Cuban cigars?

[scottmandue]

Back in the day I love smoking cigars.

After sampling a bunch my favorites were from the Dominican Republic.

Sometimes at a party the host would break out his 'Cuban cigars', maybe they were pulling my leg but they didn't seem a lot better than a high end Dominican cigar.

Now that they are legal here anyone been sampling them? Measurably better than other cigars?

[aigel]

I dabbled in smoking cigars long time ago but long quit. I would bring them duty free back in the day. They were always a big hit because they were unavailable at stores. But there was nothing magic, they were no better than the others, i.e. from the Dominican Republic. It is possible that there is some high-end stuff that is different, but to the casual observer, I am sure the type of tobacco and the climate and soil are very similar between the Caribbean islands, so I doubt you'll see a huge difference.

G

[kach22i]

I like them, they don't upset my stomache like the spicier blends. Mild but with good flavor in general.

Consistancy of the draw isn't up there with other old school brands.

I can smoke them to the very end typically, and don't get bored, nice and complex flavor.

Would not know they were Cuban if not told, but would know that I enjoyed it.

[Ferraripete]

different. a good Cuban cigar is like taking a vacation and can be a special occasion. with that said, you can get great cigars from all regions/countries.

for may go-to Cubans I tend to enjoy:
bolivar belicoso
hoya de Monterey epicure 1
montecristo #2 and #4
partigas d9 and Lusitania
I tend to avoid cohibas as even when bought in cuba....they are often fake. when out of the country buy only at a habanos or casa del habano shop.

have fun!!

[vash]

i used to love them. well, i was starting to like them. casual smoker.

then i hiked up into the Sierras @10,000 feet elevation. buddy brings out a few cigars. that night i puked my butt off..scrambling out of a mummy sleeping bag to clear a tent..

it was a miracle i got to a safe place to deposit that wonder.

never again..been years

[JavaBrewer]

We spent Christmas in Grand Cayman (diving...awesome) and bought a couple 'cuban' cigars from local shops. From what I have read - unless you go to personally go to Cuba and get them from the source the odds are high that you may be ending up with counterfeit.

I only smoke a cigar 2-3x a year and those are in the $25-30 range (cubans are way more) so what the hell do I know.

[Embraer]

I bought some in Cuba last year, at one of the factories in habana. Meh.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Ferraripete

hoya de Monterey
montecristo
partigas

have fun!!

Those are my favorite Dominicans!

And Romeo y Julieta.

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

I only smoke a cigar 2-3x a year and those are in the $25-30 range (cubans are way more) so what the hell do I know.

This is kinda what killed the hobby for me, just got too expensive!!!

[cabmandone]

This thread remind me of a Seinfeld episode where the Dominicans rolled crepes.

[Ferraripete]

Originally Posted by cabmando

This thread remind me of a Seinfeld episode where the Dominicans rolled crepes.

lol....a classic cab!!!!

[strupgolf]

I've been smoking cigars for 30 years and enjoy every minute. I had some Cuban cigars and have to say they are not up to the hype. Taste and aroma are no different from anything you can get in the US. I haven't heard they are legal here. Any links to that?

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by strupgolf

I've been smoking cigars for 30 years and enjoy every minute. I had some Cuban cigars and have to say they are not up to the hype. Taste and aroma are no different from anything you can get in the US. I haven't heard they are legal here. Any links to that?

All I can find is it is legal... to buy up to 100 in Cuba and bring them back. Thought I saw in an old cigar thread here where someone posted a link.

[greglepore]

A good Montecristo A is a special thing. My problem is that I don't smoke often enough anymore to avoid the nicotine headrush that detracts from the enjoyment.

[motion]

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

We spent Christmas in Grand Cayman (diving...awesome) and bought a couple 'cuban' cigars from local shops. From what I have read - unless you go to personally go to Cuba and get them from the source the odds are high that you may be ending up with counterfeit.

I only smoke a cigar 2-3x a year and those are in the $25-30 range (cubans are way more) so what the hell do I know.

Most of the Cuban cigars sold in Cuba by street vendors and small shops are imports from DR or other nearby islands. You have to go into one of the official government places to get the real stuff. At least in Habana this is the case.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by greglepore

A good Montecristo A is a special thing. My problem is that I don't smoke often enough anymore to avoid the nicotine headrush that detracts from the enjoyment.

I also have this problem... sometimes wife will go out of town to visit family.

I run out and get a hoya de Monterey and a nice bottle of whiskey, half way through the cigar I have to lay down.

[motion]

My buddy and I smoked some Habanas on the Malecon last year. Neither of us are smokers, but about 5 minutes into his, he was ralphing into the Atlantic, LOL.

[scottmandue]

Back when I was a regular smoker I would order by the box and have them delivered to my friends business.

I would meet him at a sports bar where we would throw back some beers and watch the games.

Cute little waitress: "What is in the box?"
Me: "Cigars"
"Can I have one?"
"No"

Knowing she would take a $20 cigar, take two puffs, and throw it away.

[Shadetree930]

A good Cuban Montecristo #2 is a joy to behold.

But having said that, they are now too strong for me. I have migrated to a Davidoff (Dominican) smoker.

Unsurpassed quality, a joy to hold in the hand, and smoooooth.

[tabs]

Partagas 150's

Partagas Black Label

Hoyo No 1 Excalibers

R&J Vintage Churhills

[Tishabet]

I'm a fairly "serious" cigar enthusiast and do have boxes of cubans (currently opened in my cabinet humidor: partagas serie d #4, ramon allones special selected, hoyo de monterey epicure #2, El rey del mundo choix supreme) and have certainly had my fair share of cigars from pretty much every cigar producing region of the world.

What I usually say to people who express interest in my cigar hobby and ask about Cuban cigars is this: Cuba is to cigars what France is to wine. Storied history and tradition, plenty of excellent products, but hardly the only player and buying a product from there is not a guarantee of greatness by any means.