What Cigar Are You Smoking? 2025

[Christos D. Tsatsaronis]

A friend cut in half his Toscano Classico some days ago, smoked his part and gifted me the other.
I'm smoking it now to my friend's good health, pairs very well with the caramel-vanilla flavoured coffee.

 

[IrishBadger]

I've been meaning to try these, specially the little HoxD size

@cshubhra I think you are on to something. I just went a few days with no "habit" smoking and everything was better. Even the little Oliva O from yesterday was pretty good

This '23 Black Label Novemdiales reminded me why I used to love this brand. Just excellent
View attachment 441819
The nearly irredeemable plug in the cap/head area reminded me why I don't buy them anymore. 3 stabs over the course of the smoke perfectly fixed the issue, but I'm really not lookin to do that too much

Now you got me worried. I have a fiver in the humidor of these I haven't tried yet. Do not like fighting plugs!

 

[BenMN]

Now you got me worried. I have a fiver in the humidor of these I haven't tried yet. Do not like fighting plugs!

Got a perfectdraw? Seriously, love that company. My cigar would have been unsmokeable without

Black Label can be so good when they get it right

It's not always plugs, sometimes it's too loose. Halfwheel had a couple loosies and they keep RH a good bit higher than I do

Black Label Trading Co. Bishops Blend Novemdiales Robusto

To help celebrate the company's 10th anniversary, Black Label Trading Co. has taken its popular Bishops Blend and changed up the blend. Novemdiales features a Pennsylvania broadleaf wrapper instead of the Ecuadorian habano leaf that has previously been used for Bishops Blend.

halfwheel.com

Something else, and you might have noticed this on my picture. Especially on pointed/torpedo shaped heads- I start with a smaller cut. If too loose this can (somewhat) mitigate the issue. I did 2 additional small cuts beyond what my picture shows. Still, it needed the stabs, solid tobacco .75" up. Roller must have really pressed down when forming that pointed head

 

[IrishBadger]

Got a perfectdraw? Seriously, love that company. My cigar would have been unsmokeable without

Black Label can be so good when they get it right

It's not always plugs, sometimes it's too loose. Halfwheel had a couple loosies and they keep RH a good bit higher than I do

Black Label Trading Co. Bishops Blend Novemdiales Robusto

To help celebrate the company's 10th anniversary, Black Label Trading Co. has taken its popular Bishops Blend and changed up the blend. Novemdiales features a Pennsylvania broadleaf wrapper instead of the Ecuadorian habano leaf that has previously been used for Bishops Blend.

halfwheel.com

Something else, and you might have noticed this on my picture. Especially on pointed/torpedo shaped heads- I start with a smaller cut. If too loose this can (somewhat) mitigate the issue. I did 2 additional small cuts beyond what my picture shows. Still, it needed the stabs, solid tobacco .75" up. Roller must have really pressed down when forming that pointed head

View attachment 441890

@BenMN Thank you sir. I've wondered about Perfectdraw for some time. My favorite cigar reviewer advocates for this tool quite a bit. Up till now I just try to massage the plug loose and that is usually insufficient at best. As cold as it is today probably a good time for online shopping Appreciate the guidance
Cheers

 

[cshubhra]

Gurkha Black Dragon.

 

[Revnatorade C.P.G.]

@BenMN Thank you sir. I've wondered about Perfectdraw for some time. My favorite cigar reviewer advocates for this tool quite a bit. Up till now I just try to massage the plug loose and that is usually insufficient at best. As cold as it is today probably a good time for online shopping Appreciate the guidance
Cheers

I will also add to how amazing perfect draw is. Ive had two Cohiba Maduro number 5's that were totally plugged. wlWithout the perfect draw tool I would've had to throw them out at 75 bucks a piece as they were unsmokable. Its a worthy investment.

 

[Speak Easy]

I’ve never used a perfect draw, but the pick on a pipe tool has gotten me out of a bind a time or two.

 

[Revnatorade C.P.G.]

 

[BenMN]

@BenMN Thank you sir. I've wondered about Perfectdraw for some time. My favorite cigar reviewer advocates for this tool quite a bit. Up till now I just try to massage the plug loose and that is usually insufficient at best. As cold as it is today probably a good time for online shopping Appreciate the guidance
Cheers

You are very welcome

Katman? One of my favorites too

The massage trick is a good one, and has its place for sure

Joya Antaño Dark "Azarosa" 4.5 X 52


Bought a fiver back in July, patiently waited 3 months, smoked one and loved the flavors but not the burn (even but snug). Dropped 2 into my 62RH box to sit for 2 months and here we are burning so nice and happy we understand why Saka uses the Joya factory

 

[IrishBadger]

You are very welcome

Katman? One of my favorites too

The massage trick is a good one, and has its place for sure

Joya Antaño Dark "Azarosa" 4.5 X 52

View attachment 442040
Bought a fiver back in July, patiently waited 3 months, smoked one and loved the flavors but not the burn (even but snug). Dropped 2 into my 62RH box to sit for 2 months and here we are burning so nice and happy we understand why Saka uses the Joya factory

Excellent! You mentioned Saka. His artistry with cigar blends is incredible. Just got a fiver today of Emerald Fish. Will let them rest for 2 or 3 months and then take one for a spin. Always something to look forward to.

 

[BenMN]

Excellent! You mentioned Saka. His artistry with cigar blends is incredible. Just got a fiver today of Emerald Fish. Will let them rest for 2 or 3 months and then take one for a spin. Always something to look forward to.

Nice!

I love the Mi Querida 448. The Duque from earlier this year was excellent. I have a couple Mi Querida Blacks lined up that I'm looking forward to, as well as a few Bronzebacks. I've never tried either (or the Emerald Fish)- have you?

*didn't care for the Polpetta right off the shelf, but they sang w 6 months

I'm putting this Antaño Dark down at an hour +15 (fully smoked). Strong/ full for sure

 

[cshubhra]

I’ve never used a perfect draw, but the pick on a pipe tool has gotten me out of a bind a time or two. View attachment 441947

Perfect Draw is way better than the pipe tool. I have a couple of problems with Perfect draw.

Best time to use perfect draw is before lighting up. I cannot predict whether my cigar is plugged before lighting up. However it does a very good job even after lighting up.

Perfect draw is quite sharp. I once unplugged my thumb while trying to unplug a cigar. That was the last plugged cigar I smoked but next time I do need to be more careful

 

[cshubhra]

Gurkha 125 Anniversary

 

[IrishBadger]

Nice!

I love the Mi Querida 448. The Duque from earlier this year was excellent. I have a couple Mi Querida Blacks lined up that I'm looking forward to, as well as a few Bronzebacks. I've never tried either (or the Emerald Fish)- have you?

*didn't care for the Polpetta right off the shelf, but they sang w 6 months

I'm putting this Antaño Dark down at an hour +15 (fully smoked). Strong/ full for sure

Solita Red was the last and it was awesome. I have the Duque and Barba Amarilla in my humidor waiting patiently. Usually smoke Umbagog and regular Solitas. Aren't Bronzebacks Umbagog with a different wrapper?

 

[cshubhra]

Caldwell Cigars Long Live The Queen Natural

 

[BayouGhost]

Close enough to New Years to indulge. E.P. Carillo Pledge.

 

[Revnatorade C.P.G.]

Caldwell Cigars Long Live The Queen Natural

View attachment 442161

The Maduro is amazing.

 

[Revnatorade C.P.G.]

View attachment 442209
Close enough to New Years to indulge. E.P. Carillo Pledge.

Great cigar.

 

[cshubhra]

The Maduro is amazing.

Yes. I got a sampler of both a couple of weeks back. Even fresh out of the package it was quite good. With some rest in my humidor it should be amazing

 

[cshubhra]

Padron 1926 Serie Natural