CC's or NC's?

[RichieBklyn]

It seems to me the more people smoke (years) they tend to lean toward CC's as better than NC's. Any truth to this? I can't seem to figure out why? I have smoked about 10 CC's, premium brands mostly when out of the US, bought at an LCD. I have not found CC's to taste better than NC's. What am I missing? :sh

[markem]

smoke what you like, like what you smoke. Doesn't matter what the others say, matters what you like.

[Bill86]

If you've tried them and don't like them you're not missing anything.

Also, what Mark said.

[Mattso3000]

I've generally found that Nicaraguan cigars suit my pallet best. CC's are good for a change of pace but are generally milder than what I enjoy. So, yeah, what Mark said.

[emopunker2004]

What make said. Some people prefer NCs, others CCs.

[Mugen910]

BMW. Or Audi ....Starbucks or coffee bean....titleist or taylormade....big booty or big knockers...whatever floats your boat man.

For me it is Volvo, good black coffee, whatever makes makes be a better golfer, hot women, and yummy cigars.

[ArgusP2]

How long have you been smoking cigars?
I've been smoking cigars for less than a year, April will be my one year mark. There are cigars that I really liked and enjoyed then that I don't even smoke anymore. I smoke cigars on both sides of your question.
Your palate will change and you will move on to another brand or even vitola of the same brand. So you didn't like/enjoy those CCs, could be your palate is more predisposed to NCs, for now. It could change then again it might not.

Of course it always comes down to this...


smoke what you like, like what you smoke. Doesn't matter what the others say, matters what you like.


Enjoy!!

[mithrilG60]

I've heard that most CC's can't hold a candle to a certain vendor's sun growns in blind taste tests and that Cuba is actually net importer of tobacco so they're mostly NC anyways, :r ;s

Personally I smoke Cuban's almost exclusively, the only NC's I've found worth a second try are Padron's, Alec Bradley's and the Oliva V and O series. All the rest I've tried just don't appeal to my palate.

[lilninjabuddy]

I love, love the Cubans I've tried. Bolivar, Partegas, Monte, Cohiba... I've enjoyed some of the best smokes of my life from these marcas. But they could never turn me away from Liga Privada No 9's.

Sometimes you want chocolate cake, sometimes you want vanilla. Sometimes you want a porter, sometimes you want a IPA. No reason one has to be thought of as better than the other, they're just different.

The important thing, as was already stated, is smoke what ya like!

[Mattso3000]

I love, love the Cubans I've tried. Bolivar, Partegas, Monte, Cohiba... I've enjoyed some of the best smokes of my life from these marcas. But they could never turn me away from Liga Privada No 9's.

Sometimes you want chocolate cake, sometimes you want vanilla. Sometimes you want a porter, sometimes you want a IPA. No reason one has to be thought of as better than the other, they're just different.

The important thing, as was already stated, is smoke what ya like!

Well said brother!

[icehog3]

Has anyone said "Smoke what you like, like what you smoke" yet?

Smoke what you like, like what you smoke. I prefer Cuban, but there are lots of great NCs out there if that's your taste.

[Zeuceone]

Like what you smoke, and smoke what you like. That's all i have to say about this.

[jjirons69]

The CCs I prefer actually are cheaper than most of the NCs I prefer. While I can't get CCs at the corner B&M, convenience is nice for NCs. To solve that, buy CCs in boxes or cabs. In the long run I come out cheaper and I get smokes that fit my palate the majority of the time. I do enjoy maduros from time to time and without breaking the bank, NCs are my only go to.

[Subvet642]

I like them both. :tu

[OLS]

What am I missing? :sh
Nothing.
Why would you think you were missing something?
Do you like the cigars you smoke?

Also to all concerned.
A PALATE is something you taste with,
a PALLET is something you stack $hi+ on and
a PALETTE is something you smear paint on.

[RevSmoke]

Have been smoking cigars since 1980. I smoke some CCs, but predominantly NCs. I like both, but I'd say the majority of my rotation is made up of NCs.

All you need to do though, it make your palate happy, so smoke what you like.

If you're going to be a band smoker (someone smoking cigars so that everybody else will see the band and know what your smoking), all you'll ever be is miserable. And that is true for anything in life that you do to impress or look good to others.

Be yourself. Smoke/eat/drink/wear/drive what you like, and enjoy it.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

[Blak Smyth]

I love CCs because they have so many wonderful small ring gauges available for a great price. I have been smoking strickly CCs for the last few weeks and am loving what I am finding. I will always be sucked back to NCs for great sticks like the L40 & FFP though. I prefer CCs most of the time as I do not feel the need to eat a large meal before hand like I do for many strong NCs.

[kuzi16]

in my experience the people that "only smoke Cubans" are full of it. after about 30 seconds of cigar discussion they show that they know virtually ZERO about cigars, let alone Cuban cigars.



...and their source is almost always "a friend of a friend who has family in Cuba"

[shilala]

Smoke what you like, like what you smoke.
Realize that our tastes change as we go through life, and variety is the spice.
I'm smoking LOTS of cc's right now and vastly enjoying them. So much so that I've excluded everything else, but I'm also not smoking much. I have plenty of nc's on hand that I truly love, and when I'm ready for them, they'll be ready for me.
You're not missing a thing.
I do tell guys that when they're new to cc's, it's important to ease up on the strong, heavy nic puros, etc. before giving them a shot. It allows the palette to recover and enjoy the milder cc's. That's not to say that cc's aren't strong, but on average, they're not as brutal as nic puros and dominican puros strength-wise.
If you've been smoking lots of real strong nc's as I've guessed you have, I've found that in my experience it's best to taper down that strength or take a break before launching a fair cc trial. I found that out via a bad head/chest cold that lasted forever and didn't allow me to smoke. When I was ready to pick up a cigar, I had a very nice fiver someone had shared with me and I wanted to give cc's another shot.
That threw a hook in me. Still, I didn't really get involved with cc's for a couple more years, at least.

[Ashcan Bill]

I smoke mainly Cubans, but like some NCs as well. So I guess I'm only partially full of it. :cool:

[Mugen910]

in my experience the people that "only smoke Cubans" are full of it. after about 30 seconds of cigar discussion they show that they know virtually ZERO about cigars, let alone Cuban cigars.



...and their source is almost always "a friend of a friend who has family in Cuba"

I totally agree!!


hehe

[pektel]

If you don't like CC's, that's awesome. More for me. :D

My palate prefers the subtleties, the nutmeggy cinnamon from an 04 HdM DC, the tea like flavors from my box of 00 LGC MdO 3's, and oh, the sweet caramel from a 2005 PLPC. :dr

A lot of the mainstream NC's I've smoked seem to concentrate more on pepper and strength, not to mention large ring guage. I really feel it takes a very skilled torcedor to roll a smaller, longer cigar, and the blend has to be more precise, given the lesser amount of leaves in the filler. Something about a lancero/palmas/and other long skinny CC's that just strike me as a work of art.

And of course, the obligatory "smoke what you like, like what you smoke."

[OLS]

in my experience the people that "only smoke Cubans" are full of it.

I only smoke Cubans.

Of course, YES, I AM full of it, ask anyone. But I only smoke cubans, nonetheless.


Now YES, I DO have a blog where I have smoked some NC cigars, but people gave them to me and I felt like
there was no better way to thank them and to prove it got smoked than to blog about it. But I do not buy
them, I do not encourage people to give them to me, and a lot of times when they force me to take them
anyway, they end up in Iraq of Afghanistan. It was said somewhere above this that the modern day NC seems
to be in a struggle to be the strongest or pepperiest. Neither of these are enjoyable to me. And unless you
are Fuente or Padron, you seem to have trouble making an interesting cigar that is also mild to medium. So
when it comes down to it, I do not smoke NCs because they do not taste good to me.

[akumushi]

It's the French wine Vs. Californian wine debate all over again, so really, smoke what you like. There are good and bad examples of both.
I for one gravitate toward the milder CCs, but I enjoy an occasional Padron or Pepin. I would point out that they're blended to completely different palletes, with NCs mostly marketed toward mouth-smokers that want big, bold & chewy flavors with a rich mouthfeel, and with CCs mostly marketed toward nose-smokers that want complex and subtle aromas that don't rip into your sinus.
If there is any truth to the idea that people gravitate toward CCs in the long run (I certainly have) it's because it generally takes people a while to switch to the retroexhale and to learn how to pick up the more subtle flavors other than "burning tobacco smoke." IMO, if you've just smoked a few CCs and you didn't retroexhale, you've completely missed out on 90% of what is good about them, and should revisit them later, in that context.

[pektel]

would point out that they're blended to completely different palletes, with NCs mostly marketed toward mouth-smokers that want big, bold & chewy flavors with a rich mouthfeel, and with CCs mostly marketed toward nose-smokers that want complex and subtle aromas that don't rip into your sinus.
If there is any truth to the idea that people gravitate toward CCs in the long run (I certainly have) it's because it generally takes people a while to switch to the retroexhale and to learn how to pick up the more subtle flavors other than "burning tobacco smoke." IMO, if you've just smoked a few CCs and you didn't retroexhale, you've completely missed out on 90% of what is good about them, and should revisit them later, in that context.

VERY good point. :tu

[dwoodward]

My tastes are definitely NC for now... I haven't had enough CC's to make a good judgement of yet. The CC's I had were all great sticks in their own right, just not to my prefered tastes.

[OLS]

I totally agree!!

No you don't.;)

[lilninjabuddy]

in my experience the people that "only smoke Cubans" are full of it. after about 30 seconds of cigar discussion they show that they know virtually ZERO about cigars, let alone Cuban cigars.

...and their source is almost always "a friend of a friend who has family in Cuba"


Knowing a lot about cigars hardly precludes one's subjective taste preferences from being perfectly legitimate. After several years in the hobby, I still consider myself a noob when it comes to knowing about cigars, both in terms of the industry and the science, but I'm pretty confident in my ability to determine a good cigar from a bad one.

Your personal experience with people who only smoke Cubans is vastly different than mine. Nearly every BOTL I know who exclusively smokes Cubans has smoked a ton of cigars over the years and has decided on their preference after a lot of experience, and at that point, they've been around long enough to have established good connections and reliable vendors.

I'm going to assume your interactions must be with snobby, rich people who smoke to look cool, not people who smoke because they actually enjoy the experience, and I don't see how they could smoke Cubans regularly without a reliable vendor. Most BOTLS I know who exclusively smoke Cubans can only do so because they have a reliable network of vendors.

[lilninjabuddy]

If there is any truth to the idea that people gravitate toward CCs in the long run (I certainly have) it's because it generally takes people a while to switch to the retroexhale and to learn how to pick up the more subtle flavors other than "burning tobacco smoke." IMO, if you've just smoked a few CCs and you didn't retroexhale, you've completely missed out on 90% of what is good about them, and should revisit them later, in that context.

I'm wondering if over time that may happen to me as well. I retrohale with nearly all my cigars now. My initial thought about CCs was that they were nice, but generally for warm summer days only. Over the past year, I've gotten to the point where I want a Liga Privada about 50% of the time, and the other 50% of the time I'm wishing I had a Partegas or a Bolivar, or a Monte to smoke.

[icehog3]

in my experience the people that "only smoke Cubans" are full of it. after about 30 seconds of cigar discussion they show that they know virtually ZERO about cigars, let alone Cuban cigars.



...and their source is almost always "a friend of a friend who has family in Cuba"

Funny how here at Cigar Asylum, the people who only (or mostly) smoke Cubans tell everyone to "smoke what you like" and don't judge, but this apparently NC only smoker comes in and insults the Cuban smokers for their tastes, basically calling them liars, stupid, and idiots.

If that's the way things are in the circles you run in, so be it. Here at CA, you're barking up the wrong tree. Without knowing you, I am willing to bet that many of my Cuban smoking friends here have forgotten more about cigars than you'll ever know. Sorry to be insulting, but you have insulted my friends.

[icehog3]

Knowing a lot about cigars hardly precludes one's subjective taste preferences from being perfectly legitimate. After several years in the hobby, I still consider myself a noob when it comes to knowing about cigars, both in terms of the industry and the science, but I'm pretty confident in my ability to determine a good cigar from a bad one.

Your personal experience with people who only smoke Cubans is vastly different than mine. Nearly every BOTL I know who exclusively smokes Cubans has smoked a ton of cigars over the years and has decided on their preference after a lot of experience, and at that point, they've been around long enough to have established good connections and reliable vendors.

I'm going to assume your interactions must be with snobby, rich people who smoke to look cool, not people who smoke because they actually enjoy the experience, and I don't see how they could smoke Cubans regularly without a reliable vendor. Most BOTLS I know who exclusively smoke Cubans can only do so because they have a reliable network of vendors.

Leave it to a newer BOTL here to say it more eloquently than I did. :tu :lr

[T.G]

in my experience the people that "only smoke Cubans" are full of it. after about 30 seconds of cigar discussion they show that they know virtually ZERO about cigars, let alone Cuban cigars.



...and their source is almost always "a friend of a friend who has family in Cuba"

So sorry to hear about your experience.

[pnoon]

in my experience the people that "only smoke Cubans" are full of it. after about 30 seconds of cigar discussion they show that they know virtually ZERO about cigars, let alone Cuban cigars.



...and their source is almost always "a friend of a friend who has family in Cuba"
Pretty broad generalization, IMO. I have quite the opposite experience.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Lear31MX]

Funny how here at Cigar Asylum, the people who only (or mostly) smoke Cubans tell everyone to "smoke what you like" and don't judge, but this apparently NC only smoker comes in and insults the Cuban smokers for their tastes, basically calling them liars, stupid, and idiots.

If that's the way things are in the circles you run in, so be it. Here at CA, you're barking up the wrong tree. Without knowing you, I am willing to bet that many of my Cuban smoking friends here have forgotten more about cigars than you'll ever know. Sorry to be insulting, but you have insulted my friends.

:tu well said sir

[RichieBklyn]

smoke what you like, like what you smoke. Doesn't matter what the others say, matters what you like.

Im very impressed by the amount of replys to all posts on this site, great job guys!

Ofcourse I will only smoke what I like. The point I am making is in my experiences talking to many life long smokers it seems like when people start smoking CC's thier is often a point of no return to NC's. They just stick with CC's ans almost rate NC's as second hand smokes. Although it doesn't seem that way by this group's responses.

[SDmate]

in my experience the people that "only smoke Cubans" are full of it. after about 30 seconds of cigar discussion they show that they know virtually ZERO about cigars, let alone Cuban cigars.



...and their source is almost always "a friend of a friend who has family in Cuba"

A very broad statement... it's pretty obvious you have never met anyone from this board
go to a herf you may learn a thing or two....:2

[RichieBklyn]

Smoke what you like, like what you smoke.
Realize that our tastes change as we go through life, and variety is the spice.
I'm smoking LOTS of cc's right now and vastly enjoying them. So much so that I've excluded everything else, but I'm also not smoking much. I have plenty of nc's on hand that I truly love, and when I'm ready for them, they'll be ready for me.
You're not missing a thing.
I do tell guys that when they're new to cc's, it's important to ease up on the strong, heavy nic puros, etc. before giving them a shot. It allows the palette to recover and enjoy the milder cc's. That's not to say that cc's aren't strong, but on average, they're not as brutal as nic puros and dominican puros strength-wise.
If you've been smoking lots of real strong nc's as I've guessed you have, I've found that in my experience it's best to taper down that strength or take a break before launching a fair cc trial. I found that out via a bad head/chest cold that lasted forever and didn't allow me to smoke. When I was ready to pick up a cigar, I had a very nice fiver someone had shared with me and I wanted to give cc's another shot.
That threw a hook in me. Still, I didn't really get involved with cc's for a couple more years, at least.

Thanks for sharing your experience and advice! :banger

[Reaver2145]

As i live in England i smoke mostly cubans but i also have a few dozen NCs i keep in rotation (DPG black label,padron ambassador maduro,A Fuente sun grown robusto) that i like and tbh the flavour between the two is so different they shouldn't be compared to each other.

Just smoke what you like because both CC and NC can come up with some dire crap sometimes COUGH MONTIE OPENS COUGH

[lilninjabuddy]

...the flavour between the two is so different they shouldn't be compared to each other.

It's like comparing chocolate milk to raw milk. I enjoy both, but they're really two entirely different things.

[Doctorossi]

The point I am making is in my experiences talking to many life long smokers it seems like when people start smoking CC's thier is often a point of no return to NC's. They just stick with CC's ans almost rate NC's as second hand smokes.

I think this is probably a product of the development of the palate- specifically, the ability to pick up some of the more understated flavors in a cigar. There are some subtle flavors available in many CCs that are much less common in NCs. If one 'tunes in' to these flavors, there's an additional 'language' of flavors going on that, in my experience, is close to 'unspoken' in non-ISOM products. If the art of this particular language means anything to you (ie. if you care about those particular flavors and the interplay between them), there's really only one place you can go. For many smokers, it takes a fair amount of experience to begin noticing these flavors, so that may explain the tendency for smokers to lean toward Cuba as their experience expands.

:2

[Bill86]

in my experience the people that "only smoke Cubans" are full of it. after about 30 seconds of cigar discussion they show that they know virtually ZERO about cigars, let alone Cuban cigars.



...and their source is almost always "a friend of a friend who has family in Cuba"

You probably meet a lot of local people in B&M's. I've heard a lot of wild stories there as well. "I went to costa rica and for $5 I could smoke all the cubans I wanted". Or "I got this glass top box of cohibas are they real?".

Just because people smoke nothing but Cuban Cigars doesn't mean they are experts in the cigar world or know more than someone else. They just have a different cigar preference, that's all.

The CA community as a whole is much different. Plenty of people here smoke nothing but CC's, I don't find anyone here to be particularly elitist or having a poor attitude because of it. To think so would be a mistake.

:2

[OLS]

Damn fine bit of reasoning there. Initially this forum was almost entirely made up of people who would rather have the CCs.
It MIGHT be drifting the other way now, but the CC love and knowledge here is still awfully strong.

[RichieBklyn]

I think this is probably a product of the development of the palate- specifically, the ability to pick up some of the more understated flavors in a cigar. There are some subtle flavors available in many CCs that are much less common in NCs. If one 'tunes in' to these flavors, there's an additional 'language' of flavors going on that, in my experience, is close to 'unspoken' in non-ISOM products. If the art of this particular language means anything to you (ie. if you care about those particular flavors and the interplay between them), there's really only one place you can go. For many smokers, it takes a fair amount of experience to begin noticing these flavors, so that may explain the tendency for smokers to lean toward Cuba as their experience expands.

:2

Wow! So you basically are saying for an experienced smoker you believe more flavors can be generated from certain CC's that can not be found in NC's?

[shilala]

Im very impressed by the amount of replys to all posts on this site, great job guys!

Ofcourse I will only smoke what I like. The point I am making is in my experiences talking to many life long smokers it seems like when people start smoking CC's thier is often a point of no return to NC's. They just stick with CC's ans almost rate NC's as second hand smokes. Although it doesn't seem that way by this group's responses.
From what I've watched over the years, lots of brothers do just as you said, ending up and stopping at cc's with seldom a look back.
There's another thing that happens, too...
Generally speaking, they've tried everything along the way. They've learned who makes good, solid nc's that have done it for years without a hitch. They've learned how to smell a "gimmick" or a cigar producer who's just in it for the coin. They've learned that it's not necessary to jump on every limited edition cigar, and know how to find a good value smoke.
I'd even go so far as saying that most all-cc or mostly-cc smokers tend to veer away from cc LE's and RE's, waiting until a buzz develops from seasoned, trusted botl's before they'll even consider jumping on something "new and improved".
That's the polar opposite of what a large (or at least vocal) portion of nc smokers do.
It's really a whole metamorphisis, and it's just plain fun. The whole trip.
Somewhere along the way the cigars teach a respectful tolerance of each other's desires (smoke what you like/live and let live), and that seems to spread out in all facets of their life. It's cool how the love of the leaf turns into a deep love of our brothers. :tu

[shilala]

Wow! So you basically are saying for an experienced smoker you believe more flavors can be generated from certain CC's that can not be found in NC's?
Different ones that you can only get from cc's. Some really incredible ones, at that. Probably a lot more from cc's than all the nuances of all the nc's together, actually. But completely different.

[Don Fernando]

It seems to me the more people smoke (years) they tend to lean toward CC's as better than NC's. Any truth to this? I can't seem to figure out why? I have smoked about 10 CC's, premium brands mostly when out of the US, bought at an LCD. I have not found CC's to taste better than NC's. What am I missing? :sh

Nothing. I prefer Nicaraguan tobacco. It's all about personal preference.

[Doctorossi]

Wow! So you basically are saying for an experienced smoker you believe more flavors can be generated from certain CC's that can not be found in NC's?

Yes. Bear in mind, I'm not saying that CCs necessarily display more flavors than NCs, but that there are particular flavors in many CCs that aren't common in NCs. As some have said earlier in the thread, CCs and NCs simply inhabit different regions of the flavor spectrum and the more subtle levels of flavor you're able to detect, the more prominent this difference can become. Pick your analogy:

Horror movies vs. musicals

Country music vs. classic rock

Mexican food vs. Japanese food

etc.

Some people like country music, but not classic rock. Some people like both. Until you have a firm idea what you do and don't find interesting, why limit yourself? -(P

[longknocker]

Let's Put It This Way: I've Never Gotten My Favorite Caramel Flavor From A NC, Although I Smoke & Enjoy Both! :tu

[lilninjabuddy]

I've gotten caramel from My Father. Delicious graham cracker, caramelly goodness!

[mithrilG60]

It was said somewhere above this that the modern day NC seems to be in a struggle to be the strongest or pepperiest. Neither of these are enjoyable to me. And unless you are Fuente or Padron, you seem to have trouble making an interesting cigar that is also mild to medium. So when it comes down to it, I do not smoke NCs because they do not taste good to me.

This is exactly my take on it too. There are a lot of NC's that I've never tried but most those that I have tend to be very one dimensional. There's no subtlety or nuance, it's like going to a Thai restaurant where they are so intent on making the food hot and spicy that they loose the flavours of the food itself.

Like everyone else said, smoke whatever appeals to your individual tastes but for mine money that's going to be a Cuban 9 or 10 times.... and my "source" is not a 'friend of a friend with family in Cuba' :rolleyes:

[RevSmoke]

I consider smoking cigars akin to smoking a pipe - in this regard - you will find flavors in both that are similar, and then flavors in both that are vastly different. The subtleties of Virginia tobaccos are mild, and require more concentration and palate acclimatization to really appreciate than Aromatics, English, or Oriental tobaccos.

The same is true of CCs versus most NCs, especially the Nicaraugan sticks. Most NCs have their flavors boldly present right from the beginning, though some nuances can be noted to ephemerally appear in the background.

On the other hand, while CCs have some bold flavors, they are more subdued. And to get the most out of them, you need to focus on the flavors and aromas that are more subtle.

As someone else said, sometime those flavors are noted more in nose than in the mouth.

I like both, at different times.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

[Mugen910]

I totally agree!!


hehe

No you don't.;)

Yes I do!

[OLS]

I'd also like to make the comment that I started smoking cigars with the General Cigar H.Upmann 2000 and the H. Upmann "Churchill"
which was a corona gorda, lol. I smoked them for years, and when they switched away from Cameroon wrappers, then I found Arturo
Fuente, smoked those for a few years, then found Padrons, smoked those for MANY years, and then got into ordering havanas WAY later
than most of my brothers, and after that I never looked back. You could therefore say that I have forgotten more about NCs than
some people know. I was a serious student of all things cigar, reading everything I could get my hands on. I act like a know-it-all
today because I feel like I DO know it all. Of course, I DON'T, far from it. But I FEEL like I do. Certainly enough to know what I like. ;)
And of course, I abandoned the NC so long ago that I have NO IDEA of the things that are going on now, outside of the cursory
knowledge I get by loosely following the forum for those smokes here. So I now know what's hot, I just don't know why, lol.

And Bao, don't tell me what your opinion is, I KNOW, hahahaha.

[Mugen910]

I'd also like to make the comment that I started smoking cigars with the General Cigar H.Upmann 2000 and the H. Upmann "Churchill"
which was a corona gorda, lol. I smoked them for years, and when they switched away from Cameroon wrappers, then I found Arturo
Fuente, smoked those for a few years, then found Padrons, smoked those for MANY years, and then got into ordering havanas WAY later
than most of my brothers, and after that I never looked back. You could therefore say that I have forgotten more about NCs than
some people know. I was a serious student of all things cigar, reading everything I could get my hands on. I act like a know-it-all
today because I feel like I DO know it all. Of course, I DON'T, far from it. But I FEEL like I do. Certainly enough to know what I like. ;)
And of course, I abandoned the NC so long ago that I have NO IDEA of the things that are going on now, outside of the cursory
knowledge I get by loosely following the forum for those smokes here. So I now know what's hot, I just don't know why, lol.

And Bao, don't tell me what your opinion is, I KNOW, hahahaha.

You know nothing sir! Whatever people say about me is false...Don't listen to Pnoon or the Hog...they love to make up rumors about me. :D

[Skywalker]

You know nothing sir! Whatever people say about me is false...Don't listen to Pnoon or the Hog...they love to make up rumors about me. :D

Who are you???:sh

[markem]

You know nothing sir! Whatever people say about me is false...Don't listen to Pnoon or the Hog...they love to make up rumors about me. :D

Tom and Peter both told me that you were an above average looking heterosexual male.

[Mugen910]

Tom and Peter both told me that you were an above average looking heterosexual male.

see!!! they lied!!!

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

Only the cool kids smoke cc's
Posted via Mobile Device

[hammondc]

Personally I smoke Cuban's almost exclusively, the only NC's I've found worth a second try are Padron's, Alec Bradley's and the Oliva V and O series. All the rest I've tried just don't appeal to my palate.

We can hang out anytime as I am almost 100% the same. Save the ABs though.

[kuzi16]

Funny how here at Cigar Asylum, the people who only (or mostly) smoke Cubans tell everyone to "smoke what you like" and don't judge, but this apparently NC only smoker comes in and insults the Cuban smokers for their tastes, basically calling them liars, stupid, and idiots.
i will forgive your hasty judgement of me if you let me explain mine.

i was speaking of random people i meet at work ( i work in a restaurant)that claim to know things about cigars. when i begin to ask them about what brands they like they say they "only smoke Cubans"
this phrase was in quotes because it seemed obvious to me that they are saying that because they are are lying to me because they are fore some reason looking to impress me. so when i press further and they cannot name a single line, source, brand, etc i know they are full of it.

of course i do not speak of people that tend to post in forums such as this because the people that post in forums like this tend to know more about cigars than the average guy that enjoys cigars and many of the forum member either know more than the guy that owns the local B&M or they ARE the guy that owns the local B&M.

i am sorry if i inadvertently insulted people that actually know what they are doing. i was not speaking of you. i should watch my wording.


If that's the way things are in the circles you run in, so be it. Here at CA, you're barking up the wrong tree. Without knowing you, I am willing to bet that many of my Cuban smoking friends here have forgotten more about cigars than you'll ever know. Sorry to be insulting, but you have insulted my friends.

you are not sorry to insult. if you were you would not do so. but i accept your apology none-the-less. you are just defending your community and i respect that. i would do the same if the rolls were reversed.

I do not feel the need to justify how much i do or do not know about cigars. you can feel free to investigate that yourself if you want. or not. whatever. i use the same handle on the cigar.com forum this forum and BOTL.org. if you want you can read my blog that is in my signature line. if not, fine. im not here to impress you. i am not here to insult you either.

[Pseudosacred]

I prefer CCs most of the time as I do not feel the need to eat a large meal before hand like I do for many strong NCs.

I have no experiance with CC's. Does this mean they are less on the strong side?

[Bill86]

I have no experiance with CC's. Does this mean they are less on the strong side?

I would say a full bodied CC is maybe a medium to medium full bodied NC. As far as I know there are no FFP/Pork Tenderloin/Liga Privada FULL FULL bodied CC's. I could be wrong and If I am there are VERY few.

In general strength is not something CC's go for. Flavor however is.

[Pseudosacred]

I would say a full bodied CC is maybe a medium to medium full bodied NC. As far as I know there are no FFP/Pork Tenderloin/Liga Privada FULL FULL bodied CC's. I could be wrong and If I am there are VERY few.

In general strength is not something CC's go for. Flavor however is.

Interesting....

[maverickdrinker]

I smoke cc's and the occasional nc for a change of pace. To each, his own. I've never been a big fan of the power bombs of most nc's however, I do enjoy them once in awhile.

I think the important thing is not to judge what others enjoy. You can share your opinion if you like the cigar or not as different strokes for different folks however, using a broad brush to say generalities is dangerous and disrespectful.

Even within cc's, there are preferences. There are marcas that I enjoy. Others not so much. At the end of the day, it's about the experience, in terms of the cigar(s) smoked and those who you enjoyed it with.

[lenguamor]

Whenever you find yourself annoyed that others don't like the same cigars you do, consider this: if everyone liked your favorite cigars, they'd be exceedingly hard to find and prohibitively expensive.

So...vive la difference!

[akumushi]

Whenever you find yourself annoyed that others don't like the same cigars you do, consider this: if everyone liked your favorite cigars, they'd be exceedingly hard to find and prohibitively expensive.

So...vive la difference!

To a certain extent... but then again, Habanos has recently discontinued the last of the ninfas, panatela largas and several other long and skinny vitolas to make room for more limited edition toros and petit robustos because that's what's selling, :td so sometimes there's safety in numbers.

[pektel]

Don't remind me. I'm not a fan of the direction habanos SA is headed. Such a shame, if you ask me.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Don Fernando]

It bugs me that some people in this topic talk about nc's all being full bodied. That is not the case, there are shitloads of mild and medium nc's too

[oooo35980]

It bugs me that some people in this topic talk about nc's all being full bodied. That is not the case, there are shitloads of mild and medium nc's too


Ya gotta admit though most of the really hyped ones are pretty full, LP and Viaje for instance.

[icehog3]

i will forgive your hasty judgement of me if you let me explain mine.

i was speaking of random people i meet at work ( i work in a restaurant)that claim to know things about cigars. when i begin to ask them about what brands they like they say they "only smoke Cubans"
this phrase was in quotes because it seemed obvious to me that they are saying that because they are are lying to me because they are fore some reason looking to impress me. so when i press further and they cannot name a single line, source, brand, etc i know they are full of it.

of course i do not speak of people that tend to post in forums such as this because the people that post in forums like this tend to know more about cigars than the average guy that enjoys cigars and many of the forum member either know more than the guy that owns the local B&M or they ARE the guy that owns the local B&M.

i am sorry if i inadvertently insulted people that actually know what they are doing. i was not speaking of you. i should watch my wording.



you are not sorry to insult. if you were you would not do so. but i accept your apology none-the-less. you are just defending your community and i respect that. i would do the same if the rolls were reversed.

I do not feel the need to justify how much i do or do not know about cigars. you can feel free to investigate that yourself if you want. or not. whatever. i use the same handle on the cigar.com forum this forum and BOTL.org. if you want you can read my blog that is in my signature line. if not, fine. im not here to impress you. i am not here to insult you either.

Fair enough, I am glad you made another post, and appreciate that you see I was looking out for my community. Hope we can start an neutral ground and go onward and upward from here.

[thecatch83]

I prefer cigars that taste amazing, regardless of origin. Several NC's are produced using Cuban seed anyway......but if pressed, CC's all the way! I wonder how this discussion would lean if the former USSR didn't want to park nuclear warheads 100 miles from the United States, and CC's were readily available and priced like NC's!

[akumushi]

It bugs me that some people in this topic talk about nc's all being full bodied. That is not the case, there are shitloads of mild and medium nc's too

I think it's because to CC smokers, the vast majority of NC mild and medium smokes simply don't hold a candle to CCs in terms of complexity and range of flavors. There is NO NC that comes anywhere near the delicate but complex taste and smoking experiece of say, a La Gloria Cubana Medaille D' Or No. 1 or 3. Maybe the OR El Triumphador Lancero comes close in terms of quality of flavors and that light sweetness, but IMO, it is still far from as complex as the any of the best CC lanceros. The only NC cigars that offer me something unique and satifying that I can't find done better and with more complexity and range of flavor somewhere in the Habanos portfolio are the big, peppery Nic flavor bombs like the LE Tats, Pepin line and the Padron Anniversary series. I've had some VR farm rolls that come close to these in flavor and body, but still weren't quite as in your face and chewy. If I feel like a Padron then I feel like a Padron, but if I want something light, then NCs are dead to me.
This is my personal experience, so please don't think I'm saying you're wrong. You're an experienced smoker and I'm sure there are some mild and medium NCs that you love, and for good reason. If you list a couple I might even check them out. I'm simply explaining the thought process behind my (and presumably the other CC smokers) bias, and why we act like there is nothing in the NC world in terms of mild/medium smokes. It's because to many of us, the only NCs worth smoking are the full bodied ones. :2

[jjirons69]

The only things I find consistent in life are my family and beliefs - the rest change. I used to like Titleist ProV1s, now I love Maxflis. A couple of years ago I loved dark roast beans, now I'm drinking blond roast more often than not. I once hated hoppy beers, now I love them. How boring would life be if we settled in ruts and did the same thing all the time. I smoked hundreds of 5 Vegas As years ago, they were my go-tos. I haven't had any in a long and it doesn't bother me in the least. Tastes change. What I like now may be nowhere close to what I like in a year or two (except I'll always love a delicious LGC!).

YMMV

[shilala]

I would say a full bodied CC is maybe a medium to medium full bodied NC. As far as I know there are no FFP/Pork Tenderloin/Liga Privada FULL FULL bodied CC's. I could be wrong and If I am there are VERY few.

In general strength is not something CC's go for. Flavor however is.
The only full-bodied, full strength cc I've ever had is a big Por Larranaga hogleg that Klugs asked me to try at the last Shack. I think that's what it was, if I remember correctly. I asked him twice and he told me what it was, exactly, and I forget again. :)
I was thinking it was an old Belicosos Finos, but it's not. at any rate, it was INCREDIBLY good.

I also think you hit the nail on the head, Bill. I can't imagine any reason that there can't be full-bodied, strong cc's. The money is in what they're doing. I would guess that the trend toward larger rings will also begin a trend toward fuller body/strength. Probably in LE's, that'd be a good place to do it.

[Blak Smyth]

It bugs me that some people in this topic talk about nc's all being full bodied. That is not the case, there are shitloads of mild and medium nc's too

Most of the NCs I prefer tend to be pretty strong, which is fine I just like to be able to smoke without planning my meals out. I think I have a low Nic tollerance. I have not found many NCs that are mild-medium strength that I have been able to really enjoy.

[Don Fernando]

Ya gotta admit though most of the really hyped ones are pretty full, LP and Viaje for instance.

But there are thousands of NC's, there is a whole world out there besides the hyped ones.

[Bad Finger]

smoke what you like, like what you smoke. Doesn't matter what the others say, matters what you like.

If that is the case and it simply comes down to what a person likes, why do CC's get so much special treatment on forum boards by getting their own section for every marca and multiple other areas dedicated directly to Cuban blends?

I don't see that preferential treatment for say, Nicaraguan cigars.

:2

[markem]

If that is the case and it simply comes down to what a person likes, why do CC's get so much special treatment on forum boards by getting their own section for every marca and multiple other areas dedicated directly to Cuban blends?

I don't see that preferential treatment for say, Nicaraguan cigars.

:2

The "why doesn't every NC have a subforum/review area" question has been answered many times. The shear volume (and more new ones daily) makes it nearly impossible. Other than the existence of a habanos forum and marca specific review areas, I have no idea what you mean by preferential.

Where are these "multiple other areas" of which you speak?

The ToE built the board that they wanted and do listen to inmate input. If the board isn't what you want, VBulletin.org is the place to go to see how cheap and easy it is to set one up yourself.

Build it and people who want your environment will come. If it gets lonely, don't complain to me.

[shilala]

If that is the case and it simply comes down to what a person likes, why do CC's get so much special treatment on forum boards by getting their own section for every marca and multiple other areas dedicated directly to Cuban blends?

I don't see that preferential treatment for say, Nicaraguan cigars.

:2
I fail to see the tie-in between your question and the comment, and my first thought was "what's the difference?", but you may want to consider that this board, as well as many others, are privately owned, run and paid for.
Point being, the powers that be may prefer it that way. Considering neither of us have a dime in it, that brings us right back around to "what's the difference?"
Another way to look at it relates to Ferdie's comment earlier. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of non-cuban marcas. Where would one fit a category for each? Who would remove, manage, change things as one marca after another is abandoned because it's stopped selling?
There's not a new cc created every week, and it stands to reason that one could break down the reviews, for instance, such as they are here. I can't speak to how other boards are broken down, I don't visit them.

[akumushi]

If that is the case and it simply comes down to what a person likes, why do CC's get so much special treatment on forum boards by getting their own section for every marca and multiple other areas dedicated directly to Cuban blends?

I don't see that preferential treatment for say, Nicaraguan cigars.

:2

1. The interests of the people who initially designed the website, they wanted it and so they made it. That simple.
2. The fact that there are small, finite set of marcas that has hardly changed in the last 10 years, and as such can easily be given that kind of detailed treatment. I dare you to try to organize every Marca on the NC side that's existed in the last ten years.

[Pseudosacred]

I've read nothing but good reviews of Partagas Shorts...Thinking of buying a box as my first Cubans

[lilninjabuddy]

I've read nothing but good reviews of Partagas Shorts...Thinking of buying a box as my first Cubans

I'm a fan of the Party Short, and it's a good transition from bolder nicaraguans to cubans. They're too small for me, generally speaking, since if I have time to smoke, I want to really enjoy it for a while. But when you don't have the time or want something quick, Party Shorts are fantastic.

Boli PCs are another great option, and the SCdlH El Principe is one of the best little smokes out there right now.

[Bad Finger]

The "why doesn't every NC have a subforum/review area" question has been answered many times. The shear volume (and more new ones daily) makes it nearly impossible. Other than the existence of a habanos forum and marca specific review areas, I have no idea what you mean by preferential.

Where are these "multiple other areas" of which you speak?

The ToE built the board that they wanted and do listen to inmate input. If the board isn't what you want, VBulletin.org is the place to go to see how cheap and easy it is to set one up yourself.

Build it and people who want your environment will come. If it gets lonely, don't complain to me.



Wow, Really Mark? That's how you read what I said? All I was implying was the fact that cubans definately get preferential treatment on ALL boards, and those who tend to play coy and say things like "smoke what you like, like what you smoke. Doesn't matter what the others say, matters what you like."
while being one of the biggest cc whores most Asylum members know is pretty weak. Give the man an actual answer, he is only seeking help.

As for me asking "If that is the case and it simply comes down to what a person likes, why do CC's get so much special treatment on forum boards by getting their own section for every marca and multiple other areas dedicated directly to Cuban blends?", where did I ever ask for others to get the same?

I was only noting that the site in fact DOES give the preference to CC's and not NC's. I would also appreciate it if you would please me where I asked "why doesn't every NC have a subforum/review area". That wasn't what my question asked at all.

And saying "If the board isn't what you want, VBulletin.org is the place to go to see how cheap and easy it is to set one up yourself.

Build it and people who want your environment will come. If it gets lonely, don't complain to me" makes you look like an elitest. When did I say this board isn't what I want? And who put you in charge of telling people to leave and go elsewhere?

Is this what the mods around here expect out of their senior members? If so, then you probably are right. I should go find somewhere else.


However, even if I leave, the fact will remain. CC's will continue to get the earned respect they get on these types of websites that the NC's do not get. That is the status quo.

[Bad Finger]

I fail to see the tie-in between your question and the comment, and my first thought was "what's the difference?", but you may want to consider that this board, as well as many others, are privately owned, run and paid for.
Point being, the powers that be may prefer it that way. Considering neither of us have a dime in it, that brings us right back around to "what's the difference?"
Another way to look at it relates to Ferdie's comment earlier. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of non-cuban marcas. Where would one fit a category for each? Who would remove, manage, change things as one marca after another is abandoned because it's stopped selling?
There's not a new cc created every week, and it stands to reason that one could break down the reviews, for instance, such as they are here. I can't speak to how other boards are broken down, I don't visit them.




Again, I didn't request that they do. I just am bringing up the fact that there is preferential treatment on ALL CIGAR FORUMS, not just CA.

[pnoon]

First and foremost everyone needs to take a step back and remember this is just a cigar board. Let's not make it personal.

For anyone who cares, it is my opinon that this board and countless others stratify CCs and not NCs solely based on what Clayton has succicntly stated below.

2. The fact that there are small, finite set of marcas that has hardly changed in the last 10 years, and as such can easily be given that kind of detailed treatment. I dare you to try to organize every Marca on the NC side that's existed in the last ten years.
Posted via Mobile Device

[icehog3]

First and foremost everyone needs to take a step back and remember this is just a cigar board. Let's not make it personal.



In the words of Jules Winfield, "Everybody chill". :)

[Pseudosacred]

In the words of Jules Winfield, "Everybody chill". :)

That's cute :rolleyes:

My favorite is "Pigs is dirty animals".

[RWhisenand]

I've read nothing but good reviews of Partagas Shorts...Thinking of buying a box as my first Cubans

Just had a Partagas "Chino"

I really like them when I don't have time for a full cigar. Hope you enjoy your purchase!

[lenguamor]

Angel on one shoulder: "Don't do it..."

Devil on the other shoulder: "Do it!!!"

[lilninjabuddy]

Do it.

Just do it.




Seriously... do it.

[Bill86]

and those who tend to play coy and say things like "smoke what you like, like what you smoke. Doesn't matter what the others say, matters what you like."
while being one of the biggest cc whores most Asylum members know is pretty weak. Give the man an actual answer, he is only seeking help.

There is no actual answer to the question CC or NC. Taste is subjective and what you smoke is merely a preference. Even if someone "is the biggest CC whore" that doesn't mean they are for everyone and he should tell everyone to smoke CC's because he does.

There are many members here given the choice they would gladly never smoke another CC again and continue to horde and smoke massive amounts of NC's.

I think you are also forgetting that the topic poster smoked 10 or so CC's and they did nothing for him. I won't speak for Mark but to me his post translates to "if you smoked CC's and they aren't your cup of tea maybe they aren't for you. Just smoke what you already enjoy".

:2

[akumushi]

Say 'what' again. I dare you. I double dare you motherf%ck%r, say what one more Goddamn time!

But seriously,giving CCs their own section only shows that there are a lot of people on the board that want the section and that many users perceive it as added value to a forum. It is not an indication that the board is biased or prejudiced against NCs. That would be the case if there were NO section on NCs, or if the ToE made an announcement that NC smokers are douchebags and not welcome on the board. So far in this thread, I have only seen insults being thrown in one direction. Pound for pound, there is far more discussion on NC brands on this site, so I don't see how giving habanos smokers a enclave to discuss CCs is in any way preferential, or why it would cause people to get a chip on their shoulder:sh

[bobarian]

What?

[akumushi]

What?

:sl

[PuffPuffGive1]

CC's FTMFW and I never smoked a cigar in my life!(J/K) Even though my taste pallet is more suited towards the flavors CC's and Nicaraguans produce, I am in no way influenced by what or where a cigar is made or the legal status of them. =D

[Don Fernando]

If that is the case and it simply comes down to what a person likes, why do CC's get so much special treatment on forum boards by getting their own section for every marca and multiple other areas dedicated directly to Cuban blends?

I don't see that preferential treatment for say, Nicaraguan cigars.

:2

I run a Dutch cigar board, we have the NC section split up in Dominican, Honduran, Nicaraguan and Others, but cigars with tobacco from different countries can cause discussion. We recently had the same question and it is hard to divide NC's by country. What makes a cigar a Nicaraguan cigar? If the majority of the tobacco used is Nicaraguan but the cigar is made in Honduras, is it a Honduran cigar or a Nicaraguan cigar?

[thecatch83]

If that is the case and it simply comes down to what a person likes, why do CC's get so much special treatment on forum boards by getting their own section for every marca and multiple other areas dedicated directly to Cuban blends?

I don't see that preferential treatment for say, Nicaraguan cigars.

:2

How come when Pet Johnson takes a dump, everyone in the webz says he did it wrong? And have you ever been to Nicaragua? :sh

[pnoon]

How come when Pet Johnson takes a dump, everyone in the webz says "what a masterpiece?"

fixed

[OLS]

Boli PCs are another great option, and the SCdlH El Principe is one of the best little smokes out there right now.

EXCEPT as a part of plan to stock all three in great numbers, I would pass on the Short altogether and
stock the Bolivar PC and the El Principes....two PHENOMENAL smokes of great consistency, especially the Bolivar.

[Mattso3000]

How come when Pet Johnson takes a dump, everyone in the webz says he did it wrong? And have you ever been to Nicaragua? :sh


I try not to talk about my Pet Johnson.

[thecatch83]

fixed

So now you're playing God.....

[pnoon]

So now you're playing God.....

Yep. That's me. :rolleyes:

[thecatch83]

Yep. That's me. :rolleyes:

:D

[kelmac07]

I personally prefer my NC's over the CC's everyday of the week and twice on Sundays. It's been said here numerous times...smoke what you like, like what you smoke. :D

[OLS]

Wow, Really Mark? That's how you read what I said? .

I read, or tried to read what you said to Markem and comprehend it, the stuff quoted above and below,
and I can't figure out WHAT you are saying. So do not be surprised that people misunderstand you.


while being one of the biggest cc whores most Asylum members know is pretty weak. Give the man an
actual answer, he is only seeking help..

Why is anyone bound by this mysterious code, to be honest with their fellow annonymous internet buddy?
Most people say 'smoke what you like' in order to stay out of long, drawn out arguments with people who
have already asked a loaded question and are likely to whine about any answer you give, like a child
that answers every answer with "but why..?" You can't make people think like you, you can't make them
answer a simple question the way you do.


I was only noting that the site in fact DOES give the preference to CC's and not NC's.
Build it and people who want your environment will come. If it gets lonely, don't complain to me" makes
you look like an elitest.

Is this what the mods around here expect out of their senior members? If so, then you probably are right.
I should go find somewhere else..

Your response showed me that you likely came here and signed up and started posting away. They show me
you likely did not read any of the sticky material that tells the story of how this board came to be. This is not
a democracy. It is kind of like a theocracy. There is a group of people that pays for this site out of their own
pocket and can set it up the way they like it. They constantly listen to suggestions but are under no pressure
to comply with them. If it leans towards havanas, maybe it is because the TOE, which is the Team of Eleven,
since you likely did not read that story, are a group of connoisseurs who seem to all prefer havanas.
They include the NC forum because they are fair. You can holler here and people might not treat you like they
do at some of the more animalistic forums, but never think that this is one of these boards that has to listen to
their advertisers or even their members. The way things are here may NOT be like any other place you will find.
But while you MIGHT think that is a negative, we here find it just about right.

I don't think anyone is telling you you should leave. They are probably telling you to find out where you are
before you start to behave as if you are where you might think you are. I think it is fair to say that you have
a lot of reading to do. If you fail to try to understand the asylum and just bash your head against the wall of
your cell, no one will miss you when you leave.

To answer your last actual question, a 'lot of other boards" separate CCs from NCs because they are smart enough
to realize, as this one does, that not every newbie that walks in, slaps down a username and password and
freemail address needs to have access to a forum where almost internet-wide, a little decorum is necessary for a
product that for a lot of smokers is "illegal". A lot of new members on baords come in and shoot their mouths off
about sources and ways of mailing contraband and get into arguments about how CCs suck, etc. It is smart to
segregate a board that requires "decorum and tact" from those people who have none of either until such time
as they LEARN some and EARN the priviledge. A separate board is an easy way to do this.

[pnoon]

If it leans towards havanas, maybe it is because the TOE, which is the Team of Eleven,
since you likely did not read that story, are a group of connoisseurs who seem to all prefer havanas.
They include the NC forum because they are fair.

Brad - Maybe you didn't read MY post.

For anyone who cares, it is my opinon that this board and countless others stratify CCs and not NCs solely based on what Clayton has succicntly stated below.

2. The fact that there are small, finite set of marcas that has hardly changed in the last 10 years, and as such can easily be given that kind of detailed treatment. I dare you to try to organize every Marca on the NC side that's existed in the last ten years.

[markem]

I try not to talk about my Pet Johnson.

Is this your band? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDss8V2OME4

[thecatch83]

I try not to talk about my Pet Johnson.

:banger

See what I mean

[OLS]

Brad - Maybe you didn't read MY post.

Stating there was no reason to be nasty, or where you explained the TOE?
I guess either one is enough to keep me quiet from here on out.

[Mattso3000]

Is this your band? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDss8V2OME4

Long story as short as I can here, we use a word of the year for team names in one of my fantasy football leagues. 2 years ago the word was Panis (extreme obesity) and I went with Panis Attack. Another team used the name Detachable Panis...I never got it until now. Thanks, I guess?

[pnoon]

Stating there was no reason to be nasty, or where you explained the TOE?
I guess either one is enough to keep me quiet from here on out.

Neither.
Where I explained why there are CC sub forums and not NC sub forums. Clayton (akamushi) nailed it. I don't believe it has anything to do with the ToE's general preference for CCs.

[Starscream]

When do I get access to the Swisher Sweets sub forum?

[icehog3]

When do I get access to the Swisher Sweets sub forum?

Pvff.com. ;)

[Starscream]

Pvff.com. ;)

I guess my comment deserved that one.;s

[scottdurand]

Most people some Cubans just to say they are smoking a Cuban. For some of us it's about the certain complex flavors that we enjoy. I simply can't find anything that I like more than a nicely aged Punch Punch or Magnum 46 (have to slip the Siglo VI in as well). The interesting thing about the attraction for people to Cuban cigars is that many people that walk into a humidor skip over most of what tastes closest to a Cuban (e.g. Por larranaga Cabinet Corona and a few of the Curivari). This is probably why sitting in a local B&M and someone mentions Cubans and where to get them usually 2 or 3 guys have a pile and know right where to get them but don't offer up info. With that said i'm lucky to have made a couple buddies at my local shop that have taught me a lot, and if I listen to them go on I realize I still know very little about these wonderful sticks. :banger

[Zeuceone]

Cuban smokers are snobs...

[mithrilG60]

... and NC smokers have an inferiority complex when it comes to Cubans. Sweeping generalizations: a fun game the whole family can play :tu

[Ratters]

Pvff.com. ;)

Gonna have to report that post. :rlz

:noon:tf

Personally, I don't smoke anything from an island. Isthmus, maybe.

[ArgusP2]

Cuban smokers are snobs...
You're a snob!! :D

[Zeuceone]

You're a snob!! :D

:su

[OLS]

I don't believe it has anything to do with the ToE's general preference for CCs.

That's where I think you are wrong. I don't think any one of the eleven can be accused of being a havana-
only smoker, but I think that all eleven have a keen interest in and deep love for havanas, and it SHOWS in
their decisions to finely detail the havana reviews section, if not in their choice to have a section for both,
which we see in almost all the forums that offer info on the two. Now don't think me dense, I read Clayton's
ideas and they WERE spot on as you said. And of course I am not a TOE, I am more of a heel, so I could be wrong. ;)

[pnoon]

That's where I think you are wrong. I don't think any one of the eleven can be accused of being a havana-
only smoker, but I think that all eleven have a keen interest in and deep love for havanas, and it SHOWS in
their decisions to finely detail the havana reviews section, if not in their choice to have a section for both,
which we see in almost all the forums that offer info on the two. Now don't think me dense, I read Clayton's
ideas and they WERE spot on as you said. And of course I am not a TOE, I am more of a heel, so I could be wrong. ;)
Actually, you are an ass, Brad.
















;s That was too easy. :D
All in fun.

[Smokin Gator]

Actually, you are an ass, Brad.
;s That was too easy. :D
All in fun.

Yeah, but he is our ass... and that is why we love him:D

[forgop]

NC's all the way. See, there is a Cuban embargo in effect and it is illegal to purchase Cuban cigars. I will always side with our lawmakers in its selective opposition to communism.

[RichieBklyn]

As a new poster and starter of this thread let me first start by saying 122 replies WOW!! No this is not a brag post, just impressed to see the interest in a subject that is often in my mind when it comes to cigars.

Secondly, let me say I have been in poker forums for years and the worst post to spend my time reading was an insulting or tirade laced post, when I'm trying to just enjoy comments on the subject matter. I think everyone needs to think before they write every post and ask themselves is this going to insult someone. Not solely because one doesn't want to be offensive, hell im a NY'er u know we don't care about that. But becuase most of us don't want to read the next 5 insulting fight posts along the way trying to get back to the subject at hand. Just my experiences guys. Now before I offend anyone else, I have another question related to some posts in this thread.

A few people have stated they get tastes from CC's that they don't get from NC's. Whether it be thru the mouth or nose. And many people associated NC's with strong full bodied pepper tastes. With that said can anyone explain tastes that they get from NC's that they don't get from CC's? Naming the cigar would also be great!

[akumushi]

As a new poster and starter of this thread let me first start by saying 122 replies WOW!! No this is not a brag post, just impressed to see the interest in a subject that is often in my mind when it comes to cigars.

Secondly, let me say I have been in poker forums for years and the worst post to spend my time reading was an insulting or tirade laced post, when I'm trying to just enjoy comments on the subject matter. I think everyone needs to think before they write every post and ask themselves is this going to insult someone. Not solely because one doesn't want to be offensive, hell im a NY'er u know we don't care about that. But becuase most of us don't want to read the next 5 insulting fight posts along the way trying to get back to the subject at hand. Just my experiences guys. Now before I offend anyone else, I have another question related to some posts in this thread.

A few people have stated they get tastes from CC's that they don't get from NC's. Whether it be thru the mouth or nose. And many people associated NC's with strong full bodied pepper tastes. With that said can anyone explain tastes that they get from NC's that they don't get from CC's? Naming the cigar would also be great!

I don't get the sour-apple Honduran funk or the cloying, metallic Dominican twinge from CCs.
;s
But seriously, the rich chocolate/coffee you get in spades in the Padron Anniversaries is rare and less pronounced when you find it in CCs, and the strong black pepper blast or jalepeno spiciness that you get from some of the Nicaraguan Pepins (Blue Label) or the LFD double ligero lines are pretty much nonexistent in the CC world.
If you reverse the question, floral notes are pretty rare and usually one dimensional or cloying in NCs, but the CC world has about 500 shades of floral character all over the brands.

[shilala]

As a new poster and starter of this thread let me first start by saying 122 replies WOW!! No this is not a brag post, just impressed to see the interest in a subject that is often in my mind when it comes to cigars.

Secondly, let me say I have been in poker forums for years and the worst post to spend my time reading was an insulting or tirade laced post, when I'm trying to just enjoy comments on the subject matter. I think everyone needs to think before they write every post and ask themselves is this going to insult someone. Not solely because one doesn't want to be offensive, hell im a NY'er u know we don't care about that. But becuase most of us don't want to read the next 5 insulting fight posts along the way trying to get back to the subject at hand. Just my experiences guys. Now before I offend anyone else, I have another question related to some posts in this thread.

A few people have stated they get tastes from CC's that they don't get from NC's. Whether it be thru the mouth or nose. And many people associated NC's with strong full bodied pepper tastes. With that said can anyone explain tastes that they get from NC's that they don't get from CC's? Naming the cigar would also be great!
Richie, those are good questions. They'd probably be far better served if you start a new thread, odds are it'll be lost five pages deep.
You can always link back to this thread as a reference for your new topic. :tu

[shilala]

Actually, you are an ass, Brad.

Imagine my shock and dismay when I agree with him about 95% of the time, Peter. :lr
(A good portion of the other 5% is when I have no idea what the hell he's talking about.)

[Bill86]

Imagine my shock and dismay when I agree with him about 95% of the time, Peter. :lr
(A good portion of the other 5% is when I have no idea what the hell he's talking about.)

Toss me in that group as well.

As for favors in NC that aren't in CC's....I don't taste any resemblance so for me all of them. Even if you get pepper in both, it's a different kind. With NC's it's like someone took a pepper-mill and ground it into my sinuses, CC's not so much.

[icehog3]

The black cherry I sometimes get from aged Opus X is one taste I don't find in CCs. That's the one that comes most prominently to mind.

Regarding the insult followed by 5 insults in response....The ToE keep a goodf watch on things, so that only goes on so long before threads get closed, and if necessary, people get time-outs. ;)

[maninblack]

What the hell is a Cuban cigar? I heard they were all fakes. :)

[Pseudosacred]

What the hell is a Cuban cigar? I heard they were all fakes. :)

FAKE IMPOSTERS

:r

[Mr.Maduro]

Im very impressed by the amount of replys to all posts on this site, great job guys!

Ofcourse I will only smoke what I like. The point I am making is in my experiences talking to many life long smokers it seems like when people start smoking CC's thier is often a point of no return to NC's. They just stick with CC's ans almost rate NC's as second hand smokes. Although it doesn't seem that way by this group's responses.

Don't just go by me Rich! ;)

[RichieBklyn]

Don't just go by me Rich! ;)

Ya, but as u can see u have some paaaaaaartners...

[shilala]

I have never tasted black pepper in a CC. I also have never tasted that anise/wet sneaker/two week worn underwear taste of Tatuaje in CC's.
Clayton mentioned a couple more nasty ones.
I do find the same Pepin spice in fresh PLpc's, it's why I love them so much. I don't generally find cedar flavor in such huge abundance among nc's. It's one of my cc put-offs that I try to minimize by getting rid of cedar sheets in my boxes.
Chocolate, caramel, bugundy, spice, cedar, sweetness, citrus, I can find all those in both.
The floral notes, tea, and distinct flavor profiles of cc's I can't find among nc's.
Whereas lots of nc's taste very similar, I don't find that in cc's. I honestly feel that there are far more flavors in the handful of cc marcas than in the entire nc realm.
Maybe it's because there are only a very small number of master nc blenders and a huge number of master cc blenders?

[OLS]

I think what I would say to Richie is that I don't feel like I left NCs behind as much
as THEY left me behind. When I used to smoke them, Cameroon wrappers were HUGE,
(which I preferred), blends were well thought out and interesting. They came out with
"innovation after innovation", (like the habana 2000 wrapper - yech) THEN I started in
with havanas. While I was exploring that end, something happened in the NC biz.
Everything had to be big. Every thing had to packed with ligero. All of the blends I
used to prefer seemed to change. Makers that started out with a bang started to slip
in quality control in their striving for more shelf space with new brand extensions, etc.
I came to the understanding that they just didn't suit me anymore. Not for nothing,
but Habanos SA is doing the same thing, just seemingly without the blinding power.
I do not prefer a strong smoke. I prefer a thin smoke. I do not feel like a fayg when
I have a Lancero in my hand. I DO feel like a male poarn star when I have a 60 ring
gauge smoke in my mouth. YES I have abandoned them and do not intend to go back.
But they started it........like Peter. ;)

[akumushi]

I DO feel like a female poarn star when I have a 60 ring
gauge smoke in my mouth.

Changed for accuracy.:D

[lenguamor]

I have never tasted black pepper in a CC. I also have never tasted that anise/wet sneaker/two week worn underwear taste of Tatuaje in CC's.
Clayton mentioned a couple more nasty ones.
I do find the same Pepin spice in fresh PLpc's, it's why I love them so much. I don't generally find cedar flavor in such huge abundance among nc's. It's one of my cc put-offs that I try to minimize by getting rid of cedar sheets in my boxes.
Chocolate, caramel, bugundy, spice, cedar, sweetness, citrus, I can find all those in both.
The floral notes, tea, and distinct flavor profiles of cc's I can't find among nc's.
Whereas lots of nc's taste very similar, I don't find that in cc's. I honestly feel that there are far more flavors in the handful of cc marcas than in the entire nc realm.
Maybe it's because there are only a very small number of master nc blenders and a huge number of master cc blenders?

I think what I would say to Richie is that I don't feel like I left NCs behind as much
as THEY left me behind. When I used to smoke them, Cameroon wrappers were HUGE,
(which I preferred), blends were well thought out and interesting. They came out with
"innovation after innovation", (like the habana 2000 wrapper - yech) THEN I started in
with havanas. While I was exploring that end, something happened in the NC biz.
Everything had to be big. Every thing had to packed with ligero. All of the blends I
used to prefer seemed to change. Makers that started out with a bang started to slip
in quality control in their striving for more shelf space with new brand extensions, etc.
I came to the understanding that they just didn't suit me anymore. Not for nothing,
but Habanos SA is doing the same thing, just seemingly without the blinding power.
I do not prefer a strong smoke. I prefer a thin smoke. I do not feel like a fayg when
I have a Lancero in my hand. I DO feel like a male poarn star when I have a 60 ring
gauge smoke in my mouth. YES I have abandoned them and do not intend to go back.
But they started it........like Peter. ;)

Lotta truth there.

[TJtorpedo]

I've smoked waaay more NCs than CCs, but probably only because of the accessibility of NCs. I can smoke singles of NC stuff and if I like, I may buy a box. I enjoy CCs, but I can't readily try singles or a fiver of CCs before pulling the trigger on a box.

[thecatch83]

NC's all the way. See, there is a Cuban embargo in effect and it is illegal to purchase Cuban cigars. I will always side with our lawmakers in its selective opposition to communism.

Purchasing Cuban cigars is not illegal.....you just can't bring them into the states.

[akumushi]

Purchasing Cuban cigars is not illegal.....you just can't bring them into the states.

Technically, I believe this is incorrect. As far as I understand the trading with the enemy laws, it is illegal for an American citizen to purchase and smoke a Cuban cigar, whether it is in France, Cuba or Canada. Now, you can do so without much fear of being caught, because who would be procecuting you? But still, it's technically illegal. Just as if you bought something from Iran while vacationing in Iraq, it's doesn't matter if you're not trying to bring something home that's illegal, it's the fact that you're engaging in trade and therefore breaking embargos/sanctions against a sworn enemy of the united states.
:2

[Stick]

Purchasing Cuban cigars is not illegal.....you just can't bring them into the states.
Yep, pretty sure Clayton has it correct.

"The Regulations prohibit any person subject to U.S. jurisdiction from dealing in any property in which Cuba or a Cuban national has or has had any interest. Under the Regulations, “property” is very broadly defined and includes such things as contracts and services. For example, unless authorized, persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction (including U.S. overseas subsidiaries) may not purchase Cuban cigars in third countries...

Link (http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/cuba.pdf)

[CRIMPS]

The driver of this thread was surely drunk. I dont even remember what the original post was about. Something about really fat **** stars, I think.

Swerves.

[Islayphile]

I have a question for all of you guys who smoke Cubans...

Do you prefer the arm, the leg or the wing?

[OLS]

Purchasing Cuban cigars is not illegal.....you just can't bring them into the states.
I would say that nothing could be further from the truth, but the second part of your sentence was correct.
NO AMERICAN is allowed to purchase ANY PRODUCT in which a cuban has any interest.
No matter where you buy them, if the product is one in which a cuban benefits, you
cannot buy it. So no matter who bought the cigars from cuba to sell to whomever, no matter
where they sell them, as an American citizen you cannot legally be involved in the chain of transactions
in any way. If a cuban built the tire valve stem caps in a mercedes-benz roadster and was paid to do so,
you could not buy that car. If you are in London, you cannot buy a cuban cigar if you are an American.
If you are in Mexico, you cannot buy a cuban cigar. if you are at the North Pole, well, you get the idea.

The intention of the US embargo against Cuba is to keep our cash out of their hands. It is NOT to keep
cuban products out of the United States per se. It doesn't matter where you do it, if you benefit a cuban
through a transaction anywhere on the globe, you have "hurt the USA" and "helped Cuba"
Clayton is on a bit of roll lately, sorry I did not read his response to your reply first. He is correct in every way.

[E.J.]

Man, I went read the whole thing.....:r

I love both. Went on vacation and my filled 30ct traveler was close to 50\50...

A lot like the arguments over the Tat releases or where JohnnyO gets his tobacco ect, I wonder why people get so intense(is that a good word), about rolled tobacco leafs....

I have to assume people feel there always has to be a line in the sand.....:confused:

My name is E.J., I like to smoke cigars.....if they are tasty, I don't care where they are rolled.... I have smoked tasty cigars from many different Countries....

[RWhisenand]

I would say that nothing could be further from the truth, ...

The intention of the US embargo against Cuba is to keep our cash out of their hands. It is NOT to keep
cuban products out of the United States per se. It doesn't matter where you do it, if you benefit a cuban
through a transaction anywhere on the globe, you have "hurt the USA" and "helped Cuba"
Clayton is on a bit of roll lately, sorry I did not read his response to your reply first. He is correct in every way.

http://www.cubatrade.org/

We trade with Cuba all the time.

[pnoon]

http://www.cubatrade.org/

We trade with Cuba all the time.

Rob, I think the point is that the average citizen is prohibited from engaging in economic activity with Cuba.
:2

[RWhisenand]

Rob, I think the point is that the average citizen is prohibited from engaging in economic activity with Cuba.
:2

Oh for sure I agree with you, its unfortunate too.

[BMack]

I don't speed either. ;)

[lilninjabuddy]

Hey Brian!

[Apexkingjusto]

So if I'm Swiss and my buddy is French and we somehow had Cuban cigars in the us could I sell them to my friend :D-(P

[markem]

So if I'm Swiss and my buddy is French and we somehow had Cuban cigars in the us could I sell them to my friend :D-(P

As long as they were legally here and you did not use US funds (several people have been caught by that last technicality which should work its way though the World Court in about 100 years).

[Stephen]

So if I'm Swiss and my buddy is French and we somehow had Cuban cigars
Your buddy would surrender to the Cuban cigars and you'd want no part of the affair.

[oooo35980]

Your buddy would surrender to the Cuban cigars and you'd want no part of the affair.

:r

[icehog3]

So if I'm Swiss and my buddy is French and we somehow had Cuban cigars in the us could I sell them to my friend :D-(P

I don't have any French buddies....by choice. ;)

[pektel]

Been smoking a few nc's over the last few days because of this thread. 2 most notable were the lgc artisanos de Miami, and a tat anarchy.

My take on nc's vs cc's as of the last few days: the nc's, while very good, are almost "cigars for dummies." Not because of skill level or intelligance level of the smoker, but everything is "in your face" apparent with nc's. I didn't need to focus on the cigar to notice all the flavors. They are "easy" cigars to me, if that makes sense.

Cc's, to me, take attention and focus, and the rewards are great once you take the time to appreciate them. You have to pay attention to the burn, the draw, the retrohale, the subtleties and nuances that seem to only occur in cc's. In my experience, smoking a cc is more involved, and more ritualistic.

Kind of like driving a manual vs automatic transmission.

My two cents, after a few drinks. YMMV.
Posted via Mobile Device

[icehog3]

Interesting analogy, Peter. I definitely agree with many NCs being an "in your face" smoke compared to most CC's, and there are many who prefer that type of smoke. That's what makes the cigar world go 'round. :)

[shilala]

Your buddy would surrender to the Cuban cigars and you'd want no part of the affair.
That made me lol.

[shilala]

Yep, pretty sure Clayton has it correct.

"The Regulations prohibit any person subject to U.S. jurisdiction from dealing in any property in which Cuba or a Cuban national has or has had any interest. Under the Regulations, “property” is very broadly defined and includes such things as contracts and services. For example, unless authorized, persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction (including U.S. overseas subsidiaries) may not purchase Cuban cigars in third countries...

Link (http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/cuba.pdf)
Clayton outlined the chain really well. From my understanding, I can't even smoke a cc legally, regardless of where I got it or where I am in the world.
It never really made sense to me until I just saw "trading with the enemy".
If I smoke that cc, even though I don't have a dime in it, they profit from making it. That makes the spirit of the law make sense.

[akumushi]

Been smoking a few nc's over the last few days because of this thread. 2 most notable were the lgc artisanos de Miami, and a tat anarchy.

My take on nc's vs cc's as of the last few days: the nc's, while very good, are almost "cigars for dummies." Not because of skill level or intelligance level of the smoker, but everything is "in your face" apparent with nc's. I didn't need to focus on the cigar to notice all the flavors. They are "easy" cigars to me, if that makes sense.

Cc's, to me, take attention and focus, and the rewards are great once you take the time to appreciate them. You have to pay attention to the burn, the draw, the retrohale, the subtleties and nuances that seem to only occur in cc's. In my experience, smoking a cc is more involved, and more ritualistic.

Kind of like driving a manual vs automatic transmission.

My two cents, after a few drinks. YMMV.
Posted via Mobile Device

This is a great analogy. CCs are something you have to baby. I always chuckle when I read reviewers complaining about having a single purge, a touch up or a re-light, or having to re-clip the end or massage the cigar a little to ease up the draw. These are all things I do obsessively to the point that they have become second nature to me, something I expect and perhaps even look forward to as part of the cigar smoking experience. NCs are cigars for people who want it to work straight out of the box and do everything for them. CCs are for the tinkerers.

[Apexkingjusto]

i kinda of want to get rid of every cigar in my collection to just keep my cc except for oliva v #4. God of Fire, Padron, Opus X, all my rp's, my fathers......i'd trade them all for trini reys and cohiba siglos, throw in a couple monti pe's and #2's and I'd be a very happy man if this was all I smoked. In the meantime I will let my cc's sit and rest while I smoke my nc or maybe someone will buy them from me ;) or better yet trade for cc

[oooo35980]

I've never smoked a CC, but to justify breaking the law, dealing with shady sources, worrying about my shipment getting intercepted, possibility of being sent fakes, and apparently reclipping, relighting, purging, having to concentrate just to pick up the flavors, plus the extra cost, CCs would have to be so crazy out of this world over the top amazing that my head would explode simply from being in the room with one.

Not to say I wouldn't smoke one if I had it, but man that's alot of PIA just to sit on my back porch and enjoy a stogie. I don't know that they could possibly be good enough to justify the effort in obtaining them IMO. Maybe one day things will be different, until then I am more than happy to smoke NCs.

[BMack]

It's really not that bad, they're rather easy to come by and the prices can be cheaper than many high-end premiums. There are plenty of CCs under $10 a piece.

...That being said, they always do benefit from rest/aging. In fact, some practically demand aging but I'm sure you've noticed that since you got your first humidor that a year or two into it you have cigars that are a year or so rested. It just takes some time...in the mean time there are some great brothers that occasionally sell aged CCs for no profit, just to make room. This is very beneficial in the beginning stages of that side of the hobby.

[Whipper Snapper]

CC's or NC's? Copious amounts of both please :)
But, more CC's than NC's

[maninblack]

NC's=cigars for dummies. This made me laugh. Hard. Guess I should be more refined.

[pektel]

NC's=cigars for dummies. This made me laugh. Hard. Guess I should be more refined.

I tried to clarify, brother. I meant no disrespect. Sorry if you took it as an insult, as that was never my intention. I have no place to talk about refinement, as I'm as refined as a drunk goat. Just trying to state the difference -as I see it- between nc's and cc's.

And Kevin, please remember your previous post. Just saying ... its probably been awhile since you've worn the CA skirt.... :D
Posted via Mobile Device

[icehog3]

I've never smoked a CC, but to justify breaking the law, dealing with shady sources, My sources aren't shady, and lots of others have "unshady" ones as well. worrying about my shipment getting intercepted, once in 8 years for me , possibility of being sent fakes, hasn't happened from a source yet and apparently reclipping, relighting, purging, maybe the poster's experience, but certainly not mine having to concentrate just to pick up the flavors becomes second nature in time , plus the extra cost I find most of the CCs I smoke to be less expensive than most premium NCs , CCs would have to be so crazy out of this world over the top amazing that my head would explode simply from being in the room with one.

Not to say I wouldn't smoke one if I had it, but man that's alot of PIA just to sit on my back porch and enjoy a stogie. I don't know that they could possibly be good enough to justify the effort in obtaining them IMO It isn't really any more effort than mail ordering most NCs...and yes, to some they are that good. Maybe one day things will be different, until then I am more than happy to smoke NCs.

Some thoughts of mine in red. :)

[oooo35980]

A company that would knowingly ship a product somewhere that it is illegal to buy, sell or even have is automatically shady IMO. Also the fact that I can get CCs for about as much as premium NCs doesn't mean much, I can't afford to exclusively smoke LPs or Padron Annis either, CCs are pretty darn expensive, to me anyway. I'm happy you have good sources and rarely get a shipment intercepted, and I sincerely hope your good fortune continues.
I wish the world were different and I could just go to a b&m, pick up a few CC singles to try and see what all the fuss is about, maybe keep a few for a special occasion if I really really like em. Exactly like I do with the high end NCs, but I can't. For me illegal+expensive makes it a deal breaker, just not worth it.

[Bill86]

A company that would knowingly ship a product somewhere that it is illegal to buy, sell or even have is automatically shady IMO. Also the fact that I can get CCs for about as much as premium NCs doesn't mean much, I can't afford to exclusively smoke LPs or Padron Annis either, CCs are pretty darn expensive, to me anyway. I'm happy you have good sources and rarely get a shipment intercepted, and I sincerely hope your good fortune continues.
I wish the world were different and I could just go to a b&m, pick up a few CC singles to try and see what all the fuss is about, maybe keep a few for a special occasion if I really really like em. Exactly like I do with the high end NCs, but I can't. For me illegal+expensive makes it a deal breaker, just not worth it.


CC's cost(decent ones, not sh*t) $3-$.....well I dunno some ballers might have ~$600 or so VINTAGE VHTF CC's.

So if you can afford $3-$6 a smoke you could easily smoke exclusively CC's.

If you could go to a B&M and buy them, you wouldn't like the prices. Ask the members that live in other countries.

Many of them technically still get them "illegally". "Discreet" shipping so they don't get hit with taxes.

FWIW :2

[icehog3]

A company that would knowingly ship a product somewhere that it is illegal to buy, sell or even have is automatically shady IMO. Also the fact that I can get CCs for about as much as premium NCs doesn't mean much, I can't afford to exclusively smoke LPs or Padron Annis either, CCs are pretty darn expensive, to me anyway. I'm happy you have good sources and rarely get a shipment intercepted, and I sincerely hope your good fortune continues.
I wish the world were different and I could just go to a b&m, pick up a few CC singles to try and see what all the fuss is about, maybe keep a few for a special occasion if I really really like em. Exactly like I do with the high end NCs, but I can't. For me illegal+expensive makes it a deal breaker, just not worth it.

Undertand your feelings, though I disagree with your propostion that shipping to the US automatically makes them "shady". I have met several of these people in person, and consider them upstanding gentlemen.

Possibly someday you will be able to walk into a B&M in the States and buy Cubans...time will tell.

[Zeuceone]

Tell me how you really feel.

[mithrilG60]

A company that would knowingly ship a product somewhere that it is illegal to buy, sell or even have is automatically shady IMO.

I fail to see how shipping to paying customers makes them shady. All the online shops I'm aware off fully comply with the export laws of their respective countries. These aren't American companies and therefore they are not bound by, or required to follow, American laws. They are just shipping a product that a customer has requested and paid for. If that customer happens to be an American then the legality, or lack thereof, of the transaction is on the customer side and therefore the responsibility of the customer not the vendor.

[srduggins]

Any vendor who would ship to such a "shady" customer is shady by association.:rolleyes:

[mithrilG60]

Ok then, so we're saying here is that any non-US vendor who obeys the laws of their own country is shady because they don't don't follow US laws that have absolutely zero bearing or hold on them? Riiiiiiight...... :tu :rolleyes:

[Stephen]

Any vendor who would ship to such a "shady" customer is shady by association.:rolleyes:
Would the real shady please stand up?


http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ktnrxlPNVw1qzcxrxo1_400.png

[Pseudosacred]

Would the real shady please stand up?


http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ktnrxlPNVw1qzcxrxo1_400.png

:r

[awsmith4]

Ok then, so we're saying here is that any non-US vendor who obeys the laws of their own country is shady because they don't don't follow US laws that have absolutely zero bearing or hold on them? Riiiiiiight...... :tu :rolleyes:

I wouldn't try and convince him, less buyers means more stock availability for us :D

[mithrilG60]

I wouldn't try and convince him, less buyers means more stock availability for us :D

Stock availablilty isn't an issue for me as a Canadian ;) What I find mildly amusing/ignorant is the suggestion that any non-American is somehow doing something wrong by not obeying US laws that have no jurisidication over them in the first place.

[Blak Smyth]

I can count the number of times I was really blown away with an NC in the last year, 2.
I have had some great ones, and some bad ones but only 2 where out of this world.
I am blown away almost weekly with CCs and the rest are still really good. This has been my experience.
I would not want to have missed out on those 2 amazing NCs though as they where sooo incredible.
I think there is a place for both, CCs and NCs in my humi, I just prefer CCs everyday right now.

[Reaver2145]

Im smoking a cuban cohiba lancero i got one my last trip to london and you know what its plugged its **** nothing more nothing less im going to stub it out under my shoe and light up a opus X i got at foxs in saint James street the same place i got this lancero and you know what im going to enjoy it more than this.

Both are good smokes cuban and non-cuban if you only smoke one kind youre a fool if you think you will find a cuban taste in a non-cuban youre a bigger fool they are two different things but both are good at some point.

[Blak Smyth]

Both are good smokes cuban and non-cuban if you only smoke one kind youre a fool if you think you will find a cuban taste in a non-cuban youre a bigger fool they are two different things but both are good at some point.

I agree, "fool" may be an extreme word though as many (myself included, although I am learning) may just be inexperienced in the world of CCs. If you smoke strong NCs all the time and an occasional CC, you will not taste the subtle nuances of that CC as you are used to such dominating obvious flavors found in NCs.

I smoked NCs everyday, and loved them. I smoked an occasional CC to try it out, and I could never understand the following CC had. I did a personal experiment (Advised by a friend) and quit smoking all NCs for a month while I indulged in tons of CCs and man I am in love now.

[oooo35980]

I fail to see how shipping to paying customers makes them shady. All the online shops I'm aware off fully comply with the export laws of theiShady just means under the table, below board, illegalr respective countries. These aren't American companies and therefore they are not bound by, or required to follow, American laws. They are just shipping a product that a customer has requested and paid for. If that customer happens to be an American then the legality, or lack thereof, of the transaction is on the customer side and therefore the responsibility of the customer not the vendor.

Shady simply means under the table, below board. You don't have to sell drugs on a street corner to be shady. You don't have to be dishonest either. In my opinion shipping product to a place where it is illegal is taking part in a shady deal, especially if it requires "discreet" shipping. To get Cubans in the US you have to show a certain degree of shadiness and disregard the law, so does whoever ships them to you. Hell that might be half the fun.

[pnoon]

:bh
Posted via Mobile Device

[Reaver2145]

I agree, "fool" may be an extreme word though as many (myself included, although I am learning) may just be inexperienced in the world of CCs. If you smoke strong NCs all the time and an occasional CC, you will not taste the subtle nuances of that CC as you are used to such dominating obvious flavors found in NCs.

I smoked NCs everyday, and loved them. I smoked an occasional CC to try it out, and I could never understand the following CC had. I did a personal experiment (Advised by a friend) and quit smoking all NCs for a month while I indulged in tons of CCs and man I am in love now.

May be fool is a bit extream but ill stand by it.

CCs take time to get used to this i agree with but dose it make them better than NCs that are good right off the bat IMHO HELL NO

[PuffPuffGive1]

Do you guys think CCs will lose some of it's 'mysticism' if the embargo were to ever be lifted? But my opinion in regards to this whole matter is that I only smoke particular brands of NC's while me personally haven't had a CC I didn't like.

[akumushi]

I've always heard shady used as a synonym for disingenious, similar to dodgy in British English- in regards to a dealer/source it would mean they were liable to lie, cheat or doublecross you in a deal. A shady dealer is one who might just as soon rob you at gunpoint than give you the stuff, or try to pass off something cut down with oregano or baby powder, or in the case of cigars, a glass-top box of cohibos. Now that's shady. Since it's a term that originated in a context where flouting the law is an accepted part of the game, simply doing something illegal doesn't make you shady- it's breaking the compact of trust with the customer that does. So in that sense, none of my sources are in the least bit shady. :D

[akumushi]

Do you guys think CCs will lose some of it's 'mysticism' if the embargo were to ever be lifted? But my opinion in regards to this whole matter is that I only smoke particular brands of NC's while me personally haven't had a CC I didn't like.

Of course. They will also go way up in price and have a temporary dip in quality as production is ramped up beyond capacity, so all of the noobs will be severely disappointed and think it was always a bunch of hype.

[bobarian]

:bh
Posted via Mobile Device

:tpd:

[icehog3]

Do you guys think CCs will lose some of it's 'mysticism' if the embargo were to ever be lifted? But my opinion in regards to this whole matter is that I only smoke particular brands of NC's while me personally haven't had a CC I didn't like.

Good thing I smoke them for the flavor and not the mysticism. ;)

[mithrilG60]

Shady simply means under the table, below board. You don't have to sell drugs on a street corner to be shady. You don't have to be dishonest either. In my opinion shipping product to a place where it is illegal is taking part in a shady deal, especially if it requires "discreet" shipping. To get Cubans in the US you have to show a certain degree of shadiness and disregard the law, so does whoever ships them to you. Hell that might be half the fun.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the rest of the world doesn't give a rats ass about your little embargo and vendors outside the US are neither required to obey nor enforce US laws. It's simply impossible to disregard a law that doesn't exist. If you're not breaking any laws then you're not being "shady"... you're serving your customers, and that's just called doing business.

[oooo35980]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the rest of the world doesn't give a rats ass about your little embargo and vendors outside the US are neither required to obey nor enforce US laws. It's simply impossible to disregard a law that doesn't exist. If you're not breaking any laws then you're not being "shady"... you're serving your customers, and that's just called doing business.

No need to get so worked up... If you think it isn't shady in any way to ship a product to a place where it is illegal, then I respect your opinion. I don't understand it, but I respect it.

[688sonarmen]

NC's for me. Just for background info I have smoked several CC ranging in different maracas and most have left me underwhelmed. But, one PSD4 (the 3rd one I smoked) was the best damn cigar I have ever had, the thing was an experience and I went into it pessimistic only to be blown away. Then I bought a whole mess of CC's which I have been smoking this week and they are up there with my NC's but still not what I like. For me when I smoke a cigar and really pay attention to it I can find plenty of flavors. But that PSD4 was different, I was watching the Cards and just picked it on a whim thinking I would S can it and grab a NC. It's just not worth the time, $, and I run a risk with possibly drawing attention to my job. But man, if they all could be like that one CC I would be a CC man.

[mithrilG60]

No need to get so worked up... If you think it isn't shady in any way to ship a product to a place where it is illegal, then I respect your opinion. I don't understand it, but I respect it.

I'm not worked up, I just don't get the mentality that labels a business as "shady" for following all applicable laws. If you feel bound to follow the laws of your country that great but doesn't mean that citizens or businesses belongin to other nationalies should feel the same compunction to uphold your law for you. That's just stupid.

[lilninjabuddy]

CC's or NC's?

Yes. :tu

[688sonarmen]

Yes. :tu

:D Good call.

[big pete]

Both for me

[BC-Axeman]

Yes. :tu
Dang, I had to read every post in this thread before someone came up with my answer!

More like:


Sure! Watcha got?

[BMack]

Don't buy Cuban cigars, don't smoke tobacco, don't speed, don't download music from the internet, don't have sex before marriage, cool whatever floats your boat...your stance on any of these issues doesn't affect my life.

[levrac68]

Some of the Best and Worst Cigars I've smoked were Cubans. Same goes for the NCs... I think the NCs have come a long way in recent years quality and taste wise, whereas the Cubans really haven't made much strides. Don't get caught up in the mystique of the origin or the brand. Trying all different kinds till you find what floats your boat is what makes the whole experience as great as it is...

Enjoy
TF

[RichieBklyn]

Im happy to say this is the 200th post on this thread I have created, spent the last week thinking what I'm going to bring up next to top it... HHHHHMMMMMMM... coke or pepsi???

[BC-Axeman]

I had one of each today and the NC was delicious all the way through but the CC got burnt tasting toward the last third. Both were aged a couple of years. I don't support my states plan to charge prohibitive taxes on cigars and will be making my purchases elsewhere if it goes through. Just have to see where "elsewhere" will be. ;)

[BC-Axeman]

Im happy to say this is the 200th post on this thread I have created, spent the last week thinking what I'm going to bring up next to top it... HHHHHMMMMMMM... coke or pepsi???
1911 or modern plastic framed?:su

[markem]

1911 or modern plastic framed?:su

single or double barrel 1911? :D

[pektel]

New coke, classic coke, cherry coke, or caffeine free coke?
Posted via Mobile Device

[pnoon]

New coke, classic coke, cherry coke, or caffeine free coke?
Posted via Mobile Device

Sounds more like banter coke.

[BMack]

New coke, classic coke, cherry coke, or caffeine free coke?
Posted via Mobile Device


Mexican Coke /thread

[jjirons69]

Good thing I smoke them for the flavor and not the mysticism. ;)

Got a lot of cedar and floral notes for the first two thirds, but the last third was nothing but pure mysticism.

Sounds like a good name for an Acid.

[RichieBklyn]

New coke, classic coke, cherry coke, or caffeine free coke?
Posted via Mobile Device

only coke products made in Cuba...:tu

[akumushi]

http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv35/akumushi/habanos.jpg

[Whipper Snapper]

Good thing I smoke them for the flavor and not the mysticism. ;)

We all know you're a mystic Tom.

[icehog3]

We all know you're a mystic Tom.

You're confused with "masochistic", WhipperSnapper. ;)

[lilninjabuddy]

I think the NCs have come a long way in recent years quality and taste wise, whereas the Cubans really haven't made much strides.

Hard to come a long way when you're already there!

[the nub]

this is a new discussion that I've never seen before.

[kelmac07]

What...no Vanilla Coke? :D

[Islayphile]

What...no Vanilla Coke? :D

Careful, you're dating yourself there Mac

:r

[PuffPuffGive1]

New coke, classic coke, cherry coke, or caffeine free coke?
Posted via Mobile Device

Am I the only person who actually prefers Diet Coke? I always felt that regular coke/Mexicano coke was too sweet :D

[akumushi]

Thread moved to banter section in 3, 2...

[pektel]

Hard to come a long way when you're already there!

This. :D