I actually gave this a try using some Pectin powder mixed with a sugar/water syrup... the results weren't quite what I as hoping for... 2 cups of sugar dissolved in 2 cups of boiling water and mixed with a full pack of Pectin powder wasn't notably sweet, still had some of the tart taste of the Pectin, and never completely dried. I may give this another try with an artificial sweetener, but it seems like it will be a lot of trial-and-error to get it right when it looks like there are several inexpensive sweet sticks still worth trying.
I have a feeling one of the Famous or CI house brands (C'est La Vie, Maroma Dulce, Pai Gow, etc) will end up being a winner for me, I just have to catch a a few 5-packs on CBid and CigarMonster to try before I commit to a box/bundle.
Does anyone know if La Vieja Habana Fumas is sweetened?
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Thought I'd revive a zombie thread and give some feedback over one year later...
Much to even my own surprise, I'm still smoking mainly sweet-tip sticks (both infused and not) more often than anything else. Some feedback on what I have liked and what I haven't:
Likes:
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CI Legends Copper - probably my favorite stick. Subtle infusion, subtle sweetness, very reliable
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Acid Manta - like a milder Kuba Kuba, or a full-size blondie
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Acid Blondie Belicoso - like smoking a Worther's Original candy
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Acid Kuba Kuba - flirts with the line of too much infusion, but usually doesn't cross it
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Acid (everything else) - I've liked most of those I've tried, Madre was one exception
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Naturals - I've liked everything except Root/Root Deluxe
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Tabak Especial - I've liked them all, especially the Cafe con Leche
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Isla del Sol - These are great for the price in every size except Corona
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Ambrosia Spice - Very full bodied, but offset well by a nice spicy infusion... for when I'm feeling bolder
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Dolce Vita (Thompson) - Tabak Especial knock-off... the Espresso (Maduro) and Barber Pole are very nice with hints of coffee and chocolate. The pre-light smell is pungent and almost like bubble-gum, but they smoke great.
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Nitro (Thompson) - Acid Kuba Kuba knock-off... like a Kuba-light... less infusion, less sweet, less smooth. Good infused smoke for very little money, but prone to tight draw.
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Flor de Oliva - Subtle sweetness with a pipe-like tobacco quality. The shop near my office as singles for $3, so I have these often on lunch break in the winter.
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Augusto Reyes Factory Selects Dulce - Mixed filler cheapie. Not horrible and worth $20/bundle, especially for the 6 x 58.
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Baccarat & Diamondback - My baseline sweet/mild stick, a go-to when I'm buying a single-stick locally and don't see anything else appealing or well priced
Dislikes:
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ANYTHING Liquor Infused
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Java - These haven't impressed me nearly as much as I expected... a bit harsh and extremely over-priced
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Oliveros Gold/Platinum - Mediocre, very artificial (dipped) flavor.
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C'est La Vie Sweet - Very loosely packed short filler smoke. Not horrible, but wouldn't buy again.
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Profesor Sila - Sour after taste after the first 1/3 on every single one I tried.
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Tatiana - Very artificial flavor, poor construction, loose fill.
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Pai Gow - Identical to Profesor Sila
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CAO Flavors - Similar to Tatiana. Only one I've liked was Carmelo Joe, which might be really nice in a pipe.
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