So what is it?

[cj121]

Just read Pedro's interesting post about a stick he'd recently had and he talks about "that typical yet indescribable taste of cubans".

We know what he means, but what is it? You generally don't get it from NCs, although there are a few that are reminiscent: the well rounded, warm/spicy familiarity springs to mind for me, apart from the individual nuances that particular Cuban brands offer.

From a general perspective, what's your "typical, yet indescribable taste":smoke:

[whisky77]

That`s a very difficult one CJ.I think the taste I most associate with good Cuban cigars and the taste I try to find is the Cocoa, spicy, rich chocolate flavour which can be difficult to find in some of the stronger brands but does present itself in some the light/medium strength cigars.

Obviously this is a completely one sided experience as you and I could smoke the same cigar and yet detect different flavours.That is what makes the whole taste thing so interesting.

[bigbarneyhotdog]

Complexity, balance & development :849:

[Seriesteve]

There is just something uplifting ZING about Cuban Cigars that I never seem to get from NC's
As Barney says Complexity
The Minerals from the ground the sun the sea and the air all make Cuban Cigars Mystical
Aye Lovin the Mystery

[cj121]

Yeah, it's a difficult one to define, but definite it is ay?

I guess everyone's got their faves (re particular sticks), but when you get that mouthful, you know whence it came!

I struggle to describe/identify certain 'flavours', and have even read through charts to get better, but that's just about the specifics.

Lovin the mystery indeedy SS:smile:

[pedro_han]

when i started reading the thread, I was trying to name something that can describe the taste, and there really ISN'T anything that can do!
It's the cuban soil and weather, tobacco's 'complexity, balance, development' as bigbarney says, plus the burning temperature of cuban tobaccos!
I've been observing the ashes and burning cigars and it seems to me that cuban tobaccos are burning slower and at lower temperature compare to dominicans, might be because it's more hydrated?

well then I stopped..why do you bother describing it, that flavour IS called "Cuban"
like pepper or salt, it's simply Cuban!

[deltawhisky]

Interesting posts. I think of my favourite Monty' No.4 and I think of earthiness. There is a depth to a CC that seems to be ... deeper than some NCs like the Don Ramos, for instance??

It's indeed hard to put a finger on it.

Best, Deltawhisky

[goldencigars]

Yes,what is?
If we talk about a compexity,construction,or combustion,there are NC,that has a complexity too,and the combustion and construction is even better sometimes than a cuban cigars.
I think this is the unique Cuban flavor,cuban stamp,cuban signature,all the cuban brands has it.
What exactly this cuban note taste like?I just can't explain it,it is like a mistery for me.
Why?
I beleave it is the Earth richness,of the cuban region Pinar del Rio(Vuelta abajo)that makes a cuban tabaco flavor ,the best and unique among them all.IMO

[Robusto]

I often taste citrus hints in the walls of my cheeks when I smoke a D4 or a Petit Edmundo.

It's not the main description that I'd give to define a Cuban cigar's taste, but whenever I taste this citrus flavour early on, I know that I'm going to enjoy a beautiful sexy smoke.

[Paulie]

I think this can be broken down to two different factors, the physical and the non physical.

The physical is hard to pinpoint as each cigar differs from others and everybody has different opinions on what makes a cuban a cuban. As people have said before, some NC's can be better.

The bigger influence I believe is the reputation of the cuban cigar. They are always reported to be the best and are almost always regarded as such by the public. I think this attitude is what perpetuates the feeling that cubans are better. I am not saying they are not, maybe they are. What is the best though is the "Cuban" brand and its association with quality. If you know you are having a cuban, mentally you may enjoy it more as you are looking at it through rose tinted glasses.

[daverave999]

I've only smoked a few NCs so can't really comment, but I'm going to anyway. :biggrin1:

The NCs have flavour, whereas the majority of Cubans seem to have that something extra that makes my mouth actually water. The nearest thing I know to it is MSG, so I suppose I'm saying it's Umami (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umami).

[cj121]

It's umamimous then, a taste that's difficult to define:smile:

[pedro_han]

cuban cigars are umamimous! yay~~

[daverave999]

It's umamimous then, a taste that's difficult to define:smile:
*groan*

Is that agreement or sarcasm? :tongue:

[cj121]

*groan*

Is that agreement or sarcasm? :tongue:


I think it could be the new, in house, UKCF terminology Dave, no sarccy stuff this end:biggrin1:

[Big Al]

Blowed if I can pinpoint the difference but there is a difference and although subtle on one level it is massive on another. I have had NC cigars which are reminiscent of Cubans (and pleasant enough at that) but nothing out there that I have ever smoked even comes close to replicating THAT taste, let alone THAT experience that is exclusively Cuban.

[cj121]

You're right Al, it's THAT that makes it unique:rock:

[Boss Hog]

One thing I have noticed in the NC's I've had is the first 1cm always seems either bitter or just nothing too it, with a cuban as soon as you light it bang, you get THAT flavour straight away.

[deltawhisky]

I certainly agree with an earlier post about the reputation, the physical and non-physical factors. Deffo, in fact. When the physical, like the previously mentioned citrus notes - couples itself with the non-physical -- reputation, image, branding, notion of a 'Cuban' in its own right -- the THAT, experienced by Al, is created.

Possibly my worst written English on the forums yet, but I think I know what I mean!

[Big Al]

Yep, we all know exactly what you mean Delta - but expressing it beyond a "THAT" is bloody well hard!

[cj121]

Yep, we all know exactly what you mean Delta - but expressing it beyond a "THAT" is bloody well hard!

:dito::biggrin1:

[misterbulgarin]

One thing I have noticed in the NC's I've had is the first 1cm always seems either bitter or just nothing too it, with a cuban as soon as you light it bang, you get THAT flavour straight away.

As a big NC fan, I can agree with this. Some of the NC's are just 'smoke' then get flavorsome. Starting a cuban, getting it lit properly and getting that immiediate taste...certainly is lovely

[cj121]

And without knowing what IT is, it just gives me a sense of ooh yeah, I feel good n comfortable with this. Niice.