El Cheapo Smoke of the Day - 2024

[CBoukal]

Well, it's 2024. With inflation, the El Cheapo criteria is $4.

We DO get a high roller here every now and then, but usually by mistake.


View attachment 87213

I’ve seen this picture before at a truck stop, I don’t remember if I was suppose to call him for a good time or call 911

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

I’ve seen this picture before at a truck stop, I don’t remember if I was suppose to call him for a good time or call 911

@CBoukal - It must have been this one. I'm hanging on the wall in most U.S. Post Offices, as well.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

< $3 - La Palina Nicaragua Oscuro 6 x 50. About six bucks online.

Nicaraguan (Tabacalera Fernandez) with Nicaraguan long fillers and binder, and an Ecuadorian Oscuro wrapper.

Medium.

Finished up a motorcycle rescue flat tire by flashlight, and then fired up this nice stick.

 

[cabaiguan juan]

Cigars International was running a sale on some of my go-to El Cheapo sticks. At $2.12 ea/delivered, this was a great deal. They're typically about $4.50.

5 Vegas Gold Robusto 20 box, and 5 Vegas Classic Corona 25 box.

The Gold is a mellow+ stick that's sorta creamy, with a bit of spice. The Classic is a medium with light spice, and a bit more complex.

These are different style boxes from the last order. I think I like these new boxes.


View attachment 87084View attachment 87085

First 5 Vega I had was post golf. Very nice.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Casa Torano at $2.09. Typically $6, but you can usually find a sale.

Honduran, with Dominican/Nicaraguan long fillers- Nicaraguan binder - Ecuador Connecticut wrapper.

Mellow/medium, with a bit of spice.

Puffy rating:

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

< $0.91 delivered - La Finca. 6 x 50. 91 medium+ Nicaraguan sticks in a big green box that resembles an ammo can.

JR Cigars had a sweet sale on these, and then I had a coupon. I know that you're surprised. Special thanks to @CBoukal for the tip !

The "MDF ammo box" construction is a bit different. It's some manner of lightweight plastic lid coupled with MDF (particle board) bottom box that's covered with a plastic/vinyl film.. The literature says that it's "rugged air tight" but there's no seal - the lid simply sits on the top - hinged in the back, and a turnbuckle sort of a hasp in the front. Definitely not rugged either. I was thinking that the earlier renditions of this were metal ammo boxes and they neglected to change the description.

Excellent El Cheapo stick.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

< $1.50 Cuban Rounds - 7 x 48. Typically 20 sticks/$45 online.

Mellow/Medium mixed-filler Nicaraguan stick with light spice.

Well constructed and well behaved.

Puffy rating: and 3/4

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

$2.54. Another selection from the recent Cigar Page 41 stick sampler.

A 5-pack at C.I. this morning is $63, but these are frequently on sale.

Oliva Master Blend 3 in a full strength, box pressed 5 x 50.

Nicaraguan, with a sun grown Connecticut broadleaf wrapper.

Puffy rating: 1/3

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

About $5 online, every day. Cigar Page had these for a buck-fifty back in February of this year, with free shipping - and I had a coupon.

This is a nice medium + stick from Nicaragua, with Ometepe filler/binders and an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper.

Puffy rating:

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

$2.59 Padilla Series '68 Original. A box of 20 will set you back $65 at Cigar Page today.

Mellow/medium stick from Honduras with a Corojo wrapper. Smooth and tasty.

You should try one of these.

 

[MX]

$2.59 Padilla Series '68 Original. A box of 20 will set you back $65 at Cigar Page today.

Mellow/medium stick from Honduras with a Corojo wrapper. Smooth and tasty.

You should try one of these.

View attachment 87355

I remember when Padilla's were actually a really good brand, then I think they sold, and were never the same, or maybe my taste just changed

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

I remember when Padilla's were actually a really good brand, then I think they sold, and were never the same, or maybe my taste just changed

I got a couple of these in a sampler, and then I bought a box (on sale, of course) - and then I bought another box.
I like the medium-ish smokes, without a lot of spice. These fit that bill nicely.

 

[rbbrock]

I remember when Padilla's were actually a really good brand, then I think they sold, and were never the same, or maybe my taste just changed

I still have a few of the old Padilla Miami 8&11 (I think) that were made by Pepin. They're pretty good. Haven't tried the newer stuff.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

"Handcrafted since 1972 in Estelí. Medium to full in body with a nutty, naturally sweet flavor. La Finca was also one of the least expensive cigars to receive excellent ratings in “Smoke” and “Cigar Aficionado.”

< $0.92

You know you want one ...

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

$2.54, Oliva "G" Cameroon. - from a Cigar Page mondo sampler

The sun is going down on a perfect evening.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

$2.81 Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 from a C.I. "mystery sampler". About $11 every day.

"Honduran, with Dominican and Nicaraguan Ligero draped in a Honduran Broadleaf wrapper"

Medium+

Excellent construction, nice draw, and a perfect burn.

Puffy Rating: and 3/16ths

 

[NewGuy]

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Did ya ever fish a Lancero out of the box, and decide that you didn't have the time ?

Well, here's the solution.

< $2 Oliva G - Cameroon.
Does this half Lancero make it < $1

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

1.40 Rocky Patel "Cargo" 6 x 52.

A dark Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper over Nicaraguan "sandwich-style" filler.

Medium.

I've smoked half a dozen out of this bundle, and they've all been well behaved.

Not too shabby.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Montecristo original.

A medium Dominican with medium spice - all rolled up in a shade grown Connecticut wrapper.

It's way too nice for the El Cheapo thread, but hey, it was under three bucks as a "bonus buy".