10 Must try Cubans

[ChrisMClark]

I'm after compiling a list of 10 must-try Cuban cigars, along with a list similar for non-cubans, and I'd love to know what your recommendations are. I'm planning on buying myself a little humi at the end of the month (getting some pennies through from my tour of Canada) and plan to stock it (hopefully) fully, but more likely will be stocked with maybe 15 or 20 singles to try before comitting to buying a box of something. I'd though about trying a samplre, and may still try it, but I'd rather work on the knowledge of your fine ladies and gents who know what you enjoy. I'm a relative newbie, so nothing really strong, but I don't mind something full flavoured to at least try.

So! What do you think?

Edit: Small question: I love the look of the Fonsecas, with the Japanese tussiue paper round them, but do you remove the paper before smoking them? Might sound like a daft question, but I figure it's something I need to know!

[Ryan]

Just my opinion and you didn't mention any specific budget or size preference but

Cohiba Esplendido
Cohiba Robusto
Partagas 898V
Partagas Serie P No 2
H Upmann Sir Winston
H Upmann Connoisseur No. 1
Bolivar Belicoso Finos
Ramon Allones Specially Selected
Por Larranaga Petit Coronas
La Gloria Cubana No 1 or 2

The tissue on Fonsecas should be removed before smoking, it's purely decorative. It's paper and it will burn like paper, I can't imagine it would be a pleasant experience.

[ChrisMClark]

The tissue on Fonsecas should be removed before smoking, it's purely decorative. It's paper and it will burn like paper, I can't imagine it would be a pleasant experience.

It's painfully obvious now I think about it Thanks for the list. Budget is something I'll work on when I've got a long list to shorten it. Size isn't an issue, I'd like to try a few different sizes anyway to help find my feet. Thanks for the quick response bud Is the Partega 898V the varnished version of the 898?

[Drewmidorn]

Tissue paper off.

My ten for a selection would be (in no particular order and could be different on any other day)

Cuaba Distinguidos
Bolivar Royal Corona
Diplomaticos No 2 (or a monte no 2)
Partagas Series D No4
Partagas Series P No 2
Cohiba Siglo VI
Punch Punch
Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill
Ramon Allones Specially Selected

and for the small "grab a smoke" moment

Ramon Allones Small Club Corona

However.... I know nothing and there will be far more exciting lists from others to follow this one I am sure. Quite a few of these are fairly strong but I'd certainly pop a Punch Punch and Small Club Corona in your Humi. The H Upmann petit corona is a cracking little smoke, although I havent' had one in a while and the R&J no 2 gets over looked a fair bit.... and they can both be found pretty easily in tubes in those little cabinets they have in corner shops. Just pray the tube was sealed properly and hasn't been openend (I'm pretty sure they're usually ok)

D

[Ryan]

Is the Partega 898V the varnished version of the 898?

Not really, they are different sizes. The non-varnished 898 is now discontinued but can still be found here and there. People generally give the varnished version better reviews but I've enjoyed the few non-varnished ones I've had. The 898V is very good and should be easy enough to find, recent ones have had very good reviews.

[ChrisMClark]

This is all gold guys, thanks a million. Will have to make myself a spreadsheet...am I getting too excited about this?

After the Winterman's dog rocket I had last Friday I think I can get away with it

[Drewmidorn]

You need to steer well clear of those brown cigarettes Chris. I'm anything but a snob but even if the humidor was bare, and someone offered me one, I'd still not bother with the castella/wintermans/hamlet/cafe creme/villiger gang!

D

[ChrisMClark]

It was the most foul stinking piece of sh*t it's ever been my misfortune to smoke. It burnt well, plenty of smoke, easy to light...but tasted like total sh*te. I managed half of it before I threw it on the fire. It was truly disgusting. I wish I'd not been so cheap and gone for the Punch (corronation I think it was) on the shelf next to it.

[Lee Nub]

For some shorter smokes try these

Cohiba Maduro Secreto
Cohiba Siglo I
Cohiba Siglo II
Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robusto


I only started back in August and these have been my favourite shorter Cigars

Hope this helps

[daverave999]

Great idea for a thread btw!
Just nine I can recommend from my limited experience, vaguely in order of strength as I see it:

Por Larranaga Petit Corona
El Rey del Mundo Choix Supreme
Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robusto
Trinidad Reyes
Vegas Robaina Unicos
Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 2
Partagas Serie P No. 2
Ramon Allones Specially Selected
Bolivar Royal Corona

Most of these I've gone "WOW-this is why people smoke cigars!" and bought a box.
I don't think you can judge a cigar on just one, so I normally get three for new ones I'm trying. If you don't like it, try them again with a few more months in the humi.

[Lascaux]

Partagas Lusitania (with some age on) I'm the lusi kid around these parts and its the best cigar i've had

Hoyo Regalos 2007 EL
Cohiba Siglo VI
Cohiba Esplendido
Hoyo petit robusto
H. Upmann Sir winston
Juan Lopez No. 1 (creamy, very different to JL2)
Partagas Series de connoisseur (no 1 or no 2) - elegant smoke
Hoyo Double Corona
Partagas P No.2

[ChrisMClark]

This is all great guys!

[ChrisMClark]

Okie Dokie. I've compiled a quick simple list. It's quite simply the cheapest 10 (pricing from C.Gars ltd). Now I'm after an opinion if I've got a good selection of size, strength and flavour. I'll also add some that we close to the final 10 price wise. At the minute the top 10 are under a ton, so if you want to swap one out for one of the reserves please do. I'm looking forward to hearing more opinions. Remeber these will be in a humi alongside a selection of NCs too...probably

Ramon Allones Small Club Corona
Por Larranaga Petit Corona
Trinidad Reyes
Hoyo Petit Robusto
El Rey Del Mundo Choix Supreme
Bolivar Royal Corona
H Upmann Connoiseur No. 1
Juan Lopex Seleccion No. 1
Ramon Allones Special Selection
Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 2

Close to the top 10 were also:
Partagas Serie D No. 4
Punch Punch
Romeo Y Julieta Short Churchill
Bolivar Belicoso Finos
Diplomaticos No. 2

Any thoughts?

[Drewmidorn]

I think you should try and slide the party D4 into that list Chris.... maybe make it an 11!

[daverave999]

I'd swap the Partagas Serie D No. 4 for the Ramon Allones Specially Selected, and the RyJ Short Churchill (or maybe the Punch Punch) for the Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 1. But that's just me.

Greater range of brands tried, and more variation in flavours. The D4 is quite a strong cigar, but on a similar kind of level to the Boli RC. If you like the Small Club Corona, you'll probably like the Specially Selected too so no need to double up. Same with the JL.

[EDIT] Or slip a Vegas Robaina Famoso in somewhere.