OK, I am CC stupid. I smoke all NC, but would like to get into CC's. Can someone tell me if the CC's compare to their NC counterparts? How about where to start as far as which stick to try first?
Question for the Pros
- Thread starter Rocketmann
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Hot_Sauce
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒ&
I don't consider myself a pro but....
I don't think they compare to their counterparts. The closest line I would say is the ERDM but that was from a few years ago.
Others will chime in with what to try first. But here is a list of a few cigars that are very popular for a good reason.
Ramon Allones Specially Selected
Montecristo No.2
Montecristo No.4
Bolivar Petit corona
Bolivar Belicoso Fino
Partagas P2
Partagas 8-9-8 Varnished This would probably be my recomendation:thumbsup:
Partagas Short
H. Upmann Magnum 46
Trinidad Reyes
Cohiba Robusto
Partagas Serie D No.4
Let us know what you you think of your first CC.
I don't think they compare to their counterparts. The closest line I would say is the ERDM but that was from a few years ago.
Others will chime in with what to try first. But here is a list of a few cigars that are very popular for a good reason.
Ramon Allones Specially Selected
Montecristo No.2
Montecristo No.4
Bolivar Petit corona
Bolivar Belicoso Fino
Partagas P2
Partagas 8-9-8 Varnished This would probably be my recomendation:thumbsup:
Partagas Short
H. Upmann Magnum 46
Trinidad Reyes
Cohiba Robusto
Partagas Serie D No.4
Let us know what you you think of your first CC.
AlohaStyle
BoM Sept '12 & Aug '13
Not sure what you really mean there? Are you asking if CC's are as good as NC's? The common question right or wrong is do NC's compare to CC's. It really depends on what flavor profile you enjoy so no one can accurately tell you what is better, it just depends on what you like. I like both CC's and NC's, just depends on what I'm in the mood for when I grab a cigar. I love the Esteli flavors but I also love a good CC, totally different cigars usually. I think Partagas CC's have some of the spice that is known in Nicaraguan cigars, but it's a flavor all on its own.
Kirk gave you a good list above, start from that bunch.
I would add:
Bolivar Royal Coronas
Por Larranaga Petit Coronas
I believe he is asking if CC's are anything like the crap altadis puts out.
And no they aren't even close to being related.
And no they aren't even close to being related.
njstone
BoM January 2010
No relation at all if you're asking "Does a Cuban Cohiba taste like a DR Cohiba," same for the other brands I think most will tell you. I haven't sampled nearly enough to comment from experience.
Now, as far as "Do some NCs really taste like CCs," you'll get a variety of (sometimes heated) opinions. The short answer from your's truly is yes--there are definitely some NCs that I smoke and think, "yea this could be a CC" or at least that it has many of the same characteristics of some CCs. The converse is true as well--there are some CCs you might smoke and think, "This reminds me of such and such NC cigar." Take that for what it's worth, as I'm very inexperienced with CCs having only just moved to a country that has them.
But by and large, tobacco tastes different when grown in different regions, even from the same seeds. Nica tobacco tastes different than DR, than Cuban, than Honduran, etc., even though they pretty much all use Cuban seed these days (or a few generations removed). But just because the base tobacco flavor differs, that doesn't mean that the cigars won't share a lot of the same characteristics and even overall flavor.
Now, as far as "Do some NCs really taste like CCs," you'll get a variety of (sometimes heated) opinions. The short answer from your's truly is yes--there are definitely some NCs that I smoke and think, "yea this could be a CC" or at least that it has many of the same characteristics of some CCs. The converse is true as well--there are some CCs you might smoke and think, "This reminds me of such and such NC cigar." Take that for what it's worth, as I'm very inexperienced with CCs having only just moved to a country that has them.
But by and large, tobacco tastes different when grown in different regions, even from the same seeds. Nica tobacco tastes different than DR, than Cuban, than Honduran, etc., even though they pretty much all use Cuban seed these days (or a few generations removed). But just because the base tobacco flavor differs, that doesn't mean that the cigars won't share a lot of the same characteristics and even overall flavor.
Sorry, I guess I should have explained a little better. What I was asking was do the NC brands taste anything simular to their CC counterpart? For example does a NC Monti taste anything like a CC Monti, that sort of thing. I am not in the states so I can obtain them, however due to the higher $$ of CC's, I just wanted to make my 1st try a good one. NC's I enjoy are a medium to med/full, like MoW, RP Vintage and so on. Any CC's out there that would fit that flavor profile?
AlohaStyle
BoM Sept '12 & Aug '13
Okay, that's an easier question. NO, the NC Monte's etc are crap compared to the CC's. For the most part, they have absolutely nothing to do with their cuban namesakes. Just a company using the famous cuban names. Okay I'll be more to the point, the NC's that stole CC names are crap for the most part. I would rather stop smoking than smoke some of the Altadis/General crap that makes Montes and RyJ etc.
I stick to the list above from Kirk and my add-ons...
I stick to the list above from Kirk and my add-ons...
Thanks, so saying that, are CC's really worth all the hype and extra $$$ if a NC can be just as good? I can tell the taste difference in tobacco grown in different parts of Cent. America, just wondering if plants grown on "The Island" are really that much better for the money?
AlohaStyle
BoM Sept '12 & Aug '13
Actually CC's can be cheaper than NC's. For NC's, I buy a lot of Tatuaje, Illusione, Arturo Fuente and other premium Nicaraguan cigars and they are $7-$10 for the most part. The CC's I get are usually $5-$8 a cigar and that's for good cigars.
It's not about the "hype", it's all about what you like. You just need to figure it out for yourself as no one here can tell you what's best. Start by buying 5ers or samplers from some BOTLs or retailers and go from there.
njstone
BoM January 2010
Agreed, CCs can be more or less $ depending on where you go, like every other item you buy. As far as "better" or "not as good," that's completely relative. What matters is what YOU like. Finding cigars that are low-cost and that you really like is a HUGE win, we all shoot for that. For when you want a "nicer" cigar, that probably means spending a little more. Whether it's a CC or an NC just depends on what you prefer. There is just as much variation in Cuban tobacco as in Dominican tobacco--so a Bolivar is as different from a Trinidad as an LFD is from a D.R. Romeo y Julietta.
As for me, I'm still not very familiar with CCs, as I said, but by and large most of my favorite sticks are Nicas and the nicer DRs. But that's because I like a LOT of flavor in my cigars, noticeable flavors and not "subtle hints" like you often hear about in CCs. Many people misuse words like "complexity" and "sophisticated" in relation to Cubans, imvho, to mask more appropriate terms like "boring." This is not true of all CCs, of course, but many of them are more in the mild and medium range, and have flavors that are more subtle and really awesome to someone who likes that or who has a more developed palate and can get all of those nuances. Not to mention that most of them need years of age before they get really good (not that a Man o War isn't better after 2 years too, as we know).
Most of us here are not snobs. There are many cigars snobs around, guys who will say "Oh, I only smoke the finest Cuban cigars," and if you gave them an unbanded Illusione they would swear it was wonderful until you told them it wasn't Cuban, then they'd say "Yea, I could tell, it started off good but then died" or something, lol. I've literally met guys like that. Stupid.
CCs are different, maybe you'll like a few of them, maybe a lot of them, maybe none--doesn't matter really.
Around here we don't hold to what some think are "better," we live buy another moto: "Smoke what you like, and like what you smoke."
As for me, I'm still not very familiar with CCs, as I said, but by and large most of my favorite sticks are Nicas and the nicer DRs. But that's because I like a LOT of flavor in my cigars, noticeable flavors and not "subtle hints" like you often hear about in CCs. Many people misuse words like "complexity" and "sophisticated" in relation to Cubans, imvho, to mask more appropriate terms like "boring." This is not true of all CCs, of course, but many of them are more in the mild and medium range, and have flavors that are more subtle and really awesome to someone who likes that or who has a more developed palate and can get all of those nuances. Not to mention that most of them need years of age before they get really good (not that a Man o War isn't better after 2 years too, as we know).
Most of us here are not snobs. There are many cigars snobs around, guys who will say "Oh, I only smoke the finest Cuban cigars," and if you gave them an unbanded Illusione they would swear it was wonderful until you told them it wasn't Cuban, then they'd say "Yea, I could tell, it started off good but then died" or something, lol. I've literally met guys like that. Stupid.
CCs are different, maybe you'll like a few of them, maybe a lot of them, maybe none--doesn't matter really.
Around here we don't hold to what some think are "better," we live buy another moto: "Smoke what you like, and like what you smoke."
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If you decide to try Cuban cigars you need to make sure you buy real ones. I don't know anything about South Korea as far as if they have officially licensed LCDH's so I can't help steer you where to go. Once you make sure you can find authentic cigars, from what you describe, I would stick to the Montecristo or Romeo&Julietta cigars. Just buy whatever size of either you like to smoke.
If you don't like those marques, let us know and we can suggest something a little stonger/fuller/or less so.
If you don't like those marques, let us know and we can suggest something a little stonger/fuller/or less so.
smokem94
BoM Sept. 05
I think one of the best CC's to start with is the ERdM Choix Supreme. Mild, flavorful, cheap, and great anytime of the day. From there, I would step up to the Monte Cristo line, my favorite being the #2, then Bolivars....I like them all but especially the Gold Medals.
smokemifugotem
BoM July '10
agreed to pretty much everyone above. you are in a great position to get your hands on them due to not being state side so take the time to explore while it is legal and scare free. if local shops are expensive and questionable on authenticity...buy online. there are several good retailers out there online and their prices are usually pretty cheap. makes a lot of the ncs we talk about on the board look like super premiums...
good luck on ur new journey!
good luck on ur new journey!
FWIW, Cuba makes some crappy cigars too. Quality control can be iffy. You have to match cigars to your taste. If you like strong cigars, you probably won'r like Cuban Fonseca or ERDM. If you like them mild, avoid Bolivar.
I LOVE that place. It's down in south Texas, right?
PAvetteguy
PAvetteguy
I also like the Montecristo's #2 & #4 for a new CC smoker. I would also recommend you try a Fonseca Cosaco or Delicia for something on the mild side.
