What is a cheap cigar worth? What are the cigars we buy at the hotel shop on our southern vacation worth? Terry Pomerantz often finds cheap cigars of very acceptable quality. But then again, what are they really worth?
Counterfeit and cheap cigars
There is a big difference between counterfeit cigars sold on the beach or on the corner of a tourist street, and a cigar that is honestly made and sold at a modest price, that is to say, at a much lower price than branded cigars.
“There are sketchy things that go into making counterfeit cigars. They can also be infested with parasites!” warns Terry Pomerantz.
Branded cigars and cheap cigars: prices
Cheap Cuban cigars such as Por Larranaga Small Corona, San Cristobal El Principe, Partagas Shorts, Ramon Allones Small Club Corona or Bolivar Small Coronas cost only about $10 each.
Similar cigars from a premium brand like Montecristo or Romeo y Julieta will easily cost 50% more per unit.
The advantages of cheap cigars
Some manufacturers offer several types of cigars with very respectable quality/price value. Cheap cigars of good quality are easily preserved in a humidor or in a simple zip-lock bag.
Where to buy cheap cigars?
Whether it is in Cuba, in the Dominican Republic or in Mexico, you will find very good yet inexpensive cigars in specialized tobacco shops.
Don’t hesitate to taste a cigar that was handmade before you by a craftsman. Many craftsmen set up shop on the street, in a kiosk, with tobacco leaves hanging from the wooden beams.
However, stay away from cigars sold on the sidewalk, especially if the retailer tells you they are from a reputable brand.
In Montreal, as elsewhere in Canada, specialized tobacco shops sell excellent cigars of lesser-known brands at much lower prices than those of the major brands.
Terry’s Advice
Handcrafted cigars sold in boxes are less expensive than cigars sold individually in a metal tube, and they are also easier to store.
A $1,000 cigar
For the record, some cigars from the very prestigious Gurkha Cigar brand cost a whopping $1,000 USD each!
Are cheap cigars worth it?
“Definitely yes!” says Terry Pomerantz.
Terry’s Top 5 Inexpensive Cigars
Terry Pomerantz suggests this Top 5, for inexpensive cigars. “There are several good cigars sold at a much more affordable price than those made by renowned Cuban or Dominican cigar brands. I would even say that in some cases, these inexpensive cigars are worth more than what their price would lead us to believe.”
Among the best inexpensive cigars, Terry Pomerantz has a soft spot for these 5 brands:
- Flor De Oliva.
Flor De Oliva Connecticut Robusto cigars are rolled by hand in Nicaragua. The wrapper is made from tobacco leaves grown in Ecuador, while the binder and filler are made from Cuban tobacco plants grown in Nicaragua
- Flor Dominicana (LFD)
Flor Dominicana Oscuro cigars are wrapped in a dark Habano Nicaraguan tobacco leaf with a Dominican tobacco binder. The filler is made from a blend of tobaccos from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. The LFD Oscuro delivers unique full-bodied flavours.
- Toscano Modigliani
From Lucca, in Italy, the Toscano Modigliani is an excellent inexpensive cigar. Toscano Modigliani cigars are made from a blend of Tuscany Italian Kentucky tobacco that is fire-cured with wood from fruit trees. Smooth, the Toscano Modigliani delivers flavours of dried fruit, malt and cedar.
- Don Tomas Clasico Robusto
Very affordable, this Robusto size cigar is made in Honduras. It is made from a blend of tobaccos from Nicaragua and Honduras. The Don Tomas Clasico Robusto delivers wood, leather and nutty undertones.
- Quintero Panetelas
« “The Quitero Panetelas is one of the rare Cuban cigars that we can still consider to be inexpensive”, mentions Terry Pomerantz. It is made from a blend of tobaccos from the Vuelta Abajo region. A medium-bodied cigar, the Quintero Panetelas delivers flavours that are authentically Cuban, with spice, wood and earth undertones.
In Quebec, you can purchase most of these cigar brands in specialized tobacco shops. If you live outside of Quebec, you can also purchase these inexpensive cigars online, in specialized online Canadian tobacco shops.
A cigar enthusiast, Terry Pomerantz shares his expert advice on the different brands, types of cigars, and essential accessories to have. Immerse yourself in his recommendations to magnify your experience with each cigar, which you can enjoy in good company, an invitation to take the time to live each moment to the full.