JohnS Posted November 13, 2015 Share Posted November 13, 2015 José L. Piedra. It's not a cigar that gets much attention amongst Cigar enthusiasts, but it is a huge seller for Habanos S.A. Re-introduced in 1996 after a temporary discontinuation in 1990, it's a short filler cigar that is amongst the seven global brands. Do you keep a regular stock of José L. Piedra in your humidor? If you do, how would you describe its flavour profile and which vitola do you prefer? Personally, I have not minded short filler cigars (Por Larranaga Panatelas), but I've not tried José L. Piedra yet. I'm interested in hearing your views. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smallclub Posted November 13, 2015 Share Posted November 13, 2015 I keep a regular stock of Petit Cazadores since 2007. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post NSXCIGAR Posted November 13, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted November 13, 2015 I rediscovered JLP about 3 months ago and I've been absolutely loving them. Been smoking through a vendor's 2013 stock currently. They don't look the best but the good ones in the box could pass for any premium stick on a bad day. Construction has been fine for me. Some do seem underfilled or have soft spots but they burn right on most of the time. They sometimes arrive with some cracked feet and a bit of flaky wrapper but it's never been an issue. About 10% can draw either too firm or too open but not to the point of unsmokeability. The taste is a very medium toasted tobacco and pleasant grassy/herbal flavor. Decent amount of Cuban twang. Never bland. Not complex but not what I'm looking for in these. The flavor is certainly there. Out of the 200+ sticks I've smoked the last 3 months I'd say maybe 5-10 were a bit off. The rest delivered. They certainly don't taste like inferior tobacco in any way. Not the best of course but far from the worst. I recall smoking some Quintero (not Favoritos) last year that just tasted like hay with no rich flavors. Not these JLPs. And at less than two bucks for pretty much all models I'm having a hard time dropping any coin on anything more expensive. I mean, these JLPs aren't the best but is any other marca 3 times better? Even the Favoritos are over $3 each at their cheapest. I can honestly say I've had premium duds a lot worse than these average JLPs. When they're really flavorful you'll think you're smoking a premium stick. Sometimes I just shake my head when smoking them in disbelief that the price is so low. Again, they're not going to blow you away, but I'm very rarely, if ever, disappointed which is more than I can say for some premium marcas... I highly recommend them at the price. I prefer the Petit Cetros but there's not a lot of variation between models. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helix Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 Spot on NSX couldn't have said it better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
planetary Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 My time with cigars is limited, and a personal luxury. I own no JLPs, and don't see myself seeking them out, unless they begin to offer something special that I can't get elsewhere. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helix Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 that's the thing they can afford you more time with cigars...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
planetary Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 that's the thing they can afford you more time with cigars...... My situation is such that saving a few bucks isn't going to get me more time with cigars -- just more cigars. All I'm saying is that when it comes to this hobby, I am willing to spend a bit more to get the higher quality sticks. I will buy the different brands to get some variety in flavor profile, because I find that enjoyable. If given the chance, I am quite willing to try JLP. Now, I don't care about short vs long filler as such -- just the smoking experience. I want something that can reach or exceed PE/HQ levels of quality from most other marcas. If JLP can do that, I'm in. If not (and I assume it can't because I assume a rough correlation between maximum quality level with filler length), then I'll spend my coin elsewhere. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PigFish Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 I have never smoked any that I thought were any good, really with buying. The idea of a good inexpensive cigar suits me, as long as the descriptor 'good' remains. Since I have many great cigars, there has simply been no need to continue to 'try' them. I gave them a shot, while not an extensive one and I was left not wanting more. Cheers! -Piggy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSXCIGAR Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 ...I want something that can reach or exceed PE/HQ levels of quality from most other marcas. If JLP can do that, I'm in. If not (and I assume it can't because I assume a rough correlation between maximum quality level with filler length), then I'll spend my coin elsewhere. JLP certainly isn't going to deliver that. And I totally understand. The best JLPs I've had top out at maybe a 90/100 so if you're looking for a more rewarding smoke you're not going to get it there. At best, JLP is a cigar that keeps you smoking, as helix indicates. I smoke 3-5 cigars a day so JLP is great for that and the budget. I don't feel bad about putting one out halfway if necessary. And it's a great outdoor/golf cigar. If you drop it, no worries! But if you are an infrequent smoker and like to settle in and enjoy a great smoke and price isn't too much of a concern than JLP might not be for you. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PointFivePast Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 I love JLP. Recently found a box of cazadores from 2011 (!?!) and they are smoking quite well. Time seems to soften any harshness on these. Overall, JLP flavors are definitely toasted tobacco, decent amount of twang and some grass/sweet alfalfa in my mind. As others have said, they aren't going to replace your ultra premium CC anytime soon but they are quite decent and can even be surprisingly good. The one thing they lack is complexity; not a lot of changes in the course of a short-filler stick like these. That being said, for the price they are fantastic. Definitely one that I keep on hand for the times when I want a cigar but don't have the time/palate to enjoy a more premium smoke at 3x the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
potpest Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 I have been through a few of the cazadores and quite like them. Similar to Montes in profile with chocolate and coffee flavours. I don't smoke them regularly but have around 15 in the humi which I'm having one a year just out of interest to see where they end up with age. Sent from my Wileyfox Swift using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomF Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 I've not tried them, but I'd certainly like to try them. Sounds like a good way to slow down the consumption of those beauties I'd really like to keep in the humidor for several years but can't help smoking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bugman78629 Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 José L. Piedra. It's not a cigar that gets much attention amongst Cigar enthusiasts, but it is a huge seller for Habanos S.A. Re-introduced in 1996 after a temporary discontinuation in 1990, it's a short filler cigar that is amongst the seven global brands. Do you keep a regular stock of José L. Piedra in your humidor? If you do, how would you describe its flavour profile and which vitola do you prefer? Personally, I have not minded short filler cigars (Por Larranaga Panatelas), but I've not tried José L. Piedra yet. I'm interested in hearing your views. I always feel a 5 pack-er handy........ a little light for my taste; but nice to visit now and again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helix Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 Well said.. .. "Definitely one that I keep on hand for the times when I want a cigar but don't have the time/palate to enjoy a more premium smoke at 3x the price." "Sounds like a good way to slow down the consumption of those beauties I'd really like to keep in the humidor for several years but can't help smoking." . "But if you are an infrequent smoker and like to settle in and enjoy a great smoke and price isn't too much of a concern than JLP might not be for you." 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dicko Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 I've had a box and had singles along the journey as well but I would rather pay a bit more and go for a boli PC or party shorts or what not. decent smokes for sure though. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shlomo Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 As I said in the Diplo thread, I would make a large wager stating that JLP is one of the top 3 selling marca per vitola. EASILY outpacing Bolivar, Ramon Allones, SLR, Diplomatico, Trinidad, Rafael Gonzalez, SCDLH, Vegas Robaina.....combined. Perhaps our host vendor doesn't sell as much as other vendors due to the forum, but duty free? Gas stations and convenience stores worldwide? RyJ and JLP. The golden brands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnS Posted November 14, 2015 Author Share Posted November 14, 2015 As I said in the Diplo thread, I would make a large wager stating that JLP is one of the top 3 selling marca per vitola. EASILY outpacing Bolivar, Ramon Allones, SLR, Diplomatico, Trinidad, Rafael Gonzalez, SCDLH, Vegas Robaina.....combined. Perhaps our host vendor doesn't sell as much as other vendors due to the forum, but duty free? Gas stations and convenience stores worldwide? RyJ and JLP. The golden brands. I concur. Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta and José L. Piedra would account for 50% of Cuban cigar sales worldwide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattW Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 I've had a few, mainly when I was very new to Cuban cigars. I don't mind them, but I would never deliberately buy any more to be honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordAnubis Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 I wouldn't have thought the JLP would sell a lot! I'm surprised. I've never seen them in places that sell cigars other than specialists, and i wouldn't think a cigar enthusiast would go in to buy bulk loads of them. Sure many enthusiasist would buy a box or two here and there to try them and sotre them, but wouldn't have thought they would be a big seller. In duty frees that i've been through they are never really in display or in your face as cohibas and RyJ. Dodgy retailers buying bulk loads of JLP and then "plain packaging" them as a cohiba ... that i can believe... can someone trend sales VS plain packaging laws ?? On to their profile. Very basic for me. Toasted tobacco with sometimes a Almond or coffee flavour in the background. A good cigar to smoke when you just don't care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PointFivePast Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 On to their profile. Very basic for me. Toasted tobacco with sometimes a Almond or coffee flavour in the background. A good cigar to smoke when you just don't care. I think this is the key for me. There are many times that I enjoy pulling out my notebook and really delving in to a cigar; finding the essence of the blend and noting it. The JLP is not for those times. It is for the times that I am smoking with friends and have already gone through two cigars in the evening plus countless glasses of various alcohols; I am a bit tipsy and starting to lose any sense of taste. For those days when I am doing coursework for university and should be focused on my studies, not my cigar. For the times when I arrive home from work, stressed and feisty, wanting nothing but whiskey and an hour long smoke to calm my nerves. This is JLP time. It's like a Labrador Retriever; not the flashiest or most intriguing dog, but a damned fine companion. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordAnubis Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 Absolutely agree... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSXCIGAR Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 As I said in the Diplo thread, I would make a large wager stating that JLP is one of the top 3 selling marca per vitola... You would win that bet. It was the #3 marca as of early 2009 according to CCW, up from tied for fourth with Cohiba in 2006. What's incredible is that in 2006, while tied with Cohiba for fourth place in total sales it brought in only 2% of all HSA revenue vs 20% for Cohiba. Talk about a markup! Even more amazing is that while JLP represents around 11% of all sales the Monte 4 alone accounts for 8% of all HSA sales. They're cranking out 10 million + Monte 4s every year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duxnutz Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 Found a plethora of 10+ yr JLP Brevas, Cazadores etc in the UAE years ago. $20 odd USD a bundle. Mongrel has smoothed out somewhat and I find them still pleasantly strong. A gem. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyAccardo Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 When I bought from an LCDH in Canada I purchased quite a few boxes. But since Rob doesn't put up Piedra (and why would he) , we at FOH, really aren't exposed to the brand all that much. I like the Cazadores and the Conservas although a lot of folks say the Conservas are the worst outta the lineup. I think those people probably just hate Piedra regardless. They're pretty uniform in flavor, construction, and burn across all vitolas and you really can't go wrong with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sactochris Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 I bought a 5X5 of Conservas back in February, from another vendor and they were from Dec of 2011. They were tough to be beat for the money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.png.e2a46b57b5880109ddf171d1b6f9daea.png)
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now