boutique cigars question

[Fyodor]

I am curious if anyone has tried Oneoff or Padilla Miami 8&11 cigars and what you think of them. I find the concept of small "boutique" cigar companies pretty interesting. I like the idea of suporting the little guy with the serious passion for cigars instead of the multi-million dollar corporations who are in it mostly just for the money. I'm a big fan of Tatuaje cigars, I would like to try these other brands too but they don't seem to be easy to find. I've found boxes on the internet but I would rather try a single first or at least hear some favorable opinions before comiting to the box purchase. Any thoughts?

 

[tjm5019]

i would also like to try 1 or 2 I have heard GREAT things about them, the PAdilla especially, but have yet to try any of their variety. Also, i would even more love to try a tatuaje, but haven't. Heard great things about both though!

 

[fetterjohn]

I think that it always comes down to personal preferrence... I love Tatuaje cigars and I have a few Oneoff cigars sitting in my humi, that I have not tried yet, but I have them and one day I will (maybe soon, now). But, yes, supprting those little guys is a good thing to do, IMHO. Just like supporting your local B&M instead of always ordering online to save a few bucks...give some back to the community and sit with your local guy and smoke one with him! :thumbs: Especially if he/she has their own line of cigars that they sell...

-Fetter

 

[Fyodor]

Well said Fetter. Let me know what you thought of that Oneoff when you do get around to smoking it.

 

[emodx]

I think that it always comes down to personal preferrence... I love Tatuaje cigars and I have a few Oneoff cigars sitting in my humi, that I have not tried yet, but I have them and one day I will (maybe soon, now). But, yes, supprting those little guys is a good thing to do, IMHO. Just like supporting your local B&M instead of always ordering online to save a few bucks...give some back to the community and sit with your local guy and smoke one with him! :thumbs: Especially if he/she has their own line of cigars that they sell...

-Fetter

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A lot depends on if the local guy tries to be competitive in pricing or if he out of touch with reality.

Back to the question, I haven't tried the brands you mentioned. But I have smoked La Luna's which is Gael's company in Miami FL. I know for a fact he has something that will please almost any smoker. Also, El Original is a boutique cigar out of Key Largo FL which is pretty good. Cuban Crafters out of Miami make decent cigars. I have had their name brand line, but I believe they also sell Don Kiki cigars, which I have heard good and bad things on. Did you do a CP or CW search on the brands you are interested in?

Emo

 

[junkman_56]

I have had a couple of Oneoff corona's and really enjoyed them.
Medium to full flavored, lots of smoke and a good draw.
I just can't find them anymore.

 

[Strayvector]

I have had a couple of Oneoff corona's and really enjoyed them.
Medium to full flavored, lots of smoke and a good draw.
I just can't find them anymore.

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Always wondered how good these were. My local shop has them in the bargain bin with a buy one get one free sign on them. No idea the price though.

 

[Fyodor]

I found this info on the internet about Oneoff-

The Oneoff Corona is a sweet looking cigar - dark, oily, and silky smooth. The Oneoff cigar line is a group effort from the one of the former editors of Cigar Aficionado, A.G. Molinari (who owns Italy's largest airline), and Alejandria Robaina. Robaina is one of Cuba's most respected tobacco farmers, and who makes the famed Robaina brand.

Can this possibly be true? Seems strange for Robaina to be making a Nicaraguan Cigar. Sure would be interesting though. For the moment I don't think I believe it. Here's the link-

http://www.savoreachglass.com/cigars/tip.php/80

P.S. If this company is owned by the owner of Italy's largest airline, there goes my supporting the little guy theory.

 

[Eshaw99]

Not a big oneoff fan. I never had a Tatuaje untile a couple of weeks ago when cigarsarge sent me a couple. That was a nice little smoke.

 

[Fyodor]

Well to answer my own question, it's Robaina's nephew who is helping make these cigars not Robaina himself. I don't know about you guys but these cigars seem interesting to me. I'm changing my mind about the Padilla's, the Padilla brothers look like dorks in that ad in Cigar Aficianado. Just kidding I'll still give em a try.

 

[cigardawg]

I have smoked the Oneoffs. Three different sizes. Not a bad smoke. Medium to full bodied, great construction. My problem, however, is the price. For what one pays for these, I could be smoking a PAM or Opus...I'd rather smoke the PAM or Opus. If the cigars cost about 1/2 of what they do, the Oneoff would be a good smoke.

I have not tried the Padilla 8/11 Miami blend (or whatever it is called). I am interested in doing so, though. I have smoked the Padilla Hybrid in the past and believe it to be a good smoke. I have met the Padilla guys at the RTDA...kind of gooberish, but they believe in their product. The Miami blend is their move into the "super premium" world of boutique cigars. If you have not tried the hybrid blend from Padilla, smoke it. I know that Cigar Insider scored it a 91...not that it means anything, but I found it to be pretty good.

 

[The Master]

The one problem with boutique cigars is consistency. Most do not have access to a ton of aged tobacco so the blends can change from batch to batch.

 

[BlindedByScience]

.....But I have smoked La Luna's which is Gael's company in Miami FL. I know for a fact he has something that will please almost any smoker. Also, El Original is a boutique cigar out of Key Largo FL which is pretty good.....

Emo

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Got to chime in on the LaLuna's....very nice smokes. Give Gael a call (not taking orders from his website anymore) and he'll tell you what's in stock. Their "SeriesR" colada's (small vitola) are one of my favorite "AM with coffee" smokes. Like many smokes, the LaLuna's I've bought lately really need some down time on them to smooth out and show what's there....four to six months make a huge difference.

Regards - B.B.S.

 

[syrinx]

I have had a oneoff and it was okay... reminded me of a drew estates or lars in construction and presentation. A little dusty tasting but okay- and i could see it being a niche flavor profile. Padillas I had the great pleasure of sampling direct from the manufacturer. I was part of a tasting where I received a maduro churchill, a nat robusto, and a hybrid rob. All smelled wonderful,smoked poorly and had serious issues with construction. I have since had a couple others and they were okay construction wise, but didn`t have the same richness of flavor. What is odd in thinking about these two brands- oneoff kind of brought the pigtail mainstream in NC cigars, and padilla has the slickest triple cap this side of you know where! Funny how both brands spent so much effort on the cap. But that is really what botique anything is about- packaging and placement first. I hope this doesn`t sound too negative, as I would enjoy another of either at anytime- they have potential!

 

[MiamiCubano]

Have to say about the Oneoff's....not a huge, huge fan. Wouldn't turn them down mind you, but I bought a couple of torpedos once (after a really long time of trying to track some down) and they just didn't live up to the hype, nor my expectations. Had a bit of burn problem too. But, not a *bad* cigar as sticks go.

As for the Padillas...not bad either. I enjoy those from time to time. And, I forget now, but whoever mentioned the Tatuajes...boy howdy are those fine smokes. I love 'em. Definitely would recommend 'em if you come across them.

Also once picked up a couple of...I think they were called Lempira. From Tropical Cigars here on South Beach anyway. Not bad at all. Worth a try anyway. That was long ago though, so, you know how it can be with those boutiquey cigars...here today, gone tomorrow. May not be around anymore.