treberty Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 Great thread. Thanks. The Petit Cazadores is a bargain indeed.... IMO 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phreedh Posted August 3, 2015 Author Share Posted August 3, 2015 I've never had the JLP brevas but I enjoy the Quinteros brevas pretty often. I'm looking forward to try the Quinteros Brevas, I have it waiting for me. I'll move it to the front of the queue while I have the JLP Brevas fresh in memory. Today I picked up the remaining 16 from the box of JLP Conservas above. Will be interesting to sample box consistency. They were mid 2013, as were the Brevas and Favoritos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlharp Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 JLP's can be hit or miss, but for the price are always worth a shot. Even a mediocre one is quite good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phreedh Posted August 10, 2015 Author Share Posted August 10, 2015 Quintero Londres Extra (40 x 123, Petit Corona, Short Filler) Avg price: $3.07 Price ratio: 79 Did I like it: A little Will I buy it: No At first: Nothing Extra about this Londres. Later on: ... it started raining. In conclusion: A thunderstorm picked up while I smoked this cigar, so I lost my notes. I do however remember the general verdict (which is what's really the point of these mini reviews). I found the taste and flavours enjoyable but unremarkable. It's such an unremarkable cigar in all aspects that I can't recommend it. The blend is most likely the same as other Quinteros, and with other vitolas (both bigger and smaller) available the Londres Extra is very "in between" in every way. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post phreedh Posted August 12, 2015 Author Popular Post Share Posted August 12, 2015 Quintero Nacionales or Brevas (41 x 140, Corona, Short Filler) Avg price: $3.25 Price ratio: 90 Did I like it: Sure! Will I buy it: Nah... At first: Very one-dimensional (albeit tasty) tobacco flavour. Dominant sweetness. Later on: Carries on in the same vein. Tobacco, sweetness. A little cuban twang. In conclusion: I enjoyed this in the dusk (hence the dark photo) in a lawn chair star gazing (looking for the Perseids). I'm not sure if this was the Brevas or Nacionales, but I think it was the Nacionales. Bought both at the same time and didn't mark them... Regardless, it was a pretty nicely constructed cigar (which is why I think it was the Nacionales). The flavours were remarkably one dimensional, with nothing but tobacco and sweetness going on. On the other hand, the flavour was rich and enjoyable, with a thick viscous smoke. Not bad at all! No dryness or bitterness. I might get a fiver to tuck away a few years to compare with the JLPs of the same size, but this specimen alone was not enough to win me over. By the way, this is the tenth review so far in this series! Thanks for reading and commenting - I'm having a ball trucking through these cheapies! 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phreedh Posted August 19, 2015 Author Share Posted August 19, 2015 Quintero Brevas or Nacionales (41 x 140, Corona, Short Filler) Avg price: $2.66 Price ratio: 109 Did I like it: Probably Will I buy it: Uncertain At first: Bitterness, tasty Cuban, cedar. Later on: More cedar, more bitterness, still tasty, also almonds. In conclusion: I'm pretty sure something was wrong with this cigar. No idea what. I have never tasted such foul bitterness, both in the smoke and on the lips. Very strong cedar flavours coupled with the bitterness made me put it down early. There were some enjoyable aromas in there too but the bitterness really made it hard to pick anything out. Almonds, almost like french nougat, and a hint of leather wafting through it all. Most of all, it felt more complex than the other same size Quintero I had. Out of all Quinteros, so far, I think this was the most interesting one. In spite of the bitterness... go figure. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phreedh Posted August 19, 2015 Author Share Posted August 19, 2015 I cracked the remains of the cigar open today, to inspect and found nothing out of the ordinary. However, a strong perfumey odour came from the filler. I'm wondering if it's something in the tobacco that can cause this, as I've had the same sensation in one brand of Swedish snus from time to time. Only in that one single brand, mind. Never noticed it in cigars before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post phreedh Posted August 23, 2015 Author Popular Post Share Posted August 23, 2015 Romeo y Julieta Mille Fleurs (42 x 129, Petit Corona) Avg price: $5.29 Price ratio: 53 Did I like it: Yes Will I buy it: A few, but not a box At first: Perfumey leathery handbag goodness, peppery. Later on: Floral notes, tons of pepper, fine tobacco. In conclusion: Savoured this on the pier after a swim, with the sun going down. It might impact my verdict, but it was a very nice cigar. The difference between proper long-filler cheapies and the short-fillers makes me question if it's even worth bothering with the JLP, Quinteros and such. Regardless, this was one peppery smoke. Mixed with strong floral notes and a little leather I got a definitive sensation of "handbag". You know, the refined aroma mix of cigarette tobacco, make up, perfume, chewing gum and leather. The peppery side might be explained with me having a ginger, orange and carrot smoothie some 30 minutes before smoking this. I'd love to get a few more to see if the pepper persists. I'm not sure the profile perfectly fit my preference so I don't see this as a box purchase for me, but would definitely recommend someone to try it. It's definitely a contender for the "refined cheapie" category. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrubber Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 As a newbie to cigars this thread and all of your reviews are extremely helpful. Obviously being new I don't want to spend big coin on cigars that I may not like so your reviews help and will allow me to by some C&Cs so that I can figure out exactly what suits my palate. Thanks a lot. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phreedh Posted August 24, 2015 Author Share Posted August 24, 2015 Cheers Scrubber, I'm happy you find it useful. Welcome to the siblinghood of the leaf! =) As a newbie to cigars this thread and all of your reviews are extremely helpful. Obviously being new I don't want to spend big coin on cigars that I may not like so your reviews help and will allow me to by some C&Cs so that I can figure out exactly what suits my palate. Thanks a lot. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dimmers Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Well done, what an odyssey! Keep the stories coming! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Guero Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Great thread! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phreedh Posted September 1, 2015 Author Share Posted September 1, 2015 Quintero Panetelas (36 x 127, Short Panetela) Avg price: $2.81 Price ratio: 72 Did I like it: No Will I buy it: No At first: Mostly sweet tobacco, some dried fruits and marzipan. Later on: Bland and boring. Umami body on the retro. In conclusion: A rather boring and pointless affair. Had this in the morning, with a nice cup of coffee on a day off. Can't say I enjoyed it. There was nought wrong with it, but the flavours were dull and boring. The draw was a little on the tight side. Won't bother with these again. With this small size of cigar, it's worth putting in a little extra coin to get something better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksblazer Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 Great thread to read Keep the reviews coming!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phreedh Posted September 5, 2015 Author Share Posted September 5, 2015 Rafael Gonzáles Panetelas Extra (36 x 127, Short Filler, Short Panetela) Avg price: $3.08 Price ratio: 66 Did I like it: Yes Will I buy it: Maybe At first: Wow, orange zest and some vegetal notes. Later on: Underfilled, still tasty but heavier and "muffled" flavours. In conclusion: This was a fun cigar. Right from the get-go it displayed an array of flavours the Quinteros haven't come close to matching. Very nice blend. The specimen I had was a bit under filled in the last third so got spongy, hot and raw in the flavours. I had to purge it constantly. The main body of the cigar was a full, dark citrus flavour mixed with some spicy herbal or vegetal notes on the retro. I rather liked it, but it felt a bit cheap in construction (go figure) so the final verdict is mixed. Great flavours though, quite enjoyable! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treberty Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Rafael Gonzales Panetelas Extra (36 x 127, Short Filler, Short Panetela) Avg price: $3.08 Price ratio: 66 Did I like it: Yes Will I buy it: Maybe At first: Wow, orange zest and some vegetal notes. Later on: Underfilled, still tasty but heavier and "muffled" flavours. In conclusion: This was a fun cigar. Right from the get-go it displayed an array of flavours the Quinteros haven't come close to matching. Very nice blend. The specimen I had was a bit under filled in the last third so got spongy, hot and raw in the flavours. I had to purge it constantly. The main body of the cigar was a full, dark citrus flavour mixed with some spicy herbal or vegetal notes on the retro. I rather liked it, but it felt a bit cheap in construction (go figure) so the final verdict is mixed. Great flavours though, quite enjoyable! Great review. The RGPE is one of my go-to cheap cigars: I like the flavours a lot. However, they all need to be well packed with thick wrappers, IMO. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oljud Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 Thank you Phreedh for the awsome reviews, much appreciated. //M 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bennettjohnl Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 Great thread! Very informative on sticks I haven't sampled as of yet. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phreedh Posted September 16, 2015 Author Share Posted September 16, 2015 José L. Piedra Cremas (40 x 136, Short Filler, Corona) Avg price: $2.43 Price ratio: 111 Did I like it: Somewhat Will I buy it: No At first: Good. Almonds and french nougat. Tight draw. Later on: Citrus zest and burnt wood. In conclusion: An enjoyable but rather anonymous and non-descript smoke. Nice flavours, but very subtle and subdued. Everything was wrapped in a basic tobacco flavour. I liked it, but not enough to buy again or recommend it. To quote Douglas Adams and the HHG; "Mostly harmless". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skarolla Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 Oi so many Quintero and Jose L Piedras, I feel bad for your tastebuds. Try out the Hoyo De Monterrey Palmas Extra - I find this to be a highly underrated and surprisingly full flavoured smoke. A lot of people like the Por Larranga Pantelas but I just find them OK. HUHC are a staple in everybody's humidor but I prefer the Majestics. Would be interested in your thoughts since you didn't seem to care for the Majestics much. R&J Coronitas en Cedro are another staple and are fantastic with a couple years on them. At least I hope you keep buying and reviewing, really enjoying this thread! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phreedh Posted September 17, 2015 Author Share Posted September 17, 2015 Don't feel sorry for my taste buds. Since I started this thread I've had Cohiba BHK 54s, a HdM DC and several other premium cigars outside of the scope of this thread. Add to that, I actually like the JLP flavours. Not the Quinteros so much... I've had the Palmas Extra and I'm a sucker for HdM in general. Didn't manage to take any notes though so will have to revisit at a later date. =) Regarding the HU Majestics, I haven't tried it. I do like Upmann (such as the HC or Noellas) and I enjoyed the Epicures I tried. I disagreed with nothing but the format. =) The upside of me trucking through the JLP and Quinteros is that I don't have many shortfiller left to try. Here's what I've got in the stash for this thread, so far: Bolivar No 3 H. Upmann Coronas Junior H. Upmann Coronas Major Jose L. Piedra Cazadores La Flor de Cano Petit Coronas La Flor de Cano Selectos Partagás Super Partagás Por Larrañaga Montecarlo Punch Coronations Punch Petit Coronations Romeo Y Julieta Romeo No.2 San Cristobal de la Habana El Principe Oi so many Quintero and Jose L Piedras, I feel bad for your tastebuds.Try out the Hoyo De Monterrey Palmas Extra - I find this to be a highly underrated and surprisingly full flavoured smoke.A lot of people like the Por Larranga Pantelas but I just find them OK.HUHC are a staple in everybody's humidor but I prefer the Majestics. Would be interested in your thoughts since you didn't seem to care for the Majestics much.R&J Coronitas en Cedro are another staple and are fantastic with a couple years on them.At least I hope you keep buying and reviewing, really enjoying this thread! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skarolla Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Some good stuff coming up there! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigWill Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 The lineup has some good smokes there. Looks like you're going to finish strong. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PointFivePast Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 phreedh, this thread is amazing! As a newcomer, it is a god-send. Some nice budget smokes reviewed in a concise and honest style. Please keep up the good work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomay Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 These are great, thanks! 1 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