What cigar (or pipe) did you smoke today?

[Kermez]

We each received two Fuente Fuente Opus X Perfecxion A cigars last night and enjoyed one this afternoon after a late lunch. They seem to be richer and smoother tasting that other Opus X's that I have smoked. Before and after firing, the Perfecxion A treated me to all of the aromas that I will forever associate with my father's cigars and the flavors I would expect from a fine cigar. Satiated, with a warm snifter of brandy loosely balanced in a slackening hand this was the perfect end to a picture perfect day.

Awesome hard-to-get cigar. I am usually able to get 1-2 a year (around this time), and save them for special occasions. I pay $28.74 (total) apiece - my most expensive cigar I buy. Congrats to you!

 

[Fletch]

Fuente Flor Fina 8-5-8 is becoming my go-to smoke. Fired one up after Thanks. dinner and the feeling of relaxation was profound. I enjoy the aroma of the exhalation as much as the draw (am I weird?)

Also discovered their Cubanito (4.5x32), enjoyable for a short walk or cuppa joe.

 

[vonwotan]

Kermez - I had no idea they were so hard to find, or expensive! We have a local tobacconist who has incredible access to some hard to find items so I assume our friends bought/ordered them through them.

I will spend extra from time to time for events and I feel that my go to cigars are pricey enough, especially today. I pick up a box of Ashton 20 aged maduros from time to time, a tin of Cordials if I'm going to a party or event and leave the selection to our local guy for our cigar dinners... He usually throws in something hard to find.

Awesome hard-to-get cigar. I am usually able to get 1-2 a year (around this time), and save them for special occasions. I pay $28.74 (total) apiece - my most expensive cigar I buy. Congrats to you!

 

[Kermez]

The Opus X "A"s only come out at Christmastime (along with Hemingway Maduros, Untold Stories and Masterpieces (big Hemingways), Between the Lines, and the entire line on Anejos, all from A.F.). The "A"s are normally priced $31.93 (total), but I get a little discount. ("club" member at a cigar store I frequent far more regularly than my wife wants me to do so.)

All the "A"s I've ever gotten come in their own little wooden box. Did yours?

BtW - from '81-'85 (I was 11-15) I lived in Cohasset.

Fletch (or should I call you John Cocktoasten?) - yeah, the Flor Fina 8-5-8 (both natural and maduro) are great coronaish-sized smokes for around $4-ish. I try and keep at least a few of each shade on hand regularly in my humidors.

 

[Mr. Paladin]

What?!? the hell do you normally smoke?!? I like to consider myself a sophisticated and experienced cigar smoker (started in college in 1987), but I think the SCs are rather fuller bodied!

Two of my regulars are the CAO Italia and the Rocky Patel Sun Grown. They are both fuller-bodied that the San Christobal, to my taste anyway. So are several of the Camachos but I don't smoke them as much. Another nice cigar that I keep in my cabinet is an inexpensive one from Finck's in San Antonio; the Finck Commerce. I think it is also more full, but then again, I'm just basing my judgement on the one I've smoked. Never had a San Christobal before that one.

What do you compare the SC to?

 

[vonwotan]

The cigars did indeed come in individual wooden boxes, quite a bit nicer than many boxes we have seen. I don't keep track as much as I used to but I seem to remember the Opus X (originally only one cigar?) was very hard to find so the manager at the American Hotel in Sag Harbor would call us to let us know when they came in...

The Opus X "A"s only come out at Christmastime (along with Hemingway Maduros, Untold Stories and Masterpieces (big Hemingways), Between the Lines, and the entire line on Anejos, all from A.F.). The "A"s are normally priced $31.93 (total), but I get a little discount. ("club" member at a cigar store I frequent far more regularly than my wife wants me to do so.)

All the "A"s I've ever gotten come in their own little wooden box. Did yours?

 

[rkwilker]

Sancho Panza Double Maduro churchill.

 

[Fletch]

Fletch (or should I call you John Cocktoasten?)

Actually it's John Lehhwaves-hand-rapidly-in-front-of-mouthbbllbflbnnhnn.

yeah, the Flor Fina 8-5-8 (both natural and maduro) are great coronaish-sized smokes for around $4-ish.

By the box, I'm guessing. Apiece they're running $5.50 or so locally.

And put 'em on Mr. Underhill's bill, would you please? lol

 

[Kermez]

What do you compare the SC to?

I've only had 3-4 SCs, but by way of strength comparision I might have to go with the Oliva Serie V. In fact, I'm having one right now - a Special V Figurado - which I lit up less than 5 minutes ago.

 

[Kermez]

The cigars did indeed come in individual wooden boxes, quite a bit nicer than many boxes we have seen.

Yes, indeed.

I don't keep track as much as I used to but I seem to remember the Opus X (originally only one cigar?) was very hard to find so the manager at the American Hotel in Sag Harbor would call us to let us know when they came in...

All Opus X's (all sizes) are hard to come by a normal prices ($9-$17, excluding the "A"s) unless you know someone or are lucky. Of the two shops here in town where I normally get them, one is no limit but first-come-first-sold, and the other is 2/day PERIOD, regardless of how many differnet sized he has on hand.

 

[indycop]

I have had both the Italia and the SC and I think the italia is alot stronger. That thing turns me green....:eusa_doh:

 

[Kermez]

Actually it's John Lehhwaves-hand-rapidly-in-front-of-mouthbbllbflbnnhnn.

Well played, Mr. Poon.

By the box, I'm guessing. Apiece they're running $5.50 or so locally.

Nope, apiece. Double Chataeuxs are in the $5.50-$6.50 range.

Fuente (all sizes and styles) are one of those cigars that can be very well priced in the right stores, or triple that in others. Special stuff excluded, I don't pay more than $7 for Gran Reserva, $8 for Hemingway, $12 for Don Carlos, and $17 for Opus X - and that's representative of the biggest "normal" sizes for those styles.

Fuentes are good cigars. What makes them great is the price. Pay too much, and you might as well go to a different brand - unless the shop is across-the-board expensive, in which case go somewhere else (if possible - or charge it to the Underhills, snoogins).

 

[Kermez]

I have had both the Italia and the SC and I think the italia is alot stronger. That thing turns me green....:eusa_doh:

I don't remember having this reaction - looks like I need to give these another go around (after a nice steak dinner, of course).

 

[indycop]

I also agree with the Oliva V and SC comparison. I love the CAO brand but something about the italia hits me in the gut everytime.

Tonight is a La Vieja Habana Maduro.

 

[Kermez]

Tonight is a La Vieja Habana Maduro.

You've said you've had those before, haven't you? (I'm FAR too lazy to look back to verify this on my own, nooch.)

I tried them a couple of years ago, the various La Vieja Habanas, but they didn't excite me. In fact, to paraphrase GSP: "I was not impressed with their performance." (Please note you need to read this with a French-Canadian accent for the full effect.)

 

[indycop]

You've said you've had those before, haven't you? (I'm FAR too lazy to look back to verify this on my own, nooch.)

I tried them a couple of years ago, the various La Vieja Habanas, but they didn't excite me. In fact, to paraphrase GSP: "I was not impressed with their performance." (Please note you need to read this with a French-Canadian accent for the full effect.)

They are cheap and I have them at work, so if I have to toss one and go it's not a huge loss. I only get the maduro.

 

[Kermez]

They are cheap and I have them at work, so if I have to toss one and go it's not a huge loss.

As fine an answer as can be had. I probably feel that way (re: tossing one) about Baccarats (specifically the Rothchild (maduro, preferably, as well) - the first REAL cigar I ever smoked).

 

[rkwilker]

Tonight....Gurka Warlord churchill...with Jefferson's Reserve on the rocks. Happy Holidays all!

 

[Kermez]

Today I had an Arturo Fuente Cuban Belicoso Sun Grown and later a Punch After Dinner Maduro.

 

[Mr. Paladin]

They are cheap and I have them at work, so if I have to toss one and go it's not a huge loss. I only get the maduro.

Indycop, I checked these out on a couple websites and saw they have cameroon wrappers as well. I may give those a shot for a work cigar as well. If you get a chance, try the Rocky Patel Sun Grown. I got a good deal on several bundles of the perfecto size six months ago from CI and they are nice.

Kermez, please don't get me wrong about the strength on the SC. It had good body and strength (maybe mild was not the best choice of words) but did not seem to impart that "kick" I was expecting. Maybe I've just had too many " dog rockets" at work and killed my taste buds. I may try another SC in a taste test with the Italia, RP, and an Hoyo Legend through a week and see if I still think so.