sar127 said:
I've heard you guys mention more than a few times that Padron and Fuente has gone down hill in the last 7-8 yrs. Unfortunately I just started smoking in that short time. So my question is what's ya'lls go to high quality affordable brand now a days? Pepin I presume, anything else?
Great question. One of my New Year's resolutions is to not be critical of something without proposing a reasonable solution. Well, at least reasonable to me....(now is the time to shut up, IronPeddler)....

Given that, here are a couple that I can easily recommend;
http://www.illusionecigars.com/cigar/rothchildes/
These can usually be found for ~$200 / 50 smokes so that's (carry the seven) about four bucks a stick. These are wonderful smokes, and they are easy to recommend. Try Atlantic Cigar, or ask our good friend Israel about them.
http://www.espinosacigars.com/our-cigars/601-la-bomba/
...yeah, yeah, whatever. "Not recommended for new cigar smokers"....whatever. These are wonderful, rich, strong cigars that I have around and when I want a real super full Nicaraguan smoke, I'll blaze one up. They've never put me on the ground, but I did see a buddy have to take a rest after smoking one....but it may have been the half bottle of Patron he chugged....not sure....

In any event, put the hype aside and try a couple of these. I think they are really good.
http://www.atlanticcigar.com/cigars/Tatuaje-Tattoo.asp
Pete's 'Tatoo' line are really good smokes. To be honest I was more impressed with the Illusione sticks than the Tatoo lines, but taste is an across variable. I'd score a 5-er of these, give them a test drive.
sar127, it just so happens I'm clearing out my cabinet over the weekend, and if you'd PM me, I'd be happy to send along some random stuff for you to try. I'm thinking 'free' is a pretty good price.....
Cheers, guys - B.B.S.