Unfamiliar General - Manufacturers/Sub-Brands/Lines/So-On

Give me the scoop, a quick run-down, personal recommendations, or whatever you want to share. Mostly interested in med-full:

601 (NHA - never had any)

Alec Bradley (American Sun Grown is the only I remember having)

Caldwell (NHA - very interested in exploring)

Cohiba (I may have only had Cubans, but have had and enjoyed the small Red Dots )

Diamond Crown (had a Black Diamond, but it had a defect, so I traded it, and am a little hesitant about the brand now)

EP Carrillo (NHA)

Espinosa (NHA)

Kristoff (NHA)

La Palina (NHA)

Lars Tetens (NHA - recently discovered on Cbid)

Partagas (I enjoy the 1845 classico, and have had a couple Cubans)

Perdomo (NHA - very interested in exploring)

Give me the scoop, a quick run-down, personal recommendations, or whatever you want to share. Mostly interested in med-full:

601- Made by Erik Espinosa. Smoke him, smoke a lot of his stuff. 601 is his more everyday line.

Alec Bradley: well made every day cigars. Not the biggiest fan but my one buddy loves him. Like teenage girl Justin timerlake, loves him. Some of the newer releases are blended by the sons. To me Magic Toast, & Blind faith are worth trying.

Caldwell: Have tried a bunch of his stuff but not many jump out to me other than Young Savages. I am not a good gauge on this brand.

Cohiba: Smoke em if you got them, but if you have to buy them then pass. Overpriced everyday smokes. Its like "insert tolerable beer name here", it gets the job done but does not stand out.

Diamond Crown: Normally they are well made but I tend to find most of their smokes to be on the milder side.

EP Carrillo: Nothing to add not a fan, but nothing bad. Just not my wheel house.

Espinosa (NHA) See comments on 601. This is one of my favorite cigar makers. LA Ronja (not spelled right), and the Mercilliago (again probably not spelled right) are to really good ones.

Kristoff: Solid, makes some good bold and spicy.

La Palina (NHA) Pass, its not what it used to be.

Lars Tetens (NHA - recently discovered on Cbid) Alec Bradley's line of infused cigars. I have not heard anything good about it from the few who have smoked them. I have not tried them.

Partagas (I enjoy the 1845 classico, and have had a couple Cubans) See Cohiba

Perdomo (NHA - very interested in exploring) @DogRockets he is the man who loves Nick in his mouth.

I agree a lot with what @Tombstone said.

601- the whole line is worth checking out. I'm new to them, but I've really enjoyed the Habano and Snakebite. They were initially famous for their La Bomba, which is a ligero bomb.

Alec Bradley - I like a lot of the blends that Alec Bradley comes up with, but IMO, their quality control is pretty bad. Lots of poor burns. But if the price is right on CBid, I still enjoy the Tempus series, Prensado, Prensado Lost Art, and Sanctum. Their shining star to me is the Coyol, specifically in the Petite Lancero. It's probably in my top 5--but only that vitola.

Caldwell - I know they have their fans, but I haven't smoked anything by Caldwell that justified their price. Although, his collaboration with AJ Fernandez and Matt Booth is amazing. It's called The T.

Cohiba - pass

Diamond Crown - again, over priced. But they are good. Sometimes I can get a single of the Caesar for around $10 on CBid and it's totally worth it. But retail for those is ridiculous.

EP Carrillo - not a lot of experience.

Espinosa - Just try everything. It's all good. My personal faves are the Laranja, Mercialago, Habano and the Especial.

Kristoff - I'm not a fan of Dominican tobacco.

La Palina - I once bought a 5er of the Black Label and after trying a couple, they were so bad that I never tried another La Palina again. They tasted like burnt dog s---. But I see other blends smoked on the forum quite often.

Lars Tetens - no experience.

Partagas - nope.

Perdomo - I have recently started wading into the waters of Perdomo because they seem to always be at a good price on CBid. So far, I haven't been let down. I've liked the Small Batch Sun Grown and the 20th Anniversary Series.

100% IMO:

601 - 601 Blue is awesome. Especially if you can give it a minute to chill. 1-2 year old 601 blues taste like brownies to me. Like any good fat boy, love me some brownies.

Alec Bradley - I havent had one in a long time as they use to come with fireproof wrappers. Flavors were good when they burned right. Liked the Tempus, Tempus Maduro and American Sun Grown. The Prensado was a CA Cigar of The Year but was meh to me.

Caldwell - Wide variety of offerings, love the Eastern Standard. That's the only one that really got me though. Small Batch Cigar is where I always get mine.

Cohiba - Hate them, over priced based on the Cohiba name. If you want access to the Dark side of the Fourm, just ask. We do have a cuban side.

Diamond Crown - I've only had a few Black Diamonds and liked them.

EP Carrillo - I used to love EPC but drifted from them when they rebranded a lot of their lines. One of the local shops here was the first EPC lounge and Ernesto was in town a lot. I used to love his annual limited edition (still have some 2012s kicking around I think). Can't tell you much about them now but he used to make good maduros.

Espinosa - Don't recall having any beyond the 601 line.

Kristoff - Kristoff Maduo all day, awesome cigar. Pistoff Kristoff is good too.

La Palina - Construction is hit or miss for me but I love the La Palina Maduros

Lars Tetens - Never had one but I do know that that dude is crazy. Very over the top in self promotion

Partagas - Non cuban ones are meh, the cuban ones are great.

Perdomo - Lot 23 is the only one I've ever had, it was fine...


Have you explored Fuente much? Never met a Fuente I didn't like. Or Padron X000 series?

@jhedrick83

From the AF line, all that I can recall trying was:

Chateau
Hemingway
Work of Art (not sure if it's Hemingway)
Opus X (Lost Cities I believe from late 2019 or early 2020 probably)

The Opus X, in my opinion, wasn't worth the money. It was hyped and recommended to me by a friend. However, I do have mixed feelings about the Opus X. It was unique, I guess; believe I may have been expecting more; and it was very refined; and maybe something I'm not at the correct level of appreciation for it.

I have a Between The Lines I got from an Xmas School Dads exchange I hosted last year, but it seems they're rare, and my humidor is in question; so I'm holding on to it.

Also have another Chateau I'm taking camping. I remember loving it, and it being super chocolatey.

Everything else by AF has been unique, kinda refined, maybe simple...but not in a bad way - just that the basics are mastered; inexpensive, and pretty damn good and tasty.

Padron is my "bar" and one of my personal internal references to the combo of pricepoint, expectation, and quality. The 2000 (Londres, I believe) is $5-6, and everything I smoke at that pricepoint is judged off the 2000. The 64 Maduro (Principe) is my $10-11 reference. I've had a 1926 and can't remember how it compared to the 64 and 2000 series.

@Tombstone @CentralTimeSmoke

Sounds like Espinosa/601 is what I need to explore next. Thanks for the info.

Anyone have experience with the Umbagog (Dunbarton)? B&M just got some in, but not at the one I usually go to. I'm not sure if they sell singles and want to know if the 10 pack would be good. The Mi Querida blue and red label were great, and am looking for more by DT&T.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...82a6f04db7.jpg

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Originally Posted by chain_gang

Anyone have experience with the Umbagog (Dunbarton)? B&M just got some in, but not at the one I usually go to. I'm not sure if they sell singles and want to know if the 10 pack would be good. The Mi Querida blue and red label were great, and am looking for more by DT&T.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...82a6f04db7.jpg

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Sin Compromiso is my favorite cigar. Everything from Saka is great!

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Originally Posted by AlanS

Sin Compromiso is my favorite cigar. Everything from Saka is great!

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The B&M just got those in as well. I'll pick one up soon. Ever tried the Umbagog?

On my third or fourth box of Sin Compromiso’s and I’ve smoked a lot of his other offerings. But these are just in my wheelhouse

Any info/recommendations on these unfamilar brands:

1. Padilla

2. Saint Luis Rey

3. Henry Clay

Also:

Are there any 2nds/Fumas that are pretty good and worth a shot?

Any recommendations on:

1. La Vieja (Drew Estate)

2. Viaje

3. Puros Indios (Viajo or others)

I was getting all three mixed up due the Viaj(X) name. Never seen any at the B&M.

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Originally Posted by chain_gang

The B&M just got those in as well. I'll pick one up soon. Ever tried the Umbagog?

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That is a very solid cigar, I smoked one awhile back. I know you mentioned Caldwell as I'm typing I'm smoking an Eastern standard, it's okay. I got a 5er for $25 so worth it to me. Blind man's bluff and King is Dead I've also had and I though they were alright. Just have to watch prices.

I'm glad you brought this up cause I have seen a lot of the 601s for sale and was curious also

Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chain_gang

Any info/recommendations on these unfamilar brands:

1. Padilla

2. Saint Luis Rey

3. Henry Clay

Also:

Are there any 2nds/Fumas that are pretty good and worth a shot?

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I've had a couple slr cigars, I wish could remember which ones. One was black Label with silver writing. Both sticks were good

Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by Cigarer

That is a very solid cigar, I smoked one awhile back. I know you mentioned Caldwell as I'm typing I'm smoking an Eastern standard, it's okay. I got a 5er for $25 so worth it to me. Blind man's bluff and King is Dead I've also had and I though they were alright. Just have to watch prices.

I'm glad you brought this up cause I have seen a lot of the 601s for sale and was curious also

Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk

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I'm sure the Umbagog is very solid. I'll be back to it very soon, hopefully. It had some great flavors to it. Thanks for the info on Caldwell. I just got a couple from the La Barba lines, but I'm gonna let them rest awhile before I get to them.

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Originally Posted by Cigarer

I've had a couple slr cigars, I wish could remember which ones. One was black Label with silver writing. Both sticks were good

Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk

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I've been debating on bidding on that SLR you're referencing - and looks like the bid light is now green for me, now that you've told me your good experience with it. Thanks!

Anyone like the Archetype Fantasy Series and Chapter 2 Axis Mundi line? Seen em online here and there, and haven't had anything from the brand.

@WNYTONY How would you rank the Las Calaveras from 2017-2020? I'm looking into buying a fiver of 2018.

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Originally Posted by chain_gang

@WNYTONY How would you rank the Las Calaveras from 2017-2020? I'm looking into buying a fiver of 2018.

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Probably '19, '17, '18 the '20 is still pretty fresh but I think that will slot into the 2 spot eventually.

But I might wait to buy a fiver if I had an outstanding MAW. That's just me, you do you

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Originally Posted by WNYTONY

Probably '19, '17, '18 the '20 is still pretty fresh but I think that will slot into the 2 spot eventually.

But I might wait to buy a fiver if I had an outstanding MAW. That's just me, you do you

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Gotcha. Thanks for the info. Helpful as always.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chain_gang

Anyone like the Archetype Fantasy Series and Chapter 2 Axis Mundi line? Seen em online here and there, and haven't had anything from the brand.

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Bumping this question for time sensitive purposes.
@Tombstone - any info?

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Originally Posted by chain_gang

Bumping this question for time sensitive purposes.
@Tombstone - any info?

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I have smoked them each once. They did not jump out at me. The Archtype line has its fans and are well made but I think they get lost in the mix. They have a few with glow in the dark looking bands those I enjoy. @restomod he would be my go to guy to know about the lines. Any input for him Kevin? Over all if they interest you I think they are worth a try.

Sorry I missed this entire thread up to now, thanks for the tag Ryan.

Hi Matt will be happy to help. I can tell you some things, probably a lot of personal preference here though.

I have had almost all except the Master and Pupil (need to get my hands on these but they never seem to be in stock at smallbatch). I really like Archetype as a whole because I am a sucker for Nicaraguan fillers which almost their entire line is except their medium bodied cigars. Since I am maduro/oscuro/ full bodied guy most of their line falls in my wheelhouse.

Dawn of Destiny and Sacred Scales are box worthy for me, can't tell you why exactly as they are not maduro but def best of their lines for me with both pretty equal to me.

Axis Mundi close third, the Maduro wrapper and Habano Nicaragua filler are really good here. Strange passage is good but multi-country blend as the filler is not my thing, no idea why.

The Fantasy series are great medium smoke, not box worthy for me but you should def try them as a fiver or such to see if those are your thing. I think they were going for a more widely liked setup there for those not into some of their other lines. Also two of which are connie wrappers and to light for me, and as much as @DogRockets tries to get me to like all things broadleaf they are not my thing either.

With that said take all those notes and what ever your go to profile is apply it here even if it is opposite of me. Also shameless plug that was unasked is that I am a Diesel whore, try all of them lol.

@chain_gang

Kevin is the man he always comes through, that's why he gets invited to the orgy.

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Originally Posted by Tombstone

Kevin is the man he always comes through, that's why he gets invited to the orgy.

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Well, there's that whore thing too and let's face it he bunks with @jhedrick83 and that keeps the beast at bay !

Thoughts on these two and the Cornelius & Anthony brand in general?https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...85832be3df.jpg