writing about our experience and just wait for you from now on... because "Anyone claiming otherwise has NO IDEA nor experience."

[The Poet]

Originally Posted by tupacboy

Because your experience is the only one that counts right? we should all stop writing about our experience and just wait for you from now on... because "Anyone claiming otherwise has NO IDEA nor experience."

Hang around here long enough, my brother, and you will learn the truth of that statement . . . for many of the inmates here.

But that's just my experience.

[TheRiddick]

Originally Posted by tupacboy

Because your experience is the only one that counts right? we should all stop writing about our experience and just wait for you from now on... because "Anyone claiming otherwise has NO IDEA nor experience."

The problem is that YOU are repeating what someone else said, I posted on my own ACTUAL experience. Seems you equate the two and so far have not posted about YOUR own experience with aged NCs.

Its the small details...

Carry on, you win, from now on any "I heard it from my neighbor's cousin's girlfriend's sister's classmate's brother" opinion takes the front seat over actual experience.

[Adriftpanda]

Originally Posted by TheRiddick

The problem is that YOU are repeating what someone else said, I posted on my own ACTUAL experience. Seems you equate the two and so far have not posted about YOUR own experience with aged NCs.

Its the small details...

Carry on, you win, from now on any "I heard it from my neighbor's cousin's girlfriend's sister's classmate's brother" opinion takes the front seat over actual experience.

greg, you need a smoke don't you. Come down to Tower before it closes and pick out a smoke, on me. Lol

Originally Posted by tupacboy

......and from my understanding, nc dont' age well either

For my money, in my limited experience, I foudn this statement to be true.

I used to love 1964 Imperial Maduros. But after having some that I aged only a year they seemed diminished to me. I came to greatly prefer ones that didnt have age on them. The same was true of my Diamond Crown Maximus, VSGs and San Cristobels. the only cigar I liked with age was the Avo 05 LE.

Keep in mind a lot of NCs have some age on them by the time the get to your store fronts.

[TheRiddick]

Originally Posted by Addiction

For my money, in my limited experience, I foudn this statement to be true.

I used to love 1964 Imperial Maduros. But after having some that I aged only a year they seemed diminished to me. I came to greatly prefer ones that didnt have age on them. The same was true of my Diamond Crown Maximus, VSGs and San Cristobels. the only cigar I liked with age was the Avo 05 LE.

Keep in mind a lot of NCs have some age on them by the time the get to your store fronts.

We're on a thread hijack at this point...

But. Not sure about that "diminished" POV. Same as with wine, for example, wines do not "diminish" with age since alcohol levels stay pretty much the same, it is the perceived aromatics and flavor that go through a transformation, same as with tobacco. Those who prefer wines on the young side, i.e. full of young tannins and tactile impressions they leave on the palate, most likely also prefer cigars on the young side as well for same reasons. Conversely, those who prefer more subtlety in wine, i.e. what aging does to good wines when tannins drop out (physically) and secondary characteristics develop, most likely prefer cigars with some age on them. Personally, I am in the second camp and will gladly take a nicely aged cigar with developed complexity over a young, tannic "in your face" cigar. Palate preference at play.

Any quality cigar will age fine. From my own experience and palate preference.
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A question to those who insist that only CCs age well: What chemical element in tobacco leaf is responsible for the supposed "proper" aging and why do you believe it only exists on the island of Cuba?

[Bax]

Originally Posted by TheRiddick

Any quality cigar will age fine. From my own experience and palate preference.
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A question to those who insist that only CCs age well: What chemical element in tobacco leaf is responsible for the supposed "proper" aging and why do you believe it only exists on the island of Cuba?

That might be the factor here in aging. The Quality of the leaf of Cuban stock vs. NC stock. I also think that aging NC's do not help as much as CC's, but my experience is also very limited.

He's my , When I first joined Club Stogie back in the day I think Pnoon said it quite simply... aging a crap stick will only give you an old crap stick. When I smoke an NC now it's usually for a load of spice and full bodied punch. That in my opinion is what is lost when aging alot of NC's. Not that it's a bad smoke, but just not what I'm looking for.

The Riddick may very well prefer what an aged NC turns into, thus TO HIM they age well. A few NC's I prefer with a couple years but for the most part TO ME, I prefer them fresh,


In the end, if you like it... it's a good smoke! And yes, this even includes gurkhas

[TheRiddick]

Originally Posted by Bax

The Quality of the leaf of Cuban stock vs. NC stock.

I am not sure you understood my post.

The QUALITY of the leaf is about the same if not better on the NC side, construction is easily better. The TASTE is what's really at play and as you (and I as well) stated, depends on what you like. Taste is main reason I dislike CCs, in general, and I know I am not alone, very few CCs are worth MY money.

As for the topic on hand, I am not sure any cigar is worth $15 (or above) when so many great cigars are available @ $3-10 per stick.

1.Padron 1926
2.LG
3.Diamond crown Maximus(call me crazy)
4. Tat Black tubos
5.Padron 44th Nat (be than the 45th IMHO)


Oh and NC Cohibas or Ghurkas.......... Kidding Kidding

[tupacboy]

Originally Posted by TheRiddick

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A question to those who insist that only CCs age well: What chemical element in tobacco leaf is responsible for the supposed "proper" aging and why do you believe it only exists on the island of Cuba?

... its not an exact chemical element.... if that's the case then which grapes have different "chemical elements" in every region that "you believe it only exists on the" whatever region to produce the end product of wine? (wine is used as an example only)

If we go off your basis that they are all the same tobacco with the same "chemical element"... how come they all taste different? then wouldn't all maduro leafs tastes the same?