Guidance needed on box code purchase

[PamunkeyHub]

I need some help, Brothers! My son was born in December '13 and I'd like to buy a box of smokes made during the same month. I've got the list, and there are a few options available, none of which I've tried before as I have limited cc experience; thus, I need some guidance. The options are:

1. Cohiba - Priamides Extra A/T box of 15 - I loved the Cohiba Rubusto I had a while back, but at nearly $500, it's a little more than I wanted to drop on a box of smokes.

2. H.Upmann - Half Corona box 5x5 - I was initially leaning towards this option, but does the 5x5 box make a difference vs the standard box of 25?

3. Hoyo de Monterrey - Grand Epicure '13 LE box of 10 - I've tried an E No. 2 and it was a fine smoke. Not sure how these would compare though.

4. Montecristo - Petit No.2 box of 10

5. Rafael Gonzales - Perlas box of 25 or box 5x5

6. Ramon Allones - Small Club Coronas box of 25

7. Ramon Allones - Specially Selected box of 50

8. Romeo Y Julieta - Romeo De Luxe box of 10

Any thoughts would be much appreciated! I'm not looking to spend a fortune and generally don't buy super super premium smokes as my palate usually cannot tell the difference at this point between a $15 stick and a $35 stick. Thanks for the input!!

 

[Catawbamatt]

I wouldn't buy anything in cardboard box cartons since you're commemorating your sons birth. So that would eliminate 1 & 2. I also wouldn't go with any of the smaller cigars listed since, once again you're commemorating your sons birth. That eliminates 5 & 6. Monte Petit 2's get bad reviews although I've never had one.

In the end, I would go with a 50 cab of Ramon Allones Specially Selected. These are better with age and you can smoke on them for quite awhile since you have 50 to remember your son by.

 

[ItsBarbarino]

My thoughts, based on limited experience, and assuming you're doing the smoke on his birthday every year thing. I've only personall smoked #2 and #7.

1. Cohiba - Priamides Extra A/T box of 15 - I'm not a big Cohiba fan, so I wouldn't. I think they're overpriced. That being said, it's a great option to age.
2. H.Upmann - Half Corona box 5x5 - There's a difference in packing, I wouldn't age for 25 years in the tin packing. I would transfer to a Spanish Cedar box. They smoke pretty quick too, so if you're looking for an hour + smoke on his birthday, I wouldn't go for these.
3. Hoyo de Monterrey - Grand Epicure '13 LE box of 10 - If you like the HdM marca, this is what I would consider a good size for aging, and a good smoke to commemorate by. Never smoked one, though.
4. Montecristo - Petit No.2 box of 10 - Montecristo can be hit or miss with the construction. I've never had a petit 2, but I've had some great and shitty regular no. 2's.
5. Rafael Gonzales - Perlas box of 25 or box 5x5 - Same as above; I personally wouldn't age in 5x5, paper sleeves.
6. Ramon Allones - Small Club Coronas box of 25 - Kind of small, but always hear good things about them.
7. Ramon Allones - Specially Selected box of 50 - If you like the RA marca, then I'd go with this. Very rarely do you hear/read something bad about RASS.
8. Romeo Y Julieta - Romeo De Luxe box of 10 - Scored 89 on halfwheel. Will probably age well.

At the end of the day, I would chase a marca that you've smoked and liked, or read reviews and just ball park it from there. Search around the What CC you smoking, Show your purchase, and habanos review threads and see what others are smoking. Or (without bringing the discussion to here), reach out to a different vendor; there's a few who would probably

 

[StogieNinja]

My thoughts:

2. H.Upmann - Half Corona box 5x5
Avoid cardboard. They're fine for everyday smokes, but for something you'll want to savor and treasure, not so much. Also they're really small smokes, which leads me to...

5. Rafael Gonzales - Perlas box of 25 or box 5x5
6. Ramon Allones - Small Club Coronas box of 25

Both are excellent cigars, but really small smokes. To me, a commemoration smoke really should be something you can sit back and really enjoy when you have ample time, not something that will be over quickly.

1. Cohiba - Priamides Extra A/T box of 15
3. Hoyo de Monterrey - Grand Epicure '13 LE box of 10
4. Montecristo - Petit No.2 box of 10
8. Romeo Y Julieta - Romeo De Luxe box of 10
Good cigars, but a 10ct will leave you wishing you had more, I think.


7. Ramon Allones - Specially Selected box of 50
Thus my recommendation is also the RASS. Robusto size is great for a full smoke, 50ct will last you much longer than your other options, so you can smoke one every year AND whenever there's a special occasion (graduations, events, etc) and not run out, and the price is very reasonable.

 

[D Quintero]

perlas* & rascc - short and remarkable smokes thatll rightfully fit the occasion.

because variety is the spice of life & extended smoking times are overrated.

*remove from cardboard

 

[StogieNinja]

...extended smoking times are overrated.

Perhaps to some. To this father of five, two hours of relaxed smoking is the most wonderful thing I can possibly imagine.

 

[PamunkeyHub]

Perhaps to some. To this father of five, two hours of relaxed smoking is the most wonderful thing I can possibly imagine.

Amen, brother! ...and I only have one 2 year old boy at this point.

Thank you brothers for the thoughts and guidance! @Catawbamatt, @ItsBarbarino, and @StogieNinja brought up some excellent points on the RASS and I'm going to seriously consider them. Looks like I need to light up the two aged RASSs that I've got in the humidor and make a decision from there. Thank you all again and please keep the thoughts coming if you have something you'd like to add.

 

[AlohaStyle]

For the reasons above, I too would say the RASS from that list. If you weren't worried about the money, I would consider the Cohiba though... that would be more of a "special" cigar that you could pull out on his birthday. But the RASS will age very nicely and should be a great cigar throughout the years.

 

[sofc]

For the reasons above, I too would say the RASS from that list. If you weren't worried about the money, I would consider the Cohiba though... that would be more of a "special" cigar that you could pull out on his birthday. But the RASS will age very nicely and should be a great cigar throughout the years.

ewwww, RASS is yucky.

I would go with the Cohiba if those were my two choices.

 

[StogieNinja]

ewwww, RASS is yucky.

I would go with the Cohiba if those were my two choices.

OK, I do have to say RASS aren't my favorite. I just re-read and noticed you haven't tried them before. Definitely smoke what you have and see how you feel first. 99% of guys love them. I'm ambivalent. Ara feels the same way about RASS as he felt about girls when he was five. Definitely smoke one first.

 

[sofc]

OK, I do have to say RASS aren't my favorite. I just re-read and noticed you haven't tried them before. Definitely smoke what you have and see how you feel first. 99% of guys love them. I'm ambivalent. Ara feels the same way about RASS as he felt about girls when he was five. Definitely smoke one first.

Truth about most people liking RASS.

 

[StogieNinja]

Truth about most people liking RASS.

Curious, you like Anejo or the '14 AF Unnamed?

 

[sofc]

Curious, you like Anejo or the '14 AF Unnamed?

Like the Anejo (but rarely smoke it) like the unnamed. And I write that knowing you're wise enough to not bomb me.

 

[StogieNinja]

Like the Anejo (but rarely smoke it) like the unnamed. And I write that knowing you're wise enough to not bomb me.

lol. I was more curious if it was a dislike for that stewed fruit common across all three. I liked the unnamed ok, but I actually don't really care all that much for the Anejo.

Sorry for the derail, @PamunkeyHub

 

[PamunkeyHub]

lol. I was more curious if it was a dislike for that stewed fruit common across all three. I liked the unnamed ok, but I actually don't really care all that much for the Anejo.

Sorry for the derail, @PamunkeyHub

Send me your address and I'll overlook it.

 

[sofc]

lol. I was more curious if it was a dislike for that stewed fruit common across all three. I liked the unnamed ok, but I actually don't really care all that much for the Anejo.

Sorry for the derail, @PamunkeyHub

You speaking English? "stewed fruit?"

 

[AlohaStyle]

ewwww, RASS is yucky.

I would go with the Cohiba if those were my two choices.

uR ASS is yucky.

And I would go with the Cohiba too but he doesn't want to pay that much. If it were me, I'd buy the RASS cab but keep looking for something else like a CoRo, CoLa, Sig IV or VI, Monte 2 etc.

 

[PamunkeyHub]

uR ASS is yucky.

And I would go with the Cohiba too but he doesn't want to pay that much. If it were me, I'd buy the RASS cab but keep looking for something else like a CoRo, CoLa, Sig IV or VI, Monte 2 etc.

If I thought my palate was refined enough to truly differentiate and appreciate the Cohiba, I'd buy it, but I'm worried at $33 a stick, it will provide the same experience that I could get with a $10-15 stick. I'd love to have more options, but I'm not sure where to look. If your willing to share other sources that offer date codes, please pm me. Thanks in advance!

And @StogieNinja... the address please!

 

[sofc]

I change my vote to the Hoyo then.

 

[Nacho Daddy]

A 50 cab of RASS would be ideal. You have a long life expectancy and plenty of extras for minor special occasions along the way.
This could be a Journey to enjoy and cherish.Best of Luck.
I really feel the other choices have negatives of price and quantity too great to consider...........