The Four Smoketeers
webmost
Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 3,131
After a year of sucking every new stogie I never tried before, I have come to the conclusion it's time to stock the humidor with four boxes of good reliable known and liked sticks so that I can always reach in for a smoke I know I will enjoy, whatever variety I am in the mood for. Then just pick up a very occasional new stick to break the mood. Time to settle.
My four faves would be these:
Fonseca Arana Criollo
AJ Fresh Rolled Habano
Factory Throwout #49 Sungrown
San Lotano Connecticut
What am I missing? Seems like I ought to have a cameroon among them. Maybe swap Torano 1916 Cam for the San Lo.
My four faves would be these:
Fonseca Arana Criollo
AJ Fresh Rolled Habano
Factory Throwout #49 Sungrown
San Lotano Connecticut
What am I missing? Seems like I ought to have a cameroon among them. Maybe swap Torano 1916 Cam for the San Lo.
Comments
Oliva Connecticut Reserve
Torano 1916 is a great choice!
ive been at this since 2005 and i still want to try all kinds of stuff and i feel that i have not tried a large percentage of what is out there.
How bout if I up it from "a very occasional new stick" to once a week? See, I'm just tired of trying three new things I don't like in order to find one I do. Most of the time, I just want to grab something I know I will like, relax, and enjoy the ball game. The other way around, I'd burn four things I know I'd like, followed by a one in four roll of the dice.
Thought I had it figured out. Now I gotta ponder.
so smoke what you like.
keep trying new stuff but narrow down what you try that is new.
there are a few brands/blenders that no matter what they put out i will never spend money on trying their new stuff. and there are some brands and blenders that no matter what new things they put out i will always try.
one of the things that have been doing is i only buy the things that i know i like and i trade for the things that i have not had yet. this forum moves so many cigars that i can get what i want via trade within a week or so (within reason of course). and through bombs, the PIF, games, etc, i can try the things i wouldnt have sought out.
my thought isnt to get you to not buy those boxes, but rather to not "settle in" and miss out on many good things.
I found a serious online source for the 1916s, the San Lotanos, and even the #49s from a shop in Texas seriously cheap. Is it okay to ask here on the c.com forum whether some source other than c.com is legit? Anyone in the Houston area I can PM to ask? I'll still put in a c.com order for the rest. ... and some others ...
God, I'm going to need a bigger box! This is obsessive!
deep breaths ... relax ... look at bank account ... gulp ...
* C.Com Sungrown -- sumatra wrapper, nic filler, a fave when I crave that sungrown tickle, and more consistent than the FTOs
* Alec Bradley SCR -- trojes wrapper, nic filler, meaty, smokey, mellowing to achieve a rich ethereal aromatic experience
* Fonseca Arana -- habano wrapper, dom filler, salty leather cashews all marvelous smooth and an excellent morning mouth
* AJ Fresh Rolled Habano -- habano wrapper, nic filler, full on tobacco with good manners indoors
* Perdomo Lot 23 Natural -- dark CT wrapper, nic filler, plenty leathery flavor chosen because it burns well on a rainy day
Looking at this list now that it has settled in, I see a pattern. Last year this time, light tan Connecticuts would have dominated the list. Now, other than the sungrown, it's all about dark brown. Couple habanos, a reddish tint on the trojes, even the one CT is darkened and aged. I am settling in to a smooth leathery flavor, no pepper, nothing harsh, but plenty flavorful. And not a lot of changes from beginning to end... I like a thing to be fairly consistent throughout. I like a heavy dark brown three buck robusto, from the looks of it.
- Fonseca Arana for that special oily tang
- Ave Maria for that toasty nutmeg fix
- AJ Fresh for that moody earth relaxation
- Torano 1916 Cameroon for that complex cedar experience
... and my cheap Throwouts have been supplanted by the truly excellent Smithdale Breva. Yum. One helluva smoke for couch change. Natural unfermented PA broadleaf tobacco. Smithdale Breva plays a capable Planchet to the 4Ms.
New is necessary now and then. If I smoked four a day it would be a different story. Smoking more like four a week I am reluctant to waste the opportunity. More than ever, I am convinced that ...
1) Though price may be a good indicator of construction and ingredients, it is not the least consistent indicator of what enjoyment I will get out of a stick.
2); I'd much rather have a selection I know to be good than be constantly rolling the dice trying new stuff.
________________________________
What's your list of reliables?