I smoked NCs for years before my first Habano. In the last 5 or 6 years I started to get more and more into Habanos and spent less time with non-Cubans. In the past 3 years since moving to London, I've smoked five non-Cuban cigars largely due to the crazy prices of them here.

Now I'm going home to visit and will hit up some of the locals for a few that I did enjoy. I liked Padrons, particularly the 1964s but think I only ever tried one 1926. I liked the Camachos I tried recently as well.

Should I just pick up a few Padron Anniversaries and Camachos or is there something else that I should really check out?
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No Nubs, please.
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I would say try any of Don Pepin Garcia's lines. As well as any of the Illusione's. The Oliva V's are tasty as well.
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Esencia.
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Agreed, This is one tasty NC
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Illusione
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I have heard lots of good things over the years about Don Pepin Garcia, but I never tried one. Will definitely look for some.

I did have an Oliva V and liked it but can't remember the flavour now. I also had one, unless it's the same cigar, that had the leaf laser-etched with their logo.

Ilusiones I have heard of but never tried. Will read up on them.

Never heard of the Esencia. Off to google now. ;^)
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I agree Illusione MK, Pepin My Father Cedros Deluxe and Liga T-52. Of course the Padron 45th! The whole 26 the 64 lines are awesome too!
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Personally I love VSG. :-)
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tatuajae brown labels and anything by litto gomez
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Thanks for the tips, everyone. Will definitely be checking out the Illusiones as I'll be going to FUMARE in Reno and they seem to be Dion's baby.

Will see what else from the recommends are available locally and then might consider trying to find a few fivers online.
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Just off the top of my head...

Cruzado
Tatuaje SW (and almost anything else Tat)
Padron anniversary 1964 (personally I like it more than the 1926)
La Flor Dominicana double ligero
Any of the My Father line
And pretty much anything else blended by Don Pepin :-)
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I have limited experience with "fine" cigars, but from my experience, I'd strongly suggest San Cristobal. A Nicaraguan puro blended by Jose Pepin Garcia for Ashton, it is a great smoke with fantastic flavors and construction.
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Anything by AJ Fernandez. There's a thread around here somewhere started by some noob. :-)
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tat, hermosos...:-)
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No, that is the masterblend.
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Try a mixture of Davidoff products including Avo. Price will be very attractive compared to UK.
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I'd try Tatuaje brown label, Cabiguan and some Opus.
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I'm officially spoilt for choice. Thanks, all.
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I'm in Reno now, fat on Mexican food and dumb on microbrewed IPAs so I'm happy. Picked up a few cigars at Fumare and smoked an Illusione 68. It's a perfectly constructed cigar with a very nice flavour that is definitely in line with my tastes.

My only slight criticism is that it was pretty straightforward from start to finish. I do like cigars that evolve and develop as I'm smoking them which is something I find in many Habanos but not in NCs. It might be that I was looking too deeply for something that isn't there; it is after all, a small cigar and I never criticise a Parti Short for not having enough 'nuance'.

All in all it struck me as a beautifully made cigar that was a bit of a one-trick pony, but with such a good trick, that's hardly a negative.

Picked up some Tatuajes both brown and red, some Oliva O, some DPG and Illusiones. Looking forward to trying a few more and will likely pick up a box of whatever tickles my fancy the most while I have the opportunity.

Thanks for the heads up on these.
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