What Cigar Are You Smoking? 2025

[danimalia]

I think I’m going to stock up on Fuente and Toscano . I really want to get a good stash of Hemingway’s built up with the changing of the guards there. I know they say they have a good stash to supply with….but if something were to happen to that storage

I haven't been following the cigar news/industry much lately? What is the changing of the guard with Fuente?

 

[danimalia]

Good night, what the HELL is going on at Fuente? They sued over the name of the Magnum Opus pipe tobacco, they sued a winemaker over their Opus wine name, at least 1 family member who grew up in the company parted ways, and now this decades-old partnership went tits up? I've also noticed a marked shift in their releases and marketing - more one-off releases, less of the old stand-bys, and more empty promises than previously (the return of the Hemingway Rosado never materialized and we got the Rare Pinks, instead).

Oh well.

Are they still going to use African Cameroon wrappers? I wasn't aware it was grown by many other producers in Cameroon. I know they're growing some good wrapper from Cameroon seed in Honduras and Ecuador, but it will never be the same. I'll probably buy a box of Don Carlos #3s if I can find them just to have around. I don't suppose the prices will go down if they start sourcing the leaf from Ecuador, even though for years we've been told how rare and expensive the genuine African leaf is

I tend to agree with you on Fuente. I've also noticed some pretty egregious price increases for some of those older stand-bys as well. $18.99 for a Rosado Sungrown 44 at a local B&M that doesn't do crazy mark-ups. That cigar was regularly available for ~$10 or less in California as recently as 5 years ago. My understanding is that line was specifically meant to be something special B&Ms could offer for a a good value. A working-class Ashton VSG with a lower priming wrapper and a lighter (but just as flavorful) profile. There's been no cigar tax increases I'm aware of.

I mentioned it earlier, but the same thing has been going on with Padron where the core line is no longer a bargain, and they seem to have stopped making the non-1000s sizes altogether.

My Father wanted $40 for an anniversary version of the Flor de Las Antillas, with the only difference being a unique a higher priming wrapper and a tweaked blend of the same components. Again, the FdlA was always a bargain cigar that punched above its weight. Just how much could that higher priming wrapper (grown on their own farms) add to the cost? The LFD 30th only available in humidors of 60 for $1800, unless your B&M is selling singles (one of mine is at $45 a pop).

I know prices have gone up for a lot of things, but there is definitely a movement towards limited, special, exclusive, whatever cigars designed for the ultra-rich at crazy prices for what are again, essentially just bunched up leaves.

I don't know if it's a bubble or if it's here to stay, but if it's the former, I hope it pops, and if it's the latter, I hope enough people start voting with their wallets. There's still good cigars at reasonable prices out there. In the past week, I had a San Cristobal Papagayo and an Alec Bradley Black Market, both for less than $12 at B&Ms, and both quite respectable, especially the San Cristobal (in a fat boy size, no less).

 

[Brendan]

Flow on effect from the Habanos price hike, re-establishment as a luxury goods market possibly.. Could be following their lead, seeing as consumers nowadays want to flaunt everything on social media doesn't help any.

 

[Speak Easy]

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Having a Raices Dominicanas Pyramid made with “a special tobacco” to celebrate this:

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Congratulations! Many happy years to you and your bride! Wasabi is looking mighty dapper

 

[Speak Easy]

I haven't been following the cigar news/industry much lately? What is the changing of the guard with Fuente?

I was referring to the cut in partnership with Meerapfel and their Cameroon wrappers.

Meerapfel Says Arturo Fuente Relationship Has Ended

While both sides have declined to answer questions about what happened, recent statements from both companies paint a picture of an unpleasant divorce.

halfwheel.com

 

[danimalia]

Speaking of changes for the worse, had a Foundation Wise Man robusto earlier. This is now my 3rd attempt at trying the new, different version, in 3 different sizes, and all 3 have left me disappointed. I really, really liked this line when it was made by Aganorsa. I liked the hard to pronounce name (El Gueguense), and I liked the initial peppery opening that transitioned into semi-sweet and spicy, cashew goodness. Just kind of a quintessential and wonderful Nicaraguan puro. The new version dropped the Spanish name, it's made by My Father instead of Aganorsa now, and is frankly, quite inferior, IMO. No famous Pepin pepper-blast (or Arganosa peppery opening for that matter). Bready, leathery and then it turned a bit bitter. Dying for some sweetness or spice (of either the pepper or baking variety). Just kind of boring before it turned bitter and unpleasant. I'd chalk it up to multiple re-lights due to smoking while working, but this has mirrored my other experiences with the new version more or less. This is a stock image, but the wrapper was even duller than the version of the photo compared to the more vibrant oily wrappers on the old version. Foundation still releases some great cigars, but they're being made by AJ Fernandez (both versions of The Tabernacle, Aksum and Charter Oak are all on point). I don't know why they made the change. I thought El Gueguense was a pretty popular, well-regarded smoke. Probably something involving money.

My Father is still capable of making some great smokes. The Don Pepin Garcia ERH is one of my favorite "new" releases of the year, and the San Cristobal I had earlier in the week was excellent. I don't know if there is something going on with their wrapper leaf in general, or if it's just some bad batches, but it's worth noting the San Cristobal is now using Ecuadorian Habano (I believe it had been Nicaraguan previously), and the ERH is Ecuadorian Sumatra. There was a lot of scuttlebutt a few years ago when some of the Tatuajes switched to Ecuadorian leaf. Maybe this is why. BTW, I recently tried the Avion Corojo, which I was excited for because I enjoyed the Mexican-wrapped Tuxtla version so much, and was underwhelmed with that one as well.

Anyway, I wish Foundation would bring back the old El Gueguense, even if it was a limited release.

 

[Speak Easy]

Speaking of changes for the worse, had a Foundation Wise Man robusto earlier. This is now my 3rd attempt at trying the new, different version, in 3 different sizes, and all 3 have left me disappointed. I really, really liked this line when it was made by Aganorsa. I liked the hard to pronounce name (El Gueguense), and I liked the initial peppery opening that transitioned into semi-sweet and spicy, cashew goodness. Just kind of a quintessential and wonderful Nicaraguan puro. The new version dropped the Spanish name, it's made by My Father instead of Aganorsa now, and is frankly, quite inferior, IMO. No famous Pepin pepper-blast (or Arganosa peppery opening for that matter). Bready, leathery and then it turned a bit bitter. Dying for some sweetness or spice (of either the pepper or baking variety). Just kind of boring before it turned bitter and unpleasant. I'd chalk it up to multiple re-lights due to smoking while working, but this has mirrored my other experiences with the new version more or less. This is a stock image, but the wrapper was even duller than the version of the photo compared to the more vibrant oily wrappers on the old version. Foundation still releases some great cigars, but they're being made by AJ Fernandez (both versions of The Tabernacle, Aksum and Charter Oak are all on point). I don't know why they made the change. I thought El Gueguense was a pretty popular, well-regarded smoke. Probably something involving money.

My Father is still capable of making some great smokes. The Don Pepin Garcia ERH is one of my favorite "new" releases of the year, and the San Cristobal I had earlier in the week was excellent. I don't know if there is something going on with their wrapper leaf in general, or if it's just some bad batches, but it's worth noting the San Cristobal is now using Ecuadorian Habano (I believe it had been Nicaraguan previously), and the ERH is Ecuadorian Sumatra. There was a lot of scuttlebutt a few years ago when some of the Tatuajes switched to Ecuadorian leaf. Maybe this is why. BTW, I recently tried the Avion Corojo, which I was excited for because I enjoyed the Mexican-wrapped Tuxtla version so much, and was underwhelmed with that one as well.

Anyway, I wish Foundation would bring back the old El Gueguense, even if it was a limited release.



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Totally agree about The Wise Man. I don’t buy em anymore. Shame.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

Congratulations! Many happy years to you and your bride! Wasabi is looking mighty dapper

Thank you very much! It was a great and beautiful night.

This is the photo that Susan took that I really wanted to upload, but I had to convert its original HEIC format to JPG when we got got back to the house:

 

[Speak Easy]

Thank you very much! It was a great and beautiful night.

This is the photo that Susan took that I really wanted to upload, but I had to convert its original HEIC format to JPG when we got got back to the house:

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I think that’s the first time I’ve seen a dog truly appreciate its outfit! Looks like he was looking for some bridesmaids and feeling good!

 

[dottlejockey]

Congrats @TheIronMonkey ! Bravo!

 

[cshubhra]

Paul Garmirian Gourmet.
I think this is the last of my current stock.

 

[Speak Easy]

Rare Pink Short Story for me today.

 

[Bassman65]

I tried to smoke a cigar the other day. I remember enjoying them in my youth. I was also a regular cigarette smoker. Been at least a decade of more since my last cigar or cigarette. I’ve been exclusively a pipe smoker since.

Don’t know if it’s just the type I smoked, but really didn’t enjoy it. Stubbed it out and lit my pipe. Felt guilty the rest of the day for wasting my money by not finishing it.

 

[Speak Easy]

I tried to smoke a cigar the other day. I remember enjoying them in my youth. I was also a regular cigarette smoker. Been at least a decade of more since my last cigar or cigarette. I’ve been exclusively a pipe smoker since.

Don’t know if it’s just the type I smoked, but really didn’t enjoy it. Stubbed it out and lit my pipe. Felt guilty the rest of the day for wasting my money by not finishing it.

Soooooo……do you have some decade old cigars for trade?? Just kidding unless you do.

As to your experience….ive had the same with cigars I know I like. Some days I guess that’s the way it goes.

 

[BenMN]

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Having a Raices Dominicanas Pyramid made with “a special tobacco” to celebrate this:

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Congratulations!!

 

[BenMN]

Are they still going to use African Cameroon wrappers?

Apparently yeah, till it's gone which will be ??

$18.99 for a Rosado Sungrown 44 at a local B&M that doesn't do crazy mark-ups.

that's ugly. I got my box for under $10 and I think under $9 per, but I suppose it was 2 years ago..

with Padron [...] they seem to have stopped making the non-1000s sizes altogether.

I thought this too. None of my (3) local retailers could tell me anything about it. But then they really didn't stock the x000 line except for 2000s.

Then smokingpipes.com got a restock of skinnies a few months ago so ???

I know prices have gone up for a lot of things, but there is definitely a movement towards limited, special, exclusive, whatever cigars designed for the ultra-rich at crazy prices for what are again, essentially just bunched up leaves.

Amen

I don't know if it's a bubble or if it's here to stay, but if it's the former, I hope it pops, and if it's the latter, I hope enough people start voting with their wallets.

I feel like I'm finally settling in to a few brands that, to me, offer value. Joya, Aladino, and Dunbarton have been getting pretty much all my cigar money lately

There's still good cigars at reasonable prices out there.

Another brand that has my attention is Fabrica 5. While I have not yet tried them the marketing/branding (no frills, not even a box or band) appeals to me.

 

[Hutch Piper]

Enjoying a Cuba Libre The Brute on the back deck.

 

[BenMN]

Paul Garmirian Gourmet.
I think this is the last of my current stock.

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Anything worth a restock for you?

 

[TheIronMonkey]

Having an Ashton VSG Sorcerer, 7.0" x 49 by the firepit with our buddy John.

 

[BenMN]

I tried to

[...] but really didn’t enjoy it. Stubbed it out and lit my pipe. Felt guilty the rest of the day for wasting my money by not finishing it.

Bummer, sorry to hear that. I'm afraid that happens with me more than I'd like.

The way I figure it, given that we've got a good cigar to start (and that is a big assumption), then I ask 1) does the cigar have what it needs, and if so from there 2) do I actually like it?

This Padron Principe Natural smoked nice and tasted good this morning. It had what it needed and I like these


The Antaño Dark Corojo was good for a few, then a total disaster, coming back to smokable at the end after a few serious twist-pulls from the perfectdraw.

I do not think it had what it needed. I did really like the flavors of the good parts

So, into a lower RH (62-3) box for a couple months the other 4 will go. Yeah I think it will take 2 months for this 52rg to totally equalize. After that, well we will see

Here's also an Encore Majestic from yesterday that was very good. Couple years at 66rh