Your Best Stick of the Month? - July 2016

[joeypots]

So far?

'06 Monte Especial.  The '10 PLPC I smoked yesterday was fantastic as well.

[Puros Y Vino]

A 2001 ERDM Tainos.  Brilliant cigar.

[Ethernut]

2 hours ago, bundwallah said:

A 2001 ERDM Tainos.  Brilliant cigar.

/Tangent/ I have some ERDM Choix from 02, purchased as Vintage Stock in 07. Bastards have never been worth a durn. I'm with @PigFish on the "dont buy by EL's" line of thinking, I also no longer buy Vintage unless it's something like Deuix that isn't made anymore. Just not worth the premium for me, I buy current stock and age 'em myself. Haven't bought ERDM since... (oh the butt hurt) Never had the Tainos, heard great things tho!

[Ethernut]

2 hours ago, joeypots said:

So far?

'06 Monte Especial.  The '10 PLPC I smoked yesterday was fantastic as well.

Totally need to get some PLPC's. Have a couple boxes of MC but no PC. Much of a difference in flavor profile?

[planetary]

1 hour ago, ethernut said:

I'm with @PigFish on the "dont buy by EL's" line of thinking, I also no longer buy Vintage unless it's something like Deuix that isn't made anymore. Just not worth the premium for me, I buy current stock and age 'em myself. Haven't bought ERDM since... (oh the butt hurt) Never had the Tainos, heard great things tho!

For the most part, I don't actively pursue ELs and Regionals, but I will consider them when available.  The Upmann 56s, for example.  Bought one box, smoked a stick, bought a second box.  

As for aged stock, I agree that it's down to preference and affordability.  In my case, I've got a pipe tobacco cellar with considerable quantities of 15-20 year-old tins, so I know well the joys of aged tobacco, and (at least for pipes) prefer it to fresh tobacco in almost all cases.  Since I've only been storing cigars for a year or two , the premium to explore aged offerings served two purposes: (1) as a means of determining whether to invest in a high-quality humidor or not, and, subsequently, (2) to give me some aged tobacco to smoke while I ignore the vast majority of my humidor which I've laid down to rest. 

Just as a note, about 10% of boxes in my humidor were bought with 5 or more years on them. I'd like to get to 15%.

[joeypots]

1 hour ago, ethernut said:

Totally need to get some PLPC's. Have a couple boxes of MC but no PC. Much of a difference in flavor profile?

Yea, there is a difference. And if the current PLPCs aren't up to standard, go with the Monte's. I think PlPCs need time, and I mean five years, to come around. I don't care for them fresh. Montes less so but will benefit from a nap.. 

[Ethernut]

1 hour ago, planetary said:

For the most part, I don't actively pursue ELs and Regionals, but I will consider them when available.  The Upmann 56s, for example.  Bought one box, smoked a stick, bought a second box.  

As for aged stock, I agree that it's down to preference and affordability.  In my case, I've got a pipe tobacco cellar with considerable quantities of 15-20 year-old tins, so I know well the joys of aged tobacco, and (at least for pipes) prefer it to fresh tobacco in almost all cases.  Since I've only been storing cigars for a year or two , the premium to explore aged offerings served two purposes: (1) as a means of determining whether to invest in a high-quality humidor or not, and, subsequently, (2) to give me some aged tobacco to smoke while I ignore the vast majority of my humidor which I've laid down to rest. 

Just as a note, about 10% of boxes in my humidor were bought with 5 or more years on them. I'd like to get to 15%.

Oooh Pipe Tobacco, I'm an occasional Pipe smoker also. It's rare for me to find a pipe tobaccy that I really like the flavor and mouth feel as much as Cigar. Some of my standouts / go-to's are Stonehaven (Esoterica), Full Virginia Flake, Heavy Burley Blends such as Carter Hall. I smoke Pipe more for the experience than the flavor. Such a nostalgic art of keeping that fire lit and learning how to not burn your tongue! Great points, never had long-aged Pipe Tobac.  

[planetary]

6 hours ago, ethernut said:

Oooh Pipe Tobacco, I'm an occasional Pipe smoker also. It's rare for me to find a pipe tobaccy that I really like the flavor and mouth feel as much as Cigar. Some of my standouts / go-to's are Stonehaven (Esoterica), Full Virginia Flake, Heavy Burley Blends such as Carter Hall. I smoke Pipe more for the experience than the flavor. Such a nostalgic art of keeping that fire lit and learning how to not burn your tongue! Great points, never had long-aged Pipe Tobac.  

You have excellent taste.  If you're interested in trying some, shoot me a PM.

[seattledude]

this month it is Montecristo Petit Edmundo from Prez. Absolutely amazing. I cant stop. they smoke so well young.

Just got second box yesterday in PSP. AMAZING!!! Like box of chocolates.

[Ethernut]

6 minutes ago, seattledude said:

this month it is Montecristo Petit Edmundo from Prez. Absolutely amazing. I cant stop. they smoke so well young.

Just got second box yesterday in PSP. AMAZING!!! Like box of chocolates.

Okay.. I want one.. ? @WarriorPrincess ? ?

[earthson]

On July 13, 2016 at 7:25 PM, ChefBoyRG54 said:

I had a 1998 Monte esp no1 that was epic and a more current esp1 I found in singles drawer, no clue of year, that was also pretty darn good. Got to say, every one of these I've smoked, regardless of date, has been very good to extraordinary

Yeah, mon. The Espy 1 and 2 are the only Monte I buy.

Best ceegar of July so far is far and away this '14 RyJ Churchill I'm finishing right now. First 3rd was tannic and young, which made me concerned for what awaited the rest, but in a random twist of fate, this reminds me of some 98s I just finished: creamy, deep, dark toasty tobacco, coffee, espresso, light cacao and cherry lilting in and out and in again, with complicated wood and earth seeing it through. It's easily as complex as any Sir Winston I've smoked.

I'm hoping the '01 RAG or various Por Larrañaga I have on deck will supplant this RyJ to make July '16 a cigar month to remember! Honorable Mention: AME '13 RASCC that have been smoking like aged Gigantes!

[ChefBoyRG54]

Yeah, mon. The Espy 1 and 2 are the only Monte I buy.

Best ceegar of July so far is far and away this '14 RyJ Churchill I'm finishing right now. First 3rd was tannic and young, which made me concerned for what awaited the rest, but in a random twist of fate, this reminds me of some 98s I just finished: creamy, deep, dark toasty tobacco, coffee, espresso, light cacao and cherry lilting in and out and in again, with complicated wood and earth seeing it through. It's easily as complex as any Sir Winston I've smoked.

I'm hoping the '01 RAG or various Por Larrañaga I have on deck will supplant this RyJ to make July '16 a cigar month to remember! Honorable Mention: AME '13 RASCC that have been smoking like aged Gigantes!

What code ryj? Had an MUO 14 and MUL 14 recently that couldn't have been more different. Yours reminded me of the MUL

[Tommyz]

Toss up between a 2008 Cohiba Coronas Especiales and a 2014 CoRo 

[rickthecabbie]

I had the pleasure of lighting up my first H. Upmann Half Corona.
Remember the first time you had a really great cigar?
Yep, it was like that.  It was all of the great things I have read about this cigar.
I am glad I have so little experience with these things, because I have so much to look forward to.

[earthson]

9 hours ago, ChefBoyRG54 said:

What code ryj? Had an MUO 14 and MUL 14 recently that couldn't have been more different. Yours reminded me of the MUL

MUL JUN 14. If you're asking about the 98s, I can't remember and the box is bye bye.

[ChefBoyRG54]

MUL JUN 14. If you're asking about the 98s, I can't remember and the box is bye bye.

Was asking about the ryj. Mine was same code I believe with very similar results.

Interesting contrast to the MUO ryj churchill of 2014

[earthson]

1 minute ago, ChefBoyRG54 said:

Was asking about the ryj. Mine was same code I believe with very similar results.

Interesting contrast to the MUO ryj churchill of 2014

I am always hesitant to buy RyJ because they are produced on such a large scale and at numerous factories. These were definitely a success.

[fabes]

1 hour ago, ChefBoyRG54 said:

Was asking about the ryj. Mine was same code I believe with very similar results.

Interesting contrast to the MUO ryj churchill of 2014

How would you describe the MUO ryj churchill experience?

[ChefBoyRG54]

How would you describe the MUO ryj churchill experience?

Was much more robust right from the start. Reminded me of a larger format lgc mdo2 flavor profile with more of a sweeter spice.

Overall I enjoyed the MUO much more, but it was definitely not a build up as you go smoke like the MUL imo

[ksblazer]

Two come to mind

Vegas Robaina Famoso from 2015. I have always felt these were one of the best cigars when "on" and very underated. It was like smoking a black forest cake.

Romeo Y Julieta Exhibition No.4 from 2013. These are aging well and this one tasted like a chocolate cherry with the cherry liquid inside.

 

[Lewinsky]

My best stick of the month was a Partagas Serie du Connoisseur No. 3 from 2002. It was surprisingly sweet and floral for a Partagas, but the flavours were incredibly concentrated and intense. 

[BustaTC]

I have one of the Modus cigar tools as well.  A nice botl from another forum made them.  I find myself nubbing many a cigar with it.  If you don't have this tool, you need it.  It is great.

[Ethernut]

2 hours ago, BustaTC said:

I have one of the Modus cigar tools as well.  A nice botl from another forum made them.  I find myself nubbing many a cigar with it.  If you don't have this tool, you need it.  It is great.

It'll likely become a Christmas gift for a few folks near and dear! 

[LGC]

So far... a 1970's Sancho Panza Belicoso

[Ethernut]

36 minutes ago, Brandon said:

So far... a 1970's Sancho Panza Belicoso

Dang!