![]() 02/22/2016 at 14:27 • Filed to: cigarlopnik | ![]() | ![]() |
Today’s smoke was a Baccarat Gordo (6x50) that I swapped with a friend for one of my Punch London Clubs (5x40), my regular smoke. It was the first Baccarat I’ve had, and initially I was disappointed with the sweetened cap, since I didn’t know Baccarats have that. (I’m not a fan of sweetened cigars; they remind me too much of Swisher Sweets.) But once the sweetness wore off, it was a nice smoke. It had a natural wrapper (I prefer Maduro), and was pretty mild until the end, where it got noticeably stronger, though on the whole it was milder than I prefer. (There’s a reason that Baccarats are popular with first-time or non-regular smokers.) Still, it had good flavor, but could have been spicier for my taste. Draw was easy (maybe a tad too easy, as I felt it was gone too soon), burn was good and even, with a solid ash. Cost is about $4/stick (based on box price, expect to pay about $5-6 as a single), which is twice what I pay for a London Club. I would rate it about 7/10.
![]() 02/22/2016 at 14:32 |
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This was the first cigar I ever had. I still keep that Baccarat wrapper in my wallet. Ahh memories...
![]() 02/22/2016 at 14:34 |
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I haven’t had a cigar in awhile. I used to enjoy Arturo Fuentes. Might have to pick one up soon.
![]() 02/22/2016 at 14:41 |
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I’ve been picking up Alec Bradley sampler packs now that I’m not maintaining my humidor. I also picked up a Rocky Patel sampler, but they were all garbage. I think they had been stored improperly at some point.
![]() 02/22/2016 at 14:42 |
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Team Maduro!!
My favorite is the Cohiba Black (Dominican)..A little pricey, but I don’t smoke that often, so when I do, I want to enjoy it.
![]() 02/22/2016 at 14:49 |
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Back when I smoked, I loved Punch Elite’s. They had a double maduro corona-size that was just perfect after a big meal. It was a big fat flavor with almost no tongue bite.
![]() 02/22/2016 at 14:51 |
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Rocky went downhill. I remember when he was relatively new, and I liked a couple of the blends, but overall everything was pretty average. Just about all I smoke now is Nicaraguan. Usually lots of complexity and very well made.
![]() 02/22/2016 at 14:59 |
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Agreed on the Nicaraguans, which is what Alec Bradley uses in many of their cigars. They had a dip in quality after 2011 when they landed on CA’s Top 25 list, which I have found to be the death knell of cigars. I now stay away from anything that makes that list unless I know it’s a box that was around before it was published. AB has gotten back to basics and I have enjoyed the handful I have smoked this winter.
![]() 02/22/2016 at 15:02 |
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The Elite was my go-to cigar for a long time, before switching to the London Club, which is a bit smaller.
![]() 02/22/2016 at 15:02 |
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Real men smoke Maduros.
![]() 02/22/2016 at 15:52 |
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I’ve never had one of those. Maybe the next time I feel like wandering off the path I’ll try one. I don’t usually like lighter wrappers but I’ve had some pleasant surprises every once in a while.
![]() 02/22/2016 at 15:53 |
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That’s good to hear. Cigar Aficionado is mostly bullshit advertising anyway.