Are Cubans really the best?

[POLO]

I have little budget fanciest in a Cuban cigar cigars but yes I have smoked (Partagas Serie D No. 4 and Bolivar Royal Coronas) and I find the best ... They have much more strength ... I also smoke strong cigarettes (Winston, Marlboro ...) and so I like strong cigars ...

[Tomothebuilder]

Very limited experience with NC's, but with the one's I have had, the construction etc does seem to be slightly better than many cubans in terms of wrapper quality, roll and draw, certainly more consistent in any case.
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As someone mentioned earlier, you would assume a primary reason is that quality must be top notch to compete with the Cubans purely down to kudos/image etc.

Personally, i get more enjoyment from smoking a Cuban (I don't really know why, i just do) and would always reach for one over a NC even, without knowing what either tasted like first, which is entirely illogical and superficial i know!

[Sligub]

OK Ross .... if I see it in Tesco's I'll give it a go .... if it's liquid poo I'll blame you!

If you don't like it I will buy it off you, just bring it with you to the next Glasgow herf

[tippexx]

Try Nika from the barrel.

OK Ross .... if I see it in Tesco's I'll give it a go .... if it's liquid poo I'll blame you!

[Puff Scotty]

Got to disagree on the blends Arf, there are some fantastic blends about. Try Nika from the barrel.

Ah! the award winning whisky from the Yoichi distillery that's been caught using concentrates from Canada....hmmmmn!

It is nice though..

[Sligub]

Got to disagree on the blends Arf, there are some fantastic blends about. Try Nika from the barrel.

[Puff Scotty]

Only trouble being some can be so plugged the wheels fall off before you make it to the airport!

One Wheel on my Wagon & I'll keep rolling along....Yipee Ey Yea!

[tippexx]

.... it's the development & journey through the cigar that gives a Cuban an easy edge

Only trouble being some can be so plugged the wheels fall off before you make it to the airport!

As for Jack Daniels...shite..

Have to agree Puff .... same goes for anything thats been messed around with .... spiced, honied what's all that about .... and I don't even care much for blends.

[Puff Scotty]

Some of you guys totally miss the point..it's the development & journey through the cigar that gives a Cuban an easy edge over any NC..
I don't know how it's created but it's something I've not found in any NC yet & I've been smoking Cubans & all sorts for 40 years & really tried hard over the last couple of years to find some great NC's.
I just think you have to accept they are different beasts & go with what you like..
As for Jack Daniels...shite..

[butternutsquashpie]

Cubans are better... wouldn't touch NCs with a bargepole as every single one I've ever had has been a one-dimensional, peppery wind-tunnel...urghhh!

Now now stevie boy!! Let's not be prejudice to NCs

Keep in mind that SOME NCs sure have the peppery, chimney, one-dimensional flavours althroughout the smoke.. Well fine: MOST of them do.
But what individual sticks lack, are made up by all the sticks together! One maybe peppery, but this one is sweet, and that one tastes like gingerbread. And when you are craving a one specific taste, you can always be sure to reach for your NC Humidor (of course, only when you've refined which tastes are which). But me? I just use NC pipe tobacco to recreate that stuff rather than NC cigars

[Stevieboy]

Cubans are better... wouldn't touch NCs with a bargepole as every single one I've ever had has been a one-dimensional, peppery wind-tunnel...urghhh!

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[ValeTudoGuy]

I fundamentally agree with what your saying Simon. I do however think there are other factors at play with Cubans.


IMO the US embargo played a huge part in inadvertently making them one of the most desirable "Brands" going. This has just added to such strong and enduring images of icon individuals such as: Churchill, JFK, Guevara, Castro, Freud, Capone and Hitchcock and not to neglect mention of unforgettable film appearances such as: Schwarzenegger, Pacino, Burns, Marx and Nicholson.


Cuban cigars are in a position that only a handful of "Brands" are in, that when you see a cigar many people automatically think Cuban... It's like Tannoy with P.A. systems and Hoover with Vacuum cleaners, only a million times more desirable.


However anyone wants to look at it there is a huge amount of history and desirability that comes with a Cuban before you even light it, I believe that this makes it hard for any NC to ever be on an even playing field with a Cuban in the minds of the consumer.


I do however have to bow to people's greater experience in the field of absolute quality as I simply don't have enough to give any meaningful feedback of the tangible aspects.... But from my very limited experiences other than Punch Petite Punch my favourite smokes up to now have been NC (admittedly I have smoked considerably more) and the limited amount of Cubans I have had, although good to very good are not worlds ahead of some much cheaper NC's.

[Cigarsmokeruk]

And with that. I think the discussion is now closed

[Simon Bolivar]

It's midnight & in 7hrs my chopper should be in the air. It's been a hell of a 21day trip & I am sure looking fwd to a pint & one of my nicely aged smokes tomororw. But here's a final thought from me on this subject:
If a sizable majority of cigar smokers didn't think Cubans had the best flavour, why would they keep buying them when they have the acknowledged problems of construction & suitable supplies of quality aged leaf? If they were the same as other countries produce, then surely the sales would have gone down the plug hole by now, kudsos & snobbery alone would not have saved them, nor continued to attract new smokers over the yrs.
Nighty nite.

[fordi]

With a Herf too!! Winning combo.