"Why do people choose the substitute over God himself? Probably the most important reason is that it obviates accountability to God. We can meet idols on our own terms because they are our own creations. They are safe, predictable, and controllable; they are, in Jeremiah's colorful language, the 'scarecrows in a cornfield' (10:5). They are portable and completely under the user's control. They offer nothing like the threat of a God who thunders from Sinai and whose providence in this world so often appears to us to be incomprehensible and dangerous . . . [People] need face only themselves. That is the appeal of idolatry."
- David F. Wells
Friday, August 5, 2005
I have just one question: What is the greatest cigar you have ever smoked? No fluff. No pomp. And please, no cryptic "bursting with chocolate overtones and hints of cherries and walnuts" malarkey from the high falootin' cigar magazines who shall remain anonymous, either (alright, their initials are CA :). Simply tell is what your favorite cigar is and briefly why.
For the record, I'm no seasoned cigar smoker. The occasions these days for a fine cigar are few and far between. While I was serving in the mission field, I worked at my parent's restaurant and it was there that I had the incredible opportunity to fine-tune my skills with the so-called "puro habano".
For me, the majority of the best cigars I have had have all been Cuban and part of what's called the "Edicion Limitada" line. This line of special habanos, available only from Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo, Partagas, and Hoyo, consists of the normal blend for the vitola plus a two-year aged wrapper from a special section of the Vuelta Abajo in the Pinar del Rio region (the western part of the island where all the good stuff is grown). It takes on a darker color and richer flavor, similar to a maduro. The cigars are produced for one year and after that, unless you can find them from a retailer, are never to seen of or heard from again (except in special commemorative editions). They are simply awesome.
My favorite is the Hoyo de Monterrey Piramides Edicion Limitada 2003. Running close behind it are the Cohiba Double Corona Edicion Limitada 2003, Montecristo C Edicion Limitada 2003, Montecristo Double Corona Edicion Limitada 2001, Cohiba Siglo VI, and Montecristo Edmundo.
What is your favorite?
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Comments on "The Greatest Ever":
2. Jeremy
- 08/05/2005 8:16 am CDT
Just one? I don't know if that's possible. La Aroma de Cuba's are great. Sir Winston Churchhill listed them as one of his favorites and I can see why. Great smoke.
I also enjoy the Romeo and Julietta Reserve Real, Cusano 18's, Padron 3000, and CAO MX2.
China #5 in the Drew Estates Acid line is great too. To me, it tasted like candy. Kahlua cigars by Drew Estate are also a great flavored smoke if you're ever in the mood.
If I had a favorite every day smoke, Oliva's Flor de Oliva churchhill (or possible a torpedo) would be my pick. It is sweet on the lips and inexpensive. A bundle of 25 will run you about $35. I think I'll order some now.
3. Alan
- 08/05/2005 8:20 am CDT
I've had a couple of Cubans (buddy of mine was a short-term missionary to Cuba). I don't remember the names, although Cohiba sounds familiar.
I also enjoyed the Macanudo I had a few years ago.
But I'm no cigar fiend. I've had less than ten in my life. Because I've always had a cigar given to me by an afficionado, I don't think I've ever had a bad one.
4. Jared
- 08/05/2005 8:30 am CDT
My brand of choice has always been Punch, still is after, oh, ten years of occasional cigar smoking. I like the Gran Puro, but really any big, thick Punch cigar will do. Never had a bad one.
The other night I smoked the much heralded Cuban Montecristo No.2, one of two given to me through Becky by a business contact of hers. It was pretty dang awesome.
And the Cohiba Bird smuggled back to me from his Mexican honeymoon will always have a special place in my heart.
Now that I apparently have my own dealer (cough, cough), I suspect I may get more experienced with Cuban cigars and develop a favorite that is the envy of all aficionados sans connections.
7. Jared
- 08/05/2005 9:01 am CDT
Swisher Sweet : cigar :: Kevin Costner : acting
;-)
Actually, if you're going to go the drugstore, machine-made pack cigars, I think Garcia y Vega English Coronas are the best. Pack of five cost about three bucks.
Bird and I started on Swishers.
Swishers are a gateway smoke!
Blo is a swisher.
10. Jared
- 08/05/2005 9:56 am CDT
Poor Blo
Poor Blo Fry ee dead.
---
Can you believe we've gone three years without a cigar category on the blog? I have rectified that with the brand spankin' new "Stogies" added to the category list.
Thor, this post of yours has been filed under the new category, and I went back through the archives and also re-filed all the smoking/cigars/tobacco-related posts I could find.
I love going through the archives. I'm always reminded of some insight I had one day two years ago but forgot all about or some HILARIOUS conversation with or post by Bird.
Thinklings Weblog memory lane is awesome.
Ryan Seacrest, out.
11. Quaid
- 08/05/2005 12:39 pm CDT
I've only smoked one cigar and since I was a cigar virgin, I didn't know I was supposed to remember what I was smoking.
But I liked it.
A lot.
(Any student from my church reading this - this is not license for you to take up smoking. It is against the law for you to smoke and it is the last thing you should be distracting yourself with. Well, maybe not the last thing, but it's up there with alcohol, sex and stuff.)
12. jen
- 08/05/2005 1:46 pm CDT
I was totally kidding about the Swishers, btw. You know that right?
What Quaid said goes for me too. I've smoked a couple real stogies in my day, but I have no clue what they were.
13. Jeremy
- 08/05/2005 6:41 pm CDT
Jared, I can't believe I forgot about Punch. Their After Dinner smoke is awesome.
14. Manders
- 08/05/2005 9:15 pm CDT
Quaid: "It is against the law for you to smoke and it is the last thing you should be distracting yourself with."
Not the seniors (the eighteen-year-old ones, anyway)! :)
I don't smoke cigars, but I do like vanilla pipe tobacco quite a bit.
I'll bite.
My absolute favorite, bar none, is the Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story.
A fair (not distant, not close) second is the Hoyo De Monterrey Excalibur #1.