Gran Reserva Cigars

Luke W · Post by **Luke W** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 8:43 am

Moses Botbol wrote:
They'll buy the Gran Reservas right off your avatar for double the price.

No chance. I'm keeping every one I've got. They are the PERFECT cigar.

Moderators note: this thread was split from THIS TOPIC

Moses Botbol · Post by **Moses Botbol** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 9:05 am

Luke W wrote:
Moses Botbol wrote:
They'll buy the Gran Reservas right off your avatar for double the price.
No chance. I'm keeping every one I've got. They are the PERFECT cigar.

They certainly are. I heard in Havana, unbanded GR's are like $5-7 a piece at El Laguito...

Luke W · Post by **Luke W** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 11:15 am

Moses Botbol wrote:

They certainly are. I heard in Havana, unbanded GR's are like $5-7 a piece at El Laguito...

Wow. I find that hard to believe since they don't make em anymore. But in Havana you just never know. Have you tried one of them before? Would be impossible to fake these with the rich honey flavor they have.

Moses Botbol · Post by **Moses Botbol** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 2:09 pm

Luke W wrote:
Moses Botbol wrote:

They certainly are. I heard in Havana, unbanded GR's are like $5-7 a piece at El Laguito...
Wow. I find that hard to believe since they don't make em anymore. But in Havana you just never know. Have you tried one of them before? Would be impossible to fake these with the rich honey flavor they have.

Well, I should clarify that they were that price when being rolled. Apparently, they roll well in excess of any limited amount they save for whole boxes. Tourists have to be able to buy singles and managers make money selling unband cigars out the back door. Even limited humidor cigars are available as singles and unband if you want even more savings. So what ever is being rolled at that time are the deals. For custom cigars I love the Padrinos.

I have had on Cohiba GR and it was the best Cohiba I have ever tried (that was fresh). An amazingly rich cigar for its format and real delight to smoke. I wonder how the Montecristo GR will compare?

Luke W · Post by **Luke W** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 2:41 pm

Moses Botbol wrote:

Well, I should clarify that they were that price when being rolled. Apparently, they roll well in excess of any limited amount they save for whole boxes. Tourists have to be able to buy singles and managers make money selling unband cigars out the back door. Even limited humidor cigars are available as singles and unband if you want even more savings. So what ever is being rolled at that time are the deals. For custom cigars I love the Padrinos.

I have had on Cohiba GR and it was the best Cohiba I have ever tried (that was fresh). An amazingly rich cigar for its format and real delight to smoke. I wonder how the Montecristo GR will compare?

Way too many counterfeits for me to buy unbanded or any gray market sticks. But I do like some of the custom rolled stuff.

I am excited to try the Gran Reserva Monte as well. I saw a video of Suckling smoking one and he was quite impressed. He didnt seem to enjoy it as much as the Cohiba, but rumor has them coming in at a good $500 cheaper per box. What a bargain

Moses Botbol · Post by **Moses Botbol** » Sun Jun 12, 2011 6:35 am

I only talk about unband GR's from the perspective of someone I know who spends half the year in Cuba. He buy's right from R&J or Laguito. He'll export humidors to Europe and spends time at Robaina's farm (the Padrinos). I too am super cautious with fakes, etc... I trust him and the cigars speak for themselves. If figures pictures with him in the back of El Laguito with stacks of Diplomatic boxes is enough for me.

I can't see paying full boat on GR's; just too rich for my blood. I hardly even buy RE's. Well, I did just buy the PL Encantos

and have maybe 4-5 other RE boxes; nothing crazy.

Luke W · Post by **Luke W** » Sun Jun 12, 2011 2:12 pm

I hear you. I have not found too many EL or Regionals to be worth the extra. The GR were different to me. I split a box with a friend and we were both so impressed that we "had" to buy more.
Have you tried the Behike like yet? Not quite as expensive and very very nice. They have a taste reminiscent of the GR. I love em

Moses Botbol · Post by **Moses Botbol** » Sun Jun 12, 2011 2:21 pm

Luke W wrote:Have you tried the Behike like yet? Not quite as expensive and very very nice. They have a taste reminiscent of the GR. I love em

I smoked the largest Behike last week and it was not nearly as good as the GR's. I don't own any GR or Behike's. I smoked a SCDH Mercederes recently and was impressed. Really underpriced considering the presentation, exclusivity, and price. I had both the '06 and '07. '06 was better, but either is worth getting before they are gone.

Luke W · Post by **Luke W** » Sun Jun 12, 2011 3:21 pm

Thanks Moses. I have not tried those yet. I will grab a box.

What Ports do you recommend with cigars. I have only tried a few. I liked the 03, 04 and 07 Quinta Do Noval and 07 Dow with a nice cigar. I haven't gotten much further. Do you have a pairing that works nicely?

Thanks again.

Moses Botbol · Post by **Moses Botbol** » Sun Jun 12, 2011 3:46 pm

Luke W wrote: What Ports do you recommend with cigars.

I don't recommend port with cigars. Madeira is much better pairing. I'd suggest Broadbent 10, Broadbent 1996 Colheita, Blandy Alada, RWC Boston Bual, or D'Oliveira 10.

I like port with cigars, but only when purely casual smoking. I'd go for 20 year Fereira or Sandeman as a first pick.

Andrew E · Post by **Andrew E** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 12:43 pm

Luke W wrote:Thanks Moses. I have not tried those yet. I will grab a box.

What Ports do you recommend with cigars. I have only tried a few. I liked the 03, 04 and 07 Quinta Do Noval and 07 Dow with a nice cigar. I haven't gotten much further. Do you have a pairing that works nicely?

Thanks again.

I wouldn't recommend vintage or ruby ports with cigars, it's all about tawny, preferably aged. Sure based on personal preference you might want something along the lines of vintage or ruby, but I'd say it's more popular to have a tawny with a cigar.

I can't find any decent Madeira around me to try, but I've read many times it does go well with cigars.

Eric Ifune · Post by **Eric Ifune** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 4:45 pm

Personally, I like Scotch or Bourbon with cigars.

For The Love Of Port