Atuck, good points all. I guess it depends on what you call premium. I am a giant fan of the Hemingway line, Padron Anniversaries, Don Carlos line, many of the Davidoffs, and many of the Cuban lines . I'd call them all premiums. I just do not like Opus, I think the Anejo line is so-so, except the 55 which I think is wonderful.
Budget is not an issue, I think I speak as I do because I try to be honest through my eyes, and tastebuds. I do not chase hard to finds, because I DO NOT collect and those hard to finds that I have found have generally been disappointing to me, except as I have said, the padron Millenium. I bust stones on things because cigar BB's are pretty darned boring if everyone says "yep, that (insert cigar name here) is the greatest thing I ever smoked". I have an opinion and I give it. I appreciate the art of the cigar immensly, I have books, collect art, and consider this my number one hobby. What i don't appreciate is what i consider the ripping off of the consumer. Now, I do not assume to try to convince others of this opinion. I express it as mine and mine alone. I think F/N is ripping folks off with the GoF and Forbidden series, that Ashton is ripping folks off with the ESG, that Davidoff is ripping folks off on the 100th anniversary stuff, that Padron is doing it with the 1926 and will do it BIG TIME with the 80th, and that General is ripping us off with the 150 and now the 160 etc etc.
I know there is a niche for these cigars and their price tags. I just like to point out that in MHO there are 6 dollars cigars out there that are better than the 20 dollar ones. I'm not trying to impress anyone with what I smoke, I smoke what i like and I have seen too many younger guys on these boards try to keep up with folks just to say they have X also and they get into $$$ trouble doing so.
I'm just another voice, and if you have read my stuff on CF for the five years I posted there you will know that my opinon is often contrary to the conventional wisdom. But my opinion is honest and only my own.
Specifically to the 160. My question there was an honest one, and not one meant to cause trouble, although I probably could have left out the term "money grab".
What I read over the years about the 150 was that it was generally a flat, milder cigar that was not widely considered to be worthy of the pricetag. With that being my knowledge base, I asked the question I did. I know that there are folks who like the 150, and great for you that you do. I was just curious as to why there would be high expectations considering the fact that the pre-cursor cigar was not widely regarded as a classic.
. From what you said, I doubt that you really smoke swishers. 
