Vegas Robaina - Don Alejandro

[waterboy]

Hi all!

As I posted earlier I am a relative newbie. Iam now ready to take the plunge and buy some BOXES! YEAH!!! :clap: Thinking of 2 boxes of the Vegas Robaina Don Alejandros and one box of the Unicos. Also considering a mixed box (to sample those I haven't tried yet) containing the following:

5 sticksRamon Allones Gigantes
5 sticks Cohiba Esplendidos
5 sticks H Upmann Sir Winston
5 sticks Vegas Robaina Don Alejandro (get to smoke 'em now and age the rest)
5 sticks Hoyo de Monterrey Double Caronas

Any suggestions as alternative choices, aging, reviews etc would be most appreciated! I got the first time jitters - lostsa money! Thanks for the help!!!

John

 

[MichiganM]

I can't complain with that list.

If I was to make one substitution I'd take out the HdM DC and put in RyJ Churchies.

Excellent choices and lotsa money is right. When you smoke the big dogs like that, it does get expensive!

 

[Headbanger]

Those are some top notched large cigars right there, one hellofa sampler I would say and one you will be pleased with. Those larger sticks, most will start off slow and build on the strength for 1.5-2 hours. If you want something that starts quicker and stronger say for about an hour, try the petite corona size.

 

[Headbanger]

Oh I forgot, definitely suggest samplers from vendors or post that you are searching for samplers and see what comes available to you. To buy a large size cigar by the box before smoking might not be the best option as I learned the hard way.

 

[waterboy]

Thanks for the advice! When you said "To buy a large size cigar by the box before smoking might not be the best option as I learned the hard way." what did you mean? I have tried this brand and variety and LOVED them! I am unsure how else to buy 'em. HELP!! Thanks.

 

[Headbanger]

Meaning I have bought boxes of cigars before trying them based on what other people think or tell me what they like. That is a mistake I learned.

I meant try samplers before buying an entire box. If you tried them and loved them, then by all means buy them. I hope you have tried several with different ages as well just to be sure. You posted you want suggestions and I did not see you tried those before. Maybe just buy 1 box vs buying 2 as they are pricey. Good luck.

 

[MichiganM]

Thanks for the advice! When you said "To buy a large size cigar by the box before smoking might not be the best option as I learned the hard way." what did you mean? I have tried this brand and variety and LOVED them! I am unsure how else to buy 'em. HELP!! Thanks.

I just think Steve meant to try a few before buying by the box. I'm sure he was unaware that you've already had them and loved them. Glad you found your niche!

:thumbsup:

 

[MichiganM]

Gotta love the time stamps Steve. We posted at the same time and almost said the same thing..."tried them and loved them". Great minds think alike!

:thumbsup:

 

[Headbanger]

..... or simple minds do :scratchhe

 

[MichiganM]

:rofl:

 

[waterboy]

Thanks folks! Happy for the advice. I have heard some complain that the D/As are too tight. Maybe it's the humidity level they're kept at. I dunno. I hope I didn't come across angry or miffed - I wasn't. Just wanted to understand - thanks Steve for clearing it up for me -your advice is most welcome! I wasn't very clear and I apologize to all for my lack of clarity. I tried the D/A in Canada and LOVED it!!! But don't know the age on the box (DUH!! rookie mistake!) and I am unsure if the quality will be the same in the boxes that I will order. I hope it will be. Always looking for an even better smoke - D/A is/was my first Cuban love. Looking to broaden my horizons! Any comments? Thanks for the advice again and again! You folks are a real find!!

John

 

[Headbanger]

No one angry with you at all.

Probably cause the D/A needs a lot of rest before smoking these large sticks, like several years worth. The RH was probably too high off the shelf and needs more time for the tobacco to be ready to smoke.

 

[tubaman]

A sampler is definately the way to go. It's a good idea to smoke several of the same cigar before making any kind of judgement. I would avoid buying boxes of cigars at this point. Take your time to get some fivers or samplers and develop a sense of what you like and don't like. Otherwise you will end up with boxes of smokes that don't do it for you. Not a bad thing though if you don't mind selling off some cigars in the future and you have a lot of spendable income.

I guess you like big cigars. Those are some big boys there!! I haven't heard of the Don Alejandros having major draw problems. Cigars that are notorious for draw problems are usually smaller ring guage smokes. If it does have draw problems, it's probably due to being young, or stored to wet.

 

[CWS]

All good advice but have to give the nod to the petit coronas. I was a big ring guy until my fellow BOTL's turned me on to the smaller stuff. Good things come in small packages plus they are cheaper to try.

 

[waterboy]

I may try smaller. Was told that they are stronger, is that true? My aim in this is to smoke a longer one to make me sit down and relax - to enjoy the moment. I am in way too much in a hurry all the time. This is my way to slow down, reflect and force myself to enjoy.

 

[DocLogic77]

I don't know if they are stronger. As a general rule of thumb larger gauged cigars are more complex. I like the smaller gauged cigars mainly for a time factor. I rarely want to smoke for 2 hours. I will say that the Bolivar PC is awesome. Also terrific picks on them VR.

 

[cvm4]

Nice sampler there. I started out on PCs and #2's and then worked my way around. I still don't have many DC/Churchills in my stock.