Dialing In My Palate & Humidor

[pcortes]

Hey everyone,

I’m pretty new to cigars, but I’ve gone down the rabbit hole fast. What started as a few random smokes has turned into trying to actually understand what I like and building a humidor with some intention.

So far I’ve realized I lean hard toward darker, richer cigars, lots of cocoa, espresso, earth, smoke, and I definitely don’t mind some spice.

A few I’ve really enjoyed:

• Alec Bradley Magic Toast
• CAO Flathead V660 Carb
• Herrera Esteli Norteno
• La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero (Chiselito Maduro)
• MUWAT Kentucky Fire Cured
• Drew Estate Undercrown Maduro

Also liked:

• Drew Estate Undercrown 10
• My Father Blue
• Room101 Daruma

Just okay for me:

• Romeo y Julieta Media Noche
• Drew Estate Nica Rustica Broadleaf

Based on that, I’ve been putting together a list, so I’m not just randomly buying stuff. This is where I landed:

Daily:

• Drew Estate Undercrown Maduro
• Herrera Esteli Norteno
• Foundation Charter Oak Maduro
• AJ Fernandez Last Call Maduro

Heavy / Dark:

• Foundation Olmec Maduro
• La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor
• Liga Privada No. 9
• Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series (Maduro)

Spice:

• La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero
• Tatuaje Black Label
• San Lotano The Bull
• Espinosa Laranja Reserva Azulejo
• My Father Le Bijou 1922

Smoke / Weird (in a good way):

• Liga Privada Dirty Rat
• MUWAT Kentucky Fire Cured
• CAO Flathead

Balanced:

• Alec Bradley Magic Toast
• San Cristobal Quintessence
• Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro

Crowd Pleasers (for friends / entertaining):

• Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva (natural or maduro)
• Oliva Serie G
• Montecristo
• Brick House Maduro

Curious what you guys think, anything I’m missing, or anything you’d swap out?

I’ve been checking out the marketplace a bit, but I’d rather get to know people here first before jumping into that. The Newbie Sampler Trades sound awesome though, definitely looking forward to those.

Appreciate any feedback, and glad to be here.

Paul

 

[hydro-terp]

The list looks solid to me. @CBoukal will be relieved you didn't list a Gurkha anywhere. People like what they like. There is a saying here "like what you smoke, smoke what you like".

Just watch what people post in the today's smoke thread and also the recent purchase thread. People generally dont post dog rockets but if they do they call them out. Hint: folks here enjoy a lot of sticks that dont get much attention in magazines and such. If something catch's your eye sit on a deal for a 5'er or 10sky. Wash rinse repeat.

Sign up for this email for deals.
Link
Cigar Page is the big gorilla in the room as far as deals.

In a month or two you will be asking about what cabinet to buy or how to set up a wineador or coffin size cooler.

HT

 

[BlindedByScience]

Impossible to list 'everything' but no red flags in your list that can see. I can echo everything said by HT above, good advice. Get in on the noobie sampler sooner than later, great cigars there. Soon you'll find your 'style'; the burly Nicaraguan sticks, the milder Connecticut wrapped sticks, etc. This AM I'm having a nice Por Larranga Petite Corona with coffee. After lunch, it'll likely be a rather strong NC, maybe something from Dunbarton tobacco and trust. Last stick for the evening could be a smooth and tasty stick from Fabrica5. We all like different things and tastes, at different times and settings. You'll find yours. Enjoy the ride....

 

[whopper]

Oliva Serie G with a year of age turns in to a very nice smoke in my opinion.

 

[hydro-terp]

Yeah the free shipping from CP and their frequent deals on 5rs etc make sampling a lot easier than it used to be.

One time they had a cigar I was looking for but limited it to 1 5er per order. So I made 4 orders to get the quantity I wanted.

FYI most places ship stuff on the moist side so def give anything you order a rest for a week or more to avoid burn issues.

HT

 

[medic5888]

You're missing anything from Arturo Fuente!!!! Can't go wrong with anything from them.

 

[JoeMO]

Your post looks great to me. Since you're into making different lists, you could start identifying your favorite wrappers. My favorite thread on CP for recommendations is the Cigar of the month. The rabbit hole never ends!!

 

[pcortes]

You're missing anything from Arturo Fuente!!!! Can't go wrong with anything from them.

That’s a great point, Arturo Fuente is definitely a gap for me right now. I’ve been digging into their stuff, but not gonna lie, the lines are a little confusing at first. From what I can tell, the Hemingway and Gran Reserva line is the place to start. I’m thinking of starting with these

Hemingway

• Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story
• Arturo Fuente Hemingway Best Seller

Gran Reserva

• Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva 858 Sun Grown

Magnum R

• Arturo Fuente Rosado Sun Grown Magnum R

Figure that gives me a good spread, try some of the classic Fuente profile, then see how it scales up into something with a bit more depth and spice. If there’s a “must not miss” Fuente I should add, I’m all ears.

 

[BlindedByScience]

In my biased opinion, the little R44 in the Rosado line is the best of the line. Been known to have a box in the cabinet now and then.

 

[medic5888]

That’s a great point, Arturo Fuente is definitely a gap for me right now. I’ve been digging into their stuff, but not gonna lie, the lines are a little confusing at first. From what I can tell, the Hemingway and Gran Reserva line is the place to start. I’m thinking of starting with these

Hemingway

• Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story
• Arturo Fuente Hemingway Best Seller

Gran Reserva

• Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva 858 Sun Grown

Magnum R

• Arturo Fuente Rosado Sun Grown Magnum R

Figure that gives me a good spread, try some of the classic Fuente profile, then see how it scales up into something with a bit more depth and spice. If there’s a “must not miss” Fuente I should add, I’m all ears.

those are all good choices. anything in the chateau line is excellent as well especially the sun grown wrapper.

 

[pcortes]

In my biased opinion, the little R44 in the Rosado line is the best of the line. Been known to have a box in the cabinet now and then.

those are all good choices. anything in the chateau line is excellent as well especially the sun grown wrapper.

Thank you both for the recommendations!

 

[pcortes]

You're missing anything from Arturo Fuente!!!! Can't go wrong with anything from them.

Funny story, after you pointed out the lack of Arturo Fuente in my lineup, I went down the rabbit hole trying to figure out where to start. And man, the search for cigars can definitely turn into analysis paralysis real quick.

I ended up poking around online and stumbled across a sampler from Cigarking called the “Arturo Fuente OpusX Secret Motherload Flight.” It’s guaranteed to include an OpusX, along with a mix of other Arturo Fuente cigars. On top of that, they claim that if you’re not happy with the selection, they’ll refund you in full.

So what the hell, here we go

Here’s what showed up:
Arturo Fuente

• Hemingway Work of Art Natural
• 8-5-8 Anniversary Maduro
• Hemingway Classic Natural
• Hemingway Signature Natural
• 8-5-8 Sun Grown
• 8-5-8 Rosado Sun Grown
• Don Carlos No. 2
• Cañones Maduro
• Rosado Sun Grown Magnum R (Gran Reserva)
• Fuente Fuente OpusX PerfecXion X

A bunch of these were already on my “to-buy” list, so this felt like a solid way to explore the brand. I get to try an OpusX, plus a spread across their core lines, and the overall value lined up pretty well with what I paid.

Honestly, it feels like a pretty fun way to break into Arturo Fuente without overthinking it.

Edit: Added the Don Carlos No. 2 that came with the pack.

 

[rbbrock]

Not bad at all. Definitely grab a Don Carlos and Casa Cuba to try as well, they should be easy to find, and an Anejo if you get the chance.

 

[pcortes]

Not bad at all. Definitely grab a Don Carlos and Casa Cuba to try as well, they should be easy to find, and an Anejo if you get the chance.

Its funny you say that lol

 

[herdingcats]

Not bad at all. Definitely grab a Don Carlos and Casa Cuba to try as well, they should be easy to find, and an Anejo if you get the chance.

This is nearly word for word how I was about to respond to the lack of AF. Agreed!

 

[bfreebern]

Funny story, after you pointed out the lack of Arturo Fuente in my lineup, I went down the rabbit hole trying to figure out where to start. And man, the search for cigars can definitely turn into analysis paralysis real quick.

I ended up poking around online and stumbled across a sampler from Cigarking called the “Arturo Fuente OpusX Secret Motherload Flight.” It’s guaranteed to include an OpusX, along with a mix of other Arturo Fuente cigars. On top of that, they claim that if you’re not happy with the selection, they’ll refund you in full.

So what the hell, here we go

Here’s what showed up:
Arturo Fuente

• Hemingway Work of Art Natural
• 8-5-8 Anniversary Maduro
• Hemingway Classic Natural
• Hemingway Signature Natural
• 8-5-8 Sun Grown
• 8-5-8 Rosado Sun Grown
• Cañones Maduro
• Rosado Sun Grown Magnum R (Gran Reserva)
• Fuente Fuente OpusX PerfecXion X

View attachment 108785

A bunch of these were already on my “to-buy” list, so this felt like a solid way to explore the brand. I get to try an OpusX, plus a spread across their core lines, and the overall value lined up pretty well with what I paid.

Honestly, it feels like a pretty fun way to break into Arturo Fuente without overthinking it.

I think the "Arturo Fuente OpusX Secret Motherload Flight" is a little misleading Granted, I'd smoke all of those Fuentes, but only 1 Opus in the "super secret motherload flight" is a let down.

 

[pcortes]

I think the "Arturo Fuente OpusX Secret Motherload Flight" is a little misleading Granted, I'd smoke all of those Fuentes, but only 1 Opus in the "super secret motherload flight" is a let down.

Yeah, I knew that going in. Everything I read beforehand said the same thing: only one Opus, but still a good value overall. I also didn’t factor in the Don Carlos No. 2 that came with the bundle.

For me, it was a fun one-time pickup to get some variety and finally try an Opus X to see what all the fuss is about.

 

[bfreebern]

Yeah, I knew that going in. Everything I read beforehand said the same thing: only one Opus, but still a good value overall. I also didn’t factor in the Don Carlos No. 2 that came with the bundle.

For me, it was a fun one-time pickup to get some variety and finally try an Opus X to see what all the fuss is about.

• 8-5-8 Sun Grown
• 8-5-8 Rosado Sun Grown

The 858SG is great and the 858 Rosado, used to be one of those unicorn cigars that floated around, but you could never find one in your local shop. I smoked an 858 Rosado, way back in 2005 after we closed on our house. Can't remember who I got it from, but they were way harder to find 20 years ago.

As long as you knew going in, then you're good. Opus are good with age and if I run across any in my local shops, I'll pick up a few. I just don't chase them anymore.