over at cigars international, they have this sampler:

http://www.cigarsinternational.com/p...0small%20batch

which, on the surface at least, is quite a deal for fifty bucks - 5 each of;

Padilla Achilles Toro
Padilla Miami Churchill
Padilla Series 68 Torpedo

looking for opinions on these pariticular smokes. i kind've like padilla but have never had these guys. i've had a miami corona and thought it was just ok, especially for the price of admission for these guys. i used to like the habanos series as an everyday sort've yard-gar, but they changed the blend on those guys last year and they got way too mild for me. i've never had the achilles or series 68. i've heard good things about the 68s...

so what's the consensus? the price alone is tempting (that's maybe about 1/2 off). any input is appreciated.

[edit] - i just realized this might not be the right forum, should be in All Cigars Discussion? if so, Mods - please move.
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I smoked the Achilles Salmone. It tasted like Sunflower seed Shells. I happen to like sunflower seeds a lot, so it wasn't a bad smoke for me.

Havent had the miami or '68.
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If you get the older Miami 8/11's like in the picture it would be worth it. I really enjoy the older ones that Mr. Pepin had a role in making.
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I'm smoking a '68 right now... started off way way too spicy for me, but mellowed quickly in the first 1/2 inch..

its very yummy!
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Padilla Achilles Toro--nice, not-too-spicy
Miami--never tried
Padilla Series 68 Torpedo--Has potential to be good, but flavors don't kick in until half way. May need some age.
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great quote, bookman.

i can't make up my mind on this...
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Thing about CI is unless it's the daily joe there deals stick around for a while. So you can sleep on it. If you want I can send you a couple Ach. Solomons and 68 toros. Let me know and I will "bomb" you, fellow Bukowski fan...
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I think if you don't like the Habano, you probably won't like the Achilles or '68. Personally, those're 3 of my favorite :-)
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It's a great deal on great smokes...What makes it even better is that CI has been shipping them with the Miami pictured...the Pepin rolled beauty! I order this Sampler for the "Cigar Club" I started at work. Theyre priced right and everyone loves them.

Cbid has them even cheaper if youre patient.

The only Padilla I really dont like is the Obsidian so I stay away from the Sampler that includes those. :-)
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i appreciate the generosity, bookman - but i just went ahead and ordered these. we'll see how it goes!
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i got these in - they're in the deep freeze now - and the miamis are the old band, which means they're still the pepin blend, right?
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Yup, if it is the same band as in the picture you posted then they are the good old boys. Man, those suckers were still spendy even when they were on CigarBid awhile ago. I really need to get a some more those Padilla Miami 8&11's.
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interesting that these are still showing up and being sold off in samplers...

seeing lots of firesales on padilla merch lately. anything going on?
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Don't know, BigL. Prolly CI buys them in megaamounts. Post a review of that Miami. That's one Pad I'm dying to try.
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i will. probably will be a month or more - want them to acclimate...
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I have noticed a lot of padilla stuff going on, IMO the Achilles remake is not worth the price (the first was definitely) and the same goes with the obsidian, I notice they are letting these go CHEAP I got a 20 of Achilles Salomons for $40 on cbid. I think Padillas Portfolio is to large right now as they have too many blends possibly? They made a bunch of the New Achilles and Obsidians I bet they need to sell. I noticed on cbid that they even have a Cigar Called the "Golden Bear" a Ca Exclusive that comes in boxes of 50 but I haven't seen them anywhere but Cbid I live in CA and have never seen them at my local B&M Which has a LARGE Selection (but price is an issue esp in CA) This is my Opinion on why there are so many Padilla Sales. They probably make more smokes than I and others know of. I would love to get my hands on some of the Miamis (the originals of course)

My thoughts on this sampler is that they are trying to get good money for the Miami and the 68s which I have herd to be good smokes, by padding the deal with the Achilles toros. IMO Padilla makes good smokes as to me they all taste good no dog rockets but also I think they tend to be high priced for the good smokes and the average ones are IMO not worth $100 a box. There are good deals on cbid though. So on this deal if you want the Miami and 68s go for it and the Achilles is an extra although not a super premium but a premium smoke. I to am also most interested in trying the Miamis. just my :-) on it all
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TOO MANY BLENDS?!

my god, man - are you mad?! how can you possibly have TOO MANY BLENDS????

:-)
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