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Would like to think (?) I have advanced tastes -- been smoking cigars 48 years. I smoke cigars after every meal. Am a regular for Padron 4000, 5000 and 1926 Anniversary cigars.
Nica Libre is not a Padron. The Nica Libre construction is vapid, almost airy. The wrapper is ragged. But I have been working my way through a Nice Libre sampler -- and the more I smoke, the more I like them. Surprised me how eventful the cigar was. Especially the final third -- it's a lip-burner. Has an emphatic after-taste that may repel some, but this is a good budget smoke. |
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I agree. Not a Padron, but a good value smoke in it's own right.
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It is quite a distinct and unwelcome after taste in my opinion. Bitter in fact. Again, I don't think anyone should ever NOT smoke a cigar due to someone's review. I think everyone should try for themselves as tastes vary so, so much. Who cares what I like? Should only matter to me. I am going to sit on the other four for a bit to see if resting them changes it a bit and will eventually smoke the remaining four. Need to call dad to see if he has tried any of his remaining four since this smoke of ours over the weekend. |
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Just spoke to dad.
He smoked the Principe version and didn't find that bitter taste he picked up on the larger Exclusivo version. Wasn't a Padron but did enjoy the smoke. So...........for now, will write it off as maybe we got two bad sticks with the Exclusivo and the others may be better. Will give the Principe a shot tomorrow and see. If not to my liking, will go back to concept of sitting on them a while. |
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I never expected anyone to care. I am lost for words.:r |
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PRELIGHT- Smell was nothing spectacular and it was a little spongy but often when I get cigars from CI they seem a little wet so whatever. Look of the construction seemed good to very good with and very EZ draw. LIGHT- Light had a hint of spice/nut and was intrigued on first taste as was pretty much the first 5 mins. Had a lot of very creamy smoke and realized there was some depth to this cigar. THE REST- the rest of the cigar went from creamy richness choco/coffee/nut with just a hint of spice and rotated those flavors at random. CONCLUSION - I thoroughly enjoyed and in fact LOVED this cigar and for me compared with many $8-10 cigars. It never got hot until the very end. The only down side was that I did notice the back of the throat thing but lasted for just a moment or two so not to big of a minus at all. For me it gets a solid A and when you factor in the $2 price tag maybe a little higher. If all the cigars in the pack are like this one it's a BIG win, highly recommend. http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sctUupuw_Zk/S7...0/IMG_0987.JPG |
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Still no info on the cigar though, some have said its an AJ Fernandez...anyone? |
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After checking out the sizes I believe I had the Principe. (4.5" x 46)
Checking on the blender, now. |
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According to this sight it is AJ Fernandez.
http://robustojoe.com/cigar-blends Here's a cached page (no longer live) from cigar.com “The tale of the tape…” When Cigar.com billed the Nica Libre as an alternative to the Padron Anniversary maduro, I just had to see this for myself. I mean, how could a $2 cigar stand up to an icon of cigar supremacy costing four times that amount? Was this a case of David vs. Goliath in the valley of Jalapa? Upon learning that Abdel (A.J.) Fernandez was the brain behind the Nica Libre blend, I promptly ordered a box. I have enjoyed everything AJ has created from the Padilla Habano to the Sol Cubano Cuban Cabinet, and felt I had nothing to lose by getting a box of the Libre, sight unseen, especially at $2/stick. This sampler also indicates that AJ is the blender A.J. Fernandez Dirty Dozen Sampler (12 Cigars) $29.95 I have found nothing to the contrary of AJ being the blender. I am telling you AJ Fernandez is following the footsteps of DPG. JMHO of course. |
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OK,
Let's do an INTERACTIVE review. Just had the Principe. I must admit, DAY AND NIGHT difference from the Exclusivo. While the Exclusivo made me want to put it out right away, although I didn't, this one was quite enjoyable. Was it worth $2? Heck yeah. Will I ever pay more than $2? Not much more than that and will show you why and you decide for yourself. Those that know me know I can cradle a cigar for ages. While most smoke two and three, I am still on one. This cigar took me all of just a mere 22 minutes. Not sure what others have gotten and would be interested to hear. This one did not have that strange bitter after taste as the Exclusivo did. It did arise about half way through but was quite mild and didn't turn me off. What did not impress me was the lack of quality in the construction. Perhaps I am unlucky. Perhaps I am too demanding. Either way, this one and two others I have yet to smoke have a lot to be desired with construction. No doubt thus far, the Principe is the one I will gladly do again and hope for better construction. The Exclusivo will be left for the rest of you. P.S. Enjoy the pool.:r http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...hoto/photo.jpg Severe void http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...to/photo-1.jpg |
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You fond the Nl the same way I do. Your just better with the review :D. I would like it for $5 - $6 a stick, at ~$2.00 it's a definite keeper.
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P.S.
Just want to add that I personally feel it is an injustice to both companies to compare this cigar to a Padron Anniversary. It sets a very high bar it can't compete with. I can understand why folks make the comparison given the band, the shape, the shade and the manufacturer's marketing (all same vitola as Padron named the same as Padron Annis). It is like Shop Rite cola v. Coke. They are both cola. That is it. Never the less, I will pick up some more Principes as you just can't beat that price. However, the Principe, standing on its own right, was an enjoyable smoke and certainly a great value at $2. Again, not sure what has happened to me and if the norm but 3 out of 5 in the pack have significant voids in the middle as shown in the above photos. For that reason (coupled with how fast this burned on me), I can't see spending $5-6 as some have said they would pay. To me, there is a reason why a Principe from Padron is around $10 and I am willing to pay for that difference. Some may not. Some may not be able to even if they wanted to. That is all personal. As I always say and always follow..............don't take anyone's word. Try it yourself and if you like it, so may it be. So far, of the two vitolas I have tried, praise for the Principe for flavor and enjoyment while to hell with the Exclusivo which I will never try again, not even if they sold them at $1. |
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Great details Blueface! Thanks for the info; I also had a fast burn, but not quite that fast. And mine was also spongy like yours, though more at the foot than in the middle...
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I also agree with Blue like what YOU like not what someone else likes. One GREAT way to do this would be to do blind (no bands) reviews. You will learn quickly that some cigars are just overpriced and some cigars are underpriced based on YOUR taste. I am thinking of trying the Exclusio next to see if it is that much of a difference. Cheers! |
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I am game for a challenge and will definitely eventually pick up some Padron Principes and some more Nica Libre Principes and do a side by side. HOWEVER, I am not nor have ever been a "casual" Padron Anni smoker. I have instead been the ultimate whore for any of their vitolas. Having smoked them very, very regularlyy (almost bordering on excessively) since their creation in 1994, I assure you I already know what the outcome will be. I have had my own personal account directly with Padron with a discount since the early 90's. To my pallate, Padron Annis have a very unique profile I don't pick up with any other cigars. I don't think the Annis are overpriced at all given what goes into making them. I personally feel I am getting a great value. In comparison, overpriced to me is a Graycliff at TWICE the price of an average Anni. As to these Nica Libre being cheap, I bet that is a temporary marketing thing to get them exposed. Can't imagine them staying at that price. |
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As a true Anni wh0re you may be a bad person for the comparison. I think with the amount of 64 Annis I have smoked they are worth the $$ spent on them, problem is I just can't aford them excwept for rare ocassions and even worse now as the SCHIP has really run some of the prices up.. So for me the NL is a good get by. I have not smoked the Exclusivo, so I'll try to hunt one down myself and see if I find a diff as you did.
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Going to light up the Torpedo later today and review as well.
Just noticed, we can no longer call these a $2 cigar. Cheapest box now on CI is $50 for the Principe. The Torpedo tops the list at $65. They come in boxes of 20. So...............simple math, these pups have now graduated to the $2.50 to $3.00+ range. While still a good value, I suspect they will not last in that range either and will creep up further. |
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Just checked that site and pretty comparable to CI in prices. The 5 pack is available on both for $20 but heck if I want all sizes again with my Exclusivo experience. |
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http://www.cigar.com/cigars/viewcigar.asp?brand=745 |
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Holy Crap! I just realized, I thought you said $.50. |
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Don't forget these are regularly on the daily deals SUPER cheap too.
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Having raised two to adults and now having an empty nest.......... In as best short and sweet way I can tell you............ NOPE! |
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Just smoked the Torpedo.
Will post photos later tonight. Of the three I have smoked, this by far was the best. I enjoyed the cigar. I can safely and clearly state this is not a Padron profile nor is it remotely close. On its own merits, it was a very good tasting cigar. The construction was good overall. I hair spongy but not bad at all. The burn was a tad uneven but not as bad as the Principe. In fact, it was not bad at all. I didn't pick up that after taste until about 3/4 of the way into the cigar and when I did, it was minimal and didn't last very long. I must have gotten use to it by now. The only negative I will say about it is that just like the other two, this thing burns like wildfire. I have never, ever, ever had a torpedo of this size that has burned as fast as this cigar did. I smoked it no differently than any other cigar. In fact, half of it was done while bs' ing with my neighbor guiding him on some gardening. I killed this cigar in only 32 minutes. So..........don't think anyone has commented on this when speaking of value. Sure it is a cheap $2 to $3 cigar by today's pricing but when one considers the minimal enjoyment time involved as compared to other torpedo's of the same size, such as a Padron that will take me well over an hour, one has to really question the value overall at the end of the day. In the end, you are not getting a comparable cigar for $2-$3 to that of a $5-$10. You are just getting $2-$3 worth of tobacco. Two sizes left to go to try out. Will likely do one a day for the next couple of days. |
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The principe I had lasted about 45 min, but as you could tell I was playing with my Canon so I probably extended it by 10. I still really liked the flavor of it and I have had maybe a dozen of the Padron Ann 26/64's it wasn't them it was different.
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Just got a 5er sampler for $10.79 + shipping. After they sit a bit I'll give them a shot.
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I just got a box of Principes on the devil site for $28- I am stoked. I got a couple of these from a friend on another board and was pleasantly surprised.
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$28 !!!!! What a steal. I havent had one yet, but if I can get a deal like that, I will commit to a box right away! |
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Trying my first Nica Libre this evening. :tu
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Tried my first Exclusivo tonight (5-1/2 x 50 ring).
Most unimpressed. Did not remind me of ANY Padron I've ever had, not the x000 series, much less a 1926 or 1964. Actually, it struck me more as an anemic Cuban Crafters Cabinet Selection. Sorta the same coffee/leather/spice, but far more subdued, with all flavor in the forefront & a flat finish. Every so often, I'd get a whiff of chocolate, but it was ghost-like in its appearance & disappearance. Granted, I've only smoked this one, but I have no incentive to buy another. There are far better smokes out there in the same price range, so this one can stay in someone else's humidor.:td |
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This thread is going to force my hand! Great discussion guys. :tu
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Wow the reviews are all over. Love it, hate it. I REALLY liked this cigar it was the first one to wow me in long while. It's all about flavor for me and that's where it hit the spot. I had t he Principe (Spelling?)
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Both dad and I agreed the Principe was a good tasting cigar. We also both agree the Torpedo was the very best of the three we smoked. We certainly were in agreement the Exclusive totally sucked. I guess it boils down to first and foremost, a fair comparison of vitolas. You just can't assume they are all the same and just different sizes. Next, it totally has to do with personal tastes. We all have different ones. I don't see this as Filet Mignon or Lobster where so many of the overall population just loves both. I think with this cigar, it will be a hit or a miss, depending on your taste preferences/perceptions and depending on your expectations. For $2? Again, awesome tasting cigar (two of the three I tried that is). Is it a Padron? Not even remotely close. Is it deserving of such comparison. Absolutely not. Is it worth trying? Absolutely. You be your own judge. Is it something I am going to run out and stock up on? Nope. Will I buy more in the future for an occasional kick and giggle? Yeah. I am going for one of the two remaining vitolas later today. That will be number 4 and not really sure what that will be like as those two have bad, bad voids in them, unlike the Torpedo which had the best construction of all thus far. Dad is also going to have one so will share his thoughts as we both seem to be sharing the identical views thus far. Just checked the Imperial again and the void is a mess, just below and bordering on the band. I can easily compress it to half the cigar. |
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Is it possible the rollers of the Prinicipe are the same team? And so for all vitolas? May explain the differences for the same cigar in different vitolas.
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Here is what awaits me later.
Note my fingers semi gently compressing the void in tobacco. That is not my fingers covering up the cigar. That is the cigar compressed to that point. This is the Imperial version. http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...o/photo-10.jpg |
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