Less costly alternative cigar

[ggiese]

Thanks for that link Ashauler, a lot of info about that line of cigars.
Dave

Andrew is downright goofy about Fuente stuff - there's no better place to look...

[Onyr]

Arturo Fuente Curly Head has been a favorite of mine for years. When I first bought them you could buy a box of 40 for $15 or $20. Those days are gone of course. And my favorite version of the Curly Head, the maduro, is now only available in the 'DeLuxe' presentation, which adds a band and cellophane.

I've smoked better looking, more expensive cigars I did not enjoy as much.

Between Famous and CI, you can frequently find a sampler of better cigars for around $2.50 - $3.00 a stick; not a bad idea since finally it's a matter of taste and a sampler is a cheaper way to experiment.

[DB17210]

I have never tried them, but I found this link the other day when I was researching the glue issue I found w/the Short Story

http://www.bestcigarprices.com/cigar.../209-11181.htm


By the time I add freight into the cost of a 5 pack, the cost was very close to price I can buy the real thing locally ($5.45 each). I don't know that it's even worth trying, but would love to see a review on here if anybody tries them.

[ggiese]

I have never tried them, but I found this link the other day when I was researching the glue issue I found w/the Short Story

http://www.bestcigarprices.com/cigar.../209-11181.htm


By the time I add freight into the cost of a 5 pack, the cost was very close to price I can buy the real thing locally ($5.45 each). I don't know that it's even worth trying, but would love to see a review on here if anybody tries them.

I dunno about them "alternatives"... Kinda like buying a Rolax watch. Somehow it's just not the same as owing a Rolex - even though they look very similar.

[DB17210]

I dunno about them "alternatives"... Kinda like buying a Rolax watch. Somehow it's just not the same as owing a Rolex - even though they look very similar.

I've never tried them either. I was curious until I saw it was $10 for a 5 pack and $6+ for shipping.

[FightingFish]

I have never tried them, but I found this link the other day when I was researching the glue issue I found w/the Short Story

http://www.bestcigarprices.com/cigar.../209-11181.htm

I have tried bandless perfectos akin to these from my B&M shop. They burned awfully uneven, and tasted bad.

[steffanan]

Will,What is a few that are pretty good that is in the cheaper range!!

These of course are IMHO:
Famous Nic 3000s
El Cobre (although they are jacking them up)
Famous VSL Honduran
Famous Maduritos
Consuergra 84s
Sancho Panza
Really, most 1000series Padrons are inexpensive

Of course, none of these are like a Hemmingway ~ Natural or Maduro

It also depends what we're talking about as "cheap."

Will[/QUOTE]

When he says sancho panza, I think he means only the extra fuerte line, I have heard the others are garbage.

[steffanan]

Arturo Fuente Curly Head has been a favorite of mine for years. When I first bought them you could buy a box of 40 for $15 or $20. Those days are gone of course. And my favorite version of the Curly Head, the maduro, is now only available in the 'DeLuxe' presentation, which adds a band and cellophane.

I've smoked better looking, more expensive cigars I did not enjoy as much.
.

I like some of the curly heads, but its funny how inconsistent they are, as they are basically scraps put together of everything else they make. Great price though, and they don't burn down too fast either

[badwhale]

These of course are IMHO:
Famous Nic 3000s
El Cobre (although they are jacking them up)
Famous VSL Honduran
Famous Maduritos
Consuergra 84s
Sancho Panza
Really, most 1000series Padrons are inexpensive

Of course, none of these are like a Hemmingway ~ Natural or Maduro

It also depends what we're talking about as "cheap."

Will

When he says sancho panza, I think he means only the extra fuerte line, I have heard the others are garbage.

I actually meant the double maduro, but I've enjoyed all from that line. You've had at least the extra-fuerte, or the one with the red-label. I mean, you never know unless you smoke one, right?

Will

[ggiese]

These of course are IMHO:
Famous Nic 3000s
El Cobre (although they are jacking them up)
Famous VSL Honduran
Famous Maduritos
Consuergra 84s
Sancho Panza
Really, most 1000series Padrons are inexpensive

Of course, none of these are like a Hemmingway ~ Natural or Maduro

It also depends what we're talking about as "cheap."

Will

When he says sancho panza, I think he means only the extra fuerte line, I have heard the others are garbage.

I have not heard that. Quite frankly, I've smoked all sorts of Sancho Panza's, and I wasn't left with that impression. I'd say it was a pretty decent cigar at a decent price...

[Mangyrat]

The first time i smoke a Sancho Panza i didn't like it.
But over time i smoked a few more and developed a taste for them.

The Sancho Panza double maduro is now one of my faverit cigar.

[ashauler]

I have not heard that. Quite frankly, I've smoked all sorts of Sancho Panza's, and I wasn't left with that impression. I'd say it was a pretty decent cigar at a decent price...

I agree...I seem to be able to smoke and enjoy the whole SP line.

[ggiese]

The first time i smoke a Sancho Panza i didn't like it.
But over time i smoked a few more and developed a taste for them.

The Sancho Panza double maduro is now one of my faverit cigar.

Dollar for dollar - hands down - the best double maduro I've smoked. Unlike other lines that "gimic" the double maduro, SP just quietly produces them and (in my opinion) keeps the cost down by not over hyping them....

[badwhale]

There ya go Steffenana ~ 4 people say the others aren't "garbage."

Now that you've heard they ARE garbage, and they're NOT garbage....I guess the only way to find out is to try some.

[Paddy]

Dollar for dollar - hands down - the best double maduro I've smoked. Unlike other lines that "gimic" the double maduro, SP just quietly produces them and (in my opinion) keeps the cost down by not over hyping them....

Double Maduro ??? I though that was just the "name" they put to thier wrapper. Do they infact use a maduro binder? I was under the assumption that was the gimmicky name for a very dark maduro wrapper.
I may be wrong! As I have been many times in the past

[ggiese]

Double Maduro ??? I though that was just the "name" they put to thier wrapper. Do they infact use a maduro binder? I was under the assumption that was the gimmicky name for a very dark maduro wrapper.
I may be wrong! As I have been many times in the past

Well... The wrapper is an "Extra-dark Connecticut broadleaf" which General Cigar Cigar claims is "hand-selected for their rich, oily quality and aged four years before rolling". And - the Connecticut shade binder "is cured to a maduro color, also aged four years, for a richer, sweeter, and smoother smoke".

So I take that as Maduro wrapper and a Maduro binder equal "Double Maduro".

All I know - it's "mmmm, mmmm, good!!!"

[ashauler]

IIRC, along those same lines the Cusano 18 Paired Maduro is another "true" double maduro but it was CT Broadleaf and Brazillian....can't remember for sure which was wrapper and which was the binder and I'm too damn lazy to look it up.

[badwhale]

IIRC, along those same lines the Cusano 18 Paired Maduro is another "true" double maduro but it was CT Broadleaf and Brazillian....can't remember for sure which was wrapper and which was the binder and I'm too damn lazy to look it up.

http://www.cigarsmokers.com/threads/...uro?highlight=

...used the tags to find that...

[Cigarbear]

I have never tried them, but I found this link the other day when I was researching the glue issue I found w/the Short Story

http://www.bestcigarprices.com/cigar.../209-11181.htm


By the time I add freight into the cost of a 5 pack, the cost was very close to price I can buy the real thing locally ($5.45 each). I don't know that it's even worth trying, but would love to see a review on here if anybody tries them.

I've tried them and they are the methadone to a Fuente. If you can't afford the good stuff the alternative will do but don't buy them thinking they replicate a Fuente. Outside of Nica Libre I've yet to find an alternative of anything that tasted as good as the real thing.

[ggiese]

I've tried them and they are the methadone to a Fuente. If you can't afford the good stuff the alternative will do but don't buy them thinking they replicate a Fuente. Outside of Nica Libre I've yet to find an alternative of anything that tasted as good as the real thing.

if they cannot stand up on their own as a good cigar, I can't think why they'd be more appealing as an "alternate"