Cuban "peso" cigars

[boilers183]

I tried a quick search, but didn't find what I was looking for. I just received a couple Holguin Selectos as a bonus with a recent purchase. I haven't heard of or smoked these before, but what should I expect? Should they rest a while or should I smoke them fresh like I do most custom rolls? 

 

Thanks

[Smallclub]

You should expect to cough.

[chris12381]

Without a doubt, the Cuban peso cigar is the best "bang for the buck" in the world of cigars.  1 cigar = 1 Cuban Peso (CUP) or approximately 4 cents (USD).  You buy them in government stores wrapped in bundles of twenty 25.

With that said, quality is all over the place.  There are a few brands or marcas I prefer.  Reloba, Bauza, etc.  They are machine made and probably from scraps used from export cigar production, including plenty of stems.  I'm comfortable saying that in the few hundred I've smoked, there's zero attention paid to the cigar's appearance, blending or frankly, anything other than producing a cigar for the masses.  

I enjoy them, especially walking around Havana.  It's definitely an experience.  Make sure to write up a review!

[boilers183]

Prior to reading the two previous posts, I lit one up. I received it 2 days ago and it was not dry boxed. It was ugly and had very little aroma, but the construction was actually very good. Better than most "luxury Cuban" cigars actually... the flavors were also good, but very mild and straight forward. This was a petite corona size, so I didn't expect many transitions anyway. I got mostly toasted tobacco and wood with a creamy mouth feel. For only 4 cents, this is definitely a bargain, but I don't think it would be able to replace anything else I have. 

People frequently ask "what should I give to someone who doesn't smoke?" I would say these would be perfect. Cheap, mild, but still good flavor. 

I'm only halfway through my first one, but I'd be happy to buy a bundle of these for $1. Although for 25 sticks for $1 does sound like I would see a full range of construction and flavors. 

 

I have a feeling I just got lucky on this one. I hope the second I have is just as good. 

[chris12381]

Surprised to hear it's mild. Glad you got a nicely constructed one.

Boilers? Any chance a Purdue grad?

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[boilers183]

3 hours ago, chris12381 said:

Surprised to hear it's mild. Glad you got a nicely constructed one.

Boilers? Any chance a Purdue grad?

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
 

Yes sir. One of many in my family 

[chris12381]

2003 alum here.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
 

[rhcolbert]

I'd love to get my hands on these.  Always love those pleasant surprises.

i used to get pardon fumas.  Not 4cents a stick, but I think it was like $2 or less a stick. Loved em.  This sounds like an ever better version of that. 

[boilers183]

25 minutes ago, rhcolbert said:

I'd love to get my hands on these.  Always love those pleasant surprises.

i used to get pardon fumas.  Not 4cents a stick, but I think it was like $2 or less a stick. Loved em.  This sounds like an ever better version of that. 

Send me your address and it's yours!

[boilers183]

2 hours ago, chris12381 said:

2003 alum here.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
 

It was a pretty good year to be a boilermaker basketball fan. Let's see if we can't win more than 2 or 3 games in football this fall

[rhcolbert]

29 minutes ago, boilers183 said:

Send me your address and it's yours!

Thank u sir!

[boilers183]

17 minutes ago, rhcolbert said:

Thank u sir!

Glad to do it 

[cigcars]

    One of the forum members sent me some Cuban peso cigars, Bauza among them and I was VERY impressed with the flavor and aroma. I can handle unattractiveness as I've had numerous and plenty of cigars through the years that were VERY pretty and lovely to the sight, yet just pursing my lips and sucking in empty air would have been more satisfactory than the empty smoke they turned out to be. It would be nice if these Peso smokes could be featured as a selection for purchase on some of our beloved forums! 

[losttrailer]

12 hours ago, boilers183 said:

Prior to reading the two previous posts, I lit one up. I received it 2 days ago and it was not dry boxed. It was ugly and had very little aroma, but the construction was actually very good. Better than most "luxury Cuban" cigars actually... the flavors were also good, but very mild and straight forward. This was a petite corona size, so I didn't expect many transitions anyway. I got mostly toasted tobacco and wood with a creamy mouth feel. For only 4 cents, this is definitely a bargain, but I don't think it would be able to replace anything else I have.

Reminded me that there should be a few of the Bauzas around and yup, i found them. This one is quite underfilled and looks like in the "First Quarter 2017" thread when pressed. Your description nails it pretty well but a little bit too acidic for my taste. Reminded me somehow of an Flor de Cano Petit Corona from previous days.

[boilers183]

4 hours ago, losttrailer said:

Reminded me that there should be a few of the Bauzas around and yup, i found them. This one is quite underfilled and looks like in the "First Quarter 2017" thread when pressed. Your description nails it pretty well but a little bit too acidic for my taste. Reminded me somehow of an Flor de Cano Petit Corona from previous days.

Did you buy these in Cuba? 

[oliverdst]

20 hours ago, chris12381 said:

Without a doubt, the Cuban peso cigar is the best "bang for the buck" in the world of cigars.  1 cigar = 1 Cuban Peso (CUP) or approximately 4 cents (USD).  You buy them in government stores wrapped in bundles of twenty 25.

With that said, quality is all over the place.  There are a few brands or marcas I prefer.  Reloba, Bauza, etc.  They are machine made and probably from scraps used from export cigar production, including plenty of stems.  I'm comfortable saying that in the few hundred I've smoked, there's zero attention paid to the cigar's appearance, blending or frankly, anything other than producing a cigar for the masses.  

I enjoy them, especially walking around Havana.  It's definitely an experience.  Make sure to write up a review!

Anyone can go to the store and buy or only cubans?

[Bakerj]

Anyone can walk into the store and buy them. I always pick up a couple of bundles to take home. Suprisingly great smokes. Prefer the El Credito but they only had these Colosso. The glue on the bands made these stick together where the bands meet and you have to pull them apart.

[boilers183]

6 hours ago, Bakerj said:

Anyone can walk into the store and buy them. I always pick up a couple of bundles to take home. Suprisingly great smokes. Prefer the El Credito but they only had these Colosso. The glue on the bands made these stick together where the bands meet and you have to pull them apart.

Mine had a wrapper idetntical to these

[Danimalia]

I like the simple paper bundles and bands. Looks really cool. Reminds me of the non-filter, paper-pack Populares cigarettes (wasn't a big cigar smoker in '05 when I was there) I bought at a corner store in Havana when I was there, which were the strongest cigarettes I've ever smoked. 

Definitely would be interested in trying a few of these when I go back. Even if they're not great, it seems like it'd be worth it as an experience.

[boilers183]

I agree about the packaging. I would like it better if they didn't have a band though

[CaptainQuintero]

I've always enjoyed the ones I've come across. Usually sweet rustic flavours.

The closest thing you can get your hands on are the Quintero Brevas in my opinion. 

[losttrailer]

On 2.4.2017 at 2:15 PM, boilers183 said:

Did you buy these in Cuba? 

No, they were gifted to me on two occasions as part of a trade. With a 50 stick limit no way i would choose these to accompany me back home ;-)

[rhcolbert]

1 hour ago, CaptainQuintero said:

I've always enjoyed the ones I've come across. Usually sweet rustic flavours.

The closest thing you can get your hands on are the Quintero Brevas in my opinion. 

Thought about picking up some Quinteros. I've never liked j piedra, but always willing to give the bargain cigars a go. 

[boilers183]

5 hours ago, losttrailer said:

No, they were gifted to me on two occasions as part of a trade. With a 50 stick limit no way i would choose these to accompany me back home ;-)

I wouldn't waste any on these either!

[CaptainQuintero]

22 hours ago, rhcolbert said:

Thought about picking up some Quinteros. I've never liked j piedra, but always willing to give the bargain cigars a go. 

The Quintero Panetela are the best of the bunch for me, very sweet tobacco. Like fresh cut grass sweetness. The brevas are a lot more strong in terms of body, very rustic. The favoritos are somewhere in between. The londres extra seem to be the worst; fall apart in your mouth.

Piedras seem to have none of the sweetness that Quintero have so it depends whether you like sweet cigars or not