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THE BEGINNER’S DOZEN, PART II |
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(Editor’s note: At the height of the Cigar Boom in 1997, I wrote this article for a couple of new (and now dead) cigar magazines
(Editor’s note: At the height of the Cigar Boom in 1997, I wrote this article for a couple of new (and now dead) cigar magazines. My "Beginner's Dozen" has certainly changed in seven years; which brands would you include today? - Rich Perelman)
In our opening look at the basic reference cigars that must become part of people's repertoire, we named six brands offering a range of tastes. Let's continue:
> La Regenta No. 1
(Canary Islands of Spain)
The Marcos Miguel Corporation has resurrected this brand, which was a flagship cigar from the Canary Islands for many years. At its best, it has a creamy, light taste which some will find bland and others will consider a friendly companion on a sunny afternoon or on the golf course.
> Macanudo Hyde Park
(Jamaica)
Macanudo is the top-selling brand in the U.S. by a long ways and the reason is consistent quality. This is a mild blend with a little bit of spiciness that offers slow-burning, quiet satisfaction. The Hyde Park is a robusto-sized cigar that shows off this brand’s characteristics well.
> Montecruz Sun Grown No. 210
(Dominican Republic)
Created in 1959 after the Cuban Revolution, this cigar often took the place of better-known brands that were no longer available. The noted cigarmaker and commentator Paul Garmirian has written of this brand in the first edition of The Gourmet Guide to Cigars, "In the absence of the Montecristo No. 1 (Havana), this was a decent substitute for many years." Garmirian was correct then and now, but there is no need to long for Havana brands when tasting the Montecruz flavor: it stands on its own with a smooth, flavorful finish that lets you know this is a connoisseur's smoke, so constant over four decades as to have become significantly underrated.
> Partagas Almirante
(Dominican Republic)
The Partagas brand has many loyal fans and the spicy, sometimes peppery and always rich-flavored taste is the reason. The Almirante shape (6 x 49) has even more of what makes this brand famous and is worth trying in a quiet moment when you can concentrate on what it offers. This is a brand which will not leave you indifferent.
> Punch Grand Cru No. II
(Honduras)
Here is a combination of a famous, strongly-flavored old brand in a beautifully-made Torpedo shape. The Grand Cru series of this brand is more refined than the sometimes explosive regular Punch selection and combined with the brilliant workmanship of the Torpedo shape, makes this a cigar that must be tried and savored to be properly appreciated. You may not be fond of this brand because of its strength, but you will respect it by the end of the cigar. (If the No. II is not available, try the Britania instead.)
> Te-Amo Toro
(Mexico)
Mexican cigars have both fans and detractors and Te-Amo is the flagship brand of our Southern neighbor. I have both enjoyed and disdained specific shapes and wrappers, but one must try the natural-wrapped edition and Maduro-wrapped version of the Toro (6 x 50) shape which Te-Amo is richly famous for. At its best a slightly peppery and tangy experience, this brand sometimes sits in the mouth like the proverbial “bump on a log.” But Mexican cigars are becoming more and more popular and this is only an introduction. Try it . . . you might like it!
As you are screaming at this page because your favorites are not listed, be calm. Most of my favorites aren't on here either. But these are the brands that smokers compare new brands and new experiences to — the standard reference points.
We'll speak soon about other cigars worth trying, although not as well known as these brands. We'll be focusing specially on good values: brands which deliver quality construction and taste for a modest or reasonable price, characteristics which are too often missing in today’s overheated marketplace.
And we will look for cigars from new places, including the Philippines and those produced here in the U.S.A. Happy smoking for now; remember to try at least two of each of the cigars we discussed above and keep your comments noted!
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