Navigating NC cigars

nutcracker · 05-10-2014, 06:43 PM

I've been lucky enough to try many of the CC marcas and think I can make decent choices of a flavour profile to pair with mood, food or drink. The other islands are another matter.

There seem to be thousands of cigars out there. I've tried the high end ones, and enjoyed a few more modestly price offerings.

Can you folk guide me as to what would be a reasonable approach to trying the NCC's out? Are there broad categories? I've discovered some nice maduros, and do enjoy the complexity in the Padron 1966. Where to next?

Regards

Neil

Remo · 05-10-2014, 06:54 PM

Not sure what your tastes are but Pepin blends a variety of smokes for a variety of makers, it is hard to go wrong with any Pepin smokes, IMO. And he blends for most of the big names in the industry.

CigarNut · 05-10-2014, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Remo

Not sure what your tastes are but Pepin blends a variety of smokes for a variety of makers, it is hard to go wrong with any Pepin smokes, IMO. And he blends for most of the big names in the industry.

Dude Here · 05-10-2014, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Remo

Not sure what your tastes are but Pepin blends a variety of smokes for a variety of makers, it is hard to go wrong with any Pepin smokes, IMO. And he blends for most of the big names in the industry.

X2 on this.

A.J. Fernandez is another solid blender in the industry worth checking out.

Remo · 05-10-2014, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dude Here

X2 on this.

A.J. Fernandez is another solid blender in the industry worth checking out.

X2 on AJ also

kelmac07 · 05-10-2014, 07:44 PM

Did you say you've discovered some nice maduros?? Here's a nice list of some delicious maduros.

http://http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb...postcount=1974

nutcracker · 05-10-2014, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelmac07

Did you say you've discovered some nice maduros?? Here's a nice list of some delicious maduros.

http://http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb...postcount=1974

Hi Mac - the link is dead....

kelmac07 · 05-10-2014, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nutcracker

Hi Mac - the link is dead....

Neil, try this one.

www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showpost.php?p=1951973&postcount=1974

benchjockey · 05-11-2014, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelmac07

Neil, try this one.

www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showpost.php?p=1951973&postcount=1974

Great list. Very helpful.

nutcracker · 05-11-2014, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelmac07

Neil, try this one.

www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showpost.php?p=1951973&postcount=1974

Wow. That's quite the list!

MarkinAZ · 05-10-2014, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nutcracker

Where to next? Regards Neil

I would think it would be to your advantage to keep in memory the core flavor profile(s) that you are enjoying from your CC', and then:

1. Read some of the reviews in our NC area named "Island (the other ones) Reviews.

2. This is always a good site for cigar reviews:

http://cigarfan.net/

I've always found the reviews here to be of substance and depth in making a decision on a particular stick to try out.

Good luck Neil

Brlesq · 05-10-2014, 08:56 PM

Tatueje makes some nice cigars, especially anything with the CTBL wrapper. Definitely not like a CC, but still wonderful.

If you want to try some NCs similar to CCs, then try a few from the Curivari lineup.

montecristo#2 · 05-10-2014, 10:23 PM

I would probably take a slightly different approach.

I would try puros from the different countries to see if you prefer a certain type of tobacco and then start trying the different wrappers.

To me, there is a strong difference in flavor between a Nicaraguan puro and a Dominican puro. If it turns out you prefer one over the other, you can start to narrow down the choices. For example, let's say you end up preferring Nicaraguan puros, then you can try Nicaraguan binder and filler with a broadleaf wrapper to see if you like those as well.

For me dominicans are now too strong after smoking CCs. So I tend to prefer mild to medium Nicaraguans when I go NC.

Also, I know several CC smokers who will not nose exhale NCs, I have heard it burns. Never tried myself. lol

nutcracker · 05-11-2014, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montecristo#2

I would probably take a slightly different approach.

I would try puros from the different countries to see if you prefer a certain type of tobacco and then start trying the different wrappers.

To me, there is a strong difference in flavor between a Nicaraguan puro and a Dominican puro. If it turns out you prefer one over the other, you can start to narrow down the choices. For example, let's say you end up preferring Nicaraguan puros, then you can try Nicaraguan binder and filler with a broadleaf wrapper to see if you like those as well.

For me dominicans are now too strong after smoking CCs. So I tend to prefer mild to medium Nicaraguans when I go NC.

Also, I know several CC smokers who will not nose exhale NCs, I have heard it burns. Never tried myself. lol

What a fantastic idea. Seems like a more scientific approach than my current shotgun approach of trying anything and everything. A more directed approach suits my scientific mind (assuming that is I still have one)

Thx!

Neil

baust55 · 06-06-2014, 02:10 PM

LOTS OF GOOD INFO HERE

Austin

RobR1205 · 06-06-2014, 07:07 PM

Tatuaje has almost never let me down as a NC. I enjoy and highly recommend anything made by Padron, Arturo Fuente, Pepin, and Drew Estate/Liga Privada (except Acids and the other flavored sticks he's come out with)

Drew Estate (particularly the Liga line) and some Tats tends to be on the pricier side, but you can certainly find some regular line Fuentes and Padrons (Padron "x000" series & Arturo Fuente "green/black band") for reasonable prices and consistent quality.

CRIMPS · 06-06-2014, 09:34 PM

I am still trying to figure out how to navigate NCs. I find it almost frustrating sometimes.

I have had better luck finding blenders as Remo recommended. I will try new smokes, but I think about this a little differently. Unless I am completely blown away, I'm not investing a lot into it. My funds are usually spent on a focused few brands.

Reading what users prefer here probably isn't what the OP is really looking for. If it were, he could read darn near any post on the forums to get that I would guess.

Posted via Mobile Device

airtrade · 06-07-2014, 05:25 PM

Sometimes I go back to an old favorite from 5 or more years ago and find I no longer care for it.

05-10-2014, 06:43 PM	#1
nutcracker Shameless epicurian Join Date: Apr 2014 First Name: Neil Location: Winnipeg, Canada - Home of the Jets! Posts: 1,631 Trading: (26)	Navigating NC cigars I've been lucky enough to try many of the CC marcas and think I can make decent choices of a flavour profile to pair with mood, food or drink. The other islands are another matter. There seem to be thousands of cigars out there. I've tried the high end ones, and enjoyed a few more modestly price offerings. Can you folk guide me as to what would be a reasonable approach to trying the NCC's out? Are there broad categories? I've discovered some nice maduros, and do enjoy the complexity in the Padron 1966. Where to next? Regards Neil

05-10-2014, 07:44 PM	#6
kelmac07 Resident Maduro Whore!! Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Mac Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 27,322 Trading: (218)	Re: Navigating NC cigars Did you say you've discovered some nice maduros?? Here's a nice list of some delicious maduros. http://http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb...postcount=1974 __________________ Dom in the MLB thread "I could probably get you to wear a Yankee hat for a Maduro!"

05-10-2014, 08:56 PM	#12
Brlesq Carpe cigar! Join Date: May 2012 First Name: Bruce Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,024 Trading: (17)	Re: Navigating NC cigars Tatueje makes some nice cigars, especially anything with the CTBL wrapper. Definitely not like a CC, but still wonderful. If you want to try some NCs similar to CCs, then try a few from the Curivari lineup. __________________ Hey! How come "Habana" is written on here with a Sharpie ?!?

05-10-2014, 10:23 PM	#13
montecristo#2 Don't Taze me Bro! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 1,063 Trading: (49)	Re: Navigating NC cigars I would probably take a slightly different approach. I would try puros from the different countries to see if you prefer a certain type of tobacco and then start trying the different wrappers. To me, there is a strong difference in flavor between a Nicaraguan puro and a Dominican puro. If it turns out you prefer one over the other, you can start to narrow down the choices. For example, let's say you end up preferring Nicaraguan puros, then you can try Nicaraguan binder and filler with a broadleaf wrapper to see if you like those as well. For me dominicans are now too strong after smoking CCs. So I tend to prefer mild to medium Nicaraguans when I go NC. Also, I know several CC smokers who will not nose exhale NCs, I have heard it burns. Never tried myself. lol

06-06-2014, 02:10 PM	#15
baust55 AUSTIN Join Date: Oct 2013 First Name: JAMES Location: NEBRASKA Posts: 241 Trading: (1)	Re: Navigating NC cigars LOTS OF GOOD INFO HERE Austin

05-10-2014, 06:54 PM	#2
Remo C.I.A Join Date: Feb 2011 First Name: Mike Location: Palm Harbor, Florida Posts: 12,597 Trading: (122)	Re: Navigating NC cigars Not sure what your tastes are but Pepin blends a variety of smokes for a variety of makers, it is hard to go wrong with any Pepin smokes, IMO. And he blends for most of the big names in the industry. __________________

06-06-2014, 07:07 PM	#16
RobR1205 Starting a new chapter Join Date: Dec 2011 First Name: Rob Location: Texas Posts: 1,158 Trading: (19)	Re: Navigating NC cigars Tatuaje has almost never let me down as a NC. I enjoy and highly recommend anything made by Padron, Arturo Fuente, Pepin, and Drew Estate/Liga Privada (except Acids and the other flavored sticks he's come out with) Drew Estate (particularly the Liga line) and some Tats tends to be on the pricier side, but you can certainly find some regular line Fuentes and Padrons (Padron "x000" series & Arturo Fuente "green/black band") for reasonable prices and consistent quality.

06-06-2014, 09:34 PM	#17
CRIMPS Benn/Seguin best friends Join Date: Sep 2010 First Name: Zach Location: North Texas Posts: 1,520 Trading: (50)	Re: Navigating NC cigars I am still trying to figure out how to navigate NCs. I find it almost frustrating sometimes. I have had better luck finding blenders as Remo recommended. I will try new smokes, but I think about this a little differently. Unless I am completely blown away, I'm not investing a lot into it. My funds are usually spent on a focused few brands. Reading what users prefer here probably isn't what the OP is really looking for. If it were, he could read darn near any post on the forums to get that I would guess. Posted via Mobile Device

06-07-2014, 05:25 PM	#18
airtrade Just in from the Storm Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: Stefan Location: Oh-io Posts: 33 Trading: (0)	Re: Navigating NC cigars Sometimes I go back to an old favorite from 5 or more years ago and find I no longer care for it.