- Joined
- Jan 16, 2005
- Messages
- 2,938
I have yet to meet anyone that disliked Drew Estate's Undercrown. Less expensive than the Liga Privada line (damn good smokes, possibly my favorite), and almost as good (some afficianados claim better). Some people like to talk bad about Drew Estate because of their Acid line, well, haters gonna hate. For an even less expensive (but still very sought after) cigar, Drew Estate recently released their Nica Rustica line, I had one of the first ones to hit the East Coast outside of tradeshow samples, and it is quite good, if a bit less refined.
Other than that, I have boutique (i.e expensive) tastes, I like anything dark from Illusione, and a few other such boutique brands such as Graycliffe (now that their quality control is up).
Another thing that is really great on a budget, and something I personally quite enjoy, is the Warlock by Altidas. Another budget priced stick that is very well reviewed by critics. Altidas is a big manufacturer, yet the branded and produced the Warlock like a boutique smoke. The end result was a great cigar that didn't cost as much as something like an Illusione. These are available for sale at cigars international and in my opinion run a close second to Drew Estate Undercrowns.
My last suggestion, is a Ghurka brand sampler. Ghurka are great gift cigars for people who actually like cigars. Ghurkas are expensive (they proudly manufacture the worlds most expensive cigar), and good, just IMHO not quite good enough to warrant their price (Many critics feel this way). Unlike something like a Zino Platinum which is really used to impress other cigar people with how much you spent on them, however, Ghurkas are actually good smokes and a decent sampler of their range can be had for under 100 bucks. I have a family member who give me a Ghurka sampler once a year, and I smoke it throughout the year and enjoy it immensely. Sometimes the point of a gift is to get someone something they would never get themselves.
I won't recommend anything that I wouldn't give to a friend and that I haven't personally smoked a few times. While I smoke infrequently compared to some enthusiasts (two or three times a month) I read a lot about industry trends, make relationships at smoke shops for good info, and read the online publications and reviews. I know that taste is subjective, but I tried to only recommend things that have high appeal among a large array of cigar enthusiasts and critics.
Happy hunting, and maybe you should order yourself something while you are at it
Edit: Duh, forgot about the Olivia conneticut, another amazing stick that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. One of the few "light" sticks that I find has the depth and complexity to keep me interested.
Other than that, I have boutique (i.e expensive) tastes, I like anything dark from Illusione, and a few other such boutique brands such as Graycliffe (now that their quality control is up).
Another thing that is really great on a budget, and something I personally quite enjoy, is the Warlock by Altidas. Another budget priced stick that is very well reviewed by critics. Altidas is a big manufacturer, yet the branded and produced the Warlock like a boutique smoke. The end result was a great cigar that didn't cost as much as something like an Illusione. These are available for sale at cigars international and in my opinion run a close second to Drew Estate Undercrowns.
My last suggestion, is a Ghurka brand sampler. Ghurka are great gift cigars for people who actually like cigars. Ghurkas are expensive (they proudly manufacture the worlds most expensive cigar), and good, just IMHO not quite good enough to warrant their price (Many critics feel this way). Unlike something like a Zino Platinum which is really used to impress other cigar people with how much you spent on them, however, Ghurkas are actually good smokes and a decent sampler of their range can be had for under 100 bucks. I have a family member who give me a Ghurka sampler once a year, and I smoke it throughout the year and enjoy it immensely. Sometimes the point of a gift is to get someone something they would never get themselves.
I won't recommend anything that I wouldn't give to a friend and that I haven't personally smoked a few times. While I smoke infrequently compared to some enthusiasts (two or three times a month) I read a lot about industry trends, make relationships at smoke shops for good info, and read the online publications and reviews. I know that taste is subjective, but I tried to only recommend things that have high appeal among a large array of cigar enthusiasts and critics.
Happy hunting, and maybe you should order yourself something while you are at it
Edit: Duh, forgot about the Olivia conneticut, another amazing stick that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. One of the few "light" sticks that I find has the depth and complexity to keep me interested.
Can't go wrong with a Cohiba, a very good smoke.:thumbup: