What makes a Cuban so good?

[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.

[redraider]

Because they have a percieved notion that they are hard to find...It is like the forbidden fruit..

I actually prefer most NC's now after smoking for a while.

[K Baz]

Where I live, non US, most people smoke cubans. They are easy to get and in no way illegal. I would assume that this would remove the forbidden fruit reason to smoke cubans - so I think the forbidden fruit idea ia nil.

In fact noncubans are harder to get here but they are still not widely prized or sought after because they are rare or hard to get - they are simply a nice change.

Are Cubans better??!? That is up to you. I know people the have tried both and love noncubans I know people that smoke 99.9 % cubans. But I know people that eat brussel sprouts so to each there own.

If you looking for why cubans are sought after or why they taste why they do look at soil, or flavour, or marketing, or what have you but hard to get doesn't make a good cigar.

[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.

[Jack Straw]

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.

This.

I have had a few that are great, and a few that were "OK." All the ones I've had share a common characteristic which is this sort of golden earthy flavor, which I find to be very agreeable, and which I assume is the result of the soil content in Cuba.

Keeping in mind that I am young and not a cigar historian, I like to think about it in terms of wine. Years ago (before I was alive mostly) French wine was supposed to be the sh!t. Wine connosieurs laughed and turned their noses up at Californian wine. It was new. It wasn't as good, at least originally (or so I hear). Then the traditions in places like California and Australia developed to the point where fine wines from those regions could stack up against France's best (well more or less - it's all a matter of opinion). You'd never be able to duplicate the unique flavors that come from the mineral content of the soil and the particular vines, but you can match it in terms of quality. Pretty much the same thing with cigars. Cigar growing outside of Cuba I'd imagine didn't get serious until after the US trade embargo when there was all of a sudden this wide-open market for premium cigars, so NC producers have really only had half a century or so to get it right (on that serious, premium level). I think they've done a pretty good job so far.

[Cigary]

A few have hit on the attributes of the soil and they would be correct in that if you take a seed and plant it in Cuba and then plant the same seed in another location,,,US, Nic, Honduras, Costa Rica,,you won't get the same taste. Soil will make a real difference and Cuban soil just so happens to have soil conducive to making some great cigars. The same can be said for wine in different soils as well. Does that mean Cuban cigars are better than others? Only if you have a franchise of Cuban cigars,,,,there are just as good cigars from other places,,,,it's a matter of taste.

[AspiringGent]

I find that the quality of CC's is generally very consistent relative to what I've experienced from NC's. Because it's all nationalized you know what you're getting for the most part, whereas with NC's you can get drastic changes from one manufacturer to the next. From a broader perspective, they're not necessarily better or worse, just different. There are a lot of great CC's, but also a lot of great NC's.

[Sweet_Cigars]

Great now I want a CC!

[docruger]

Originally Posted by Sweet_Cigars

Great now I want a CC!

here in the U.S. i think 75% of wanting Cubans is bragging rights.
all tho i do love a good Cuban.

[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.

[Herf N Turf]

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.

Sage advice.

I cut my teeth on CC's. I started smoking cigars in the early 80's, but really didn't 'get it' until the early '90s. At that time, I had several, consistent, "Cuban Connections" and so, they were plentiful. Some were fantastic, some were below average. I've smoked NC's that were far better than my best CC experience. My CC connections have since dried up and frankly, I don't particularly miss them. Pretty much, Im with Andy on this; well worth smoking, but not the only game in town. Choose wisely, grasshopper.

Don't mortgage the farm on Cubans. Don't ever pay more than you would for a decent super-primi. It's simply false economy.

To my palette, the playing field has become completely leveled. When I first started smoking, NC's were poor excuses, compared to the best CC's. This is, IMHO, no longer.

If CC's are readily available to you, you owe it to yourself to explore them. If not, you're not really missing out.

[Sweet_Cigars]

Great answers everyone you all help me shed a light on the infamous CC. Thanks for all the post.

[Tarks]

Great advise Don.

[winston]

Originally Posted by redraider

Because they have a percieved notion that they are hard to find...It is like the forbidden fruit..

I actually prefer most NC's now after smoking for a while.

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.

[Les Paul]

Generally speaking, IMO.....the taste and aroma are wildly different.

However, if you get an Opus X that is on, watch out. Incredible taste, incredible aroma. IMO, FFOX have been pretty inconsistent.