Riggo#44 Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 Not to **** all over ASF's post, but I wanted to point something out here, in hopes it saves someone a bit of grief, but look at the band on the Cohiba here: See how the "Cohiba" cuts that third row of white boxes in half? That's a sure fire way to spot a counterfeit. Here is what the bands should look like, for each cigar brand: http://www.cigaraficionado.com/counterfeit Also, before you go to a Cuban-selling country, research the holograms, stamps, etc. for that year. Again--apologies to ASF, hopefully I didn't kick you in the dinger with this info. And I hope this helps someone in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOF44 Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 Oh damn!! Great catch Riggo and a great resource going forward. Thank you! Although after looking at it it does not exactly match the counterfeit either. Looks like a new style counterfeit. It has the gold embossing of the new style but the error of an old style counterfeit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AsburySkinsFan Posted August 16, 2016 Author Share Posted August 16, 2016 Yeah, we've wondered about them. They are a couple of years old, but smoked great so we didn't care that much. I talked to the guy at a local cigar shop, he had a counterfeit that was bought IN the Cohiba factory in Havana by a doctor. It was the newer band and had the bad checker board, and was missing the hologram. But the audacity to sell a counterfeit in the factory is staggering, and really makes me wonder how quality control will be once Cuba is opened up. Here was last night's enjoyment: Romeo Y Julieta 1875 Aniversario Gold Medal, earthy medium body with light spicy cedar. Very nice easy smoke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOF44 Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 I ordered a couple of these to try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riggo#44 Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 11 hours ago, AsburySkinsFan said: Yeah, we've wondered about them. They are a couple of years old, but smoked great so we didn't care that much. I talked to the guy at a local cigar shop, he had a counterfeit that was bought IN the Cohiba factory in Havana by a doctor. It was the newer band and had the bad checker board, and was missing the hologram. But the audacity to sell a counterfeit in the factory is staggering, and really makes me wonder how quality control will be once Cuba is opened up. Yeah, some counterfeit or factory seconds I've smoked have been great smokes. I can't believe someone would sell a counterfeit one right in the factory. I was told by a shop owner in St. Maarten that cigar rollers get paid something obscene like $0.20 an hour--but are able to roll the scraps and sell those on their own. So some of the counterfeits and ones in cigar stores are those--so same tobacco, just not as high-quality. I was talking with someone about that very topic--what is the QC going to be when that market opens? I am intrigued though, by things that Carlos Fuente (before his recent death) said about having a plan to incorporate Cuban tobacco in his brands. I also am curious how the industry will handle false advertising--you know ****ty cigar brands claiming "MADE WITH REAL CUBAN TOBACCO!!!" but really it's just the **** left over from Phillip Morris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinsfan1311 Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 Not sure why the fascination with Cuban cigars. I've smoked quite a few, (Cohiba, Romeo y Julieta, Bolivar, etc), and they are really good. Having said that, smokes from the Dominican are every bit as good, IMO, as the Cubans, and not as expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riggo#44 Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 19 minutes ago, Skinsfan1311 said: Not sure why the fascination with Cuban cigars. I've smoked quite a few, (Cohiba, Romeo y Julieta, Bolivar, etc), and they are really good. Having said that, smokes from the Dominican are every bit as good, IMO, as the Cubans, and not as expensive. There are dominicans that are as good, but not as consistent--the draw, construction, flavor, etc. are far more consistent from Cubans than any other origin. And I will also say, if you want good non-Cubans, Nicaraguan is the way to go: My Father (including Flor de las Antilles), Tatuaje, Alec Bradley, Perdomo, Rocky Patel, La Aroma de Cuba, CAO, and Padron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinsfan1311 Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 54 minutes ago, Riggo#44 said: There are dominicans that are as good, but not as consistent--the draw, construction, flavor, etc. are far more consistent from Cubans than any other origin. And I will also say, if you want good non-Cubans, Nicaraguan is the way to go: My Father (including Flor de las Antilles), Tatuaje, Alec Bradley, Perdomo, Rocky Patel, La Aroma de Cuba, CAO, and Padron. That makes sense. Every Cuban cigar that I've smoked has been well-constructed, delicious, (and expensive!) I like the Nicarguans too, especially Padron and La Aroma de Cuba. I'm not crazy about Perdomo. I was underwhelmed by the ones that I've tried. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twa Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 I prefer the Honduran when Cubans aren't available, but I'll smoke any free one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AsburySkinsFan Posted August 17, 2016 Author Share Posted August 17, 2016 On 8/16/2016 at 8:31 AM, Riggo#44 said: I was told by a shop owner in St. Maarten that cigar rollers get paid something obscene like $0.20 an hour--but are able to roll the scraps and sell those on their own. So some of the counterfeits and ones in cigar stores are those--so same tobacco, just not as high-quality. Yep, that's the same thing the tobbacanist said, they go back and grab scraps or factory throw outs and sell them. These are a couple years old if I understood correctly, so I'm wondering if the lable issue is a result of being an older cigar. Either way it was a good smoke, and not full of worms and trash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riggo#44 Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 Just now, AsburySkinsFan said: Either way it was a good smoke, and not full of worms and trash. I hear worms and trash add earthy undertones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AsburySkinsFan Posted August 17, 2016 Author Share Posted August 17, 2016 3 minutes ago, Riggo#44 said: I hear worms and trash add earthy undertones. LOL!! Every single time I read a review that says the cigar tastes earthy, I just wonder why in the world dirt taste is supposed to be a good characteristic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riggo#44 Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 Just now, AsburySkinsFan said: LOL!! Every single time I read a review that says the cigar tastes earthy, I just wonder why in the world dirt taste is supposed to be a good characteristic! I think the same thing when people talk about coffee. Earthy=dirt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOF44 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Just got these in today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AsburySkinsFan Posted September 1, 2016 Author Share Posted September 1, 2016 Last night's adventure. Carrillo Inch natural, this is a monster! This is a defining moment cigar for me, others will be measured as before and after. Took nearly two hours from start to finish. Smooth and very well balanced throughout. Tasting: wood and caramel, mild spice crept in late and just added to the experience. The ash cone was so strong that it lasted from light to the band and beyond! This was a joy!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOF44 Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 That Camacho I have in the pic a few above was truly awful. Just black pepper all the way. I have yet to smoke the other two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaceman Spiff Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 10 minutes ago, HOF44 said: That Camacho I have in the pic a few above was truly awful. Just black pepper all the way. I have yet to smoke the other two. Really? I love that cigar. Also characterized as medium, not full bodied. To each their own, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOF44 Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 6 minutes ago, Spaceman Spiff said: Really? I love that cigar. Also characterized as medium, not full bodied. To each their own, though. Yep, I know lots of people who like them. Not my thing. My favorite so far is a Bolivar Petite Corona Cuban I had. It was awesome. Want to get some bigger ones of those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaceman Spiff Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 1 minute ago, HOF44 said: Yep, I know lots of people who like them. Not my thing. My favorite so far is a Bolivar Petite Corona Cuban I had. It was awesome. Want to get some bigger ones of those. That's cool, what do you like about it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AsburySkinsFan Posted September 1, 2016 Author Share Posted September 1, 2016 9 minutes ago, Spaceman Spiff said: Really? I love that cigar. Also characterized as medium, not full bodied. To each their own, though. Here's the red one I smoked a week or so back (forgot to post it). The reviews said straight red pepper all the way, also said that if you wanted a good laugh then teach someone to retrohale using this cigar. My experience was quite different. There was certainly red pepper but it was not unpleasant at all, a bit like a mild salsa at most. I didn't find the cigar all that appealing overall but it wasn't because of the spice. It was just that I think they are so intent on making a spicy cigar that they sacrifice a lot of the other complexities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOF44 Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 1 hour ago, Spaceman Spiff said: That's cool, what do you like about it? To me it tasted really mild with a cedar and dark chocolate/coffee type flavor. I thought it was really light but rates a medium to full body. So I'm not sure how they classify that. I just am trying to find what I like and smoke it. Just had a shipment come in today. Some Cohiba Siglo III's, Partagas #4, more Bolivar's, and a hand rolled no brand Cuban that smells out of this world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riggo#44 Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 1 hour ago, HOF44 said: To me it tasted really mild with a cedar and dark chocolate/coffee type flavor. I thought it was really light but rates a medium to full body. So I'm not sure how they classify that. I just am trying to find what I like and smoke it. Just had a shipment come in today. Some Cohiba Siglo III's, Partagas #4, more Bolivar's, and a hand rolled no brand Cuban that smells out of this world. Where do you get your shipment from? And are you willing to share? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOF44 Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Pics of today's mail call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riggo#44 Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Those look absolutely delicious... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaceman Spiff Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Anyone have a good humidor? I got one for a best man gift a few years ago but I never really used it and it looks pretty crappy. How are you keeping your stuff fresh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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