Smoking the good stuff there Amigo!
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Finally got to try some "Leafs by Oscar"...
The 10th Anniversary Criollo gets a thumbs up from me. Chocolate and coffee notes in this one all the way to the end. Wish I had gotten more than one.
The Corojo on the other hand started strong with rich and pleasant flavors in the first third, but became pretty one-dimensional / average cigar after that.
Prices have been raised worldwide by Habanos. The new prices are global. You will not find it cheaper. Since 2019 when I began smoking cigars the prices of Cuban cigars have been tripled. The demand from new markets is so high (read China) .
It is not worth it in my opinion, lots of quality problems even when buying an 80 euro cigar. Now and then I get one gifted so still smoke then once in a while or when on holiday I try one.
As your question Amsterdam and Western Europe in general prices are very high. Buy a 2 or 3 nice cigars from Nicaragua or if your lucky 1 decent Cuban. The limited editions are usually hundreds of euros for one Cuban cigar...
The Cuban tabaco worm is another serious issue with Cuban cigars. When I buy or get Cuban cigars, I put them in the freezer for 48 hrs or so, then in the refrigerator for a week or so, and then they go into my humidor. I've seen what the tabaco worm will do.
Forgot to take a picture but I smoked a Nub Cameroon last night while lighting off fireworks with my daughter
Happy 250th USA!
Truthfully, I rather spend the money on a box of Padron Aniversarios and call it a day. Those cigars have never disappointed me, and they are always tasty and consistent.
The Cubans I used to get were from an airline pilot friend, and he would buy a box when he flew into Mexico City, but the issue with the worms was always there. His humidor got infected and ruined everything he had inside. My son and a friend would order them from Europe or Canada through a cigar group buy. They were ok, and they never went into the humidor without a visit to the freezer.
Speaking of Padron cigars. The USPS delivery lady gave me a box this morning, and inside this box was this wonderful surprise from my mom.
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True, they still make some great cigars. The limited editions on the Davidoff London website and shop is an example. But look at those prices. You can shoot a trophy springbok for those pricesWhat I will say is an authentic, well-constructed Cuban is in my opinion, unbeatable. The problem is finding an authentic, well-constructed one. Out of about the dozen Partagas Serie D No 4 I've had, 2-3 were quality from start to finish. Tons of draw issues with them. Same goes for Monte No 2.
When I could get them for a decent priced, they ruined my humidor which is another story. Hence, I only buy them 1-2 a time if I'm traveling.
I am a big AF Fuente guy but do like the Nicaraguan rollers.
Those were some really good cigars! Glad to have had you and your wife over!