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I have smoked some new "highly acclaimed" cigars recently and wanted to report my findings to you. Sadly, I am finding that cigars are becoming a lot like wines; many renowned cigars are living off of their names/brands rather than their quality.

For my money, the Padron 1926 and 1964 series cigars are still the best smokes out there for flavor and strength. Here are a couple of new ones I have tried recently with my thoughts:

The Partagas Decadas were named cigar of the year by almost everyone for 2005/2006. These cigars are named such because they were aged for a decade, and then released. I bought four cases when they came out so I have had the pleasure of trying them new and properly aged for about a year and I am not impressed. They are fine, but certainly not great and most definitely no Cigar of the year. The smoke is consistent and smooth and the strength of the actual tobacco is mild. It is a full flavored cigar, but not very spicy. Most of the flavors are the darker chocolate type aromas. I have also found that the cigars are losing, rather than gaining character as they age, which is not a good quality. At between $15-20 per cigar, I simply can't recommend these cigars.

The Gurkha line has become a new lesser-known but growing in popularity brand that has taken the cigar world by storm recently. Famed for their cigars aged in Louis XIII Cognac (which run $7500 per case) the Gurkha line has a series of other cigars, all molded in a similar vein; large sized format, strong and flavorful. I grabbed a case of the "beast" line last year, at about $600 per box, and find them to be an enjoyable, flavorful cigar. I will buy other Gurkha's to try them, but at this price it is hard to recommend. I would suggest purchasing them as singles until you find one you like. The Beast is a full flavored smoke with medium strength that is enjoyable, but still no Padron. It is slightly spicy, although the famed "kick" that is supposed to exist 2/3 of the way into the "beast" is lacking for me. All in all, pleasant.

When I find a great cigar, I buy a box of them, because I know that the cigars will only get better with time and proper aging. As a result, I have more than 200 cigars and another half dozen I want to buy which I've tasted recently.

Many of you write the show asking what I smoke and for cigar recommendations, this page should cover both. I like cigars which are full bodied, spicy and full of flavor so I usually smoke Maduro, dark wrapper cigars. There a few exceptions for smoother smokes, but I generally go for a cigar that smokes like a meal covered in cayenne pepper.

At the front of the humidor, we find the Partagas Black Label 1845 Maduro. Measuring 6 inches in length, this is a good cigar for a 30-45 minute smoke. While not as potent, smooth or spicy as others, this is an enjoyable cigar that delivers a burnt chocolate aftertaste for about $7 per cigar.

Next up is the AVO 6 inch Maduro. Very similar to the Partagas in taste, style and smoothness. The aftertaste on the smoke of the AVO is more of lighter charcoal/chocolate flavor. About $8 per cigar.

This is the prize drawer of the Humidor, stuffed with my favorite cigars in the world, the Padron 1964 Anniversary Maduro Series. I love these things so much I have shorter (5 ½ inches) smokes for when I have less time and longer ones (7 inches) for a good 90 minute fun fest. The Padron cigar is the best, most consistent cigar I have had over the years. It always deliver a knock-out punch of cayenne pepper and smooth smoke flavor. These cigars are stronger than most, too so you get flavor and effect to its' fullest. These run $12-15 pr cigar and are worth every penny.

xxxxx

The Makers Mark cigar is one of the few natural wrapped cigars I enjoy. This is NOT a flavored cigar (those are for dullards with no taste). This is a good cigar dipped in Makers Mark whiskey. It is one of the few of these styles I have found that actually holds its taste through most of the cigar. This is not a fantastic smoke, as it loses its luster about 2/3 into the cigar and begins to just taste like hot smoke. Maker's Mark cut back on production dramatically 3 years ago and I stocked up on these, but I doubt I smoke 3 in a year. Last I knew, they were charging $20 per cigar which is a rip-off when compared to great cigars like the Padron. Try one first and decide if they're worth it. If I had to do it over again, I wouldn't buy as many as I did. There are too many other great smokes out there.

What a great cigar this is. This is the Ashton Cabinet Aged Maduro. These cigars are aged 7 years before release, so now that they've spent 3 years in my humidor they're at 10 years. At 7 ½ inches, this cigar takes 75-120 minutes to enjoy properly…which is why it's great on a golf course. Deep and full, not at spicy as a Padron, but with a nice bite to it. About $10 per cigar and a bargain at that.

Another of my few Natural wrapper cigars is the classic Ashton Cabinet Cigar which is the smoothest smoking cigar I know of. No flavor of smoke, just great mild tobacco with very little bite but a ton of flavorful aftertaste. These can run $12-15 each.

The Cohiba red Dot Cigar is the biggest, fullest, most like a meal cigar I have found. You need to practically chew this thing it's so heavy. Literally, I do not smoke these after a big meal. If you have 75-90 minutes and desire a smoke of monumental girth, go for this always reliable brand. Usually about $12-15 each.

These are absolutely NOT Cuban cigars, imported illegally and secretly to this country by some outstanding business associates of mine. There is no way I would endorse or allow a violation of federal law such as accepting a box of Cuban cigars. I'm sure there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for the lack of ring bands on these cigars but I can't think of it right now. What I do know is that these smoke JUST LIKE a real Cuban, complete with the knockout punch buzz. Seriously, I have to sleep after one of these it's such an amazing head trip. I'd tell you how much they cost but I'd have to kill you.

 I have three old cigar boxes like this filled with my Potpourri selection of single cigars. Amongst them I have Maduros from Onyx, Romeo Y Julieta, Arturo Fuente and Davidoff.