Cigars Cigars Cigars

[Sev]

thanks nighstalker.

 

no problem, we get the fonseca delicias first.

Btw, where you tried the delicias? it is smaller than foncesa no1, good taste?

any review on that?

[Nightstalker]

i tried the fonseca no.1. kindda liked it. the delicias has a smaller ring guage. never tried it b4 though, might asl well give it a shot. it cant differ from the no.1 by tat much anyway.

[entity]

I THINK I tried the Fonseca Delicias before. It was in Hotel Grand Maya in KL sometime 1.5 years back. Had some time to kill and went to their lobby bar. There was a small humidor with a bunch of cigars. The usual Monte 4s, and some other small cigars. All were in rather bad condition (hard and dry). Only the Fonseca (which I've never tried before prior to that day) was in OK condition. The thing is, the smaller size fonsecas are rather close in ring guage and size, and the only distinguishing mark was the "tissue paper" wrapped around the cigar. When I had access to the Internet, I checked up cigars-review.org (an excellent site!) and thus "deduced" that I had smoked the Delicias.

 

Taste-wise, I remember mild wood and saltiness, evolving slightly to become slightly leathery. Mild to medium-bodied cigar. Not very complex, but it agrees very much with my palate. Supremely good value-for-money (but then again, its supposed to be machine-made).

 

When Nightstalker smoked his Fonseca No. 1 a couple of weeks back, there were only traces of the "Fonseca taste" (as I remembered it), with a vague beany taste.

 

I'm just hoping that we bought the "correct" Fonseca. But even if we didnt, at this price, it'd still be a good buy for a Cuban.

[entity]

Date: 23rd Jan (Mon)

Location: El Sheikh (Arab St)

Time: 8pm

 

Currently,

 

Attendance list:

1) Nightstalker

2) Entity

3) Doubtfool

4) TheSquid

5) Sev (if we're still there at 11 pm)

[Throttle]

just got back, fellas.

 

enjoy yourselves on monday, i'll be going to Medan early Tuesday morning so cannot join.

 

enjoy!

[Throttle]

hi THC, from your posts, it would be good to gradually go up in strength and flavor so that you can experience the difference better.

 

most people find the Edmundo mild. so if you find the edmundo powerful, i would recommend the Hoyo range to you first.

 

Have fun.

[entity]

Just had myself a Hoyo Petit Robusto.

 

Found it very different from the slightly longer Epicure No. 2 I had recently.

 

From the very beginning, the dominant taste was of leather, mixed with a little woodiness and a little tanginess. I would consider this a medium-bodied cigar. Surprsingly, at the last 1.5 inch, it suddenly got more mild, and the leather disappeared almost altogether, replaced by a stronger woody taste. Rather enjoyable though not my taste profile.

[Throttle]

just finishe d a monte 2 with my buddy at the CigarSofa. He was doing the hoyo P Robusto too.

 

The best thing about cigar smoking is that it really creates an atmosphere for the smoker to slow things down and reflect. and when friends do it together , the bond tightens...

 

have great one tomorrow, guys.

 

[Guest TheSquid]

Originally posted by Throttle@Jan 20 2006, 10:41 PM

hi THC, from your posts, it would be good to gradually go up in strength and flavor so that you can experience the difference better.

 

most people find the Edmundo mild. so if you find the edmundo powerful, i would recommend the Hoyo range to you first.

 

Have fun.

sorry for the delay in the pick up duncan.

see u on sunday or after u get back?

 

cheers

[thc8177]

Hi Throttle, thanks for the advice, the Edmundo was quite alright till about the last inch or so when I felt it to be strong. Well, guess that it only goes to show that the previous cigars which I've tried are even milder. Ha.

 

Actually, may I please check with you about something? When smoking cigar, how much should the remaining bit be for me to stop? Is there a recommendation for this?

 

I actually prefer a long smoke, well, sort of using the cigar smoking time to relax and ponder over issues. Is there any cigars in the hoyo range that you can recommend to me? What might be the rough cost?

 

Thanks alot. By the way, I enjoy very much the pictures and information which you shared here. I've actually learnt alot. Cheers!!!

[entity]

Just smoke until you either dun like the cigar anymore, or you can't hold the cigar anymore, whichever comes first.

 

If you like Hoyos, their longest non-limitada is their Double Corona. 194 mm in length.

 

1 more day to go for cigar meet-up!

[Throttle]

seconding Entity's reply,

 

it also depends on how fast a smoker you are as well.

 

Some people take 2.5 hours to do a Double Corona (DC) while others may take only 90mins. I remember one session at La Casa del Cubana (after a beating up from the market = lost $5000) when i did a Hoyo DC 1998 in 60mins!

 

So a long smoke for someone maybe not be that long a smoke for you.

[thc8177]

Hi Entity and throttle, thanks for the reply. What I have noticed is that cigars usually get stronger during the ending bits, is that always true or does that only apply for certain cigars?

 

Other than the Hoyo range, what other cigars are there that offer long smoking time?

 

May I know its rough prices? Was thinking of having the rough figure in my mind first so I dun't choose something's that's out of my budget. Ha.

 

Thanks for helping me out with my queries.

[entity]

99.9% of the cigars get stronger at the ending part. i've friends that just love the ending bit. Myself, I rarely smoke a cigar to the last inch. So again, it's up to your personal taste.

 

For Hoyo's, the largest vitola is already the largest non-limitada. In fact, it's one of the largest vitola's of ANY Cuban brands. I'm not too sure about the price, but it should sell at the $40 to $50 price range in Singapore.

 

I'm one of the slowest cigar smokers i know, while Throttle is quite fast. And i usually do not smoke a cigar down to the nub, while he usually does. So it is rather subjective when it comes to saying something is a "long" smoke. The only thing i can say with conviction is that a longer cigar definitely provides for a longer smoke. I'd not be able to tell you how long YOU'll be able to smoke it.

 

My advice is: you sound rather new to cigars (no disrespect meant whatsoever), so just experiment and try all kinds of cigars to see what you like. When you've tried enough, you'll know what kind you like. Even better would be to join us for cigar gatherings. We can share about what cigars we like, how to hold cigars the right way, etc. It'll be great to find yet another convert to the wonderful world of cigars!

[thc8177]

Hi Entity, thanks for the reply. No worry about me being offended. Ha. I'm really new to cigars. Anyway, sorry but what does 'non-limitada' mean?

 

I went around to get some cigars today. Actually I wanted to go to Taka but due to time constraint, went down to Suntec Habanos instead. In the end, got the Bolivar Petit Corona. Is it a good cigar? Saw the Hoyo DC as well. What can I say? It's huge! Ha. I'll try that someday.

 

Think it a trial-and-error game for me currently. Trying out various types of cigars and finding out what I prefer.

 

Generally speaking, is there a SOP on cigar choosing?

 

Thanks alot for all the kind advice to everyone. Cheers!!!

[entity]

Since 2000, Cuba has produced some cigars that are "limitada", which means limited edition. These are produced in limited quantities, and are generally acknowledged to be of better quality than the "normal" range.

 

Hoyo has a cigar called Paticulares (LE 2003) (I think) which is the biggest of its range. But for its normal range, the Double Corona is the largest.

 

Boliva Petit Corona is a good cigar for a begineer. It exhibits characteristics of the Boliva brand. If you like it, you might want to try their Belicosos Finos or Royal Coronas which are their better smokes.

 

About cigar choosing, I assume you mean choosing a good stick from the box. There are ways to choose a cigar. The ideal cigar is "oily" (as oily as a cigar can get), dark (generally acknowledged to have more flavour), not hard (slightly spongy if possible). It sounds wierd with words. Would be easier to show you.

 

BTW thc8177, are you coming for the gathering on Monday night?

[thc8177]

Hi Entity, thanks alot on the clarification. Wow, I will never really get to find out that much on my own.

 

I bought it at $15 apiece, how's that price? I'm not sure if I got a fair deal.

 

There's a gathering on Mon night? Well, it's just too bad I cant make it. I got class from seven to ten and will have to rush off to work after till six am the next day.

 

Really appreciate the invitation but am real sorry I cant make it. Please enjoy the gathering and send my regards.

 

Thanks Entity.

[entity]

$15 sounds like a reasonable price. Would cost at most $3 less in other places.

 

Too bad you can't join us. Perhaps next time.

[thc8177]

Hi Entity, thanks for the reply. Glad to know I got a reasonable deal. Ha. Anyway, may I please seek advice on getting a cigar cutter? Ha, you might laugh but I've always been using scissors to cut my cigars. Well, and I've found out that I've cut too much of it away.

 

Is there any type of cigar cutter that you recommend? I'm hoping to get one that's not very costly while doing the job. What's the price range and the place to get one? Thanks alot.

 

Well, just too bad I cant turn up. Hai. Work and study. Thanks alot for all the wonderful help. Hope I din cause too much inconvenience. Cheers!!!

[Sev]

it is Monday :cheer:

 

thc8177> you can buy cheap cutter at Oaks, it is about $20+ for plastic cutter.

for better grade cutter, buy from ebay, a lot cheaper than Singapore. Oaks selling normal SS cutter for $80+.

 

The Squid> i brought the P2 with me, see you later at Al Shiek.

 

Entity> see you tonight for the lusi..

 

i had a RYJ Exb No4 at China Square yesterday.

It is a medium body smoke, woody and lots of smoke.

 

great cigar, but i still prefer D4 and Epi no 2...

[entity]

THC8177, no problem. Glad to share.

 

Sev's suggestion is the cheapest way to get a cutter. For me, I would suggest this:

If you're really serious about cigar-smoking, you'll need a cigar case (1 to 20 sticks size) for carrying your cigars out of your home to smoke. Besides that, you MIGHT want an ashtray (not a necessity), a butane lighter in addition to the cutter that you want.

 

Getting all of the above at the same time at a cigar accessories website would save you the shipping costs. It's quite silly paying so much just to ship a cutter. By buying the things above all at once, you save on future shipping costs, which will be quite substantial.

 

As for your humidor (which is also cheaper to buy via the Internet), its quite heavy on its own, so it doesn't make that much difference in shipping to buy it separately.

 

Sev, seeya later. We're not going to smoke the Lucis tonight. Will pass your 5 sticks to you though.

[Guest TheSquid]

thanks guys. see ya tonite.

[thc8177]

Hi Entity and Sev, thanks alot for the advice. I din know that there's plastic cutter till now. Ha. :giddy: Is there any cigar accessories website that can be recommended to me? Thanks to all for the advice.

[Nightstalker]

wow...havent read up the past 2 days and there's so many new posts!

 

regardin the accessories, i bought most of my stuff, ie humidor, cutter and case from ebay. its not exactly the prettiest, but it serves its purpose. the butane lighter can be bought from oaks. the prince pocket torch is goin for $30. one of the cheapest decent one u can find (not includin those u can find at 77th street though).

[Nightstalker]

by the way, for any of u who're interested in buyin stuff from US, do let me know cos im plannin to get a cutter from there. gonna ship it back via vpost cos its slightly cheaper. im waitin for pple who's plannin to buy stuff from there so we can consolidate our packages. cheaper tat way

 

thc8177, u can check out the cutters from http://www.cubancrafters.com, tats where im plannin to buy mine from.