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golfgar

golfgar

Bueller.... Bueller...... Anyone....... Anyone?
Joined
Mar 15, 2004
Messages
6,413
As you all know starting in 2000 AD Cuba began a series of EL cigars. There is the series of regional releases, the Reservas, the LCDH exclusive, maduros, Añejados, and on and on. The Non-Cuban market has issued similar special release smokes for a long time as well. Padron, Fuente, Tatuaje, La Flor...etc., etc., each have their limited releases, aged tobacco releases and so one. In this post "double banded" means any of the aforementioned cigars. For those of us who consider this a hobby as much as a habit, finding the best ones and trying as many as possible is sometimes like chasing shadows of airplanes passing overhead on a partly cloudy day, but I consider it part of the challenge of the hobby. If this was just smoking cigars then it would be a lot easier indeed. Like one friend of mine who smokes 6 or more Double Coronas every day, the same brand, bought from the same place, on a standing order and shipped to him wherever he goes. If he wants a short smoke, he literally cuts the DC's in half. The brand may be Jose Marti or some similar brand. He has been given some of the better "double banded" variety and doesn't really care; he is a cigar smoker and not really a hobbyist IMHO.

I have chased down my fair share of these "double banded" cigars, (even though they are not all double banded by any means) and paid a tidy sum for many of them and tried as many as possible. The "double banded" sticks have been discussed here and many other places, trying to decide if this marketing tactic is worth the up-charge or not and how it affects regular production. That is not the purpose of this post. All the manufacturers are trying to maximize the profit matrix, we all know that. The question I have is simple which of "double banded" sticks you have smoked holds the top spot for you? Currently my favorite is the RA 2011 EL Allones Extra even though it's been a while since smoking one, as the inventory is below half a box.
 
I haven't smoked a lot of LE CC's, but as far as NC I would have to say it would be the Arturo Fuente Destino Siglo de Pasion.
 
NC opus X angel's share perfexcion, CC Por Larranaga RE Asia Pacifico Robustos de Larranaga. If I could afford a box of these I'd have at least one of each for sure. I'd have to say that the La Flor de Cano Asia Pacifico RE Grandiosos are really really good, at least I think so, they hit a certain sweet spot on my palette and the finish seems to last forever.
 
Even though I'm not a big fan of the regular Opus line, I have to agree with C and go with the Angel Share for non-CC.

I nevery really chased the LE's or Regionals, so my experience is very limited. I have thoroughly enjoyed the H. Upmann Mag 56 LE. While I think they are a bit over priced and I really do not like supporting the LE market, I broke down and got a box to smoke now and a box to put away.
 
EPC La Historia. While I have been very loyal to Padron, when La Historia opened up a new door and I enjoyed walking through it. When Tom ( BBS ) commented on the change of tobacco from the 2011 blend, and two great BOTL's gifted me two very aged 3000 maduro's, I could taste the change from mellow and good to the current 3000, leaning to the harsh side. La Historia took command of my palate. Then MichealD sent a CroMagnon Crainum which has me looking at the door again. Is it possible to have two favorites?
 
There have been quite a few for me. The Cohiba Sublime El 2004 , H. Upmann Magnum 50 EL 2005, Edmundo Dantes El Conde 109 RE Mexico 2007, PL Magnificos RE UK 2007, I could keep going. Have 2 ED 109's left and nearly a full box of the Mag 50's. I wish I had a few of the other two but at this point can't shell out the money for them when I can get full boxes of new releases for what 2-3 sticks cost. So to answer the question. My top would have to be the PL Magnifico though the rest are not far from it.

I had to stop buying for a few years so I missed out on a lot of the 2010/2011- 2014 RE's and LE's but there have been a few really good ones in there as well.
 
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I have some I haven't lit yet, but here are some of my favorites so far:

Bolivar Short Bolivar Asia Pacifico 2008
Bolivar Gold Medal
Bolivar Especiales #2

I guess it's safe to say that when it comes to the stuff you're talking about, for me, Bolivar has proved to do it better than most.
 
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