Cuba Libre Nicaraguan

Ratters · 01-30-2009, 07:44 PM

Cigar: Cuba Libre Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Vitola: Pyramid 6.5x52
Price: $28/box of 25 at www.ecigardepot.com/cuba_libre.htm

Setting: Sun room, 5pm, about 60 degrees out, paired with a Diet Sunkist.

Pre-light: The cigar has a fairly light brown wrapper with a light oily sheen. There are a couple large veins on one side and fairly smooth on the other. The cigar is firmly packed and and after a cranial screw top cut (to see if it was possible with a torp) the draw was a tad stiff with a mild sweet tobacco flavor.

First third: The cigar lit up easily and the draw wasn't too bad, but there wasn't much smoke coming through. What did had a sweet earthiness to it, with just a touch of bitterness. After half an inch or so I cut the tip and the draw freed up some more as did smoke production. The finish is somewhat dry and bitter, but not as horrible as that sounds. Body is mild to medium.

Second third: As I get into the second third a leathery/nutty taste is coming out. Not a lot of it, but it's there. Cigar is still in the mild to medium range. There is a tad bit of spice felt all over the mouth, and it's not entirely pleasant. Overall though, so far so good. Not as unpleasant as I was expecting. So far construction and burn seem excellent.

Final third: Wish I had more to say about this cigar, but I really don't. The flavors are continuing, the dryness is still there, but overall it's definitely smokeable. Body remains mild/medium, smoke production medium, bitterness has subsided, burn remains fine. Total smoke time 1.5 hours.

Final thoughts: I must confess, I stole this out of a box that was being donated to the troops, though in my defense it was replaced with a finer stick. Plus bobarian make me do it. This is the cigar I thought the "FREE CUBA" was going to be. Mild, boring, well made, typical yard gar. I feel no urge to smoke one of these again, but if you just like puffin on something cheap while working the yard or the links, you could do worse for around a buck a stick. The burn and construction were excellent, the flavor didn't make my dry heave like the Free Cuba, and they're darned cheap. The troops should enjoy these as well.

Liked it: Meh, not really, but not horrible
Buy again: Didn't buy this one, but no.
Reccommend: For someone who just wants a cheap smoke chimney, it's not half bad.

Rockestone · 01-30-2009, 07:49 PM

Thanks for the review. Nice pictures.

A buck a stick....Now your talking my language!!

bobarian · 01-31-2009, 01:08 AM

Another great review of a mediocre cigar! Thanks Steve! You are always willing to go where no man has gone before(At least not any sane ones!)

Ratters · 01-31-2009, 01:30 AM

Eh, it really wasn't that bad. I'm not itchin to smoke another one, but I'll take it over one of your damned CFOs.

Skywalker · 01-31-2009, 09:38 AM

Thanks for reviewing this one Steve!!!

borndead1 · 01-31-2009, 05:10 PM

I didn't know these were still around! Thanks for the review and the link!

02-01-2009, 08:12 AM

Thanks for the review.

NickyTeen · 02-01-2009, 01:09 PM

Another great review.

Thanks Steve

paul95se · 02-01-2009, 09:30 PM

I think you went wrong with the Diet Sunkist. I believe these were meant to be paired with a Rum and Coke.

01-30-2009, 07:44 PM	#1
Ratters Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,848 Trading: (2)	Cuba Libre Nicaraguan Cigar: Cuba Libre Nicaragua Wrapper: Nicaraguan Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Vitola: Pyramid 6.5x52 Price: $28/box of 25 at www.ecigardepot.com/cuba_libre.htm Setting: Sun room, 5pm, about 60 degrees out, paired with a Diet Sunkist. Pre-light: The cigar has a fairly light brown wrapper with a light oily sheen. There are a couple large veins on one side and fairly smooth on the other. The cigar is firmly packed and and after a cranial screw top cut (to see if it was possible with a torp) the draw was a tad stiff with a mild sweet tobacco flavor. First third: The cigar lit up easily and the draw wasn't too bad, but there wasn't much smoke coming through. What did had a sweet earthiness to it, with just a touch of bitterness. After half an inch or so I cut the tip and the draw freed up some more as did smoke production. The finish is somewhat dry and bitter, but not as horrible as that sounds. Body is mild to medium. Second third: As I get into the second third a leathery/nutty taste is coming out. Not a lot of it, but it's there. Cigar is still in the mild to medium range. There is a tad bit of spice felt all over the mouth, and it's not entirely pleasant. Overall though, so far so good. Not as unpleasant as I was expecting. So far construction and burn seem excellent. Final third: Wish I had more to say about this cigar, but I really don't. The flavors are continuing, the dryness is still there, but overall it's definitely smokeable. Body remains mild/medium, smoke production medium, bitterness has subsided, burn remains fine. Total smoke time 1.5 hours. Final thoughts: I must confess, I stole this out of a box that was being donated to the troops, though in my defense it was replaced with a finer stick. Plus bobarian make me do it. This is the cigar I thought the "FREE CUBA" was going to be. Mild, boring, well made, typical yard gar. I feel no urge to smoke one of these again, but if you just like puffin on something cheap while working the yard or the links, you could do worse for around a buck a stick. The burn and construction were excellent, the flavor didn't make my dry heave like the Free Cuba, and they're darned cheap. The troops should enjoy these as well. Liked it: Meh, not really, but not horrible Buy again: Didn't buy this one, but no. Reccommend: For someone who just wants a cheap smoke chimney, it's not half bad.

01-30-2009, 07:49 PM	#2
Rockestone Anythings Possible Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: Anderson, SC Posts: 793 Trading: (5)	Re: Cuba Libre Nicaraguan Thanks for the review. Nice pictures. A buck a stick....Now your talking my language!! __________________

01-31-2009, 01:08 AM	#3
bobarian Cranky Habanophile Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wine Country Posts: 8,869 Trading: (51)	Re: Cuba Libre Nicaraguan Another great review of a mediocre cigar! Thanks Steve! You are always willing to go where no man has gone before(At least not any sane ones!)

01-31-2009, 01:30 AM	#4
Ratters Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,848 Trading: (2)	Re: Cuba Libre Nicaraguan Eh, it really wasn't that bad. I'm not itchin to smoke another one, but I'll take it over one of your damned CFOs.

01-31-2009, 09:38 AM	#5
Skywalker BABOTL Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dice Location: Galaxy Far Far Away Posts: 10,168 Trading: (18)	Re: Cuba Libre Nicaraguan Thanks for reviewing this one Steve!!! __________________ Smoke what you like!!!

01-31-2009, 05:10 PM	#6
borndead1 Ayatollah of Rock n Rolla Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mark Location: Lancaster, CA Posts: 1,321 Trading: (7)	Re: Cuba Libre Nicaraguan I didn't know these were still around! Thanks for the review and the link!

02-01-2009, 08:12 AM	#7
scooter Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Cuba Libre Nicaraguan Thanks for the review.

02-01-2009, 01:09 PM	#8
NickyTeen My barn door is open Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Kriss Location: The Barn Posts: 561 Trading: (12)	Re: Cuba Libre Nicaraguan Another great review. Thanks Steve

02-01-2009, 09:30 PM	#9
paul95se Still Watching My Back Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Paul Location: Detroit Posts: 60 Trading: (4)	Re: Cuba Libre Nicaraguan I think you went wrong with the Diet Sunkist. I believe these were meant to be paired with a Rum and Coke.