Hello all!

As I continue on my cigar journey I've tried to mix things up a bit with the variety I've been smoking lately. I've really tried to research and venture away from most mainstream brands just to be able to explore something new. I really don't know where to start and keep coming back to the ol' reliables instead of venturing out to other brands.

Can anyone point me in the right direction? I'd really like to get into more Boutique brands and maybe keep some sticks to age while I'm at it.

Cheers Fellas :-)
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Ezra Zion, Blacks Works, Black Label, and Casa Fernandez. Also Cigar Fed does small releases and I find they are generally really good.
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I've had really good experiences with Crux cigars, especially the Epicure, Du Connoisseur, and Ninfamaniac. Illusione Epernay and Black Works Studios Sindustry are also smokes I've enjoyed recently. Small Batch Cigar is a great place to check out for some of those.
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Small Batch cigar is great if you don’t live in California grrrrrrrrrr
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Why not Cali? I could use some help with this topic too what’s so great about these so brands compared to large brands like drew estate?
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I imagine sales tax is different if you live in Cali, being that Small Batch is based there.
Drew Estate also makes some very good cigars. I'm fond of the Liga Privadas. The Liga JD4, which is about impossible to find anymore (for me at least), was one of the best cigars I've ever had.
Some of the large brands have very good cigars as well, such as Fuente and Ashton, Padron, etc. You just need to sample them all and enjoy the slope lol. :-)
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The only real difference in boutique is it’s small batches so can be hard to find and since they are small, can use high grade but lower volume tobacco. This doesn’t necessarily equate to a cigar you will enjoy more but the ones you enjoy are ones you enjoy hah
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Thanks guys!
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Best way to recommend something is to find out more about you.

What's your favorite meal?
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Sushi or steak
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Thanks for the info lads!

@Weelok, I've actually heard of small batch, but never really detailed the site and looked at what was being offered. I'm going to definitely going to check it out now that I have starting point on what to look at.

@4WheelVFR I don't see anything wrong with the bigger mainstream brands, just looking to expand the palate a bit and see what else it out there. Thanks for all the recommendations I'll be sure to look them up and maybe order a few to try out.

@Cigahs I can definitely put down some food, but a specific favorite meal would probably be seafood pasta or Spanish food. I'm actually really more into Maduros for the last couple of years. Seems like I'm moving towards the full body stuff. Don't like flavored cigars at all though so thats my breaking point haha.

Cheers
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Based on thread title alone, I was dropping by to suggest Small Batch. He's got lots of samplers avail. Get on the emailing list and you'll get notified of daily specials. I probably get around 80% of my non-Cuban/non-yard-gar cigars from there.
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Two completely different flavor profiles. lol

Boutiques I'd recommend..

If you're in the mood for sushi:
Gran Habano Blue In Green (Just smoked one myself. It was fantastic.)
Nat Sherman Host
Ashton Classic
EPC New Wave Connecticut
PDR 1878 Classic
Crux Epicure
LFD Suave
Archetype Dreamstate
Matilde Serena
Southern Draw Rose of Sharon

Big bad beefy steak?:
Inferno by Oliva
Padron Maduro
Tatuaje Serie P (Hands down best cigar FOR THE PRICE in any category IMHO)
Cojones (Sorry. I gotta plug my own brand here.)
Southern Draw Jacobs Ladder
Anything from RomaCraft (CroMagnon, Neanderthal, etc)
Plasencia Alma Fuerte (If you can afford it)
Florida Sun Grown

Of course, these lists are much longer but these kind of encompass what you might be looking for to start with.

Humberto
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Thank you, I was actually looking at the inferno by Oliva today
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Good choice. There's a deep dark secret about that cigar. Unfortunately, I'm bound by NDA. :-)
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Haha
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Thanks Dave, you're the second one to recommend small batch. I'll join the email list and start off small until I get my bearings :-)
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After some research, I ended up getting a membership over at Privada Cigar Club. For around $30 shipped, I like the idea of getting sent three sticks a month which are hand picked according to your taste (website describes them as rare, aged, limited edition, and note worthy). I found a review of it on kohnhed.com which was a great resource given to me by another CA member. I'll post some pictures of my first bundle which I should be getting within the next couple days.

Once again, thanks for the good advice boys!
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4Tour Farms is putting out some great stuff... Way off the radar. I have done reviews of a few of their sticks here int the asylum if you want more info.

Peace of the Lord be with you.
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Thanks Rev, just checked out the site and your review. Gonna buy a sampler of 5 and give them a shot. Love the story and try my best to support anything veteran owed/operated.

Cheers,
Nelson
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