Are there any "excellent" Philippine or Indonesian cigars?

[El Presidente]

There are a ton of cigars made in the Phillipines and Indonesia. It isn't surprising given the climate and the colonial heritage of both countries (Spain for the former, Netherlands for the latter).

Personally I have never had a great Phillipino cigar. I can't recall a good one.

I have enjoyed Tambo cigars from Indonesia. Mild in body but they have some beautiful sweet spices and a nice hit of cream.

The reason I raise the question is that I was asked last week if the Asia Pacific region actually produced a world class hand rolled cigar?

Let me know your experiences. If you have been impressed with any cigars from this region, please call them out.

[MIKA27]

I myself haven't had a Philippine or Indonesian cigar for a very long time and perhaps I haven't given them a chance.

Many years ago when I first stared getting into Cuban cigars, I did try a Flor de filipinas and it didn't leave me wanting any more. Perhaps I should have tried more? I can't bring myself to spending money on something that isn't really getting much hype, or the lack of people writing about them also leaves me rather discouraged.

It's a good question you do ask though so would be interesting to see other members thoughts.

[MrGlass]

My girlfriend brought me back three cigars from the Philippines last year, though they're at home and I can't remember what they were. I've smoked one so far and it wasn't the worst cigar I've ever had, but I haven't exactly rushed back to try them again which kind of says it all.

[Andy04]

From Indonesia, Wismilak are probably the best. Dos Hermanos and Tambo are worth a smoke just for something different.

Every Philippine cigar I've tried have been far too mild with very little flavor.

[dvickery]

Don urquijo ... Have smoked maybe 4 ( daughter in law is Filipino ) ... Not the worst cigars I have ever smoked ... First half very mild , second half not half bad .

Derrek

[JackFNQ]

From Indonesia, Wismilak are probably the best.

http://wismilakcigars.com/frontends/page/1/home

umm...The wrappers are shade grown from Connecticut Shade Seed, with high-quality binders and fillers from the volcanic ash enriched soil of Java.

http://wismilakcigars.com/frontends/page/2/about

[cigcars]

**Anybody remember Double Happiness Cigars from Splendid Seed Company in the Philipines - and Fighting Cock Cigars from there also? The Fighting Cock Philipine cigars did appear to have a tad more flavor and taste compared to most of the one's I've tried. Others who've tried them compared them to a "weak Cuban," in flavor and aroma. The Fighting ***** made from today are featuring tobaccos outside of the Philipines and seem to have a "Huh?" "Who?" "What?" effect as far as reputation. In other words, don't bother. But one of my local B&M's here in Louisville, Kentucky do have the old Fighting ***** and a few Double Happiness's on hand still.

[sactochris]

I remeber years and years ago there was a brand called Calixto Lopez that was from the Phillipines.

[Andy04]

http://wismilakcigars.com/frontends/page/1/home

umm...The wrappers are shade grown from Connecticut Shade Seed, with high-quality binders and fillers from the volcanic ash enriched soil of Java.

http://wismilakcigars.com/frontends/page/2/about

It does not state where the wrappers are grown, but from memory they are Indonesian puros.

[mt1]

Reviving this from the dead but I've had some decent Filipino cigars and a whole lot of really bad or boring ones.  The key I have found is to let them acclimate (65% RH for me), as most of them in the Phillipines are not kept in any sort of temperature/humidity control.

A few that stand out to me:  Antonio Giminez Corona, the Independencia 1898 Churchill, and the Flor de Filipinas Robusto Habano (all are made by Tabaqueria de Filipinas).

Sadly, these Filipino cigars are very expensive (although not as expensive as habanos in the Phillipines).  I travel to the Philippines quite regularly so I always try to sample the local tobacco when I'm there.

[Andy04]

If you like Filipino cigars, buy from http://tabaqueria.com/world/product/flor-de-filipinas-coronas/

Or go and visit their factory.  Cost about USD 2-4 per stick.

[Kaptain Karl]

I believe the aging room f55 used an Indonesian wrapper. 

[Wilzc]

 

 

 

 Indonesian Puro

 

Interesting cigar. Well made, definitely, but not a fan of 58-60RG cigars.

 

Leather. Grass. Cocoa. Damp tobacco

 

Sadly, the price is rather prohibitive, being 15USD per stick... direct from the source

 

 

 

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[kwsaw63]

The only Indonesian cigar I’ve smoked that is world class imho, is the Sultan “Ron Stacey” Signature. Ron is a member of a private cigar forum to which I belong and different blends were tested by the members before the definitive blend was chosen. The 1st time I smoked one, I was totally blown away. The aroma at cold is breathtaking and the flavours are reminiscent of a good Nicaraguan puro.

[Squarehead]

I have had a couple of boxes of the Independencia which ironically bought in the cigarshop in Playa Dorado(Puerto Plata.Dom.Rep.)They were actually very decent smokes.Also a few years ago a fellow worker who us Filipino brought me some back from the Phillipines called Fighting Cock,a ok cigar when you cut the grass 

[Guybrush]

I bought 3 Indonesian cigars in Jakarta. The Ron Stacy was the best.

[Guybrush]

More pictures I took