cigar afficionados

Anything from their Ambrosia line is good IMNSHO. IF you like a little flavor in your cigar. They soak the leaf in water that has herbs & spices in it, so there is something extra to them. The Nectar is just the right combination for me.

Let me know what you think.

 

I know to each his own... :biggrin:

I've tried Laphroaig. It was $300 a bottle. It tasted like smoked swamp water. If that's a true remaining Scotch, I'll stick to Jack Daniel's Single Barrell & Maker's Mark.

Any recommendations for a bottle that doesn't taste like peat moss?

Mild, medium or full & how much are you willing to spend for a box of 20?

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

Scotch Recommendations (long, be warned)

Well, yeah they are a bit peaty, as I said... You asked for it, so this is a little long...

There are 6 regions of Single Malt Scotch, and they each have a distinct flavor, so depends on what you are looking for.

Basically, in no particular order:

I am an Islay man; these are generally more peaty and have a distict sea water taste as well; they include Lagavulin and Laphroaig (bitter rivals by the way, you're not supposed to like both, kinda a Ford vs. Chevy thing; but, I like them both...). Also Ardbeg and Bunnahabhain, which I also like. There are a couple others I haven't tried, yet.

Next is The Islands; officially considered part of the Highland region, but they are very different to me than Highland Scotch, so I don't count them the same. Talisker's is prob my favorite Scotch (however I do like that peat taste, be warned), is is lighter, "cleaner" and has a less Sea taste than the Islay's, IMNSHO. There is also Arran and Scapa, both I like as well. There are a couple more, again I have not tried, yet.

Speyside is the next region, this includes the two most common Single Malts I find in bars here in Michigan; Glenfiddich and Glenlivet. Both are very clean, and to me more like the blended Scotches here in the States, so if you like Jack, you may like either of these as well. My personal fav of Speyside so far is McCallans. Again, there are others, but this is not my fav region, so I don't get many of these.

Highland is next; I would say these are kinda in between Speyside and The Islands, and include Glen Ord, Glenmorangie (my fav of the Highland), Oban and Old Pulteney. There are a couple more, I haven't tried yet.

Last are Lowland and Campbeltown; these two regions only have like 2 or 3 distilleries left each. I have only tried Bladnoch of the Lowland and Glengyle of the Campbeltown. I liked them both, they have a distinct flavor, and were really nice; however, both regions are hard to find, here anyway.

So there you go. I am only about halfway thru all the distilleries in Scotland, mainly because I now have several that I really like, and tend to get them more often.

Also, the years of aging of the Scotch makes a big difference. Basically 10 year old will be the harshest/strongest. 12 year old is the usual compromise. Anything over 12 (usually 18) is by FAR the smoothest, and sometimes for me, almost too smooth. Much like you mentioned the different strengths of Jack, there is also Cask Strength and other strengths, which almost always have to be cut with some water. I STRONGLY recommend you use clean, distilled water.

Now, I usually drink mine neat (meaning just the Scotch). I may cut some, especially the stronger stuff with a little good water. I never do rocks, although some do; again, I would recommend if you are going to do ice, make sure it is not tap water. Anything mixed with your Scotch will dramatically change the taste.

In fact, my vision of Valhalla is to have a super rare, thick, juicy steak, hot off the mesquite/hickory grill, a baked potato with the works, a glass of Franciscan Cabernet Sauvignon with dinner, then a Drew Estates Ambrosia Nectar and glass of Taliskar's neat after dinner.

Well, there are also the serving wenches, and some other things, but we'll leave that for another thread...

 

Good stuff, thanks. :thumbsup: I think I head to the local premium spirits distributor when I get some free time.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

Have you tried the Acid Kuba Kuba at all? They're definitely sweet and mild/medium....but I think...about $125 a box last time I looked.

 

I don't have a lot of variety in what I've tried but the Rocky Patel Edge and the RP Sun Grown are some favorites, especially when I can get the Sun Grown Factory Seconds, 15 bundle for less than $50 iirc. The Flor De Oliva are still my daily smokes, less than $40 for a bundle.

Having a RP Connecticut factory second tonight and pretty nice, $53 for a 20 bundle.

 

Hard to go wrong with RP smokes. Have you tried the Vintage '90 and '92? The Decade is good too but maybe not as good as the 95 rating it's received once. Well...maybe:wink:.

I was not a huge fan of the Fusion, Double Maduro(MM), and Fusion Barber Pole(DC)... and if I remember correctly these are all made in the A.J. Fernandez factory... the man behind Man-o-war. I'll give the fusion line another try this week as they've had at least 10 months of aging on them with what's left of the bundle I bought.

My favorite RP so far is hands-down the Old World Reserve Corojo in a box pressed torpedo size (5.0 x 54 iirc) LOVE IT. Too pricey for you? (me too) Check out the RP X-outs. The OWR is Liga C and just order the corojo torpedo, however, these don't make it to the box press ever. I've heard good things about the maduro lines as well but personally haven't smoked them.

 

Lightly sweeteded tips?

Depending on the size, some are more than $100, some are right at $100. These things are like smoking a normal cigar except the wrapper actually has flavor to it. If you like coffee, you will probably like these.

Java by Drew Estate - Cigars International

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

Yo Echo! I like the cut of your jib! :thumbsup:
Seriously, thanks for the scotch primer...I am, like you, a big fan and have researched the basics and done some homework (tasting!) but lots of folks here may benefit from your basic rundown. Thanks! (Talisker is my favorite...ah, the Isle of Skye!)

 

I get alerts whenever cigar deals are posted up on Slickdeals.net (awesome site btw) and this thread popped up today/last week.

cigar international $15 for 8 cigars shipped or $20 for 8 cigars plus humidor or herf-a-dor shipped + more deals - SlickDeals.net Forums


Some decent deals...I'm ordering the Tabak Especial 3pk since I haven't tried those yet. They're suppose to be the replacement for the Java as the Java was supposed to be phased out...but I have no idea how soon. Some cigars take years to phase out inventory.

 

I've tried the Vintage, they're nice but I'm not blown away by box pressed cigars, something about the feel just ruins it for me. I'll take a look at some of the others and see if I can get a sampler.

BTW, just found out RP himself is going to be at my local shop on 7/18 for their annual party. I'll have to pencil that in, should be plenty of samplers & good prices. Tobacco Republic Events $25 for entry and food/drinks.

 

The box-pressed shape bothers you? That's a new one. Normally the only complaints I hear are about tighter draws due to the pressing and those are usually eliminated with quality construction/proper filling proportions. Heck a lot of cigars use a mold to get their perfect shape...just not box pressed.

Ever smoked a wafer shape before? (Java or Acid Wafe)I bet that would blow your mind!:wink:

I can't say I've ever had a cigar that the shape has bothered me in such a way to sway my opinion on it...well except for the "Nasty" by Drew Estate. It's literally a cone lol. Now that annoyed me.

 

Got this deal in my alerts today. Thought it'd be perfect for you Reg...



LINK----->>>>>CGSA815 - Cigar.com

Cigar.com is CI's more expensive store front.

Two Acid Opulence 3 cigars and ONE Acid Kuba Kuba for $5. Shipping for me is $1.95 snail mail or $9.95 standard shipping(ridiculous! I'll let em rest in the humidor for a few weeks to save on the shipping) The cheapest I've seen Kuba Kuba's go for is $3.75 for each when bought in a TEN pack on a daily deal or auction listings.

I'll be picking this up as I haven't tried the Opulence 3 and would like too.

 

It's more the feel of the square shape in my hand and mouth, just doesn't seem natural. I prefer the larger ring sizes, nothing against RP's vintage line, they're great smokes. Ex-cigarette smoker so maybe that's the reason.

Looking to try something different and got this one day sale notice from CI. Is this a good deal? Perdomo Maduro Mega-Sampler, 20 cigars only $47.50 Cigars International

 

FYI I buy my daily smokes at TBS-Cigar (TBS Cigars Cigar Sales). I don't know how they compare to CI, but thought I'd mention it for some other options. They have always given me good customer service and shipped very quickly to MI.