My First Non-Cuban Cigar

[Snake Hips]

Originally Posted by Dread

When you smoke a $45 stick and then smoke a $5-$10 stick back to back id imagine youd come to the same conclusion no matter the origin. Post up what you think of the other non-cubans you have after you try them out, Im very curious. I live about 2 hours from the canadian border and have never had a cuban so Im contemplating taking the drive up one weekend and grabbing a few.

In Canada, both cigars are $45 sticks. A Cohiba Siglo IV is a ~$10 stick, and the Rocky Patel Summer Collection goes for ~$11 at my local B&M.

[96Brigadier]

Originally Posted by Snake Hips

In Canada, both cigars are $45 sticks. A Cohiba Siglo IV is a ~$10 stick, and the Rocky Patel Summer Collection goes for ~$11 at my local B&M.

Cohiba Siglo IV is a ~$10 stick in Cuba, agreed.

[Herf N Turf]

I don't even like that cigar. Basing your opinion of NC's on that stinkpole would be like basing your opinion of beef on a McDonalds hamburger.

[Hemingway in Havana]

Originally Posted by Tarks

In my mind, most of everything that RP has sucks. I might offend some people in saying that but this is just my opinion.

Can't stand RP's. But I agree with what others have recommended, namely Tatuaje, Padron, Illusione, & most anything blended by "Pepin" Garcia.

[6clicks]

I agree with you Hemingway (and Rev). I get to somke an ISOM Cohiba occasionally and they're one of my favorites, but almost anything by Garcia and LFD is really right up my alley.

[burnsco]

well I've recently started smoking cubans and I don't see myself buying any NC's anymore except for padron and DPG sticks once in a while. they are just so much more tasty!

Even padrons for example, will get bitter and a bit harsh at the very end of the stick. cc's NEVER in my experience get like that. they taste so good from start to end, and are very consistent.

[96Brigadier]

Originally Posted by burnsco

well I've recently started smoking cubans and I don't see myself buying any NC's anymore except for padron and DPG sticks once in a while. they are just so much more tasty!

Even padrons for example, will get bitter and a bit harsh at the very end of the stick. cc's NEVER in my experience get like that. they taste so good from start to end, and are very consistent.

I have two Padron 4000's in my humidor, if the weather is nice this week (and it is supposed to be) I'm going to give one of them a try.

[Casmund]

I think u just have to keep trying a bunch till you fiind the NC's you like palate preference is very subjective. For instance I like Cohiba Robusto's and HdM Epicure especiale..but I heard the Montecristo No.4 was good so I tried it and it didn't do it for me there was a flavor in there that my palate disliked, But that may be someone elses favorite. This applies to NC just the same no matter what we all say in the end you have to taste each for yourself and reviews are good guidelines for something you might like to try before trying others, but personally I would never rule out a cigar till I had tried it personally.


Hmm NC's I have liked Santa rosa rothchilde, Fuente Chateau and double, CAO MX2/gold/brazilia, TH Nic/natural/maduro.

I hear the Oliva Series V are real nice for a fuller body cigar and one of these days I want to try the Taboo Limited Reserve Connecticut perfecto and Bucanero Cubano Double connecticut Canone.

just my 2 cents have a great day.

Chris

[Magicseven]

Is being able to bring cubans back a new thing? I used to live close to manitoba and then you could not bring back cubans. This was like 10 years ago, but has something changed?

[pitbulljimmy]

Nope... Nothing's changed. You Americans are still not allowed to bring Cubans back from visits to Canada. The embargo is still in full force.

[Shaz]

Originally Posted by Magicseven

Is being able to bring cubans back a new thing? I used to live close to manitoba and then you could not bring back cubans. This was like 10 years ago, but has something changed?

I'm pretty sure Canadians have always been allowed to bring back Cubans, or any cigars. Quota is 50 cigars per person, regardless of size, after being out of country for a short period of time.

[Casmund]

Cuban cigars are illegal in the United States, except for pre-embargo cigars which are very rare and extremely expensive. If U.S. citizens attempt to buy, own or bring any Cuban cigars into the U.S., they may be subject to fines and other penalties, depending on the particular circumstances.
Cuban Cigars Are Illegal at Home and Abroad

Technically, although an American citizen cannot even purchase or smoke a Cuban cigar while traveling abroad, there may not be any practical way to enforce the restriction. That being said, a cigar smoker who ever wanted to try a Cuban cigar may want to take the chance while traveling in other countries. Canada and Mexico are not very far from many American cities, and those who are planning a Caribbean cruise will find them for sale on many of the islands.There is, however, a problem with counterfeit Cuban cigars being sold to American tourists. To improve the chances of getting the real thing, make your purchase from a reputable cigar store, and not one of the many street vendors that you'll see near the port. Do not buy any more cigars that you intend to smoke while abroad.


Nasty hopefully such an antiquated embargo will be lifted especially since 6.6 percent of cubas imports come from the US anyways . Seems only fair purchases should go both ways and create jobs for the less fortunate in Cuba.


Forbidden fruit is always tastier but in the meantime there are so many great NC cigars that meet or exceed the quality of many Habanos S.A. products thankfully for our American BOTL

Chris

[96Brigadier]

Well, an update on my quest to find a NC I like

A week ago I tried a Padron 4000. I was really hopeful on this cigar as I keep seeing good things written here about Padron's in general. I must admit I was very disappointed in this cigar. Perhaps my expectations were too high after all I had read here about them but it just did not do it for me. Don't get me wrong, the construction, burn, and draw were all fantastic. The taste just did not do it for me though.

So last night was UFC night at a friend's house. We typically get together about 4:00 to have a smoke beforehand. It was cold out so we were in the garage with two heaters going which made things reasonably comfortable. I took over a CC RASS and a NC Fonseca Cubano Viso Fuerte Toro. After the RASS (buddy had a CC Cohiba) we still had time before the fights so we each pulled out a second cigar; me the Fonseca and buddy a CC Montecristo Open Regata.

So having smoked a CC first I didn't have high expectations for the Fonseca Cubano Viso Fuerte Toro, but you know what, I liked the Fonseca! To me it was quite a bit milder than the RASS, and of course didn't have any of the Cuban twang. But, the construction was excellent, it burned perfectly, and the draw was very good. I didn't find the flavours to be overly complex, but I did like it! All in all I quite enjoyed it and it gave me hope for the NC side of this hobby. I could easily see myself with this big Toro on the golf course.

I have a second of the Fonseca in the humi, next time I'll try it on its own to see how it turns out, but I now have high hopes for it.

Steve

[gehrig97]

Originally Posted by Tarks

In my mind, most of everything that RP has sucks. I might offend some people in saying that but this is just my opinion.

If you a like a full bodied, full flavored cigar (I am assuming you do since you enjoy the Cohiba Sig IV) then you should try some Pepin 601's, Tat browns, Illusiones, Oliva V's. These are some of my favorite nc's that I have had to date.