Smoke that caught you by surprise - in a good way

[Chadderkdawg]

How about this, tell us all about a cigar you thought was going to be ok but that really took you by surprise by how good it was.

For me, Tatuaje Cazador petite, granted I was a noob when I popped the cap on this. I was expecting a quick smoke that would be ok, instead I found a cigar that is at the very top of my favorite list, and I wish there was more available locally.

Tell us about your surprise smoke.

[oleballcoachtn]

La Aurora 1495. I like the spice, great draw and burn.

[Tobias Lutz]

Estd 1844

[Billb1960]

Room 101 Namakubi Ecuador Papi Chulo

[droy1958]

La Aurora CT for under $3 (on auction) and the 1844 was a surprise to me also...

[gordo1473]

Joya red

[Usafvet509]

My first E.P. Carrillo, Short Run '13. Been looking for Joya Red, gordo1473. I really like the Antano 1970

[RogueBallBoy]

Asylum schizo; I was shocked by how nice it was, probably the best cheapo I've had. They are really nice and I'm surprised every time I burn one, can't believe they are only $1.50

Also the Padron 1964: 1st time I ever lacked any remorse after dropping $15 on a single

[jhedrick83]

I really like the Antano 1970

That's what I was going to post. I didn't think much of it when I picked it up, but it was very good!

[herman]

Packed some LP 9s and one of these Vs I picked up for half the price just before vacation.
1018

[Engineer99]

recent padron 2000. They were one of the first cigars I loved in the late 90's and every few years or so for the last decade or so, I revisited them, in hopes that they have attained that former glory, but have been summarily disappointed.

Fast forward to a few months ago when I was at the B&M I most frequent and decided to grab a 2000 natural. Smoked it a couple of days later and loved it. It had the sweetness and rich earthiness, along with some of the creaminess I remember. I don't think I'll ever again experience the flavor they had back in the day when it was a smaller production run.

[frodo]

When I first tried a Diesel HC I thought "pretty good. After a year of downtime, WOW! Same for the Unlimiteds.

[thechasm442]

La perla habana black pearl Rojo
Diesel
Shark ( I was not expecting it to live up to the hype, much less surpass it)
Tatuaje Miami noellas. (My first tat and until than, I had not been blown away by anything)

[Ropey]

Victor Sinclair Triple Corojo

[B daddy]

Some of the cigars on this thread are routinely gushed about. Not sure how they'd surprise anyone. Some others, I'm surprised there's someone out there that smoked and enjoyed them; some of the worst cigars I've tried.

For me, the Black Ops Maduro surprised me. Goofy "super-cool" band art and name, combined with a 2 dollar price tag, from that pillar of quality that is Hansotia? What could possibly go wrong? But I found it to be a nice medium bodied stick with good burn and classic maduro flavors. I only smoked through a 5-pack but I'd go back for more.

(Just reread my post and I sound like a judgemetal prick. Sorry. Probably just cranky this morning.)

[Smoke rings]

5 Vegas 2014 Annv (comes in a glass tube)
Villager La Capitana

[Horseshoe]

Room 101 Big Payback, KFC are a couple that were better than I expected.

[gordo1473]

My first E.P. Carrillo, Short Run '13. Been looking for Joya Red, gordo1473. I really like the Antano 1970

Might have to send you one then!

[cheaphumidors]

Pretty much every Victor Sinclair I try. I know, I know the consensus on them is that they are dog rockets ( I can hear the boos and hisses already), but I like them! Bohemian Revolution is still one of my favorite Saturday morning smokes.

[Horsefeathers]

Packed some LP 9s and one of these Vs I picked up for half the price just before vacation.
1018

Oliva V (Double Robusto) for me as well. I'd heard a lot of mixed opinions about them, but I loved it. Oddly enough, I've smoked them in many different sizes and it's only the double robusto that really hits the mark for me.

[Chad202]

The man o war line. Especially the virtue. Mild cigar but very good. Bahia has also shocked me with how good their red and blue banded cigars are.

[izkeh]

Of all things....a Gurkha Beauty. I've since bought several more and have enjoyed them. I feel a little dirty for even mentioning it.

[cheaphumidors]

Bahia has also shocked me with how good their red and blue banded cigars are.

Yes! Even the Bahia B Line was a seriously solid stick

[cheaphumidors]

Of all things....a Gurkha Beauty. I've since bought several more and have enjoyed them. I feel a little dirty for even mentioning it.

Gurkha gets me sometimes too. The Gurkha Factum is still a favorite of mine as is the Cellar Reserve. The Ghost (which everyone seems to LOVE) I was not a fan of.

[herman]

Some of the cigars on this thread are routinely gushed about. Not sure how they'd surprise anyone. Some others, I'm surprised there's someone out there that smoked and enjoyed them; some of the worst cigars I've tried.

For me, the Black Ops Maduro surprised me. Goofy "super-cool" band art and name, combined with a 2 dollar price tag, from that pillar of quality that is Hansotia? What could possibly go wrong? But I found it to be a nice medium bodied stick with good burn and classic maduro flavors. I only smoked through a 5-pack but I'd go back for more.

(Just reread my post and I sound like a judgemetal prick. Sorry. Probably just cranky this morning.)

For me, I had only had like 5 cigars before trying my first V. A couple RPs which everyone around my town was crazy about, but they were expensive and I didn't think they were that great like everyone raved. I had a G, which I didn't care for. I then tried the LP and was blown away. I heard the Oliva V was good, but I guess I wasn't really expecting anything for a $6 smoke after paying $10 for RP and $14 for LP that was surrounded by hype.

[B daddy]

Pretty much every Victor Sinclair I try. I know, I know the consensus on them is that they are dog rockets ( I can hear the boos and hisses already), but I like them! Bohemian Revolution is still one of my favorite Saturday morning smokes.

Holy cow! That's it, I gotta try VS again. Three years ago, I swore I never would but I'm gonna have to. Particularly after reading your take on the Bahias (my favorite cheapies). Bohemian Revolution ya say? Oh man, I can't believe I'm doing this.

[cheaphumidors]

Holy cow! That's it, I gotta try VS again. Three years ago, I swore I never would but I'm gonna have to. Particularly after reading your take on the Bahias (my favorite cheapies). Bohemian Revolution ya say? Oh man, I can't believe I'm doing this.

Indeed! I also really enjoyed their 10th Anniversary and Triple Corojo.

[jpalamar]

Perdomo double aged connecticut shocked me. First out of his line I liked aside from the Silvio.

[Brazil Stogie]

Ashton Symmetry!

[Usafvet509]

gordo1473, awesome. Let me know if there is anything you'd like to swap. Just got a box of the brand new Punch Signature in Rothschild. Also have the 10th Anniversary Rare Corojo's

[Usafvet509]

cheaphumidors, I really liked the Bohemian Red (Corojo) that I tried late in '13. Oh, yes, and the Bahia Blu! While we are on surprisingly good cheapies, Mark Twain, and Arganese, both Connecticut and Maduro!

[c.ortiz108]

Ramon Bueso Genesis
HC Maduro
Villiger La Libertad
A few Gurkhas

[cheaphumidors]

cheaphumidors, I really liked the Bohemian Red (Corojo) that I tried late in '13. Oh, yes, and the Bahia Blu! While we are on surprisingly good cheapies, Mark Twain, and Arganese, both Connecticut and Maduro!

I just did a review on the Mark Twain last month, I was impressed!

[LAN CERO]

Asylum schizo; I was shocked by how nice it was, probably the best cheapo I've had. They are really nice and I'm surprised every time I burn one, can't believe they are only $1.50



Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh ! Keep this one to ourselves. Once it takes off, so will it's price!:pipe:

[allusred]

My Fathers makes quite a few lines/brands Don Pepin Garcia could select leaves, blend and roll a cigar while blindfolded,
the result being another good cigar.
Grimalkin, just has to be at the very least a better than average cigar coming from My Fathers.
Is it?
Nope...maybe it's that Rosado wrapper, don't know...
hasn't gotten much ink nor fanfare...
Grimalkin is easily right there with the top Limited Editions, Once in a Decade Specials...

[JasonBCP]

I've been saying it to anyone who will listen for the past couple of weeks, but the Camacho American Barrel-Aged blew me away. I had very low expectations going into it, and it ended up being one of the best sticks I've ever reviewed. Do yourself a favor and snag a few of these.

[greige matter]

Ramon Bueso Genesis
Villiger La Libertad
Diesel Hair of the Dog
Diesel Unholy Cocktail

[defetis]

Chillen Moose!

[Cardinal]

Chillen Moose!

Yeah, helluva good smoke and I had 0 expectations going in. Wish I had more than the 1 I got in a bomb.

[defetis]

Yeah, helluva good smoke and I had 0 expectations going in. Wish I had more than the 1 I got in a bomb.

me too, Where do you get them?

[pdq_wizzard]

Asylum 4x44, RB Genesis and the 1844

[Billb1960]

I've been saying it to anyone who will listen for the past couple of weeks, but the Camacho American Barrel-Aged blew me away. I had very low expectations going into it, and it ended up being one of the best sticks I've ever reviewed. Do yourself a favor and snag a few of these.

Yeah I ordered a 5er and smoked one after about a week and immediately ordered another 5er except now they're backordered! :mad:

[Usafvet509]

defetis, I know a place in Joplin. Old Smokey's B&M had em

[defetis]

defetis, I know a place in Joplin. Old Smokey's B&M had em

Good to know thank you. I may have to hit him up

[Shaun]

I've said this on here before, but for me it's the Cuba Libre (original blend, although the "One" is damn good too). Got a few in a sampler a long while back and they bounced around in my humidor for months. I figured they were filler smokes in the sampler.

I finally smoked one and couldn't believe how good it was. Went to buy some more and learned that I can get 5-packs for $5-$7. I buy them regularly now. When I'm smoking them I often find myself smiling about how cheap they are.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q73/meehs/CubaLibreTheBruteVIIII.jpg (http://s133.photobucket.com/user/meehs/media/CubaLibreTheBruteVIIII.jpg.html)

[StogieNinja]

This guy:
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/11/00fd0bdc9935e3f16b321d8dfc749ab2.jpg

Kicked around in the bottom of a drawer for several years. Delicate wrapper, but darned if it wasn't an excellent smoke!

[Schatzman]

I've been saying it to anyone who will listen for the past couple of weeks, but the Camacho American Barrel-Aged blew me away. I had very low expectations going into it, and it ended up being one of the best sticks I've ever reviewed. Do yourself a favor and snag a few of these.

When we got them into the shop I smoked one right away and felt the cigar was a massive let down. It lacked the flavor I was expecting a cigar as hyped up like that to have. It was more notes of it and not a full blast like I expected. I would rather smoke the perdomo 12th double aged.

I find it funny how taste is so subjective

[Billb1960]

When we got them into the shop I smoked one right away and felt the cigar was a massive let down. It lacked the flavor I was expecting a cigar as hyped up like that to have. It was more notes of it and not a full blast like I expected. I would rather smoke the perdomo 12th double aged.

I find it funny how taste is so subjective

Kind of how I felt after trying LP No 9

[Shaun]

Kind of how I felt after trying LP No 9

Ditto that. Nice enough smoke but overall my reaction was: "this is what all the fuss is about?"

[Schatzman]

Kind of how I felt after trying LP No 9

Yeah. My argument for the liga is 1 out of 5 is an amazing cigar. I need to smoke a few more of the barrel aged before I give my full verdict. I will say I think LP are a bit over hyped

[Billb1960]

Yeah. My argument for the liga is 1 out of 5 is an amazing cigar. I need to smoke a few more of the barrel aged before I give my full verdict. I will say I think LP are a bit over hyped

I think I've smoked a total of maybe 5 or 6. I've bought 1 and the rest have been from passes or bombs. Now the T52 on the other hand is a very nice cigar.

[Brimy]

JdN Cabinetta - bought it at a Drew Estate event to round out a buy 5 get 2 free and didn't know what to expect at all. It turned out to be a really nice smoke! The shift from the Criollo to the CT Shade wrapper is nice!

[Brimy]

Now the T52 on the other hand is a very nice cigar.

I too prefer the T52 to the No. 9!
Excellent cigar.

[allusred]

HR By Cubanacan...Dark Natural expected a good smoke, but it was a helluva lot better'n that, one of the nicest cigars I've smoked in a good while.
Have smoked two of the four I picked up, looking forwards to the two I've left.

[AlanS]

HR By Cubanacan...Dark Natural expected a good smoke, but it was a helluva lot better'n that, one of the nicest cigars I've smoked in a good while.
Have smoked two of the four I picked up, looking forwards to the two I've left.
When I win the lottery I'll buy us both a box! I've only had one, but damn it was good.

[ky70]

There have been 3 cigars that have surprised the heck out of me because they were much better than I expected them to be. I'm not a Camacho guy but that American Barrel Aged is full of flavor and I always look forward to smoking them. Have also been surprised with D'Crossier 512 (at under $6 a stick this is a best buy for me) and Espinosa Laranja. The 512 is a delicious treat with a wonderful aroma and Laranja is bursting with flavors that I enjoy.

http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv291/ky70/Cigars/75B3FE05-49CC-4884-9E09-3FFC6AA4B18D_zpsbytm78hd.jpg (http://s693.photobucket.com/user/ky70/media/Cigars/75B3FE05-49CC-4884-9E09-3FFC6AA4B18D_zpsbytm78hd.jpg.html)

http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv291/ky70/Cigars/1B738A76-3D03-4E19-822D-F08E465288FE_zpssnqoozep.jpg (http://s693.photobucket.com/user/ky70/media/Cigars/1B738A76-3D03-4E19-822D-F08E465288FE_zpssnqoozep.jpg.html)

http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv291/ky70/Cigars/863EDCE9-61A8-406C-9C0C-7DEED2B90FE6_zpsavvrrhj4.jpg (http://s693.photobucket.com/user/ky70/media/Cigars/863EDCE9-61A8-406C-9C0C-7DEED2B90FE6_zpsavvrrhj4.jpg.html)

[B daddy]

JdN Cabinetta - bought it at a Drew Estate event to round out a buy 5 get 2 free and didn't know what to expect at all. It turned out to be a really nice smoke! The shift from the Criollo to the CT Shade wrapper is nice!

I agree. Not sure if it surprised me because I went into it with a positive impression. But it is still a great cigar.

[Lynn]

Ive smoked a few Punchs over the yrs an they have always been great... but today I did my first Punch imported short.This was a surprisin change in flavor an smoke that I found myself indulging in...even the nub was enjoyable as a chew...

[Brimy]

sorry! Duplicate.

[EJGarnut]

El Titan de Bronze Redemption Sungrown.

Might be the only cigar where Ive only smoked one, then immediately ordered a box.