What makes a Cuban so good?

[Phantom57]

Cubans were the first, and they have a distinct flavor profile. I have smoked cigars almost forty years, and there was a time I smoked almost exclusivley Cubans. Now I smoke mostly Nicaraguan puros, with a smattering of Cubans and others. The quality from Nicaragua is in many cases better or equal to Cubans. The quality control is definitely better in NCs than CCs. In any box of CCs, you can plan on having to throw away two or three because of plugging.

[fuente~fuente]

Originally Posted by Phantom57

Cubans were the first, and they have a distinct flavor profile. I have smoked cigars almost forty years, and there was a time I smoked almost exclusivley Cubans. Now I smoke mostly Nicaraguan puros, with a smattering of Cubans and others. The quality from Nicaragua is in many cases better or equal to Cubans. The quality control is definitely better in NCs than CCs. In any box of CCs, you can plan on having to throw away two or three because of plugging.

I couldn't agree with you more!!! I think Nicaraguan sticks are about as close as your going to get to CC's, as far as flavor goes anyway. I've also about came to the conclusion that I like Nicaraguans better.

I'll wait till after the embargo is over to make my final judgement though!!!

[Baldyisme]

Just a couple things to add. All cigars, NC and CC, is Cuba. Majority of NC are dominated by Cuban ex patriots. Many will argue, myself included, that the quality of rollers and the quality control are superior in NC than CC. This make sense because the majority of Cuba's great rollers and cigar talents are no longer in Cuba. Cubans are considered special because of the tobacco due to the growing conditions in Cuba.

Interesting to note that outside the US, where CC are legal, a vast majority of people choose CC over NC. It's actually difficult to find a B&M, outside the US, with a decent selection of NC. IMO, when it comes to cigars, it's still about the tobacco.

[mash]

Interesting to see people who have never had a CC weigh in on this question.
In my case, it has nothing to do with forbidden fruit, I live somewhere where both are legal. I smoke 90% plus CC's. I recently went to the States for a 2 week holiday and smoked a bunch of Illusiones, Epernays, Cruzados and Padron '64's and '26's.
I liked the Padrons, especially the 1926 #9 Maduro and the 1964 Exclusivo Maduro. But the others, I could care less if I ever smoke one again. Bored me to death. Couldn't wait to get home, fired up a Bolivar Coronas Junior and reminded myself why I like CC's so much.

[Sweet_Cigars]

Originally Posted by mash

Interesting to see people who have never had a CC weigh in on this question.
In my case, it has nothing to do with forbidden fruit, I live somewhere where both are legal. I smoke 90% plus CC's. I recently went to the States for a 2 week holiday and smoked a bunch of Illusiones, Epernays, Cruzados and Padron '64's and '26's.
I liked the Padrons, especially the 1926 #9 Maduro and the 1964 Exclusivo Maduro. But the others, I could care less if I ever smoke one again. Bored me to death. Couldn't wait to get home, fired up a Bolivar Coronas Junior and reminded myself why I like CC's so much.

I am grateful for anyone who comments in my threads.

[DBCcigar]

Originally Posted by Cigar Man Andy

It's a combination of the minerals in the soil and the climate. They also have been making cigars longer than anyone. No all Cubans are not great. A lot of them are hype, but there quite a few that are amazing.

Well said.

Not to mention there is a high content of lithium in Cuban soil.

[sboyajian]

Originally Posted by Cigar Man Andy

You know I have found that 85% or so people only think that they are getting Cubans. More people that I know gift me or come around bragging about the Cuban they are smoking and they are mostly fakes. Make sure you know what you are getting. These types do the bragging thing. Most of us just keep our mouths shut and say thanks or nice. But if you smoke the real deal, you will know why we smoke them. And they are the same or less money than say San Cristobal, VSG or Opus X. You need to find the ones you like. And not buy for the name.

Not to mention.. for most of us who do buy them, do so Duty Free, with Free shipping if applicable..

The last time I bought Cubans they ended up running about 1/2 the price of a NC of the same or less quality.

[Snake Hips]

Originally Posted by winston

Stole my remark the forbidden fruit..... I have never had a cuban either living in the states but I think that is the main reason. I have heard many comments about if you had only one choice smoke only cubans for the rest of your life or everything else. The majority chose everything else there is a wider variety. But I would like to find out for myself on that hopefully our new government will open up trade with Cuba and we call all see what makes them special.

I don't get the "forbidden fruit" argument - it's clearly untrue. Everywhere Habanos are legal, they relentlessly dominate the market; non-Cubans can scarcely even be found.

Anyway, what's special about them is that they're much cheaper and they have an unmatched complexity and taste profile. Soil and climate is pretty much what does it.

[K Baz]

Adding fire to cuban cigar makes them good - thats all you need to know.

I also don't need to know the Caramilk secret. If its good its good.

[mash]

Originally Posted by Sweet_Cigars

I am grateful for anyone who comments in my threads.

So when someone says the only reason Cubans are highly rated is because they are illegal, then admits they've never smoked a Cuban cigar, you find that useful do you?

[Sweet_Cigars]

Originally Posted by mash

So when someone says the only reason Cubans are highly rated is because they are illegal, then admits they've never smoked a Cuban cigar, you find that useful do you?

Everyone is entitled to thier own opinion. Plus there is a thing called freedom of speech. The way I see it as long as it relates to the topic than have at it. Sorry if this has offended you but like I said if someone wants to chime in on my thread and it relates to the topic so be it. In a sum of all the post I pick out the usefull ones.

[mash]

Originally Posted by Sweet_Cigars

Everyone is entitled to thier own opinion. Plus there is a thing called freedom of speech. The way I see it as long as it relates to the topic than have at it. Sorry if this has offended you but like I said if someone wants to chime in on my thread and it relates to the topic so be it. In a sum of all the post I pick out the usefull ones.

I'm not offended at all. Ultimately, the only way to answer this question is to try lots of both CC's and NC's, and come to your own conclusion. In places where people have free access to both (no forbidden fruit issue), they smoke predominantly CC's.

[GlockG23]

Originally Posted by Sweet_Cigars

I never had a Cuban but I sure hear alot about how they are the best. What I wanna know is why? Is it because they are illegal which makes them more wantable? Or is it the fact that Cuba has the best tobacco fields?

If they are as good as they say, can someone reccomend a NC that is very similar in taste?

Iam in no way asking for a way to get real cubans, only curious to why they are suppose to be so good.

There lots of cigars out there that will kick a cuban cigars butt 6 ways to sunday bud

[K Baz]

Originally Posted by GlockG23

There lots of cigars out there that will kick a cuban cigars butt 6 ways to sunday bud

There as a thread on the old CS that tested this theory they pitted a Padron No 35 M vs a Fonesca Kadet in a taste test. The theory was the top of noncubans vs the bottom of cubans - of course everyone will argue there are better NC and worse Cubans but you get the idea.

If you can find it - it makes for an intresting word I looked for it but the original poster(s) can't remember which of two guys it was has been deleted.

Either way taste is subjective.

Edit (found it) - http://www.puff.com/forums/vb/cigar-...m-goliath.html

[Sweet_Cigars]

I wanna thank Mash for being respectful. I think we handle that with pure BOTL respect!

Everyone is entitle to there own opinion, now if I like it or not that's another story but if someone takes the time to post in my thread then I am grateful.