Over the past couple of days I've managed to smoke both the Illusione MJ12 and the LP No. 9. I really enjoyed both but felt the MJ12 was a little less sharp, a bit more nuanced in flavor. I thought both were very similar though. If you've smoked both what did you feel they were similar? Which did you prefer? Is there something a bit more affordably priced ($5-7) that you also feel is similar?
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This has Taki written all over it!!!! Let em know your thoughts bro, I know you have burned a few MJ12's and LP9's! I have only had the LP9 but I do know I love it! :-)
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It's like apples and oranges to me. Both are good, for their own merits. I'll smoke one or the other when I'm either in an "Illusione" kind of mood, or a "Liga Privada" kind of mood.

They have similarities, yes. But I can't say I would smoke one or the other interchangeably.
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I have smoked a couple of MJ12s and I didn't care for them.

The LP9, on the other hand, is one of my favorites. A cheaper cigar that is similar to the LP9 is the Undercrown.
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I have smoked both cigars and still smoke both reguarly. I really think both a great sticks however I do agree that the L#9 is definitely better than the MJ12 but they are like apples and oranges...I am waiting to try the MJ12 Maduro :-) Have one in my humi that I can bare to smoke until I get another one. But the L9 would be my choice if I had to make a selection
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Both are great sticks..but the edge easily goes to the LP #9. :-) :-) :-)
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Must be because I haven't been smoking as much lately. Normally I'd prefer the more flavor forward stick but for some reason the MJ12 did it for me. Maybe I liked the packaging more and that carried through to the tasting :-)
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I'm a Liga Privada man myself. But I like the mj12.
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See, this is just helping reinforce that at least PART of enjoying the stick is in your mind not your tastebuds. it could be a wonderful stick, but if it looks like a dog log your mentally not going to want to enjoy sticking it in your mouth... :-)

that said, even the prettiest bands and what not cannot make a Gurkka good.
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ROFFLECAKES! :-)
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I've been eyeing the MJ12, but haven't had one yet.
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Highly recommended :-):-)
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I have smoked MJ12 Regular and the Maduro. I have smoke a couple LP9s.
An LP9 with a couple years on it blows both of the MJ12s out of the water, however I have not had an MJ12 with age to compare. The LP9 ROTT is still a bit ahead of both MJ12s INHO. I do prefer the Maddie over the Regular though and think it will age well.
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Had a natural MJ12 last night and it was very good.
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Both are quality and solid for the rotation.

Best,
JD
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MJ12 sure is tasty, I haven't had a chance to try the LP 9 but am looking forward to it!
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Had an MJ 12 last night along with a Tat fausto robusto xtra. Both were solid smokes that burned well and had nice favors, but I prefer my LP 9s and Undercrowns over both.
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MJ12's are :-):-)

I don't really want to spend the time searching on an LP9, because they disappear so quickly :-)
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It's a nice looking stick. Has a little heft to it, but not a brick like the Oliva Serie V line (which I love)...
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:-)
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