Super El-Cheapo Review of Free Cuba

[thebayratt]

So I got a few 5ers of the Free Cubas for yard gars or fishn' gars and thought I'd take a stab at a review. Couldn't hurt.

Name: Free Cuba
Size: 52x6.5"
Shape: Torpedo
Price: $3/5pk (60cents/ea.) Cigarbid.com
Accompanying drink: Black Cherry Koolaid (don't laugh its good!)

Cut with a gioutine cutter and off the bat the cap started to unravle. It was pulled from 66%Rh. A dry boxing my do this stick some good. Lit with the Old Faithful Jetlite.
Fairly mild first off with a semi loose draw. The 1st inch or so of the ash was non-flaky. Then once the ash fell off at around 1 1/2" the ash got flaky and loose. First taste that came to mind was of nuts. Then narrowed it down to unsalted cashews. This cigar reminded me of my college years when money got tight and I had to smoke cheap cigarettes. This cigar was not harsh but i could have been bettter. Tasted like a Maverick full cigarette. For 60cents, I am not complaining.
The ash fell at about 1 to 1 1/2" increments and reminded me of the bark of a pine tree as far as ash except white; never had a browning ash.
A small burn issue of about a 3/8" arose after the first ash fell. Which was easily corrected by a turning. No help with the Jetlite at all.
The half way point opened up a carmelish flavor. I love carmel but the hint of it was pretty faint. This stick is far from complex but not a terrible one. Some sticks make me want to spit somewhat; this one didn't except for the occasional loose leaf that wandered onto my lips.

Words of advice:
* Don't pay over $5 for a 5pk of these (or any 5er of Free Cubas).
* Get the churchills, then punch cut them.
* Dryboxing may help burn/cap issues.
* Great knock-around cigar where it wouldn't matter if it got sacriced.
* Decent cigar for a NOOB who doesn't like full bodied cigars.

Overall I'd give it a C- (maybe about 75pts).
I have had alot worse for alot more $$$.

[ejgarnut]

Good job. Its nice to see reviews of the less expensive smokes. Ive had quite a few good $1 and less smokes, lots of bad ones too though.

Sounds like a good smoke for the price.