Smoking in Southern California

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 11:08 am

Oops only 1 t in Julieta

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 1:59 pm

Well, the Romeo was not too bad. Not as good as the Padron, but passable, so far, my second fave after Padron Anniversary 1964

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 7:01 pm

Try the CAO, try the CAO!!

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 9:32 am

I have a CAO but it is a Maduro, not anniversary. I will let you know, maybe later today. I need to either buy these online or find a top notch cigar store. It does say 1968 on the wrapper

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 9:56 am

Excuse me, 1998

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:44 am

Pity it's not 1968, Charly..... the vintage guitar market is all over the place, so dabbling in the vintage cigar market could be an interesting diversion.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 11:14 am

It turns out the CAO is anniversary, they just don't say it on the wrapper.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 1:38 pm

Ok, John, I tried the CAO. It is ok, but not up to the Padron for me.

So here's my scale so far:

Padron 1964 Anniversary - 10
Romeo Y Julieta - 7
Monte Cristo - 4
CAO anniversary - 5
Onyx Reserve - 5

I have ordered -
another Monte Cristo #2 - just in case
A Padron 1926 Anniversary
Perdomo Reserve Champagne

I have a Cuesta-Rey Vintage Centenario Belicoso No. 11

A Rocky Patel Vintage 1992

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 2:57 pm

You like the fuller taste cigars there, Charly! Monte Cristo #4 was a good, nutty flavored cigar - but it was $11.60 in Alexandria, VA!

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 3:05 pm

My personal taste (cigar smoker since February, 1970) is the Monte Cristo. They are the most wonderful-smelling cigars on the planet, IMO, and of course the taste is superb.

I might have mentioned this, but ten years ago I bought a box of #4 Cubanos in Rio de Janeiro, for $110.00. They were fresh, genuine, and fabulous. Assuming that I'd struck the Mother Lode, I smoked them at the rate of about 2-3 a week. Next time I went back to Rio (a few months later), the cigar fad from the States had hit in Brasil and the same cigars were $12.00 US each. I brought back a half-dozen. Quality was down considerably.

Next time they were about $28-$30, where they've stayed ever since. Quality is spotty, and I no longer can afford them anyway at those prices.

Overrated, to my palate? Cohibas and Macanudos.

karl_teten · Post by **karl_teten** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 3:31 pm

Macanudos.......those are what you graduate to after Swishers. lol

Cigar smoker since 1987. I haven't smoked a cigar in over a year now.

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 3:34 pm

Oh, Macanudos are great, so I beg to differ, IMO. Different palates though, different tastes.
I had a Cuban or two not long ago while traveling to Alaska. Not too impressed. Quite possibly I was expecting more. They were duty free, but still not inexpensive.

karl_teten · Post by **karl_teten** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 3:45 pm

Stan, if you like a mild cigar with a little flavor without clearing a room, try a creamy AVO.

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 3:53 pm

Never tried one, Karl, but will give it a shot. I do prefer mild.

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 8:41 pm

"Overrated, to my palate? Cohibas and Macanudos."

I concur - not impressed with either.

Creamy AVO - nice smoke. Stan, if you like mild, try the CAO Annicersary (also labeled Camaroon). Their Corillo has a tad more bite to it but still (for me) a nice smoke.

There was another milder smoke I tried recently, a woman's name, but I can't remember it. I still have a label at home, so I could find it if I'd remember to do it...