I just bought an Arturo Fuente Anejo cigar tonight, pretty good, but the man who sold it to me told me I could only smoke one every year. Why?
Oh, that’s weird, because it only ran me about twenty bucks. But is it just that vendors only sell them every so often? It’s not like there’s a governing body to ensure you don’t smoke more than one a year, right?
Anejo’s (and Opus) are Fuente’s rarest cigars and come out once a year – they are called Christmas Smokes because they come out right before the holiday. Most cigar shops will limit purchase to 2 sticks – come back the next day for another two and I guarantee they will be OOS. Only Authorized Fuente dealer get these smokes and are usually limited to one box of each vitola
What I normally do is go in with a friend or two that don’t smoke and each of us pick up the limit and I pay them back. – I actually have several Anejo sharks that are close to 4 years old……..
Many people find that what starts with a cigar offered by a friend after a dinner party or passed out in celebration of an event, can turn into a lifelong hobby. Cigars have nothing to do with cigarettes, so let’s get that out of the way immediately. Enjoying a good cigar is not about fulfilling a nicotine addiction; it’s about savoring the craftsmanship and flavors associated with a good cigar. Think of it as the difference between enjoying a vintage bottle of wine in the evening over a good meal, versus someone who pounds back a six-pack of discount beers every night. And, like the vintage bottle of wine, there’s a knack to choosing a good cigar, especially for beginners. The aim of this article is to point out four surefire choices for a quality cigar within various five-pack price ranges.
Under $25: Puros Heurfanos 681 Robusto If you’re on a budget, the 681 Robusto from Puros Heurfanos is tough to beat. While you can pick up a five-pack of these Honduran/Nicaraguan blends up for just under our $25.00 ceiling online, it’s hard to find them at less than $33 through most stores.
Under $50: Griffin’s Rubusto At just over nine dollars each, or $28.99 online for a four pack, the Griffin Robusto by Davidoff of Geneva is a sure bet without breaking the bank. Cuban-seed tobacco is combined with US Connecticut wrappers for a rich smoke with notable cedar undertones.
Under $100: Griffin’s Cigarillo Griffin comes up again in this category, dominating the casual cigar categories. The Cigarillo, priced individually at $13.50, or $67.50 for a pack of five ($53.99 through some online retailers), is a high quality, up-market cigar from the Dominican Republic. The Griffin Cigarillo is hand rolled in a Maduro wrapper. Its mild flavor includes hints of cedar and nuts.
$100-$150: Graycliff Black Label Espresso President If you have the money to spare ($107.99 online for a 5-pack, or $125.00 in stores), you won’t regret buying the Graycliff Espresso President. Featuring a blend of Nicaraguan, Brazillian and Dominican tobaccos, perfectly aged then rolled in an Indonesian wrapper, these are heaven.
If you still can’t make up your mind, or you’d like to try a selection of different brands without investing a whole lot of money, you’re covered. Any good online cigar retailer will offer samplers so you can try a variety of different brands with a minimal investment.
About the Author:
C. Michael Vandenstockt is a reviewer of cigars and cigar-related accessories. While he’s not adverse to black and milds, Michael’s personal preference leans towards a good Cuban. Vandenstockt releases a yearly cigar review that lists his picks and recommendations. This year, a Dominican product from griffin cigars was his overall choice for best buy.
