I've been lucky enough to try many of the CC marcas and think I can make decent choices of a flavour profile to pair with mood, food or drink. The other islands are another matter.

There seem to be thousands of cigars out there. I've tried the high end ones, and enjoyed a few more modestly price offerings.

Can you folk guide me as to what would be a reasonable approach to trying the NCC's out? Are there broad categories? I've discovered some nice maduros, and do enjoy the complexity in the Padron 1966. Where to next?

Regards

Neil
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Not sure what your tastes are but Pepin blends a variety of smokes for a variety of makers, it is hard to go wrong with any Pepin smokes, IMO. And he blends for most of the big names in the industry.
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:-) :-)
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X2 on this.

A.J. Fernandez is another solid blender in the industry worth checking out.
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Did you say you've discovered some nice maduros?? Here's a nice list of some delicious maduros. :-) :-)

http://http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb...postcount=1974
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X2 on AJ also :-)
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I would think it would be to your advantage to keep in memory the core flavor profile(s) that you are enjoying from your CC', and then:

1. Read some of the reviews in our NC area named "Island (the other ones) Reviews.

2. This is always a good site for cigar reviews:

http://cigarfan.net/

I've always found the reviews here to be of substance and depth in making a decision on a particular stick to try out.

Good luck Neil:-)
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Tatueje makes some nice cigars, especially anything with the CTBL wrapper. Definitely not like a CC, but still wonderful.

If you want to try some NCs similar to CCs, then try a few from the Curivari lineup.
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Hi Mac - the link is dead....
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I would probably take a slightly different approach.

I would try puros from the different countries to see if you prefer a certain type of tobacco and then start trying the different wrappers.

To me, there is a strong difference in flavor between a Nicaraguan puro and a Dominican puro. If it turns out you prefer one over the other, you can start to narrow down the choices. For example, let's say you end up preferring Nicaraguan puros, then you can try Nicaraguan binder and filler with a broadleaf wrapper to see if you like those as well.

For me dominicans are now too strong after smoking CCs. So I tend to prefer mild to medium Nicaraguans when I go NC.

Also, I know several CC smokers who will not nose exhale NCs, I have heard it burns. Never tried myself. lol
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Neil, try this one. :-)

www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showpost.php?p=1951973&postcount=1974
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Great list. Very helpful.
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What a fantastic idea. Seems like a more scientific approach than my current shotgun approach of trying anything and everything. A more directed approach suits my scientific mind (assuming that is I still have one)

Thx!

Neil
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Wow. That's quite the list!
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LOTS OF GOOD INFO HERE


Austin
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Tatuaje has almost never let me down as a NC. I enjoy and highly recommend anything made by Padron, Arturo Fuente, Pepin, and Drew Estate/Liga Privada (except Acids and the other flavored sticks he's come out with)

Drew Estate (particularly the Liga line) and some Tats tends to be on the pricier side, but you can certainly find some regular line Fuentes and Padrons (Padron "x000" series & Arturo Fuente "green/black band") for reasonable prices and consistent quality.
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I am still trying to figure out how to navigate NCs. I find it almost frustrating sometimes.

I have had better luck finding blenders as Remo recommended. I will try new smokes, but I think about this a little differently. Unless I am completely blown away, I'm not investing a lot into it. My funds are usually spent on a focused few brands.

Reading what users prefer here probably isn't what the OP is really looking for. If it were, he could read darn near any post on the forums to get that I would guess. :-)
Posted via Mobile Device
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Sometimes I go back to an old favorite from 5 or more years ago and find I no longer care for it.:-)
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