What are you smoking there?

[Hank Koestner]

To continue where we left off.......

The Bolivar Belicoso Fino is one of my favorite all time Cubans. If I ever have any again, I will try the Zacapa.

The CAO Brazilia does sound like a good choice for rum. I purchased a few of the new box pressed the other night, and this is the best Brazilia yet IMHO.
I tasted it with my "go to" cigar rum, El Dorado 15. It was a good match. I think the 12 might even be better for this cigar, as it is not as rich as the 15, and this cigar has a deep rich chocolate and earth flavor.

[Hank Koestner]

Here is a new cigar topic for discussion. What do you think are the most over rated cigars based on quality and price? And, what cigars do you think are the best value at the present time? Let's exclude Cubans, since we in the states don't have access to them. Or if you want, you could list them as a seperate category. I am going to list 3 in each.

Over rated:
1. Graycliff - good cigars, but at $18 to $22 each just not worth it IMHO.
2. Gurka - the higher priced Gurkas which are the best of the lot, still not a good value.
3. Davidoff Millenium Blend - Delicious cigars, especially in the smaller sizes, but $20 for a robusto?

Good Value:
1. Oliva Serie V - Excellent cigars, and inexpensive.
2. San Cristobal - Don Pepins blend for Ashton is delicious and comes at a fair price.
3. Aroma de Cuba - A consistently good cigar, very inexpensive.

[Matusalem]

Over-priced: Today's Cohiba imho.

Many of the special release, Edicion Limitada etc. Cuban cigars are all foreplay & no orgasm too!
JMHO

Good value: El Rey del Mundo Choix Supreme, Romeo Y Julieta Exhibition No.4 or for a Happy Meal type value, Romeo Y Julieta Coronitas en Cedro.

[Don Piero]

To continue where we left off.......

The Bolivar Belicoso Fino is one of my favorite all time Cubans. If I ever have any again, I will try the Zacapa.

The CAO Brazilia does sound like a good choice for rum. I purchased a few of the new box pressed the other night, and this is the best Brazilia yet IMHO.
I tasted it with my "go to" cigar rum, El Dorado 15. It was a good match. I think the 12 might even be better for this cigar, as it is not as rich as the 15, and this cigar has a deep rich chocolate and earth flavor.

Hank, the BBF (Bolivar Belicoso Fino) is one of my favourites along with the PSD4 (Partagas Series D No.4) and the Montecristo Edmundo. I do not have much of a rum selection, but I have had several cigars with the Eldorado 21 and Cubay Anejo (Cuban dark Rum, aged 7yrs) and both rums are great compliments to all of the cigars I've had with them being both Cuban and NC's.

[tym2relax]

Are there categories of cigars, mild to full, wrappers; Connecticut, Cameroon, Maduro, etc. that pair well with certain rums? For example, is there a type of rum or rum cocktail that goes with your favorite Cameroon?

Here (http://www.stogieguys.com/2007/09/09192007-stogie-spirits-el-dorado-12-year-old-special-reserve-rum.html) is a review of El Dorado 12. The reviewer suggests pairing the sweeter rum with spicy/salty cigars.

thoughts?

[Hank Koestner]

Now, this is subjective and goes by my taste buds, but I will share a few thoughts.These are some generalizations I have made. The sweeter, rich full flavored rums do go well with full bodied cigars, and also with the spicy salty types. You have to be careful with milder bodied cigars, you can overpower them with a big rum. If they are milder, but with strong flavors, a more medium bodied rum can do.
Cammys are interesting because of the bitter sweet flavor the wrapper imparts. I like a Ti Punch made with white agricole with a Cammy, Like CAO Anniversaire, or an amber agricole with an Oliva Series G. There will be other threads added to this forum, and you can read through it for past posts as to some of the pairings different people have suggested. I will be posting more as time goes on.

[cigar-aficionado]

As far as "salty" cigars to pair with rums I have always found Cuban Fonsecas to have that slightly salty taste:)

[Don Piero]

Had a Partagas Luisitania on Friday with my first sampling of the Ron Zacapa 23yo. After, my first initial taste, I quickly downed it as it was too sweet. Poured myself a Highland Park 12yo to sip on, which was just right with this double corona.

Great cigar if you have about 1hr 45 minutes to spare.

[Hank Koestner]

Was able to procure some BBF's. Absolutely delicious. Box date Nov 07.
Darker wrappers, good construction so far. Zacapa 23 does go well with this cigar as CA has suggested, especially the second half as the flavor intensifies.

The Lusitania is on my list to try when the opportunity presents itself. I posted some info on Cuba in another thread. I was surprised no one commented on it. Maybe the future might hold the chance to finally have some Cuban items in the US.