Your favorite Non-Cubans

[HoyoFan]

Given the current state of the market, I’m trying to hold onto as much of my Cuban stock as possible. And with that, I’m reaching more for a NC to fill in the in between times.

 

My issue is simple, I can’t handle the nicotine and pepper levels of many NCs. Therefore I often feel like I’m walking somewhat of a minefield when trying new stuff.

 

So my next logical step? Ask this fine crew what you all enjoy. My goal is not to debate NC vs CC. Simply to get some recos for things I may have not tried that are not high in the pepper or nicotine dept but are high on flavor.

[gustavehenne]

I'd highly recommend the Ashton ESG - it is a very complex, almost perfumed smoke and it is one of my favourite NCs. My other two favourites are the Padron 1926 No.1 Maduro and the Fuente Opus X although these are strong, rich and will almost definitely hit you nicotine wise.

Davidoff's Grand Cru and Anniversario line are also very nice and creamy although they are hardly cheap

Good luck!

[NapaNolan]

I'm in the same boat regarding pepper and nicotine...looking at a La Flor Dominicana turns my stomach.

The last great NC I had was an aged (I think it was a little older due to the red band) l'Atelier Lancero Maduro. It had a beautiful salty/mineral finish (sort of like drinking a very high sodium content sparkling mineral water) and almost a Szechuan peppercorn sensation. I really loved it.

I'd also love to hear more suggestions.

[alex1126]

I love the padron 1964 natural series, complex and not too spicy.

[Ford2112]

Illusione Epernay and Oliva Melanio

[Reverb]

Herrera Esteli londsdale. Nice medium body graham cracker flavors.


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[Thirds]

Big fan of the Haut 10, Villa Casdagli, traditional Casdagli line, Casdagli DOTW Wide Churchill…they’ve become a favorite line.  I never shun a Davidoff or Arturo Fuente.   Big fan of most Byron - especially the Poema.  LH cigars are very good.  Too many to list but these come to mind. 

[HoyoFan]

12 hours ago, stevenhaugen said:

I'd highly recommend the Ashton ESG - it is a very complex, almost perfumed smoke and it is one of my favourite NCs. My other two favourites are the Padron 1926 No.1 Maduro and the Fuente Opus X although these are strong, rich and will almost definitely hit you nicotine wise.
Davidoff's Grand Cru and Anniversario line are also very nice and creamy although they are hardly cheap
Good luck!

Thanks. Yeah I’ve found that the 1926 need a few years for me to smoke without putting me on the floor. But once they mellow they are fantastic.

 

12 hours ago, Ford2112 said:

Illusione Epernay and Oliva Melanio

Do you like the melanio or melanio maduro better?

[Ford2112]

Just now, HoyoFan said:

Do you like the melanio or melanio maduro better?

I'm a fan of the Toro Melanio, With some rest in the humidor they smoke good,but they are not mild by any stretch. Sometimes I'm in the mood to be abused lol.

[gustavehenne]

4 minutes ago, HoyoFan said:

Do you like the melanio or melanio maduro better?

I tried the Maduro version of the Melanio but personally preferred the Natrual. Didn’t see what all the hype was about tbh

found the natural to be more flavoursome… to my taste (which is odd as I almost always prefer Maduro)

[Ford2112]

6 minutes ago, stevenhaugen said:

I tried the Maduro version of the Melanio but personally preferred the Natrual. Didn’t see what all the hype was about tbh

found the natural to be more flavoursome… to my taste (which is odd as I almost always prefer Maduro)

Same

[Çnote]

DTT, Warped, Viaje, Caldwell, Fuente, LFD

[HoyoFan]

DTT, Warped, Viaje, Caldwell, Fuente, LFD

Which Caldwells do you like? My understanding is that can be quiet strong.

[Çnote]

7 minutes ago, HoyoFan said:

Which Caldwells do you like? My understanding is that can be quiet strong.

The last tsar was milder by my recollection. I'm smoking a 5er sampler this week, the midnight express was quite strong, but flavorful like a Fuente anejo or BBF. If you're used to holding stock for a couple of years, it's a fine one.

[rjake100]

I suggest El Septimo Sacred Arts Collection. The Michaelangelo is an awesome cigar.

[Danskiz]

One that is definitely worth trying is the Henry Clay Warhawk.  Don’t let the price fool you, they are outstanding.  They have a nutty, citrusy complexity that I haven’t found in any other NC I’ve smoked.  They smoke stronger than the wrapper suggests, but I don’t find them to be overly peppery (I don’t like peppery sticks).  They have become my go to stick to stretch out my CC inventory.

[Çnote]

3 minutes ago, Danskiz said:

Henry Clay Warhawk.

Totally unappreciated 

[Juliano88]

Illusione - the whole catalog 

Tatuaje - black label, brown label, most le’s

Aganorsa leaf - supreme leaf and rare leaf reserve 

Arturo fuente - anejo, don Carlos, casa Cuba double Quattro

E.P Carrillo - pledge prequel, la historia, TAA 2021

My Father - le bijou 1922, original blue, la promesa Lancero, the judge

Dunbarton tobacco- mi querida tt and sobramesa maduro

[Achilles1318]

My palette is H. Upmann, Quai d'Orsay, and aged Por Larranaga so take these recommendations with that in mind. 

If you can find them, I'm a huge fan of Casdagli cigars- they were crafted with the Habanos connoisseur in mind. The Daughters of the Wind is probably my favorite Lancero in all markets, but you shouldn't skip on the Villa Casdagli line either. 

If you can't find Casdagli easily, then Warped and Illusione are the other two macras that I reach for regularly. The Warped GR-88 and Illusione Fume d' Amour are my favorites from these brands. 

Wildcard is Southern Draw- Desert Rose and Rose of Sharon are my favorites, but their entire line is excellent. 

 

Guilty pleasure is the Drew Estate Java; I don't know why, but I love these cigars (especially with pending legislation in the States). 

[Tdm_86]

My favorite is the Drew Estate Undercrown Maduro, I always have a box or 2 around. Regular chocolate bombs. 

[cigcars]

     *I would suggest too the Ashton ESG - VERY nice smoke; the Casdaglia Daughters of the Dust - frighteningly close to a Habana smoke: also (believe it or not) the regular Honduran Punch RARE COROJO - also frighteningly close to a Cuban smoke; and Zino Platinums, which if you don't mind donating a kidney can be a very pleasant experience. I would recommend getting these out of Mike's Cigar Company catalog sampler specials. They sometimes add this smoke to their sampler section for a very reasonable bargain price. 

[GoodStix]

After 90 days rest, Oliva Melanio Figurado and EP Carillo Encore Majestic are worth trying.  That said, I’m looking forward to the next Nudies release.

[Kevin48438]

Which NCs do you currently like?

which NCs do you currently dislike?

What is your budget per stick?

[dicko]

Dunbarton tobaco and trust (Steve Saka products) are my go to NCs at the moment - great quality rich sticks.

Most cuban like is the mild-medium Fuente cameroon wrapper stuff- amazing value

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[Mark12]

Mild - Ashton Classic, Davidoff Grand Cru, Macanudo Gold Label

Mild/Medium - Ashton Cabinet Selection, Davidoff Signature, La Aurora Preferidos Gold, The Griffins, Padron Damaso

Medium - Ashton Heritage Puro Sol, Davidoff Aniversario, Ashton Maduro, Arturo Fuente Don Carlos