From: Robin Willis <???????????????????>
Subject: good inexpensive cigars

Well having happily braved a flurry of EMAIL regarding good, relatively
cheap cigars, I thought I'd report back with an overview. Thanks to all who
sent in their suggestions and I hope you don't mind if share your thoughts
with PD.

The parameters were: high 40's to 50's ring size, length not to important,
AVO like in mildness.

1. "IMHO the best cheap cigar is the La Unica
which is a Fuente bundled cigar.  It comes in both maduro and natural.  I
pay around $30 (a little more or less depending on size) for a bundle of 20.
The La Unica is a dominician cigar.  I have not found a Good cheap honduran
cigar.  I usually stick with Excaliburs."

2. "One of our quests is to find the perfect $1.00 cigar and I believe we
have a few  
that might fit that description.  You said to use Avos as a  
model--which one Avo has at least seven shapes all of which taste  
different?  Judging from your default, the HDM Rothschlide I'm  
guessing Avo Belecosos  or its little brother the petite belecosos.   
Using those two, I might suggest Don Juan Robustos ($1.25), Old  
Fashioned Dominicana No.32 ($1.50)???, Bacarat (watch out for the  
sweet gum on the wrapper), Old Fashioned Jamaicans ($1.10).  

Another hint, for smoother cigars age them at least six months in a  
Spanish cedar humidor, it can turn a Don Diego into a work of art." 

3. "I read your comments in Pipe Digest #199, requesting info on good cigars
that 
could be had for $ 2.00 or less a piece. One cigar that I enjoy immensely
and is 
quite reasonable in price is sold by Mr. Robert C. Hamlin of PCCA. 

He is on compuserve and runs a mail order business. Bob is a honorable man and 
runs a good business. He has contributed to the pipe digest on numerous 
occasions, as well, he contributes greatly to the Cigar and Pipe forum on 
compuserve. His email address is ???????????????????????

Anyway, these cigars, called PS Cigars(Private Stock, I think?) are
actually Davidoff seconds. I don't think I have to tell you just how
expensive Davidoffs are. After having smoked over a hundred of these
cigars, I have never had a bad one. The only thing I can find wrong
with them is the color of the wrappers may vary from cigar to
cigar. Currently I smoke a 6 X 48rg that is absolutely delightful,
although he has many sizes available and his prices will fit right in
with what you are looking for."

4. "My recommendation is the Licenciados Excelentes, a Lonsdale rated 89 by
Cigar Aficionado.  I get them at Georgetown Tobacco in DC for about $1.75.
(C.A. got theirs for $1.60, but Georgetown is expensive.)

You can pick and choose from the Arturo Fuente cigars.  I've never gotten
one I didn't like."

5. "Hoyo de Monterrey Exquisito #50.  This is a bundled cigar that I get
from J*R
Cigar (1-800-JR-CIGAR). I've only seen them offered mail order through J*R.
Size is 6x50. It comes in both EMS and maduro wrappers, and I prefer the EMS.
Price from J*R is $30 for a bundle of 25, which works out to $1.20 per cigar.
This is a full bodied cigar, with hints of chocolate, probably comparable to
the HdM Rothschilds that you smoke. It's my favorite everyday, working in the
yard type cigar.

Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur #3. I usually smoke the #1 or the #2, but the #3
falls into your parameters of under $2. The actual cost from J*R is $39 per
box of 20, which works out to $1.95 per cigar. Size is 6x50, and it comes in
either natural or maduro wrapper. A milder and smoother smoke than the
Exquisito #50, probably compares favorably to the Avo. I have a friend who
likes the Avo #5, and he really enjoys the Excalibur #1.

Vueltabajo Robusto. Size is 4.5x50 and only comes in natural. Cost from J*R
is $42 for a box of 25 ($1.68 per cigar). A well made cigar with a smooth,
complex, almost vanilla like flavor. FWIW, I've also smoked the Vueltabajo
Churchill and for some reason, it didn't have the same flavor."

6. "Try macanudo prince phillips they are about $28 for a box of 10.
(hey not under 2 bucks but if you smoke avo's, these are bargains)."

And to this list I'll add Licenciados Churchill seconds from Mike's Cigars,
a great cigar. I have no idea why these are seconds. 

Thanks again everybody.

Robin


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