Closest ISOM tasting Non-ISOM

[magno]

I got a chance to sample 5 or 6 nice ISOMs over the past week or so. The ones I liked the best reminded me alot of the Padron Anniversario line. In particular, I think the flavour profile of the 1926 naturals and the most recent batch of 1964 Superiors (also natural wrapper) that I purchased seem very Cuban like.

But like others have said, there is an underlying taste that I've found in virtually all Cubans: a sweet taste like sugared black tea. The Padrons approach this unlike any domestic cigar I've had.

The other Non-cuban that I think comes close on occasion is the Gloria Serie R line. But these are so hit and miss in my experience that I have a hard time recommending them wholeheartedly as I do the Padrons.

Originally Posted by Uniputt

Funny you should mention the Cusanos......I've always like the 18 (double Connecticut shade wrapper) even though it was on the milder side. I even enjoyed the Corojo that they make. I'm surprised that they don't charge more for their product!! Really a good value, if you ask me!

I think I'll pick up one of the C10s this week. And maybe a Padron 1926 as well.

(That is, unless anyone in North Texas wants to meet up for a herf!)
I usually frequent Ye Old Cigar Shoppe in Arlington.......

[summerkc]

I havn't chimed in for a long time on this subject so here it goes:

A few months ago a few small, and one rediculously large, sampling of ISOMs found its way to my door step. I believe they must have got caught in a tornado from Canada or something.

Anyway, after trying quite a few of these, I have found myself almost dreading lighting up a domestic, because I know it wont have that special taste of the ISOM (not to mention almost always great construction).

I was a skeptic, but now I am a believer. They taste totally differnt than any cigar I've smoked, and even differnt brands and differnt years retain that same base flavor. It is most definitely unique.

I have yet to find, or even look for, a supplier of these contraband (or un-banded) cigars from over seas, mostly because I fear finding one where I will start throwing money into a bottemless pit.

I have to ration my beloved ISOMs, smoking numerous domestics between each coveted ruddy brown stick. Maybe this actually adds to what makes them so good.

So to all you newbies out there that havn't had the pleasure of a ISOM, stick around long enough and someone is bound to throw one (or dozens) your way, and after that you will be saying the same thing that I did, "You bastards!"

[zemekone]

Originally Posted by flipflop

Only a Cuban tastes like a Cuban.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I like that story too!

[IHT]

Originally Posted by Uniputt

If I'm happy, should I even attempt to get some ISOMs???????
IHT - no. as for me, i wasn't happy with the metallic aftertaste, and the harsh dirty taste of some of the higher touted domestics. to me, they tasted like charred dirt. i always had to spit, and half the time i couldn't finish them due to how bad they tasted. that led me to go after milder domestics without the strong earthy (dirty) flavors - like some of the DR made domestics. then i finally had some cuban cigars and it was immediately clear how much better they really are. no more spitting, the earthy flavors are great, not dirty tasting, hardly any are harsh...

I can't help but ask.....Since there are some smokes that people CLAIM taste like an ISOM.....how much difference can there really be?
IHT - you'd be amazed. you could take one of the highest ranked domestics and smoke it one night, then follow it up with your average petit corona, or robusto, or anything from cuba the next night, and you would easily be able to tell. there are some people who review a bunch of cigars and always claim that they can't taste some of the cubans they smoke... but that's only after they got done smoking a harsh domestic (harsh compared to a cuban). i've done it before as well, by accident... the overriding bad aftertaste that the majority of domestics leave me with will drown out the great smooth flavors of your average cuban if smoked within a short period of time of each other (domestic first, of course).

Is bliss better? If I don't know what I am missing.....am I really missing anything?
IHT - yes, bliss is better. i was very happy with my Trilogy Authentic Corojos and whatever else i use to smoke (Indian Tabacs)... then my first 4 cuban cigars started me on the slide (2 RASSs, MC 4, boli pc).
now that i think about it... the ONLY non-cuban cigars i own are the ones that someone sent me to try to show me that there are domestics better than cuban cigars. i still have a few Opus X from 2 great guys...
but ask yourself this: if this guy (me) has some Opus' laying around, why would he continue to grab just your standard cuban petit corona, or even a cheapy machine made cuban cigar over the Opus?
when i'm in my garage, just with my wife, you think i'm trying to impress her by smoking a cuban cigar over an Opus (or padron anniv)? hell no...
y'know when i'm gonna smoke those? when i know that i most likely won't be able to finish them and still want a cigar, so i won't feel so bad when i have to put it down after a little past the halfway point...

those are just my views... and who am i to say i'm right?

[IHT]

just wanted to say that i really enjoyed reading most of your first cuban cigar impressions...

brings back some memories... i feel good just because you guys feel good.

wish i had something to drink, i could go for a cigar right about now.