Newbie Intro and Cigar Guidance

[Ah00ds]

Hey guys!

New to the forum and CC as a whole, moving away from the NC sticks as there is a little more to love in the subtleties of the CC. 

Ive done a whole bunch of research and landed on this beautiful site, and slowly my bank account has been draining LOL. 
I purchased a couple boxes from our host; some to age and some to enjoy now, based of recommendations from the community and my dad. Current humi is about at capacity. The pics below are my set up and collection. Keeping at around 66F and 68Rh. 

But I do love the long skinnies, and have been wondering (since they’re so damn expensive: 25-33 a stick) what the best course of action is. I have only the room/money for 1 or 2 more boxes depending on price. 

1) Cohiba Esplendidos 

2) Cohiba Lancero

3) H. Upmann Sir Winston

4) Trinidad Fundadores 

5) 2 boxes of Punch 898

or any other recommendations for great sticks to look into would be greatly appreciated, as I’m new to them all.  

Thanks for your help guys! I am happy to be here.

-Andrew

Ps. With all those CoRos and other Cohibas on the bottom, did some research they all look fake to me. Bands are slightly off. Friend of mine picked them up at the “airport in Cuba”. Sliced one open and they’re all long filler with double binders but can’t bring myself to toss them just yet. 

[Chas.Alpha]

I’m certain to be roasted for this, but here goes;

Don’t toss ‘em, burn ‘em! If your friend bought them at the shop at Jose Marti, I would be comfortable saying that they are legit. The Cuban Government is kinda funny that way...

That said, if he got them from a nice guy outside the airport (whose cousin works at El Laguito) ...

Light ‘em up! Worst case, they’re terrible. They might be great!

The best smoke I’ve had so far this year came from the loving hands of a woman named Juanita, and it was a Lancero.

 

p.s. By the looks of your stash, you have a very good idea of the difference between a good smoke and a bad one... ?

[Ah00ds]

Hey @Chas.Alpha,

thanks for the reply!

I burned one.. it wasn’t bad kinda bland mild smoke, wasn’t miraculous. Started getting bitter about halfway thru. I have no basis to judge a legit cohiba against the ones that I bought. And the price tag on the CoRos is slightly making me hesitant on pulling the trigger. But from what I tasted I think it was cheaper cigar that was rebanded. Who knows I’ll let them sleep and maybe hand them out and use them as yard gars.

[JohnS]

Greetings and welcome to our forum, Andrew! Those Cohiba...well, my first thoughts were that the bands looks legitimate, that is for sure. The only question I have is the variance in the wrapper shade, and I'm not talking about those Maduros either. As @Chas.Alpha said, smoke them and see. At least they look well constructed.

[Burningman]

Welcome! You will find there is a wealth of information here. Enjoy the site.

[Derboesekoenig]

Well you have good taste, and your list reflects that. I, however, HIGHLY recommend you get a massive sampler of single sticks. You would be surprised what you might like. 

[Chas.Alpha]

Living in South Florida, I have a good eye on the weather here and in Cuba. The ‘17-18 tobacco harvests were good, but late rains ruined a great deal of the crops while in the curing barns. 
Still, some terrific stuff coming from Cuba this year...

The best Petit Corona that I have ever smoked?

A cellophane-wrapped bundle of La Aurora, lost in a warehouse in Tampa for 6-8 years. The rep brought in 8 bundles, I smoked one and bought 4 of them. Although I love the Cuban leaf, it doesn’t mean it’s the only leaf...

I do not have even one stick of those PC’s left...

Moral: Don’t get wound up about “is it a real Cuban...” thing.

Sometimes, a cigar is a great cigar...

 

[TheMonk]

Welcome to FOH, Andrew!