A Question from a New Member

**gaminghousehits** · 08-19-2005, 03:38 PM

Hi Everyone,

Glad to be here.

I have been a long-time cigar smoker. I've smoked the best and the worst - the most expensive handmades and the cheapest machine mades.

This may sound crazy, but I really like the taste and smell of AyC natural dark cigars. However, I would prefer to smoke a handmade cigar that tastes and smells like the AyCs, rather than the Aycs with their machine-made tendency to come apart and leave me with tobacco flakes in my mouth. So, does anyone know of a handmade that tastes and smells like the variety of AyC called "natural dark"?

**mithril** · 08-19-2005, 11:47 PM

welcome to the board! as to your question, i haven't tried any machine made cigars and most here haven't either. so i'm not sure how many responces you will get about finding equivanlants.

just a question though, what kind of flavor do they have? if you can kind of explain what your looking for, i'm sure someone can suggest a wonderful cigar for you.

**Roham** · 08-20-2005, 03:36 AM

I can't really help with your question, but I can welcome you to the board

So Welcome

**jaewing** · 08-20-2005, 10:38 AM

WELCOME to CS. Enjoy our little corner of the world.

**Purobrat** · 08-20-2005, 11:32 AM

Have you tried Peach Optima's or Grape White Owls?

I suggest you try Onyx, Ashtons or Griffens. Very well made cigars with a lot of great flavor.

**ggiese** · 08-20-2005, 11:37 AM

I have had the AyC Grenadiers in the past - those were the first cigars I "liked". Then I was introducted to hand-rolled cigars.

The good news - damn near everything else you will smoke in "regular" cigars you will like - some more than others. In answer to your question - the tobacconist that showed me what a piece of crap the AyC werem told me to try the Montesino. It's a very reasonably priced hand rolled cigar, with a lot of the same tastes characteristics as the AyC's. I think that's a good place to start.

The rest is downhill from there.... Too many different cigars, not enough time....

And don't run out and get Onyx, Griffins or Ashton - they're great cigars but are on the more pricey side...

**gaminghousehits** · 08-21-2005, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by ggiese

I have had the AyC Grenadiers in the past - those were the first cigars I "liked". Then I was introducted to hand-rolled cigars.

The good news - damn near everything else you will smoke in "regular" cigars you will like - some more than others. In answer to your question - the tobacconist that showed me what a piece of crap the AyC werem told me to try the Montesino. It's a very reasonably priced hand rolled cigar, with a lot of the same tastes characteristics as the AyC's. I think that's a good place to start.

The rest is downhill from there.... Too many different cigars, not enough time....

And don't run out and get Onyx, Griffins or Ashton - they're great cigars but are on the more pricey side...

I'll try the Montesino and thanks for your advice. I really appreciate it.

Also thanks to all who replied. Yeah, even I know that nothing beats a good hand-rolled cigar.

**gaminghousehits** · 08-25-2005, 03:34 PM

Today, I received the bundle of maduro Montesino Napoleon Grandes, 7.50x46, that I ordered. Where I live in Greenville, North Carolina there is only one cigar store that sells premium cigars and they are more of a head shop. Their selection of premium cigars is limited, so I have to buy my cigars online.

I usually order from JR Cigars. There are usually the least expensive. I smoke 3 or 4 cigars a day, so I can't afford much more than a $2 cigar. These Montesinos cost about $1.60.

I smoked one of the Montesinos and found it to be mild to my taste and fairly smooth all the way through, though it became a bit stronger as it smoked down. I would prefer a richer, thicker smoke, since part of my pleasure is in smelling the aroma of the cigar as I hold it in my mouth.

Though I haven't smoked the light brown version yet, I suspect it might be a bit too mild and bland for me.

The draw was good. The cigar held up well in my mouth. I tend to chew on my cigars and they spend a lot of time in my mouth.

This cigar is the least expensive of all the Montesinos. Perhaps the more expensive ones are better, but if I could afford more, I'd probably choose something other than Montesino. Nevertheless, the Napoleon Grande is a satisfactory as an ordinary, daytime smoke in between better smokes in which I might indulge myself in the evening hours.

I am not an expert at describing the quality of cigar smoke as are some of the folks here and on other forums who obviously have a wine-tasters talent for cigars, so this is the best I can do.

**gaminghousehits** · 09-06-2005, 05:01 PM

OK, now I am going to give you folks a chance to say, "Yeah, we veterans knew that."

My wife told me to treat myself better and buy good cigars, so I have now begun smoking Cohibas, Trinidads, Henry Clay, Montecristo, Romeo and Julietta, and Upmann. And gee, you know what? There is no comparison. These cigars are in another league from the stuff that I had been smoking. Ok, now you can say, "Duh!"