For the Love of Lonsdales!

[ChanceSchmerr]

Hey Everybody!

With my pursuit of Coronas to try dying down a little these days, I find my attention shifting to the next group of lonely, unfairly ignored cigars - the Lovely Lonsdale!

Another size whose ranks have been decimated in the last 10 years....I remain on the hunt for samples to try of Lonnys that have gone the way of the Dodo, but I've listed all the Lonsdales I can think of, and my impressions of the ones I've been able to try - I'm curious to hear other member's opinions on them!

Lonsdale Lovers - which ones float your boat, and which ones leave you hanging?

Note - Lonsdales that aren't true lonsdales (such as Dalias/Cazadores) are italicized

Current Production

Sancho Panza Molinos - Have not tried, but eager to!

Cohiba Siglo V - Also on my list, not tried yet.

Montecristo No. 1 - Surprisingly, havn't tried it yet. I hear inconsistent, what are your thoughts?

Partagas 8-9-8 V - Another one I'll be trying soon.

Romeo y Julieta Cazadores - Everytime I want to try one, I read another review of someone's head getting blown off by one!

Romeo y Julieta Cedros de Luxe No.1 - Havn't tried, mainly because i'm hesitant to try cedros. Is it worth it?

Bolivar Gold Medal - I am keen try to try this one in a few months. I figure if I can handle it now! Impressions?

Fonseca No.1 - Not yet tried...cause it's a Fonseca. I think it may be worth a try. Thoughts?

Vegas Robaina Clasicos - Another one to try still. Is it true to the Marque?

La Gloria Cubana Medaille D'or No. 2 - This was bland wood chips for me. Not a great smoke, but I'll probably try another one to be sure. Thoughts?

Discontinued (Boo!)/LE & RE Production (Year of Disct.)

Sancho Panza Dorados - Disct in 1980s, I added it here for fun - Anyone ever try one?

H. Upmann Lonsdales (2002) - Found this very light, almost bland. Not really enjoyable. Probably because it was from '00

H. Upmann Upmann No. 1 (2002) - Never seen this one before, were they any good?

Montecristo D EL (2005) - I have one, will try it this month. Thoughts?

Partagas Lonsdales (2003) - I hear a lot about this one, but havn't snagged one yet!

Partagas de Partagas No.1 (2003) - Another Party I'd love to try. Impressions?

Partagas Seleccion Privada No.1 (2002) - Piggy raves about this one, never seen it before. Wish I had! Thoughts?

Trinidad Ingenios EL (2007) - I have one that I'll be trying next week, is this a worthy smoke?

Bolivar Inmensas (2009) - I still see these around sometimes, but yet to take the plunge.

Bolivar Lonsdales (2002) - Another fabled 2002 cut. Worth the hype?

Diplomaticos No.1 (2006) - Here's one I enjoyed. So much that I bought 2 boxes that are on their way! This one is a journey - earth, cocoa, and wood in the same smooth smoke. Very nice indeed!

El Rey del Mundo Lonsdales (2002) - I hear the 1998's are fantastic. Still looking to find these guys. What makes 'em great?

La Gloria Cubana Cetros (1990s) - Anyone ever see/try these golden oldies?

Por Larranaga Lonsdales (2001/2006 RE) - The Legend. I've not tried one yet, but what were the original release ones like?

Por Larranaga Encantos (2010 RE) - Anyone else salivating to try this one????

Rafael Gonzalez Lonsdales (2006) - The first Lonsdale. I thoroughly enjoyed this cigar - a rich, yet mild smoke. I'm after a box now!

Ramon Allones 898 V (2002) - Another one I hear a lot about, hankering to try. Would love to hear more about them!

Saint Luis Rey Lonsdales (2006) - A toothy, flavourful cigar, with a minty freshness I actually liked.

More Lonsdales out there than I thought! What is your take on this slowly disappearing vitola?

[bassman]

Monte #1. Great cigar if you get a good box. Go for HQ or PSP

RyJ Cedros #1- also nice. Milder. Needs age to impart the cedar flavor into the cigar

RyJ Cazadores. Killer when fresh. Mellows in a few years. Not complex but good.

Partagas Lonsdales. The only cigar I can taste a great difference in DB & Cab versions. 02s are devine

Party 898- OK, not as good as Lonsdales

RA898- Wonderful & expensive if you find any.

BGM & Inmensas= good, but better Bolivars out there CE, CG, CJ for example.

[Azksig]

I love the Partagas 898's I'm down to my last 10. I grab these when I want to sit and relax by the pool with no worries about time.

I have 2 boxes of the VR Classicos - 2001 and 2007. These are really coming into their own. Nice smooth taste with hints of chocolate. The 2007 has a darker wrapper than the 01's.

I really enjoy the lonsdale. I find them pretty complex while the length allows more time to enjoy them. They are never rated as high as some of the other vitolas but I find them very consistent.

[anacostiakat]

Hey Everybody!

With my pursuit of Coronas to try dying down a little these days, I find my attention shifting to the next group of lonely, unfairly ignored cigars - the Lovely Lonsdale!

Another size whose ranks have been decimated in the last 10 years....I remain on the hunt for samples to try of Lonnys that have gone the way of the Dodo, but I've listed all the Lonsdales I can think of, and my impressions of the ones I've been able to try - I'm curious to hear other member's opinions on them!

Lonsdale Lovers - which ones float your boat, and which ones leave you hanging?

Note - Lonsdales that aren't true lonsdales (such as Dalias/Cazadores) are italicized

Current Production

Sancho Panza Molinos - Have not tried, but eager to!

Cohiba Siglo V - Also on my list, not tried yet.

Montecristo No. 1 - Surprisingly, havn't tried it yet. I hear inconsistent, what are your thoughts?

Partagas 8-9-8 V - Another one I'll be trying soon.

Romeo y Julieta Cazadores - Everytime I want to try one, I read another review of someone's head getting blown off by one!

Romeo y Julieta Cedros de Luxe No.1 - Havn't tried, mainly because i'm hesitant to try cedros. Is it worth it?

Bolivar Gold Medal - I am keen try to try this one in a few months. I figure if I can handle it now! Impressions?

Fonseca No.1 - Not yet tried...cause it's a Fonseca. I think it may be worth a try. Thoughts?

Vegas Robaina Clasicos - Another one to try still. Is it true to the Marque?

La Gloria Cubana Medaille D'or No. 2 - This was bland wood chips for me. Not a great smoke, but I'll probably try another one to be sure. Thoughts?

Discontinued (Boo!)/LE & RE Production (Year of Disct.)

Sancho Panza Dorados - Disct in 1980s, I added it here for fun - Anyone ever try one?

H. Upmann Lonsdales (2002) - Found this very light, almost bland. Not really enjoyable. Probably because it was from '00

H. Upmann Upmann No. 1 (2002) - Never seen this one before, were they any good?

Montecristo D EL (2005) - I have one, will try it this month. Thoughts?

Partagas Lonsdales (2003) - I hear a lot about this one, but havn't snagged one yet!

Partagas de Partagas No.1 (2003) - Another Party I'd love to try. Impressions?

Partagas Seleccion Privada No.1 (2002) - Piggy raves about this one, never seen it before. Wish I had! Thoughts?

Trinidad Ingenios EL (2007) - I have one that I'll be trying next week, is this a worthy smoke?

Bolivar Inmensas (2009) - I still see these around sometimes, but yet to take the plunge.

Bolivar Lonsdales (2002) - Another fabled 2002 cut. Worth the hype?

Diplomaticos No.1 (2006) - Here's one I enjoyed. So much that I bought 2 boxes that are on their way! This one is a journey - earth, cocoa, and wood in the same smooth smoke. Very nice indeed!

El Rey del Mundo Lonsdales (2002) - I hear the 1998's are fantastic. Still looking to find these guys. What makes 'em great?

La Gloria Cubana Cetros (1990s) - Anyone ever see/try these golden oldies?

Por Larranaga Lonsdales (2001/2006 RE) - The Legend. I've not tried one yet, but what were the original release ones like?

Por Larranaga Encantos (2010 RE) - Anyone else salivating to try this one????

Rafael Gonzalez Lonsdales (2006) - The first Lonsdale. I thoroughly enjoyed this cigar - a rich, yet mild smoke. I'm after a box now!

Ramon Allones 898 V (2002) - Another one I hear a lot about, hankering to try. Would love to hear more about them!

Saint Luis Rey Lonsdales (2006) - A toothy, flavourful cigar, with a minty freshness I actually liked.

More Lonsdales out there than I thought! What is your take on this slowly disappearing vitola?

Love this size! The Ramon Allones 898V are legend. The Bolivar Inmensas I have smoked are excellent. The SLR Lonnies are a great mild smoke. The VR Classico I have smoked I really wasnt that impressed with initially. But they did grew on me. The RyJ Cazadore remain a favorite of mine. Both fresh or aged. SIG V's are a favorite. Partagas 898V are another favorite.

Those are ones that come to mind. There may be a few others that I either have and have not tried or have never tried.

Enjoy your hunt!

[rallones]

The Siglo V is a benchmark in the dalia size, to my taste. I have a box from '99 that is tremendous. I've aged them myself, and they have the legs to keep going forever. Each time I smoke one, I am completely sated (like after eating a huge bacon cheeseburger). They are rich and balanced, and the ring guage allows for a sublime delivery of flavors on the palate.

I haven't tried the Upmann Lonsdales, but would encourage you to bear in mind the Upmann as a marque takes the longest time to reach smoke-ability. When I've smoked an Upmann too soon, they taste bland. With substantial age, however, look out. I have some Upmann #2s from 98 that are too heavy to smoke and enjoy right now.

[Geo17pip]

Get yourself a 10 box of Bolivar Gold medals, you wont be disappointed. Great smoke!

[SnakeHips]

Buy all the Fonseca No. 1s you can find. Save some for me. That is all.

[mash]

My experience with the current production list:

Current Production

Sancho Panza Molinos - Medium bodied, typical SP profile.

Cohiba Siglo V - Fantastic with a bit of age. Consistent construction.

Montecristo No. 1 - Very hit and miss. Would not go out of my way for them.

Partagas 8-9-8 V - My favourite from this list, especially with a few years on them.

Romeo y Julieta Cazadores - I like these a lot. I think some people exaggerate their strength, tasty.

Romeo y Julieta Cedros de Luxe No.1 - Haven't tried.

Bolivar Gold Medal - These are great, gotta try them. Rich, balanced.

Fonseca No.1 - Haven't tried.

Vegas Robaina Clasicos - OK. Kind of chocolaty, I find them a bit thin.

La Gloria Cubana Medaille D'or No. 2 - I have a box of the '02's. Floral, fruity, sweet. Wonderful cigar.

[Kangaroo495]

Boli Gold Medal & VR Classicos - stunning

RyJ Cazadores -

Would love to try a Selecion Privada also!

[Stalebread]

Partagas Lonsdales, Diplomaticos No.1, Rafael Gonzalez Lonsdales and Ramon Allones 898 V are all cigars that I fully enjoy each time I smoke one of my carefully rationed out singles.

From your list of the current production Lonsdales, the Partagas 8-9-8 V is the standout for me.

[android]

Dip # 1 & Partagas 898 r my most fav of the lot.

[smokem]

My experience (or lack there of):

Cohiba Siglo V - Excellent the one I tried.

Montecristo No. 1 - Average for me. I rather smoke the 4s which can be inconsistent.

Partagas 8-9-8 V - Very very good from the one box I've tried.

Romeo y Julieta Cazadores - The box I have (09 I believe) is excellent.

Bolivar Gold Medal - I like these very much, BUT I like the BIs better I think.

La Gloria Cubana Medaille D'or No. 2 - Smoked one just last week and really loved it. Was only my first (or second) LGC.

Bolivar Inmensas - Got a box last year and I'm very sorry to see these go

[ChanceSchmerr]

Thanks for the info so far guys!

Sounds like every Lonsdale has their fans - Guess I'll have to try them all!

Interesting bit about the Upmann Lonsdale. I have heard that Upmanns take longer to come together....but I will say I didn't have high expectations, since It didn't look like it had been stored properly, and really I only bought it because of the "Never Seen Before" novelty...

Any more fans of Lonsdales out there?

[toto]

Monte 1 - the one that started it all for me in the late 90s. All I can remember of my first one now are the leather, light coca and cream and the "chewy"ness of the mouth feel. My first box of cigars and I was hooked.

Sancho Panza Molinos - One I will reach for whenever I want a change.

Siglo V - Great!

Partagas 8-9-8 V - What more can one say about this. A must have in every humi.

Bolivar Gold Medal - Strength and profile have changed over the years. For me, there are better Boli's out there.

[StumpyJoe]

I've only tried the Monte #1 and the Partagas 898v. Enjoyed both quite a bit...letting both boxes age but am certain I'll be looking to add the above and more. Probably the VR Classicos and Bolivar Immensas if I can find them.

Great topic and good info!

[PigFish]

... the guy who made those astute comments regarding the Partagas Seleccion Privada knows what the #%$& (EDIT: so Ken does not have to edit the word **** out of the post) he is talking about!!! -LOL

I have to reiterate that the two vitolas, dalia and cervantes are certainly two of my very favorite cigar sizes. Scanning the list there are only a couple I have not smoked or liked. SP's, for one, are not my bowl of rice. The lonsdale as it is more affectionately termed may very well be what I would call the perfect cigar.

Anything over 43 ring is just a waste of tobacco! Need proof? Light up a lonsdale!!! Cheers Amigos! - Piggy

[BonVivant]

If the storage was good over the years, there are some golden nuggets still available. Stay away from late '99 to early '01, most of the time and try different markas...discontinued or not:

Diplomaticos - on the right track, recent production. Anything 5 years + is a real treat.

ERDM '98s - smoking great

Fonseca - with age, priceless

LGC - with age, a classic

RyJ Cazadores - need time, if recent. With 10-15 years those are amazing

Partagas PdP no.1 and 898 - wonderful experiences only. 898s from the 90s are hard to beat

PL 2006 - needs time, the discontinued are delicious, hopefully the ones from 2006 will be as good or better

Sancho Panza - with 10-15 years are heaven