Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

Once I discovered CC's and the value they present, i find it hard paying for a box of NC's.

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

I used to love these cigars so much, but the last time I had one it left me quite cold.

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

There are a hand full of NC's I have and will pay to have in my humi, but as time goes by and our great US tax on cigars keep growing. The value in CC's gets better all the time.

However when compairing cigars, I try to compair NC's to NC's and CC's to CC's. IMHO

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

:tpd:

One of my all time favorites.

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

:tpd: Numero uno, baby. Worth every red cent.

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

I respect all opinions but can't help but crack up when I see the wide variety of responses subjects like this can get.

If you think over $20 for a NC, which I treat myself to at least 4-6 a year, check out some of the crap people are willing to pay big bucks for. I love my '26 #1, the 40th, the 80th and the 45th, all from Padron and all well over $20.
Clicky

Different strokes, for different folks.

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

[quote=RightAJ;811295]The only one for me really was the Padron 80th. Worth every damn penny

Agreed 100 percent. It is an AWESOME cigar.

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

I'm coming to this thread a little late, but the wide variety of responses here confirm for me that a cigar's worth is entirely a matter of personal opinion.

If trends count for anything, I've noticed that the majority of NC ultra premiums enthusiasts buy/sell/trade among each other seem to be Fuentes or Tatuajes. I love all the higher end Fuentes and I'm willing to pay the $$ that these go for. On the other hand, I am often disappointed by the price and flavor of most Tats.

The thing is, you will find an equal number of people who agree and disagree with me, so I would encourage everyone to smoke a variety of premium cigars and decide what you personally feel is worth the price.

as a side note, I have to agree with everybody who says that there aren't any premium NCs worth the price when compared to their Cuban counterparts, but is that really a fair comparison?

cheers! :ss

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

NO nc is worth the premium... why bother when you can get like a monte sumblime, ryj duke, etc for the same price.. and from my understanding, nc dont' age well either

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

Not true. There are many nc's that age wonderfully. Pepin's and Padrons are just a couple that I have had with more than 4/5 years on them.

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

People say comparing NC's to CC's is like apples to oranges. So why discuss them in comparative pricing as well? Just a thought. :)

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

95% of what I have is CC.
However, I would never make this blanket statement that others have made also, about "no" NC being worth the premium without first prefacing it with "TO ME".;)
For anyone that does not mind dropping $25-$30 and can afford it, I assure you they will smoke all the 40th, 80th and 45th they can scoop up and for me, I have not found many Cubans that to my taste rival those cigars for flavor and consistency (the latter being a word Cubans can't profess).

As to aging is a matter of personal preference also. Padrons age very well.
Many know that to my 74 yr old dad, who is Cuban no less, who has smoked them since he was 14, aging is nothing more than smoking a dried, old, no longer what it was intended to be cigar. Doesn't make him right or wrong. Just his style.

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

Carlos,

I'd counterpoint that while all CCs are not consistent there are some that seem to be to me. Cohibas are pretty consistent, and from the ones I've had so are regionals and LEs.

Also I used to love the 80th, however I don't care much for them now. I'd take a Sig II over an 80th everytime.

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

Bryan, I've watched the "trend" for a long time now. Regular smokers always tend to end up at old cc's. Don't know why.
Recently, I've watched myself start to levitate towards cc's. I still love my mind numbing nc's, though. It's just my style, and what I like. I think it has to do with chewing snuff for 35 years. It's hard for me to get any nicotine unless the cigar is incredibly strong.
I smoked an 80th last night, and it handed me my ass. It was about four years old, I believe. Cello was nice and yellow. It was amazingly perfect and probably the strongest cigar I ever smoked.
In my search, I haven't been able to find a mind-numbing cc. Then when something is suggested, I have to smoke at least three sticks to get one that's representative. Cripes, I'd have to smoke a whole box of cc's to be sure that I know what the cigar is supposed to be "like".
On a positive note, I can see myself enjoying the more delicate cc's, because I snork every huff. If I were a mouth smoker, I'd definately levitate to nc's because I can taste things in my mouth. cc's, I can't. Just dirty smoke.
I'm definately going to spark a SigII as soon as I can.
Not to compare with the 80th, but to see where you're coming from, in hopes I'll enjoy the SigII as well.
Thanks, brother!!! :)

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

Some of the ultra premium nc are worth the price...Padron 1926's, opus x, esg's. Do I smoke them everyday, no....I want to retire with some money in the bank. NC's overall age very well........ imho.

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

I should say that the Padron 80th, for the right time and place, is definately a special treat at the price point. To me, definately worth the coin, once in awhile.
It delivers a special experience for the money. A "blow your doors off" goodness that can be experienced by mouth smokers and snorkers alike.
I wouldn't want to smoke them every day, nor could I ever dream of affording it, but for a very special occasion, it fits the "what I like" bill to a tee.
I look forward to my next 80th, for sure. :tu

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

Yep, I always know exactly whee these threads are headed, and typically who is going to say what...And then I remind myself of your last line.
;)

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

Not to pick or anything, but your understanding? I'm to assume that would mean you are taking other's words at face value and haven't actually aged anything yourself. I would submit that you might want to experience it personally before you make a declaration one way or the other.

And this is something that has always made me scratch my head anyway. Why would only tobacco from one region age "well" but it won't age "well" if it comes from anywhere else? It just makes no sense to me and my experience, though somewhat limited, has shown to be different. I have a suspicion that those who primarily age and smoke cigars from a certain region probably don't make a habit out of aging and smoking cigars from other regions very often. But that's just me and my :2

Like Carlos says...different strokes.

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

This has been one lively discussion started. Reminds me of a few smokes to go back and try and adds a few to my list.

All the CC versus NC talk is interesting. I have smoked a handful of cubans and have enjoyed most all of them. However, I would never be strictly a CC smoker.

Different palates and different opinions are what makes this hobby so fun. Thanks for all the feedback so far!

Jackie

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

I'd have to say the Padron Hammer was one of the most refined NCs I've ever smoked. I think they retail for over $20, but I'd smoke one a year at $20

I'd also pay $20 for a Tatuaje La Maravilla.

Otherwise, I'm pretty much with everyone else... Too much nice stuff in the $4 ~ $8 range that will tickle my palate for a long time!

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

64 Principes are about $8.75 here.

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

Nice! I can get them for a few cents less for singles with my buyer's club discount at Tampa Humidor (they go for $9 on their site).

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

From what I read... NC are made with the US market in mind... to be smoked right away... therefore age does not enhance the cigar as much as a CC...

In regards to your comment about the aging of region... wine's also age differently from different regions :)

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

Interesting statements. On number 1 above, what has been YOUR experience? I've aged both extensively, for 10-15 years, and can tell you BOTH do just fine. Anyone claiming otherwise has NO IDEA nor experience.

On wine, don't even go there, you obviously repeat same old, same old. Just a hint, whites wines age way better than red (yeah, those pesky red Bords and Burgs don't really do that well), something "experts" don't really discuss and many don't even understand.

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

I have only had one Opus X - it was a robusto and cost me well over $20 (due to australian tobacco tax). However it was one of the best cigars I have ever had.

As for the NC vs CC war. There is one thing the NC cigar companys do so much better - Maduros.... Hell yeah!

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

They definitely have the market cornered, as only Cohiba makes a maduro cigar in Cuba.

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

They're freakin awesome, too. If you can smoke them. :D

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

I don't think I have found a "Premium" that I like.
In fact, most of the time, the word premium is associated with paying for something that you will most likely never see a tangible item.... e.g. insurance premiums.
I think that Premium NCs are just that.... something you pay for and never take delivery of... except for the name.
As I look through all of my boxes I see that the average stick price is $7. And they are all something that I enjoy and would smoke every day. My favorite NC is a $6 stick. My favorite stick, which happens to be a CC, is $5.

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

The Cohiba Maddies? Wasn't all that impressed honestly... It was definitely good, but I'd take plenty of NC maduros before it. Only had one though (the PC, can't remember the name)

aj

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

:tpd:

Add me on to the list of guys who would pass on a Cohiba Maduro 10 times out of 10.

But then again, I don't like VRs, either.

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

For my money, in my limited experience, I foudn this statement to be true.

I used to love 1964 Imperial Maduros. But after having some that I aged only a year they seemed diminished to me. I came to greatly prefer ones that didnt have age on them. The same was true of my Diamond Crown Maximus, VSGs and San Cristobels. the only cigar I liked with age was the Avo 05 LE.

Keep in mind a lot of NCs have some age on them by the time the get to your store fronts.

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

We're on a thread hijack at this point...

But. Not sure about that "diminished" POV. Same as with wine, for example, wines do not "diminish" with age since alcohol levels stay pretty much the same, it is the perceived aromatics and flavor that go through a transformation, same as with tobacco. Those who prefer wines on the young side, i.e. full of young tannins and tactile impressions they leave on the palate, most likely also prefer cigars on the young side as well for same reasons. Conversely, those who prefer more subtlety in wine, i.e. what aging does to good wines when tannins drop out (physically) and secondary characteristics develop, most likely prefer cigars with some age on them. Personally, I am in the second camp and will gladly take a nicely aged cigar with developed complexity over a young, tannic "in your face" cigar. Palate preference at play.

Any quality cigar will age fine. From my own experience and palate preference.
.
.
.
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A question to those who insist that only CCs age well: What chemical element in tobacco leaf is responsible for the supposed "proper" aging and why do you believe it only exists on the island of Cuba?

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

That might be the factor here in aging. The Quality of the leaf of Cuban stock vs. NC stock. I also think that aging NC's do not help as much as CC's, but my experience is also very limited.

He's my :2, When I first joined Club Stogie back in the day I think Pnoon said it quite simply... aging a crap stick will only give you an old crap stick. When I smoke an NC now it's usually for a load of spice and full bodied punch. That in my opinion is what is lost when aging alot of NC's. Not that it's a bad smoke, but just not what I'm looking for.

The Riddick may very well prefer what an aged NC turns into, thus TO HIM they age well. A few NC's I prefer with a couple years but for the most part TO ME, I prefer them fresh,


In the end, if you like it... it's a good smoke! And yes, this even includes gurkhas:D

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

... its not an exact chemical element.... if that's the case then which grapes have different "chemical elements" in every region that "you believe it only exists on the" whatever region to produce the end product of wine? (wine is used as an example only)

If we go off your basis that they are all the same tobacco with the same "chemical element"... how come they all taste different? then wouldn't all maduro leafs tastes the same?

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

Because your experience is the only one that counts right? we should all stop writing about our experience and just wait for you from now on... because "Anyone claiming otherwise has NO IDEA nor experience."

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

Hang around here long enough, my brother, and you will learn the truth of that statement . . . for many of the inmates here. :r

But that's just my experience.

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

I am not sure you understood my post.

The QUALITY of the leaf is about the same if not better on the NC side, construction is easily better. The TASTE is what's really at play and as you (and I as well) stated, depends on what you like. Taste is main reason I dislike CCs, in general, and I know I am not alone, very few CCs are worth MY money.

As for the topic on hand, I am not sure any cigar is worth $15 (or above) when so many great cigars are available @ $3-10 per stick.

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

The problem is that YOU are repeating what someone else said, I posted on my own ACTUAL experience. Seems you equate the two and so far have not posted about YOUR own experience with aged NCs.

Its the small details...

Carry on, you win, from now on any "I heard it from my neighbor's cousin's girlfriend's sister's classmate's brother" opinion takes the front seat over actual experience. :banger

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

1.Padron 1926
2.LG
3.Diamond crown Maximus(call me crazy)
4. Tat Black tubos
5.Padron 44th Nat (be than the 45th IMHO)


Oh and NC Cohibas or Ghurkas.......... Kidding Kidding :r

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

greg, you need a smoke don't you. :r Come down to Tower before it closes and pick out a smoke, on me. Lol

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

I think the difference in aging CC vs NC is that the majority of NCs come aged, so there is no need to age them any further except for your own personal preference. If an NC is made with quality tobacco, it will age well. I find DPG, Padron, and Fuente cigars do well with age. On the CC side, until Cuba recently had to dip into its reserves because of a bad crop (hurricanes) almost all CCs except the LEs came out very fresh, went into sick period and then were finally ready to smoke 2-3 years down the line. The tobacco in a five year old CC is at the stage of aging that most NC tobacco is when the cigars are rolled and boxed, so while NCs don't need to be aged, a lot of CCs do need to be aged to taste how they ought to taste. While I do like a fresh CC once in a while, I'm loving my 06 and earlier a lot more now than the 07 and younger. There is a very noticible difference in the balance and complexity. One thing I have found, is that a CC that does nothing for me fresh can be vindicated with age, while an NC that sucks now will suck forever. I have tried to sit on NCs for a while and found that no amount of humi time will make an NC dog rocket taste good, whereas some CC sticks that didn't do anything for me fresh really "popped" after a little humi time. I have yet to experience any good cigar going past its prime, but then again I don't think I've really been smoking long enough for that to happen. Anyway, that's my:2

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

Also, I think the whole question of what's worth the price is so subjective as to be worthless to even ask. What's "worth it" to my uncle that's a multimillionaire ex-investment banker is going to be completely different than what's worth it to my broke ass. If I had his money, a Cohiba Gran Reserva would be worth it, 'cause my wallet woudn't feel a thing, whereas on my budget there's no way any cigar that costs almost as much as a whole box of PSD4 could ever be worth the coin.

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

Really? I had one that was gifted to me, I think with a tad bit of age (although they already come with a little age, I believe), and it was the same size you mentioned - the Secretos.

I immediately deemed it box worthy, and I thought it was very smooth with a great flavor profile. I'll do a review at some point, but it was just a fun smoke.

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

Maybe I got a dud? I'll have to look for another

aj

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

This was my experience with the one I had as well. Nice little smoke, and actually probably more to my personal preferences than the regular Cohiba line. I think the problem is that people who love Cohiba don't like the Maduro 5 line because it doesn't taste like a Cohiba to them and so they say the whole line sucks. It doesn't suck, it just doesn't taste like a Cohiba. For those that aren't huge fans of Cohiba, that's maybe a good thing!

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

If I come across another one (ie PIF, trade, etc.), I'll keep you in mind. I have a box of the Genios but those are being set aside for a specific purpose so I can't dig into them, otherwise I'd offer one.

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

:tpd: Too many very good cigars on the daily deals for $4-7 for me to go the big $ ones that I have found not that much better.

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

Yeah, Dave, that's me too, as much for frugality as for my tight budget. I have some Cohiba Esplendidos, and they are marvelous cigars, but they were gifted me. I would NEVER spend $30+ for a cigar. As for NCs, I love VSGs, but find it impossible to justify $10-$15 for them either. As much as I'd enjoy one, I'd enjoy 3 or 4 good ones for the same cost more - or at the very least, longer and more often.

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

I feel that the Opus X/Diamond Crown Maximus Toast Across America sets are worth the ultra high price. Not just because you get a rare set of cigars, but also because the money is used for a well deserved charity. To me that's worth it.

Re: What Ultra Premium Cigar is worth the price?
 

Same here!

aj