When I was in search of my first Xikar - I heard from a friend of my neighbor's cousin that Xikar cutters are very nice. I don't know the guy very well, but I hear he smokes cigars on a fairly regular basis (I think - at least that's what I've heard). Through that grapevine, I heard it didn't matter where you got the Xikar from, whether it was cheap or not, the cutter was nice. And I also read about the Xikar on the BB's, so I think I know they're a good cutter.
But - actually - I guess that depends. I bought one of the "cheapie" Xikar's on a special package deal at CigarBid (essentially included free with the purchase of some Graycliff's). I dropped it about a week after I bought it and the spring broke. Thankfully there's a lifetime guarantee, so I sent it back in for a replacement. I got the "new" cutter and cut my first cigar with it - the spring broke. It's back with the manufacturer again...
In the mean time - I bought one of the Cohiba gift packs last year at around X-mas - with the Xikar cutter. That cutter has not given me one bit of problem, and it is as sharp as the day I pulled it from that pack. I can only assume they make a different cutter for those packs - there's no comparison.
I hate the single blade cutters - they're too cheap and shred the cigar too badly. Sometimes free or absolutely cheap is not the way to go... Cutting a cigar with an Xacto knife accomplishes the mission. I've tried this method - and choose to use other more productive methods. I suppose it works - but it's a tad too labor intensive and requires a very sharp blade to keep from shredding the cigar.
As far as the Cohiba's - they're a nice cigar but pretty well overpriced. I personally like the XV's better than the Red Dots (standard line) and regularly smoke XV's when I get the urge. I have yet to try the Cohiba Black, but most that have smoked them tell me it's pretty disappointing. I would give you my impression of the cigar, but it would really require me to smoke about five or so to get a feel for what that cigar is really about (one just doesn't do it - you really have to smoke at least 5 or so to get a good handle on the profile of the cigar).
I don't know that I would call the Cohiba's "full" bodied. They are definitely medium to medium full. Certainly up the scale on flavor, no doubt - but definitely not a "kick you in your ass" cigar like the La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero's. As a matter of fact - to me, the Reo and Vibe seem to be more full bodied than the Cohiba's. And for essentially the same money - the Opus X and Diamond Crown Maximus are more fuller bodied and "spicier" than the Cohiba's.
I hope that helps...
DISCLAIMER: The opinoins expressed are my own, and not associated with anyone else tha may or may not have posted something similar in any of the Cigar Bulletin Board threads in this or any other country. The contents of this post are copyrighted and are the exclusive intellectual property of ggiese enterprises. Use of the above material in any form without the express written consent of ggiese is a violation of federal law and will be subject to prosecution to the fullest extent.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks