Are cuban cigars really the best?

[Tarks]

Originally Posted by T.G

BTW, I don't think Arnold smokes anything that costs less than about $20-25/cigar.

As for the rest of us, meh, whatever you like, you smoke. I've never gotten into the is "such-and-such" a $10 NC better than a "this or that" $7 Cuban debate, or vice-versa at $7 and $10, or whatever, so I'm not going to start now. I think it's a silly argument.

This is not an argument but rather a discussion.

[Blueface]

My wife thinks so.
Since she is Cuban too, I also think so.
27 yrs to prove it!!!

Oh Crap!!!
The title says "Cuban Cigars".
I thought it said "Cubans".

[M1903A1]

Originally Posted by rogerdodger

newbie here
never tried one, not sure if id apreciate it anyway.
are they much better than the $15 and up cigars than we can currently purchase?

Honestly? I'd say, by far, YES.

I became a Pepin whore early in my cigar career...once I discovered CCs in depth and built up a decent supply I found there really was no turning back.

That said, the way to make your own decision is to sample as many different kinds as you can. For example, many people like big cigars, whereas I don't, and many like Cohibas, whereas I find them very overrated.

but that's the best way to find out!

[Blueface]

Back on topic for me....
Are they better?
Different.
Personal preference.
I enjoy the their flavor much better.
However, I don't enjoy the plugged ones.
All a matter of taste.

[M1903A1]

Originally Posted by Blueface

However, I don't enjoy the plugged ones.

I've developed a simple rule...cut it as soon as it comes out of the humi and do a draw test.

If it doesn't draw like a straw, say, "Naw!"

Repeat until you find one that does, and go from there!

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by M1903A1

I've developed a simple rule...cut it as soon as it comes out of the humi and do a draw test.

If it doesn't draw like a straw, say, "Naw!"

Repeat until you find one that does, and go from there!

So true!!!

[King James]

Originally Posted by M1903A1

If it doesn't draw like a straw, say, "Naw!"

I agree with not fighting through a plugged cigar, but I think drawing like a straw is a bit too loose. I think there should be a little resistance (especially to help with control of the burn). I'm not sure if you mean "straw" literally, or just figuratively to make the saying rhyme.....so if I am over-analyzing, Scott, my apologies

[M1903A1]

Originally Posted by King James

I agree with not fighting through a plugged cigar, but I think drawing like a straw is a bit too loose. I think there should be a little resistance (especially to help with control of the burn). I'm not sure if you mean "straw" literally, or just figuratively to make the saying rhyme.....so if I am over-analyzing, Scott, my apologies

A bit of both, actually...I figured it would be a more useful rule of thumb if it rhymed, and it should have a good draw the moment it's cut. In my experience, if it's got a stiff draw when you cut it, it's not gonna get any better as you smoke it (in fact it will often get worse).

[King James]

I know this is starting to beat a dead horse....but smoke what you like in the price range that is in your means.

Dave (trishield) has said many times that they still make junk like cremosas and others that I find repulsive....but some people have to be buying them and liking them. I have college friends who smoke backwoods and enjoy them.....granted they have never had a "good" cigar so have nothing to compare them to.

I think the more important part is the commoradary involved. They smoke backwoods, but it is a bunch of guys sitting together having a good time....so what they smoke is kind of irrelevant.

At shack herf this year some of us smoked an entire barberpole glasstop fauxiba. Granted we were slightly inebriated, but I will remember the fun we had versus the horrible cigar

[kenstogie]

I haven't had that many CC's. Maybe 50 in my life but they are different. Some I have had I thought were the best cigars I have ever had, others not so much. Like each person is an individual so is each cigar.

[Tarks]

Exactly. The last thing I want is a wind tunnel.

[warpedcigars]

A good cigar is a good cigar regardless if it came from Cuba or Nicaragua or Honduras or the Dominican Republic. Everyone's palates are different, so are their likes and dislikes.

[T.G]

For the NC crowd:
http://www.kanyethis.com/?s=http://w...0International


For the Habanos crowd:
http://www.kanyethis.com/?s=http://w....asp&t=Habanos

[Tarks]

Originally Posted by T.G

For the NC crowd:
http://www.kanyethis.com/?s=http://w...0International


For the Habanos crowd:
http://www.kanyethis.com/?s=http://w....asp&t=Habanos

lol!

[gbum]

i'm pretty new to handrolled cigar... but i try to smoke both cc and nc even though there are very limited nc here and the cc are freaking expensive..i do love monte..punch and partagas...at the same time quantanamera and h upman are shitty to me... but still...i love the padron and don diego aniversarios...

like said... its down to each own preferences...

but so far... i love cc

I can count on one hand the NC's that I really enjoyed. Most make my saliva glands kick into overdrive and I find are "harsh" for lack of a better word. CC's are milder and more flavorful to me with no saliva issues.

Of the NC's I have had, I would pick a CC over an NC ALMOST every time.

Find what you like and smoke those is the best advice I can give. As long as you enjoy it, who cares.

yes they are.

[BlackDog]

Are cigars from the B&M better than cigars bought from e-tailers?

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by BlackDog

Are cigars from the B&M better than cigars bought from e-tailers?

That is downright evil.

[Da Klugs]

It's a question that needs to be answered by each smoker... what they prefer to smoke. One answer is that a large percentage of those who explore the issue end up with a concurrence to your question. It might just all be peer pressure and herd mentality though.

Best for what type of smoker is also a germane point. NC cigars are trending towards two seemingly dichotomous points. 1. Stronger and stronger blends which would seem to appeal to "mouth only" smokers and the Jolt cola generation who follow the more is better mantra. 2. Specially blended, crafted and packaged cigars that more and more are demonstrating the depth and nuance experienced in Cuban cigars through the nasal exhale.

Remember that the Cubans had a couple hundred year head start on the cultivation and processes. NC cigar makers seem to be able to get much closer to the smoking and flavor profiles in the past few years. Getting closer to a comparable price point is a more difficult issue.