Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

In a recent thread, I wanted to get my hands on some new cigars. In a way, I guess the word new is even relative. Let's just say that the company didn't appear till 2005, and for a guy who has been indulging in cigars since 1980, that's new. I now have a few Kristoff to try, and I passed on some of my favorites.

But, that got me thinking, especially as I thought about posts which I have been reading on CA. I see a lot that I consider "new" (they weren't available when I started smoking cigars and they weren't even available before 2000), brand names like: Pepin, Tatuaje, Illusione, Padilla, Oliva, Kristoff, and some others - some related and others not. Also, I see some new lines from some old stand-bys talked about.

Interestingly, I don't see much discussion of some of the long-standing, venerable lines. I find that interesting, as some of those brands used to dominate discussions of cigar smokers. Were they really that good? Are the new cigars that much better? Are the old brands good as nostalgia, better as a fading memory and not as a contemporary smoke?

Anyway, I am kind of curious about some of the older brands that I haven't noticed much talked about - are they still smoked? Do they still hold the following they did?

Is there something about the contemporary cigar smoker that is always looking for that "nouveau" taste? "Be the first on your block to try the new cigar by Henry Herpolsheimer, the latest sensation to hit the cigar world. He started out as a clerk at Stinky Smokes cigar shop in upstate Alaska, selling premium hand-rolled cigars to caribou and musk ox. He's teamed up with Oliva, Pepin, Carlito and Guido to produce his own line of smokes under the brand name Frozen Tundra - the coolest new smokes since ...." Are the new lines that much better - even the new lines that have appeared in the old brand names?

OK, so that's a little over the top. I like my Tats and Pepins. I am hoping to like Kristoffs as well. Oliva Vs are about my favorites. I enjoy trying new things...

BUT...
There are still some Dominican LGCs sitting in my humidor, am I the only one? Punch Rotschilds still taste like they did before the boom started, and they're great - or is it just nostalgia? Obviously, AFs still sell quite a bit, but is it mainly the newer stuff (SGs, Anejos), or are all the lines still enjoyable? From Avos to Zinos, and all the stalwart brands inbetween many are still available.

So, how many of you venerable, old, smokers remember those sticks? More to the point, how many of you have some and still enjoy them?

Dare I ask it, how many of those who are new to cigars - in the last 5 years - have tried some of the old stand-bys, the stallwarts of the cigar industry? How many of you have them in your humidors as go-to cigars?

Or, have they been relegated to the history books and the trips down memory lane, stories that we share with the newbies as we sit and smoke our Cabaiguans and sip our small batch bourbons?

So, as I trip down memory lane today, putting a few things on the Christmas tree, that's where I went.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

Guess I fit in your parameters... Even though BudPrince got me smoking some premiums in about '94 or so, I didn't get into cigars REALLY until August 2006.

I still smoke Punch, Partagas, and most all of the Fuentes. I'm still a fan of Montecristo Whites as well.

I agree with your premise, though... tons of great cigars that are not the "new kid on the block" but are still quality smokes.

My recommendation? Try 'em all! :D

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

i am not an old timer but i try all kinds of cigars. i really like joya de nicaragua and they are around for a long time.

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

I've actually been moving away from Tat, Pepin, Illusione, etc. lately and buying more from the "old school" guys. It seems that a lot of the newer companies in the game have decided to forgo smoothness altogether and just put out the strongest cigar they can manage.

I think some of the more established manufacturers get a reputation for being boring or not as complex as the new stuff that is coming out but I have not found this to be true. I had a Chateau Fuente pyramid this weekend that was awesome!! Last weekend I had a Honduran ERdM that tasted fantastic. AVO XO is one of my new favorites too. All 3 have tons of flavor and plenty of complexity to keep me interested. I smoke about 50/50 Cubans/NCs and the cigars I mentioned may not be as good as their Cuban counterparts, but they certainly hold up to the newer cigars I've tried lately.

Personally I don't understand the obsession with puros either. I could care less if the wrapper/binder/filler all come from the same country.

and no, I'm not really an old timer either. I've only been smoking since the late 90's but I just seem to be enjoying the old fashioned brands lately.

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

I've been smoking for...maybe two years? And the cigars that got me really hooked were RyJ (NC) churchills and Fuente Hemingways. My first sizable purchase I made for myself was 10 Fuente Cuban Belicosos. So I guess you could say it was old school style classics that got me onto the scene, and I still like that stuff.

Actually I smoked the last of those Cuban beli's the other night, it was good.

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

As a new guy, I have smoked a few of the "old school" brand sizes, Punch Rothchilde, LGC. Unfortunately non of these have really "wowed" me like my generation of cigars.

It could be the variety of change in marketing, blend style, or even the type of tobacco utilized. Maybe I need to try some more of those older brands. I know I dont enjoy Montecristos, LGCs... my punch selection could be more varied, so could my AF selection. I'll look into picking some up when I can.

Thanks for the food for thought, Todd!

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

My take on the "old" line of cigars is pretty much most of what is put out by Altadis and General. If that presumption is correct, then I am a fan of many, many cigars of theirs.
Punch
Monte White
Partagas
Henry Clay
RyJ
just to name a few.


Not a big fuente (gran reserva/regular line) man anymore, though.

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

Times and tastes change... And people always want the new next big thing...

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

Great thread, and great food for thought! I'm new to serious cigar smoking, and I fall precisely into the trap you've mentioned.

After having a long think about why this is the case, I think I have it. I like to read others' views of a stick before I try it. I like to see if the flavor profile matches something I might enjoy. The problem with this is that there's just not that many reviews of the old stuff coming down the pike. My hypothesis on why this is the case; "Why review them? Everyone's tried them."

So in an effort to broaden my horizons, I'd like to invite the old war dogs to write some reviews of their favorite stand-bys. Give us some food for thought. :2

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

:tpd:
That's a great idea!
Also, I'm not sure if it would be taking the thread in a different direction than it wanted, but what are the "old blends"? I've only been smoking for 2 1/2 years so im a complete noob at all of this.

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

As far as older brands that have stood the test of time, I still keep a pretty good assortment of Fuentes on hand. DCs, Hemingways, Sungrowns, and even the lowly green bands can all be found in my "NC" humidor. What you won't find are Opus, Anejos, and all the newer high dollar specialty stuff they've come out with. Most of that stuff does little for me. Too easy to find things I enjoy more for a lot less money.

Although I don't smoke a great deal of Dominican tobacco any more, when the mood hits I still reach for a Fuente. I've been smoking Fuentes for at least the last twenty years. I guess old habits are hard to break.

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

Add to that...

La Gloria Cubana
Excalibur (a HdM line)
Ashton
Avo
Zino
Davidoff
Perdomo (relatively speaking, mid 1990s)
Canaria D'Oro
Joya de Nicaragua
La Aurora
Don Diego
Don Tomas

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

I think the problem is that I know there are a gazillion reviews out there of them... All someone needs to do is read them. I don't PUFF anymore, but their review site is a great wealth of information - yeah, I know, I should be flogged for suggesting that anybody go there, but...

Oh yeah, another great blend - El Rey del Mundo. My favorite maduros are still the ERdM Robusto, Robusto Larga, & Robusto Supremo. The presentation is exquisite with the tissue wrap around the stick. They are sweet and spicy, with flavors of cocoa and nuts. There is a hint of spice and citrus. What I like is the complexity and the evolution of this cigar as you smoke it - changing as it goes.

I will have to smoke one of the LGC maduro Torpedos I picked up the other - and do a review to post. Maybe some of the others senior smokers can do the same with some of the venerable smokes we keep on hand.

I must say, I was very disappointed when I had my last Punch double maduro Rothschild from 1997 or so. They were so very good, but... I know there are a few guys here that were gifted a few in trades/bomb/etc... when I first got on the boards. But that is a fine example of a great old smoke.

Who remembers Canaria d'Oro rotschild?

I remember the maduro wrapper and the fact that they shoved 50 in a box and the squeezed them in there so that they had to force the box shut. They weren't box-pressed, but they might have odd shapes. I remember these were a sweet smoke, not real complex, but just a solid smoke with hints of leather and some pepper.

Anyway, hope this helps.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

Well considering Padron is my favorite NC brand, I guess Im off to a good start!

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

I never had the Rotheschild, but my second handmade smokes ever was a CdO Petit Corona or cigarilo or something. From wha I remember it wasnt particularly bad.

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

Don't remember them that way.

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

I love a good Henry Clay. Most fuentes and padrons are a constant in my humi. The one thing I have found for my taste is that these "older" brands never change on you. Its only been 10 years of smoking for me so I dont bring a huge history to the table.

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

Your right. I kept thinking Spain for some reason and now had to look the suckers up:

"Often overlooked by consumers, the Canaria D'oro Immensos sits on most tobacconists' shelves aging. Although owned by General Cigars this brand get very little promotion, and because of its name many consumers mistakenly believe this cigar is made in the Canary Islands rather than the Dominican Republic. Possessing a colorado colored Mexican wrapper this well made cigar is attractive and well made. The wrapper is full of oils and feels silky to the touch. The smoke is cool and pleasing with a slightly sweet honey taste highlighting the core flavors of its Dominican and Mexican blend. This cigar is not a powerhouse, but rather a creamy smoke that is very relaxing. The one word sums up this cigar more than any other is "smooth.""



made in: Santiago, Dominican Republic
size : 5 1/2 x 49
wrapper: Mexico
filler : Dominican Republic, Mexico
binder : Mexico

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

Yeah, dem's da ones!!!

I thought the Immensa was a larger cigar than the Rothschild. But, being as you cannot find them anymore... Just found some Rothschilds at CI, $109 for a box of 50.

Hmmm, is nostalgia worth it? It is a good price, but...

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

I think there are plenty of people still buying and smoking a lot of the older long standing brands but as cigar smokers we are always searching for the holy grail. I know I still smoke and stock a fair share of some older brands like Padron, Fuente and Punch but if something new comes out, guess what? I'm trying it. Doesn't mean I no longer like the older brands but as others have mentioned our tastes and preferences change over time. Also, when something new and good comes out it's going to have some buzz especially here on the boards and it's going to be discussed until something new takes it's place especially nowadays where it seems like new blends are introduced daily. We on the boards also have a wealth of knowledge that the average cigar smoker who does not frequent boards might not have and those people sometimes tend to stick to the older long standing brands where the group of us that do discuss our hobby online tend to seek out the newer stuff and sometimes even know about it before the local retailers do.
Great topic by the way and it was fun to stop and think about how it all started for me and how far this hobby has come along for me. When I first started smoking back in college I would only smoke Punch exclusively.

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

Being fairly new still, I will always look to try what is new and upcoming, but I seem to always have several Punch, Hoyo de Monterrey and Padron's in the humidors.

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

Padron, Punch (esp the gran puro or gran corojo) , Excaliber, Macanudos, Perdomo Are all very tasty. In fact, I had a punch this weekend. Still very tasty.

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

Why not? Most of us here are the one's who wrote the reviews over there anyway. I don't care if it counts as a hit to Mr. C's website, I still check out the old reviews over there. Too much information to totally abandon that old info. You don't even have to log in to check out the old NC reviews.

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

I have only been smoking for 3 years, but my first go to smoke was a Punch Rothschild. I still go back to them occasionally.

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

I'm fairly new to the hobby (4 years in) but love a Henry Clay, or Hoyo Rothchilde from time to time and a Padron anytime.

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

my first stick is don diego torpedo and the second one is padron 3000 maduro... those are tasty and i'm still buying them now and then... ol' skool rules...

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

I want to try the Frozen Tundra!!! When does that come out???:r

Seriously, Punch is still one of my favorite gotos!!! I have tried many of the older brands and some are great and others come up short!!! However, so do some of the new labels!!!

I enjoy both the old and the new!!!:tu

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

Cigars are like women........why stick with a 50 year old when you can have two younger 25's. OK, maybe that's not such a good analogy......
There's certainly nothing wrong with old school. I love the perfecto shape in a cigar. But now, with all the scientific research being done in the labs on tobacco I think they can enjoy even more of a variety of tastes and flavors.

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

I've been smoking cigars for 20 years and used to smoke mostly AF 8-5-8's. Punch Rothschild's, various LGC's, various Hoyo Excalibers, and various ERDMs. I remember that Dominicans and Hondurans were all the raqe during the boom and then the Nicaraguans came in as the red-headed stepchild of the bunch. Many of the first Nicaraguan made products were pretty bad and tasted like dirt. Now Nicaraguan smokes are the sweethearts of the bunch and are, for me, a better smoke than most of my old standbys. I still pick up a punch or ERDM for nostalgic reasons. I absolutely don't like AF stuff anymore and LGC is the only brand I still keep in my top 10 smokes.


MCS

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

Lets not forget Montesinos ... Great old time stick

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

I had the same startup brands as a lot of you had. Started in earnest a couple of years ago with Punch, HdM, and AF and I still keep them in the rotation. There are so many brands, sizes, and blends that I don't know if I will ever sample them them all.

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

When I started smoking cigars in 92, I was partial to the Excalibur line and then the Fuentes. Both were tasty and got me hooks into cigars. During my latter days as a poor DJ and worker bee, I couldn't really afford much and had switched to AF Curly Heads and lower end products. Still today, I have no idea how I kept things so long without really knowing what I was doing. My first box purchase was a brnd called Siglo 21 that a friend's father turned me on to. Before I moved back to Texas, I was trying a lot of different stuff at the B&M in Villa Park that were good to me. Nowadays, my taste have become very refined and particular, like 90% CC, 10% NC (usually Tats, Pepin, Padron or Anejos). I tried smoking a Excalibur and it wasn't the same to me. I have a few of the later productions still, but I don't know if I will ever smoke them again. I try new stuff all of the time and buy what I like, but not as much as I have in the past. Besides, my JL#2 are really tasty right now!

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

I don't think those sticks have gone anywhere. At the B&M I frequent, they can't keep Punch, Partagas, Romeo y Julieta, H. Upmann, Hoyo de Monterrey, La Gloria Cubana, Ashton or Arturo Fuente of any kind on the shelves, while Tatuaje, Don Pepin Garcia, La Riqueza, San Cristobal, CAO, Rocky Patel, La Aroma de Cuba Edicion Especial, My Father, etc. have been sitting there untouched for as long as I've been visiting the shop (a year and a half now).

The only old-timer that never moves is La Aurora products. Might have something to do with their nasty taste, lol. Also, there are piles of full Opus X boxes at about MSRP at shops around town that never get any attention, but I've never seen an Añejo in person.

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

You make the point I was hinting at much more boldly than I - as I tried to make it by hinting at it with subtlety. I do have a question. Might it be a price issue that leaves the boutique brands on the shelves? Sometimes they are $3-$6 (or more) more than some of the other blends.

CA is a corner of the cigar smoking world, and even with almost 3,500 inmates, it is a relatively small (miniscule) corner of that world.

As we talk here, what are the non-CCs that find their way into our discussions? It seems that the venerable brands that have stood the test of time, and still outsell the nouveau boutique brands, don't get as much print space here at CA as do those consisent selling old names.

Again, I am not knocking the new kids on the block. Hey, I got one Boris and one Drac (there are two cigars that took up a few threads and a couple thousand posts here at CA). They will wait for the right moment to be smoked (don't ask me what that will be, for I don't know, maybe next Halloween). RP Edge is one of the smokes I keep stocked, Taboo HSGs are a go to, I love my Cabaiguans (though I don't keep many as they are a bit pricey for me), Oliva are also regular smokes of mine, and when I can, Pepins and other Tats find their way into the humidor.

But, my Padrons, AFs, Punch, and LGCs are the stalwarts. Except for the Taboos and Olivas, a big part of it for me is the price - and the simple fact that, while good, are the boutiques that much better tasting? I must say though, as a tightwad, even on the older blends, I look for the specials (same for the boutiques).

I wonder, as smokers get started, do they get into the boutiques because that's what everybody is all excited about, and so, the excitement grows? Is that especially true here? While it isn't as overtly prevalent on this board as on others, is there a certain snobbishness that runs as an undercurrent?

Here's an interesting side-light to this. The brands that are disparaged here are also what I personally would consider short-timers. How often are Gurhkas trashed? RP takes a hit once in a while. Perdomos have many detractors. And Puros Indios has a rep almost as bad as Cremosas.

It is just intriguing to me that the old brands still plug along. And from what I've been reading here, will continue to do so. Kind of reminds me of football, the quarterback wins or looses the game, but it is the offensive line who are the boys in the trenches that get the job done and never any of the glory.

Hey, this has been a fun thread. I think some others have enjoyed it too. I think I might start another banter thread, Venerable Brands Banter - no boutiques allowed. What do you think?

God's blessings on your day.

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

Do you rember when Puros Indios first came out? They were the rage, baybee! In my area, there were 2 liquor stores that would get them in and they would sell out all sizes in a day or two.

MCS

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

In my case, that hits the nail right on the head. Padrons got me started, but the buzz took me to boutiques.

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

:tpd:

I have literally had MAYBE one cigar of the "venerable old brands" each. I was sad when I looked through my humidor to find I had maybe 2 Perdomos, 1 Padron (VERY sad) and a Puros Indios Candela! (:r)

Everything else is a new brand. In fact, it is that way becuase I have made it that way. I have made sure to steer clear of the old brands... why? NO effin' clue! I can tell you, this thread has definitely made me think twice about some of these brands, and giving them another chance.

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

Not calling out anyone on this board or group in general, but I get the feeling that a lot of these older brands are looked down upon here as low quality smokes. Can I point out any posts in particular? No, but I just get that feeling. It is nice to know that many other brothers here see that that is not the case. I thought for a while there that I was in the minority for liking many of these brands (Padron excluded).
Very astute observation.

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

At the B&M I mentioned, it's both price and taste. Most if not all of the members can't (or refuse to) pay more than a few bucks for a cigar, and shun cigars that carry $7-15 price tags, unless they're Padrons or Fuentes. They also have attested to disliking the pepper profiles of Don Pepin-blended smokes. As such, La Flor Dominicana, an old stalwart brand, doesn't move too quickly either, but much faster than the boutique brands.

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

I noticed looking through the CI magazine that they don't focus on the old dogs at all. The like to pump Pepin, MOW, Ghurka, and their house blends more than anything.
However JR primarily focuses on the old dogs with a little bit of emphasis on new things.

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

Funny you should mention that...

:r

Re: Nostalgia - just a fading memory?
 

JR is also owned by Altadis...