Cohiba

[BHC Vic]

So I’ve done a ton of research and learned a whole lot. I’ve found a lounge in Brea that I really like and it’s the same spot Dennis Rodman gets his cigars. A REAL cohiba is pretty good. Cost me 30-40 bucks. I’m a big fan of these though. I can see myself getting into this hobby for sure. Very enjoyable

 

[PUMPKIN TITS]

So I’ve done a ton of research and learned a whole lot. I’ve found a lounge in Brea that I really like and it’s the same spot Dennis Rodman gets his cigars. A REAL cohiba is pretty good. Cost me 30-40 bucks. I’m a big fan of these though. I can see myself getting into this hobby for sure. Very enjoyable View attachment 654755

That

So I’ve done a ton of research and learned a whole lot. I’ve found a lounge in Brea that I really like and it’s the same spot Dennis Rodman gets his cigars. A REAL cohiba is pretty good. Cost me 30-40 bucks. I’m a big fan of these though. I can see myself getting into this hobby for sure. Very enjoyable View attachment 654755

A ton of research, you bought a $40 Cohiba and its wrapped in a Montecristo band??

 

[Heylam]

Lol [emoji23]


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[BHC Vic]

Well being as it says I’m a big fan of THESE and then there’s a picture. Well... I plan on smoking a cohiba tonight I’ll take a picture of that too. Monte is a 15 dollar stick cohiba is 40 30 if I’m lucky. Mind you I just got into this so I’m not getting any deals

 

[retaocleg]

looks like a monte no2?.......when they are on, they are top 5 or 10.......prob is they are inconsistent.....the esplendido was on everyones top 10 about 15 years ago.......and when you get noted for being the best, people notice..........then they ramp up production, cut corners to try and meet demand.....then they lose the appeal...and people fake the shit out of them...........like anything.........watch your silver eagles people!......cohiba did it better with the behikes tho........they didn't increase the production, they jacked the prices....try to keep quality.....but we'll see if they don't do both..........$100for a cigar is over the top for me....anything over 20 is just showing off......you can get stellar stick for $10..........and they don't have to be Cuban to be great

 

[BHC Vic]

looks like a monte no2?.......when they are on, they are top 5 or 10.......prob is they are inconsistent.....the esplendido was on everyones top 10 about 15 years ago.......and when you get noted for being the best, people notice..........then they ramp up production, cut corners to try and meet demand.....then they lose the appeal...and people fake the shit out of them...........like anything.........watch your silver eagles people!......cohiba did it better with the behikes tho........they didn't increase the production, they jacked the prices....try to keep quality.....but we'll see if they don't do both..........$100for a cigar is over the top for me....anything over 20 is just showing off......you can get stellar stick for $10..........and they don't have to be Cuban to be great

I actually really enjoyed a Nicaraguan I had the other day. The Monte so far is my favorite. The cohiba is good but pricey. Huge difference in appearance for the fakes. The band is big. If it’s like printer paper that’s a dead give away fake. The little gold strip on the band should also have halograms. I’m far from an expert but I’m learning. Finding that lounge in Brea was very lucky. I’m going to swing by on my way home right now to pick up a few different sticks.


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[BHC Vic]

Sadly the ones my buddy got were fakes straight from Cuba. We dissected one to see what we were smoking. Still a good cigar but not legit. Also one out of 5 is a really hard drag.

 

[retaocleg]

.....look for arturo fuente, crowned heads, tatuaje, drew estate, pardon....those will be the safe bets....my father does some good stuff.......
hanging at a lounge will help greatly......been there done that's will help you........forums are awesome too.....get to know guys and when you earn the trust and they see you aren't just a poser(are you?) all sorts of doors will open.......underground society's and all....cigars, spirits, merchandise.....a whole culture you never knew existed
enjoy the slippery slope...

 

[Wheeler]

You would have enjoyed this place had you started a little sooner.

https://twitter.com/tericigarco

 

[retaocleg]

and a little advice on humidor size........the best way to calculate is to figure about how many boxes and stix you are going to get.......then double that............then double again.......and that will be no where near big enough.........you'll laugh at how true this statement is in less than a year........write it down, put it on your fridge

 

[retaocleg]

some of the stuff coming out of Miami is pretty friggin good....casa Fernandez comes to mind.......tried my first Tat Miami yesterday and thought it was very good........got a fiver to put down for a few months/years.......the truly great cigars get better with age......some lose what made them great....the ones that make the cut, get box purchases...

 

[retaocleg]

out in the am.......pay it forward

 

[sirbob]

If you are just getting into cigars there are a ton of choices to work through to find what you like.

I like a little thinner smoke with a Connecticut shade wrapper or when I'm lucky a Cameroon wrapper - they are a little sweeter. Something like Arturo Fuente, they make some nice gars with the Cameroon wrapper.

 

[retaocleg]

there is an Arturo fuente in there.....898 maduro.....creamy and mild
partagas series d no4
Trinidad reyes
montecristo no4
partagas pce
partagas habanero
romeo y julieta 1875 cedros duluxe no3(non Cuban)
Arturo fuente 898 maduro(non Cuban)
the whole gammit of flavors......no room spinners, just mild to medium bodied

 

[BHC Vic]

I went w these two today. The Romeo and Julietta was very mild. Not bad at all though.

 

[Bobby V]

View attachment 655159 View attachment 655160 I went w these two today. The Romeo and Julietta was very mild. Not bad at all though.

Where is the store in Brea Vic.

 

[BHC Vic]

On Brea and state college. I cut through the canyon to get home usually so it’s convenient if I get off on Lambert

 

[BHC Vic]

I haven’t seen Rodman yet but all the regulars say he’s there quite a bit

 

[PaPaG]

There are only two good things about a fake Cohiba, 1st they are more than likely a offshoot of same seeds from Dominican Republic or Nicaragua...2nd if they are of good quality they are probably really good cigars..back decades ago people snuck out tons of seeds and planted and grew great leafs all from Cuban roots....You can easily get real Cubans here in the US for the last 30 years all you needed to know is the right people. You can legally bring in I think 100 bucks (cuban value) if you are traveling now...a friend who was a photographer for a famous firm went there about 7-8 years ago, Castro's brother gave him a tour of the best cigar plants, the people working got 1.00 a day and you could buy any cuban cigar for .50 max 1.00...he was legally able to bring in 2 boxes and hated cigars so he gave them to us...YES we enjoyed them for a good 2 or 3 years while keeping them very alive in perfect humidity. Facts, I could not tell the difference from a real one or a fake one once the Dominicans started flowing into the US some are actually even better than Cubans. Grab a bottle of good Scotch and enjoy it...

 

[RodnJen]

If you don’t want to spend a ton, try El Beso in La Habra. Fresh, local, good and affordable.

 

[BHC Vic]

If you don’t want to spend a ton, try El Beso in La Habra. Fresh, local, good and affordable.

One of my apprentices mentioned that spot today. I’ll have to check it out

 

[BHC Vic]

Humidor is set up now and has been sitting at 70%. My buddy gave me the box of fake cohibas so I guess those are going in. Is it ok to put other cigars in there or should I get another one. I think it’s like 20 fake cohibas and I have the one monte epic.

 

[BHC Vic]

Actually there’s a bunch of cigars from his local spot in there too. So 20 fakes and 12 no name. So I’m guessing since he has them mixed that’s ok?

 

[Activated]

Actually there’s a bunch of cigars from his local spot in there too. So 20 fakes and 12 no name. So I’m guessing since he has them mixed that’s ok?

Yes.

 

[PaPaG]

We used to go to the Cigar show in Vegas every year for a good 10 years running. Used to get some of the best cigars there as part of the event, I have about 200 high end cigars in a humador and only smoke about 1 every 6 months...so I am going to put a picture list of say 10-15 cigars bundles (around 200/375 value) and was going to give them away, if I do I will post.

Actually there’s a bunch of cigars from his local spot in there too. So 20 fakes and 12 no name. So I’m guessing since he has them mixed that’s ok?

you can mix all you want, I just keep my real high end cigars separated from the good cigars with a small ceder divider inside the humidor for the heck of it.

 

[Constant840]

Actually there’s a bunch of cigars from his local spot in there too. So 20 fakes and 12 no name. So I’m guessing since he has them mixed that’s ok?

Just dont mix in any infused type. They'll bleed for sure. Drew estate and Nat Sherman both have infused lines... good for a few pulls them I'm out.

My everyday right now is ManOWar Puro Authentico. I prefer smaller a smaller ring size so the corona not the belisco. They're something like $70 for a box of 10. They come in a box, bundled mazo style lying on a bed of tobacco leaves. Classy AF. lol.
My weekender is currently the Ashton VSG also in a corona size. I think they call that size illusion. These are fantastic. A box of 24 is around $240. Ashton also has an aged maduro that is really good.

There is a spot in El Monte called Marsula's or something. They used to roll custom blends right in the store. They stopped a few years ago, but still keep the storefont, rolling off site. Its been a couple years, but I remember they were decent. I also remember having to let them sit a while as they were rolled pretty wet.

 

[nowski]

Here's your real Cuban's...

 

[retaocleg]

Humidor is set up now and has been sitting at 70%. My buddy gave me the box of fake cohibas so I guess those are going in. Is it ok to put other cigars in there or should I get another one. I think it’s like 20 fake cohibas and I have the one monte epic.

if you keep stix at 70rh, you are going to run into burn issues, and the flavors will be muted somewhat.......sweet spot for non Cubans seem to be 65rh, and 63rh for Cubans.......if your gar goes out frequently, it is because the rh is too high......wonky burns also, instead of straight......I sent a boveda 65 with the stix, as I keep all mine at 65.......even the Cubans...also, icigars need to be rested after shipping, or the flavors will be off and muted.......I know everyone thinks 70degrees and 70 rh, but ask anyone who is really into cigars, or forum brothers......they will agree 70 is too high......and cigars stored at 70 will take 5 weeks to even out in a 65 humi.......

and you can absolutely mix cigars in your humi, but like a previous poster said, never keep infused cigars with non infused, unless you want them to all have that taste.........they are womens cigars anyways........your forum brothers will take away your man card for sure...........sweetened tip is not the same as infused either....

after you get a feel for what you like, and your palette matures, you can start smoking to real deal stuff.....the cigars that are raved over..........bolivar belicoso fino.....diplomaticos......RyJ short churchills......or RyJ cazadores if you feel you have the sack!.....flavor bombs.......but more full and have a nic punch......and like I said before, to combat the power of a cigar, drink a sweet beverage while smoking, it help a lot..........blood sugar a remedy for nic over exposure

enjoy your new hobby.......

 

[BHC Vic]

Today’s grab

 

[BHC Vic]

He seemed really excited about the limited four kicks. Gonna smoke that tonight after we get home from this food deal

 

[BHC Vic]

Just started. Like it already though

 

[nameisbond]

Sadly the ones my buddy got were fakes straight from Cuba. We dissected one to see what we were smoking. Still a good cigar but not legit. Also one out of 5 is a really hard drag.

Buying from anyone but the government stores in Cuba will get you fakes. They are good fakes because they are made in Cuba from lessor Cuban tobacco...…

 

[BHC Vic]

 

[River Runnin]

Drawer #5

Seasoning of my first Stog-i-dor Several years ago!

 

[retaocleg]

singles drawer in my main humi......

main humi......

 

[retaocleg]

tonight's victim......hoyo de Monterey le hoyo de san juan from the original release 2014

 

[BHC Vic]

So we had 4th of July

Then we had yesterday in Tucson. I found a place called Anthony’s emporium.

And I decided to come back today after class because why not

 

[sirbob]

Money right there... that's my flavor but I like them a little thinner.

 

[BHC Vic]

In Vegas for work. I forgot my pack of sticks on my desk. Montes are my favorite but I can go either way. What’s the brain trust say... 1 or 2

 

[guest hs]

Look

a friend was given this box today. What’s it worth? View attachment 651772

looks real to me.

 

[BHC Vic]

Goat fuckers

 

[BHC Vic]

 

[JB in so cal]

whoa! Vic? Spent some time with the ink masters, I see!

 

[Mandelon]

One of my guys at work gave me this box the other day. Obviously fakes. His aunt gives them to him. They typically smoke OK but not like the real ones. My old office mate went to Havana on a Baseball Scholarship and came back with a few hundred cigars that he bought at the factory. He ended up getting colon cancer... and gave me his entire stash. So at least I have something to compare these to.

 

[BHC Vic]

Gave one of these another go. I didn’t like the first one at all so this has been sitting in the humidor for a good while. I don’t remember what I had for breakfast or what I was drinking but it was a great stick. Don’t have anymore but I enjoyed it. I think I got one of these from retaocleg and it’s pretty much my go to

 

[retaocleg]

One of my guys at work gave me this box the other day. Obviously fakes. His aunt gives them to him. They typically smoke OK but not like the real ones. My old office mate went to Havana on a Baseball Scholarship and came back with a few hundred cigars that he bought at the factory. He ended up getting colon cancer... and gave me his entire stash. So at least I have something to compare these to. View attachment 766859

first red flag, cohiba in a see through top box...…….never made that way.....mexico?

 

[retaocleg]

View attachment 767045 Gave one of these another go. I didn’t like the first one at all so this has been sitting in the humidor for a good while. I don’t remember what I had for breakfast or what I was drinking but it was a great stick. Don’t have anymore but I enjoyed it. I think I got one of these from retaocleg and it’s pretty much my go to View attachment 767044

monte no 4...…...a true classic Cuban......the pic is not tho…...

 

[retaocleg]

for Cubans, try a ryj short Churchill or a hoyo no 1...or h uppman mag 46…...way better in my opinion, but everyone has their
preference......I prefer stix in the 42-48 rg…...the no4 is a 42......the ryj short Churchill is a 50, and the no1 is a 46.....all Cuban.....padron delicias is good non Cuban(I prefer Maduro) 46 rg….the corona gorda(my fav size)…...ryj has some good non Cubans, like the cedros deluxe...…..

don't limit yourself, try everything.....and from different brands...…..

 

[retaocleg]

and almost forgot......don't think they have to be pricey to be good......the Sancho panza non Cubans are fantastic......on par with the Cuban version, albiet slightly less after a few years, where the Cubans find their stride......and you can't beat the price!.....I will always have some in my humi…..I prefer the double maduros…...cant find better quality in a 3 dollar stick anywhere else, imho

also good budget stick is the diesel unholy cocktail...….and they hold up well with some age, but don't have to have age to be good...……..most Cubans need some rest before the flavors meld and develop.....

 

[retaocleg]

Drawer #5

View attachment 655812

Seasoning of my first Stog-i-dor Several years ago!

View attachment 655813

those epicures are def box worthy!......the upmann mag also...……...you can keep the cohibas till the prices come back to reality......