How did you get into C&C's

[ksblazer]

I'm just curious how you got into C&C's?

While I don't smoke C&C's on a regular basis (weekly) I do like to find hidden gems especially when they are at a good value. My first ever C&C was a RyJ Coronitas in Cedro. In fact it was probably only the 3rd Cuban cigar I ever tried at that time. I recieved it as a bonus in a trade. I was all excited to get it as I hadn't smoked a Cuban cigar in a few years since recieving that one. I knew very little about Cubans too. So being excited to having a Cuban and all I saved it for my New Years smoke. After smoking it I was a little dissapointed as I had smoked better non- Cuban cigars. Shortly after that I was able to find some other forums that had more Cuban cigar talk and became more educated about Cubans. Anyway it seemed like there was always very little talk about C&C's and from my previous experience I never was to interested in learning about them either, as I only smoke 2-3 days a week in general. But after a while of gifting friends that weren't serious cigar smokers some of my better cigars and watching them only smoke half of them and pitch it. It got me thinking. Why not find a good C&C to share with them and smoke on occasion. I could also fire up a C&C if I'm in the mood for a cigar, but it dosen't have to be anything special. They would also be not as hard to pitch if I'm short on time and want a quick cigar fix. So I starting searching around about a year ago and sampled some different C&C's. After trying a few I found what I would consider to be a couple of great value cigars. I like the Partagas line so that is where I started. Mille Fleurs, Super Partagas & Petite Coronas Especial. I also gave the Upmann Regalias a try and liked them after they had a couple years on the box. Now I find that I like to keep a few C&C's in my cigar caddy at all times for these types of occasions.

[samb]

I would have to say that the C&C forum is what sparked my curiousity about C&Cs.

[jacksfull]

...curious how you got into C&C's?

It wasn't until recently that I put much focus on these sorts of CC's, or even began defining these "Cheap and Cheerfuls" as a distinctly different category. It is with the advent of this forum section and MontrealRon's excellent treatise (herein) on the subject, "A Classification of Cuban Cigars, into four "tiers", An aide for defining the "Cheap & Cheerful", that C&C's started to stand out in my mind as a group, rather than merely individual items from cheap-end of production (though they are also that).

As far as smoking them goes, it's within the last year or so that my interest in them has been heightened. My love affair with Cuban cigars began in the 1980's & 90's when a fortunate confluence of necessary overseas business travel and increasing interest in fine cigars allowed me the opportunity to occasionally explore a few dim, musty humidors filled with Cuban goodness (what with me living in a country that restricts access to Cuban products, this was a rarity).

As those trips were rather infrequent, I tended to view CC's as a once-in-while treat and, therefore, also tended to gravitate toward more storied cigar choices when the opportunity arose. It's not that I never tried the cheaper CC's then... there were certainly those times sitting in a lonely hotel room in Hong Kong that I realized I had to be pragmatic and choose between the $20 Cohiba and the $20 phone call home to my wife. Yet, at the time the world of CC's seemed pretty black & white, either world-class cigars or dregs (as in, luxuriate in a cloud of Montecristo fueled paradise or suffer through a less-than-remarkable Belinda... no offense to lovers of that extinct brand, BTW). Somehow I missed the middle-ground of many worthwhile cigars that didn't, and don't, require a great sacrifice to enjoy.

Of late, I've been bent on correcting that great lost opportunity. Perhaps I've reached another fortunate confluence, with the Internet allowing for easier and more complete comparisons (both reviews and prices) combining with Havana's changes in policy regarding handmade replacements for cigars that used to be machine made (though wiser BOTL's like MontrealRon assure me that there were decent MM's back in the day). Maybe it's just that I'm more inclined now to spend my money on CC's than NC's and my budget dictates that, either way, I must augment my trickle of more expensive cigars with a flood of reasonably priced ones.

If I had to select only a single cigar choice to smoke for the rest of my life it would be nearly impossible if it were not price-dependent (No budget restrictions? Hmmm, do I choose Cohiba Coronas Especiales or Monte 2's or Lusitanias? Something Bolivar? Or RyJ, or Juan Lopez, or SLR?). However, if price were a factor (and it almost always is), I think I would be happy enough with my Partagas Petit Corona Especiales, a solid C&C (no secret that I love these if you've run across any of my other C&C posts). Fortunately, no such limitation applies (other than the budget, of course). I happily oscillate between many of the finer CC's, respected by all, and those rebellious C&C's that I find "still worthy of being called a Baird man". I even find pleasure in certain NC's. It's a wonderful world.

[dochowl]

For me, it's simply a matter of limited budget. I love smoking the big guns, but just can't afford to stock as many of these as I would like. I have found that many of the C&Cs have great qualities, and I can happily smoke away a cigar or two a day without the guilt.

For me, I'm a huge fan of the RASCC and Partagas PCEs. Both are great everyday smokes.

[MontrealRon]

I first got into cigars as I was quitting cigarettes, around twelve years ago.

As my wife and I were raising four teenagers on two rather modest incomes,

I tried to spend no more on cigars than I previously spent on cigarettes.

My long established penchant for fine wine left me little room for other luxuries.

Here in Canada, taxes on cigars are among the highest in the world.

As I explored the scene at our local B&Ms, I tried both NCs and Cubans.

My only access to reasonably priced smokes was on our yearly summer vacations to Ocean City, MD, or very occasional weekends to Vermont or NYC.

Most of my early collection were Padrons, various Perdomos, Fuentes, Puros Indios, etc.

Still, I found myself hanging out from time to time at our local LCDH,

getting friendship and much good advice from Marc, the manager, who is still there.

It was he who turned me on to the Partagas and the R&J Mille Fleurs.

These sold for around $9, while first tier Marevas went for double.

While in time I tried most everything, other than the Cohibas,

when I went back for two of this and three of that,

I would gravitate more often to the seperate bargain room, where the deals were to be had.

When my wife and I took our first trip to Cuba together around ten years ago,

things began to change.

(My first trip to Cuba was with my ex, back in 1975; but that is another story...)

Now I had access to top quality Cubans, for a song! -

a box of Monte #2 cost $126 in those days.

Back home you could get three singles for the same price!

Our trips to Cuba became annual, and I always bought first tier cigars.

As cigar prices jumped in Cuba a few years ago, and my budget became tighter,

I began to re-discover the bargain end of the spectrum;

and as I discovered the Swiss internet merchants in 2004,

my access to Cuban cigars became exponentially greater.

I went kind of beserk, and doubled my collection over a couple of years.

Much of what I ordered was in second-tier cigars, and minutos.

While I would never waste my 50 cigars per person allowance returning from Cuba with the likes of

Partagas Chicos, PL Panetelas, Quintero Brevas, or JLPs,

the internet gave me the freedom to fully explore this aspect of Habanos.

I renewed aquaintance with some old favorites, and found many new ones.

I also developed a taste for vintage machine-mades,

some of which can still be had at reasonable prices,

though I remember seeing, and not buying, them in Cuba,

years ago, when they sold for $20-25/box!

Since I smoke most every day, I really appreciate access to cigars at affordable prices,

that, while not really complex, are tasty and satisfying.

For me, there is a time and place for everything.

[riderpride]

I was busted by customs 3 times in '09, so I've increased the amount of smokes purchased domestically. Prices being what they are up here, I decided to venture outside the top-tier Cubans, and I've been pleasanlty surprised by some of the C&Cs.

[stargazer14]

I got into smoking cigars on my trips to Europe - smoking mini's and puritos with my french friend by the fire with a fine cocktail. I took the habit home, smoking the best quality small smokes i could find in the drugstore.

I've grown up to bigger cigars now but still enjoy mini smokes of quality cuban tobacco and the search will never end.

I also enjoy finding local, non-commercial smokes on trips. Brings me a little closer to the land I am visiting.

[B.HOBS]

I started smoking with my buddies about 2 years ago and got into samplers and tastings, and really wanted to obtain cubans once I got a little experience, just like everyone else. Its the forbidden fruit for us Americans, so you just gotta have it or else! At this point there really isn't a CC marca I haven't tried at least once, and I can honestly say that Cubans are just like any other cigar - There are great ones, and then there are bad ones, regardless of how much they cost you. I have smoked super expensive cigars and really cheap ones CC and domestic. Both good and really bad...I will have to say that I feel usually much more satisfied as a whole if I can find a smoke that is both cheap and delicious. Plus, for the most part, even the smaller cubans are cheaper than the smallest cigars in the States because of taxes! So smoking one of my beloved BPC's ends up being more financially sound than going to the B&M for some Tatuajes or Padrons.

[sw15825]

Well, the internet!! Smoked ncs first for few years, then through the net started smoking ccs. I found I always went for the ccs over ncs. Also is the cost. It is cheaper to smoke ccs, and I like them better. Now another 7 years forward, I have only 10% ncs in my collection.

[cigcars]

1986 was when cigars really got my interest when I got my mom's friend a glass tubed Cuesta-Rey or something like that. Insterests in cigars grew from that point. And since Cubans were verboten for us here, it became an obsession. The rest is history...

[EuroTrash]

I tend to go through a couple sticks during the day while working since I'm self employed and my patio is the preferred office. I usually have another decent stick in the evening. I just can't afford premiums three times a day so finding decent C&C's was a budgetary necessity. Right now I'm on a box of Partagas Petit Corona Especiales. $130 or so a box makes for a reasonably priced and enjoyable hour.

[Wallbright]

I got into C&Cs mainly for the price and size. I often do not have more than an hour or hour and a half when I smoke a cigar. The C&Cs are perfect for me about 70% of the time. The rest of the time I go for something larger when time is not an issue. I also just all around prefer smaller rg in cigars. The benefit of them being cheap helps me to have humidors stocked full at all times as well as try new things regularly.

[maxcjs0101]

Dear OP, please define "a few".

[earthson]

Between engineering school and a growing family, the days where I have time for julietas/prominentes are largely gone. Minutos and PCs offer intense flavor, a good nic hit, and a reasonable smoking time.

I still buy larger cigars sometimes, but they end up aging for a while as I just don't have the time.

[randomdude]

Time available, cost and overall comfort in the weather that day (it can get pretty cold up here!) are what I narrow it down to.

[ksblazer]

Dear OP, please define "a few".

I have a 15ct cigar caddy and usually have 2-3 C&C's in there.

[maxcjs0101]

For me, it's simply a matter of limited budget. I love smoking the big guns, but just can't afford to stock as many of these as I would like. I have found that many of the C&Cs have great qualities, and I can happily smoke away a cigar or two a day without the guilt.

For me, I'm a huge fan of the RASCC and Partagas PCEs. Both are great everyday smokes.

Guess its the same with me too.

[garbandz]

I was 5 years old and my mother insisted I was spending too much money on cigars,so I had to cut back.

[santela]

I don't smoke as often as some here, so price isn't a big issue. But I am pressed for time more often than not. This is not because I am a busy man, but actually the opposite. My job is fairly relaxed, and I usually get off work an hour earlier than the wife, this means I have an one hour window to smoke. Now I also need about 15 minutes to make myself a cup of coffee before, and brush my teeth after, meaning I can get away with smoking a minuto or mareva without the wife finding out.

This is how I got into C&C's.

[chefred]

Under pAid and over worked line cook. I'm supporting my fiancee through nursing school as best as I can on my meager wage. I have some nice things in my humidor but I gravitate towards c&c because it's really all I can afford on a regular basis

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[CUBANO]

In 1999 my aunt came from Cuba for a family visit and brought some cigars. Got hooked since then.

[wookiemofo]

About to get into C&Cs... the cause... budget, budget and budget

[shlomo]

A good cigar has nothing to do with the cost of a cigar. Cuba has always packed some incredible flavours into small and highly affordable packages.

[wookiemofo]

A good cigar has nothing to do with the cost of a cigar. Cuba has always packed some incredible flavours into small and highly affordable packages.

Exactly

[jdo2110]

"still worthy of being called a Baird man".

Nice SOAW reference! ; )

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