Tabaqueria de Filipinas 1898 Independencia L.E.

[craig]

How does one know an expensive cigar will be good? I've had expensive cigars that were $hit (to me), and I've had inexpensive cigars that were $hit (to me).

I'm with Bill on this one.

[Tdre977]

How does one know an expensive cigar will be good? I've had expensive cigars that were $hit (to me), and I've had inexpensive cigars that were $hit (to me).

I'm with Bill on this one.

Dont get me wrong, I'll definitely agree I've smoked cigars that I'll say are over priced and overhyped, didnt live up to expectations for the price point, for example the higher priced Greycliff's or Gurkha's have never tickled me, but a PAM, Anejo, Opus, Davidoff's etc.. for me at least never let me down. I just like finding a pleasent medium, something that while it may not be the the greatest smoke in the world, will satisfy me while not breaking the bank, even if it means that it has some negative attributes compared to a "premium" cigar.

[ashauler]

How does one know an expensive cigar will be good? I've had expensive cigars that were $hit (to me), and I've had inexpensive cigars that were $hit (to me).

I'm with Bill on this one.

Honestly, this logic makes it even more sensible to try inexpensive smokes, imho.

[craig]

Dont get me wrong, I'll definitely agree I've smoked cigars that I'll say are over priced and overhyped, didnt live up to expectations for the price point, for example the higher priced Greycliff's or Gurkha's have never tickled me, but a PAM, Anejo, Opus, Davidoff's etc.. for me at least never let me down. I just like finding a pleasent medium, something that while it may not be the the greatest smoke in the world, will satisfy me while not breaking the bank, even if it means that it has some negative attributes compared to a "premium" cigar.

Ah, that makes sense. BTW, don't overestimate the psychological power that the brand/band has on your smoking experience. The last mega review series showed how little correlation there can be between price/enjoyment.

Honestly, this logic makes it even more sensible to try inexpensive smokes, imho.

Exactly. It isn't "Life is too short to smoke inexpensive cigars," it is "Life is too short to smoke $hitty cigars." For example, I'll put down a cigar after a 1/2" if I don't like it, or throw out a box rather than smoking cigars that I found to be cr*p (even after sitting).

[nhcigarfan]

I agree. But also agree with the cultural value statement. There might be a business opportunity....


I think of expensive cigars I've smoked that didn't live up to the price. (Perdomo silvio comes to mind) and inexpensive cigars that, IMO, hands down beat cigars twice the prices (JdN Celebracion)

It's all about what's good for you and taste change overtime.

Bill's favorite cigar back in the day on stogiechat banana backwoods. But that was because he was a gorilla.

[JiveTurkey]

A quick update. Brought these down to California recently, smoked with my sister and cousin. Even worse than I remembered (burn was actually perfect this time, but the flavor was just not good). Put 'em out after an inch or so and washed out the taste with some pipe tobacco I bought down there.

[FunkyCold5]

Old post, I know, but I just returned from the Philippines and was actually tempted to buy these cigars, but opted for a box of Flor de Filipinas Corona Sumatras.

I am not familiar with Philippine cigars, so I asked around (relatives and locals) and the Flor de Filipinas was the one highly recommended.

From the sound of your review, it seems I made the right choice (crossing fingers).

I have not tried them yet, as the box is sitting in my coolidor (will be for a few weeks) to get acclimated to my personal specifications. The conditions the cigars were kept in when I bought them, were not that stellar. Boxes were out in the open, no humidification or temperature regulation.

What I can tell from the exterior is, the cigars are well rolled, dark and oily, and a good tobacco smell to them. I hope they smoke as good as they look.

Will update with a new post when I get to finally try them.

Andrew

[JiveTurkey]

Old post, I know, but I just returned from the Philippines and was actually tempted to buy these cigars, but opted for a box of Flor de Filipinas Corona Sumatras.

I am not familiar with Philippine cigars, so I asked around (relatives and locals) and the Flor de Filipinas was the one highly recommended.

From the sound of your review, it seems I made the right choice (crossing fingers).

I have not tried them yet, as the box is sitting in my coolidor (will be for a few weeks) to get acclimated to my personal specifications. The conditions the cigars were kept in when I bought them, were not that stellar. Boxes were out in the open, no humidification or temperature regulation.

What I can tell from the exterior is, the cigars are well rolled, dark and oily, and a good tobacco smell to them. I hope they smoke as good as they look.

Will update with a new post when I get to finally try them.

Andrew

Let me know how these turn out. I'd love to have some cigars from the Philippines I want to smoke.

If the ambient humidity where you bought the cigars was about right, then don't worry about them. At home, we use humidification devices to try to simulate the natural environment where the cigars were made.

[chrisboy]

Old post, I know, but I just returned from the Philippines and was actually tempted to buy these cigars, but opted for a box of Flor de Filipinas Corona Sumatras.

I am not familiar with Philippine cigars, so I asked around (relatives and locals) and the Flor de Filipinas was the one highly recommended.

From the sound of your review, it seems I made the right choice (crossing fingers).

I have not tried them yet, as the box is sitting in my coolidor (will be for a few weeks) to get acclimated to my personal specifications. The conditions the cigars were kept in when I bought them, were not that stellar. Boxes were out in the open, no humidification or temperature regulation.

What I can tell from the exterior is, the cigars are well rolled, dark and oily, and a good tobacco smell to them. I hope they smoke as good as they look.

Will update with a new post when I get to finally try them.

Andrew

Hope they smoke good, and you enjoy them as much as I didn't!

Not to downplay my home smokes - I just wish they were better.

If I had to come back home without a single stick in my luggage, I would pick the Don Juan Urquijos, or the La Flor dela Isabela 1881 - in that order. These are the only ones that don't taste like grass to me.