"Legacy" brand recommendations

[CitizenZero]

Hi everyone, hope this Sunday finds you all well. I'm looking for some recommendations, specifically from what I would call the "legacy" brands. I don't know if that is the right word for it but I consider legacy to mean your Cohiba, Montecristo, RyJ, Partagas, H. Upman, ect... maybe I just mean companies whose reputations originated on the island. The cigar industry is an ocean of offerings from cheap to top shelf, flavored to fermented, cigarillos to 8x80s and I seem to have lost myself in that ocean. Most of what I have tried have been brands that may not be technically new, but new to me and for the most part I've enjoyed them, the Leaf and the Firethorn come to mind. But I want to make a cigar pilgrimage back to some of the brands that paved the way and I don't know where to start. I thought if I could give you what I look for in a smoke, that you might be able to furnish a few recommendations. Generally I like darker leaf and small RG (Churchills are ideally as thick as I go but lanceros, panatellas, and petite coronas are my wheelhouse) but if there is something in a larger RG or a lighter wrapper that I just have to try, I'm open to suggestions. Any and all advice is appreciated!

Note: As true habanos are not legal here, I'd appreciate only NC recommendations.

[josh lucky 13]

my overall opinions of the legacy brands is not worth the price. They have no connection to their cuban counterparts other than name only.

[SoCal gunner]

@josh lucky 13 beat me to it - if you really want to make a pilgrimage, look up some of the makers who left Cuba vs a name some manufacturer bought.

Based on your post, I'll recommend something in Padron 000 series in the vitola of your liking.

[chain_gang]

I have asked a very similar question to yours, and I'm pretty new to the hobby. There's a thread called "Unfamilar General" (within the NC general discussion banner) - check it out. I've come to agree with what that Bums have put out - the Cuban legacy brands aren't worth the MSRP compared to non-legacy brands such as Tatuaje and Room 101. I haven't ventured far in to the NC legacy stuff such as H. Upmann, Partagas, Cohiba, but I have had some I like, but not for the MSRP. You can definitely get a lot of these legacy brands for much cheaper than MSRP, but to me, there's much more interesting things to check out (at least to me). Check out Cigarbid, and the major online retailers for heavily discounted legacy brands. Part of the fun I'm having with being a Bum and the hobby in general are exploring what's out there.

I'd recommend these if you want to stick to legacy:

RyJ Reserva Real Nicaragua (blue band and reviewed by me)

H. Upmann by AJ Fernandez and Jose Mendez

Partagas 1875 Clasico (can score cheap off cigarbid and was review by me)

[CitizenZero]

I really appreciate that you guys took the time to reply with your experiences and your advice. Honestly, if I’m not missing anything, and that seems to be the general consensus then I’m good with that. I’m not gonna go out of my way and pay more for a name when I can spend that money elsewhere on smaller name brands like DoC and the like.


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[WNYTONY]

Agree with what had been said above - in general not anything I'm going after.
One exception I would recommend is the Ramon Allones by AJ Fernandez - great cigar.

[dinoa2]

Welcome ah to be in Tampa, Ybor City and all those smokes and stores

[CentralTimeSmoke]

As others have said, with all that is happening in the world of boutique cigars, going back to General or Altadis cigars is not recommended.

My best advice is to browse the What Did You Smoke Today thread and see what others are firing up. We may be a few bricks short of a full load when it comes to many things, but most of us have a discerning palate when it comes to cigars. Here are some stalwart modern brands that will never leave you dissatisfied:

My Father
Tatuaje
Espinosa
Padron
Anything blended by AJ Fernandez

[DogRockets]

While not a "legacy" brand I do find CAO (owned by General) to put out good cigars. I'm a Maduro whore so I particularly love the CAO Mx2. Other solid mid-price offerings are American, Italia and Brazilia (for my taste at least).

Otherwise I'd echo a lot here - for the same or cheaper price there is so much out there now that I would rather smoke.

[CitizenZero]

While not a "legacy" brand I do find CAO (owned by General) to put out good cigars. I'm a Maduro whore so I particularly love the CAO Mx2. Other solid mid-price offerings are American, Italia and Brazilia (for my taste at least).

Otherwise I'd echo a lot here - for the same or cheaper price there is so much out there now that I would rather smoke.

I am very much rowing the same “maduro gentleman of leisure” boat and for some reason I never give the CAOs a fair shake. I’ve enjoyed the La Traviatas that I’ve smoked in the past and both the Brazilia and American are gorgeous smokes, I often pass by and think “those look good, I’ll have to try them one day” and that day never comes but I think I’m going to stop BS’n and start with the Mx2.


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