I think if we had more info about the tobacco used, it may help explain the cost. The box price... you are definitely paying for packaging, as it comes essentially in a humidor.
I thought I would go straight out full tonight; I started with a Diesel Unholy Cocktail and followed it with a MOW Original. They have both been resting in the humidor for about 10+ months. They were fantastic, but my stomach sure does feel them.
had a new brand called Swag last night at the B&M..they run about 7 bucks and I thought it was pretty good. Needs a bit of rest to get over some harshness, but the flavor was pretty good.
Had a head cold all weekend so I didn't get to smoke anything until today... So I broke the streak with a Padilla Miami robusto. Good smoke, but I think it will be much better if my sinuses are at 100%. I'd say I was only around 75-80% so it was still enjoyable.
Just finished one of my favorite house blends, Cuban label. Its cold here NE though, wasn't the most enjoyable smoke I've had. I can't wait to move into the new place and christen my man cave/garage.
Finally got around to having that Graycliff Crystal in the pirate size. Good smoke. Kind of a dry spicy flavor and a complex aroma very typical of the Graycliff blending style. I suppose some would call this stick "cubanesque". If it were in a more realistic price range I would consider buying them on a regular basis, but as is they kind of priced themselves out of the market, well my market at least.
After that I had some time so I tried out another stick I haven't had yet, the LFD DL Chisel Maduro. It was ok. The maduro seems to have muted some of the power and muttled some of the flavor. It didn't wow me the way the sumatra did. Good smoke, but I will stick with the sumatra.
I had a ITC 10 ani. Pretty good. I really seem to like sumatra and camaroon wrapped cigars the best. RP seems to use a lot of sumatra. maybe thats why i like a lot of his stuff.
Finally got around to having that Graycliff Crystal in the pirate size. Good smoke. Kind of a dry spicy flavor and a complex aroma very typical of the Graycliff blending style. I suppose some would call this stick "cubanesque". If it were in a more realistic price range I would consider buying them on a regular basis, but as is they kind of priced themselves out of the market, well my market at least.
After that I had some time so I tried out another stick I haven't had yet, the LFD DL Chisel Maduro. It was ok. The maduro seems to have muted some of the power and muttled some of the flavor. It didn't wow me the way the sumatra did. Good smoke, but I will stick with the sumatra.
Agreed on both points Russ. At msrp the Crystal just isn't worth the money, in the $5-$6 range though, I think it's an excellent buy. I vastly prefer the LFD Ligero and Double Ligero in their sumatra form, the maduro is good, but the sumatra is more than good...on that note, I think you would enjoy the Ligero Oscuro, it preserves much of what the sumatra offers but also brings some qualities of the maduro to the table, that's my personal favorite of both the Ligero and Double Ligero lines.
Finally got around to having that Graycliff Crystal in the pirate size. Good smoke. Kind of a dry spicy flavor and a complex aroma very typical of the Graycliff blending style. I suppose some would call this stick "cubanesque". If it were in a more realistic price range I would consider buying them on a regular basis, but as is they kind of priced themselves out of the market, well my market at least.
After that I had some time so I tried out another stick I haven't had yet, the LFD DL Chisel Maduro. It was ok. The maduro seems to have muted some of the power and muttled some of the flavor. It didn't wow me the way the sumatra did. Good smoke, but I will stick with the sumatra.
Agreed on both points Russ. At msrp the Crystal just isn't worth the money, in the $5-$6 range though, I think it's an excellent buy. I vastly prefer the LFD Ligero and Double Ligero in their sumatra form, the maduro is good, but the sumatra is more than good...on that note, I think you would enjoy the Ligero Oscuro, it preserves much of what the sumatra offers but also brings some qualities of the maduro to the table, that's my personal favorite of both the Ligero and Double Ligero lines.
I finally decided to try the Gurkha Empire Series. I smoked the first 3 and they were rather uninspiring, I guess I was expecting more. In fairness though the last 2 sticks I smoked before these were MOW Original and Diesel Unholy Cocktail, so they obviously the Gurkhas just could not compete. Who knows maybe my palate has become more refined or I am starting to sour on Gurkha.
Finally got around to having that Graycliff Crystal in the pirate size. Good smoke. Kind of a dry spicy flavor and a complex aroma very typical of the Graycliff blending style. I suppose some would call this stick "cubanesque". If it were in a more realistic price range I would consider buying them on a regular basis, but as is they kind of priced themselves out of the market, well my market at least.
After that I had some time so I tried out another stick I haven't had yet, the LFD DL Chisel Maduro. It was ok. The maduro seems to have muted some of the power and muttled some of the flavor. It didn't wow me the way the sumatra did. Good smoke, but I will stick with the sumatra.
Agreed on both points Russ. At msrp the Crystal just isn't worth the money, in the $5-$6 range though, I think it's an excellent buy. I vastly prefer the LFD Ligero and Double Ligero in their sumatra form, the maduro is good, but the sumatra is more than good...on that note, I think you would enjoy the Ligero Oscuro, it preserves much of what the sumatra offers but also brings some qualities of the maduro to the table, that's my personal favorite of both the Ligero and Double Ligero lines.
+1 on the DL Oscuro! Fantastic smoke!
Awesome, I didn't even know there was an Oscuro. I'll definitely check it out. The Diez, the Cameroon Cabinet, and now that one are all on my LFD hit list. That was about the price range where I put the Crystal too. It just doesn't deliver an $18-20 experience.
Comments
Smoking a NUB Cameroon 358
Amazing smoke... Very smooth and buttery.
Also is it possible for a wrapper to be too oily? Had burn issues.
After that I had some time so I tried out another stick I haven't had yet, the LFD DL Chisel Maduro. It was ok. The maduro seems to have muted some of the power and muttled some of the flavor. It didn't wow me the way the sumatra did. Good smoke, but I will stick with the sumatra.
In fairness though the last 2 sticks I smoked before these were MOW Original and Diesel Unholy Cocktail, so they obviously the Gurkhas just could not compete.
Who knows maybe my palate has become more refined or I am starting to sour on Gurkha.
And naturally it's the last one I have as well.