El Cheapo CC's

[Phrankenstein]

I would like to hear opinions on cheap or low priced CC’s. I normally smoke the regular line CC’s like Cohiba, Monte’s and such. A couple weeks ago I received a large order which included an unexpected freebie 5-pack called Los Statos. Wrapped in cello with a little red pull tab to get them to tear open. When I saw this I thought these had to be terrible. Now don’t get me wrong, they were not near like my normal smokes, but if compared to crappy little cigars (Philly’s, Swishers) sold in convenience stores they weren’t all that bad. Definitely not long filler, very scrappy, and a little rough looking. Actually ugly! But I was surprised that they showed CC type flavors.

I smoked these with two friends with CC experience, we were laughing these off as we opened and lit up. However we all agreed that they were a pleasant surprise about mid way through. We really expected something terrible. Not good, but not bad, or dog rocket bad!

Anyway, that peaked our interest a little. Do any of the brothers or sisters have an opinion to share on “el cheapo” or low priced CC’s. Brands, cost comparisons, smokability? (is that a real word?)

And NO, I do not smoke Philly’s or Swishers…OK, not since the Vietnam Conflict! I was young and didn’t know any better back then!

 

[Fox]

John, I like the Partagas Chicos when I want something really small. They can usually be had for $40 - $50 for 25 smokes. Most of the time though I find it is worth it to me to go slightly larger and more expensive since I love Partagas Shorts.

 

[terrantheman]

the jose piedres and quinteros are not bad for a $1.50 or $2.00 stix they make nice cigars when you just don't have the time to give to your stick.

 

[RigilKent]

you can find a cab of PLCP for a decent price and they're fantastic

 

[tubaman]

RyJ No. 2's A/T can be had for about 180 for a box of 25. These are great smokes, very underated and what I would consider to be a bargain. Maybe not in the "cheap" range at roughly 7 dollars a stick, but a great deal. Another example of this would be the Rafael Gonzales Coronas Extra.

 

[Greg]

Rafael Gonzales Coronas Extra.

Oh....these are great.

I'd add Hoyo Coronations, Juan Lopez PC and RASCC, the last of which can be had for just over $100.

 

[terrantheman]

I coulda swore he said el cheapos and $6 or $7 is kinda pricey isn't it?

 

[tubaman]

I coulda swore he said el cheapos and $6 or $7 is kinda pricey isn't it?

Like I said in my post, these may not be cheap, but they are a bargain.

 

[sogon]

The Los Statos are HORRIBLE, they have to be the worse CC I ever had, with maybe the exception of Quintero y Hermanos. I would say the only El Cheapos that are even close to the higher quality cigars is the JLP line. But I would recommend going one step up to the El Cheap Nuff.
El Cheapo to me means like 30-40 euro a box, Cheap nuff is like 40-60 euro. For that price there is a quite a few decent cigars.
I would recommend looking at value rather than price, I agree with FOX, the Partagas shorts are probably one of the best cigars out there for 70 euro a box. Or any price for that matter. So for twice the price of a JLP or QyH you can get a cigar that tastes like 50 times better, so the relative value is very high for the slightly higher priced. I have regularly bought El Cheapos, until I recently was turned on to the Partagas Shorts.

 

[terrantheman]

If you watch the sales you can find RyJ#4's for around $4 and PSD4's for around $6 but you really got to watch I've picked both of these stix up for that price.

 

[Phrankenstein]

Thanks for the replies. I was wondering if these had any following. It appears the consensus is “you get what you pay for”. Almost always the case! Lately I’ve been smoking marevas, which I think is best bang for the dollar. I like Monte #4, Dip #4, Partagas PC esp. I need to try those Partagas Shorts & the RASCC.
It would be interesting to see the sales numbers by marca & vitola, just how much of the “el cheapo” stuff sales compared to the popular stuff. Also like to see which countries get what & how much.

Anyway, Thanks again and enjoy your smokes!

 

[sgresso]

R&J #2 are usually pretty good price
They are one of my favorite small smokes along with the RASS and RASCC

 

[mr.mac]

I've been smokin' the hell out of those Paragas pc esp. lately. Great cigar for the price, as it is all "hecho en mono". Also, RyJ coronitas en cedro is a damn good little smoke. I think its bunched by machine and finished by hand. They can be had for around $70 a box.

mac

 

[jwintosh]

the r&j coronitos is a great cigar!! a little smaller than the #2, weighing in at 5x42.... great smoke....

 

[tubaman]

Are you sure about that price? I can get the No. 2s A/T for 100 a box.

That's the price at one of our listed vendors. You are right, they can be had for cheaper but I was going for a place that was accessible by all here.

 

[JMN]

The JLP Brevas and Quintero's are really not that bad. Had a Quintero Breva a couple of weeks ago that had some age on it and it was really pretty good.

 

[jkim05]

I think the los statos are actually not bad once they get some age on them. The ones from '99 are smoking quite well. Personally, I've enjoyed most of the cc machine mades I've had, though they've pretty much all been from the '90s. There are tons with age available and they age quite nicely.

 

[indyrob]

I think the los statos are actually not bad once they get some age on them. The ones from '99 are smoking quite well. Personally, I've enjoyed most of the cc machine mades I've had, though they've pretty much all been from the '90s. There are tons with age available and they age quite nicely.

Well said. I have quite a few boxes of the Los Statos delirios from 1995 that are really good for the $1 something I paid per stick.

I've never really been a fan of JLP's but there quite a few M/M's made that show of each marques unique profile without breaking the bank.

 

[Halon]

Punch Coronation/Petit Coronation Tubos are a great stick and can be had for around $100-$120/box. Not the best-looking stick, but a great tasting one. Boli PCs are also a good option, as are Party Shorts.
My first two boxes of CCs were Boli PCs and Punch Royal Coronations, and I still buy them regularly.


TYLER

 

[Headbanger]

RASCC, Partagas Shorts, and Upmann Regalias make my list of top three if I could buy them.