Hi Favorite non Cuban Cigars!

[Pipe Dude]

The best cigar I've ever had (Cuban or not, I'm a bigger fan of Cubans) was an NC. A Perdomo "La Tradicion" Cuban Cafe Torpedo X. It was incredibly complex and the flavour profile changed twice before I had to stop smoking it due to burnt lips. I just need to find a source that'll ship to the UK discretely.

[G-man]

Ask the right folks and the world is your oyster !

[Simon-JG-hr]

Well, I've had some time to think about it, and here are a couple of NCs that have caught my tastebuds...

Vegas de Tabacalera Robusto - this is included by virtue of its first half, and its first half alone. Until the mid-point, it was possibly the greatest cigar I've smoked - rich, espresso, creamy. Sublime! The second half was blandness, followed by a touch of harshness. It's the only one I've had, so don't want to treat it too harshly for the last little bit. (My thoughts from the time).

Was pleased with the Nica Libre which G-man sent me a while back - really powerful and strong. Couldn't believe it when I saw what great value they were for such a decent cigar.

Also enjoyed the Ashton VSG I tried at JJ Fox a couple of months back. I couldn't quite put my finger on why, it was just a pleasant and well behaved cigar with a reasonable (if not exciting) flavour profile.

I've had NCs which I've really enjoyed. I've had some which were inoffensive and well made, but ultimately not particularly interesting. I've even had a couple which I really didn't really like - though nothing as horrifically offensive as a Monte Open...

[mackem keith]

i have to say im much more a cuban fan then NC but thats just me, in essence i cant really create an argument as i can probably count the number of NC brands ive smoked on one hand but thats not to say i dont like them ive just tried very little of them i just find it very hard to be swayed from my beloved cuban cigars.
its only been very recently that ive started to venture in the NC world so like everything i just need to find my feet with them pretty much the only two brands which comes to mind having tried and liked were rocky patels and oliva but as with NC cigars the variety of choice is staggering and can be daunting as to know which to try so slowly but truely ill keep sampling various NC and expanding my horizons.

[Lee Nub]

I prefer non cubans to cubans,I do have cubans, but Nc's seem to suit my palette more. I'm a fan of lots of them, Nubs,cains,perdomo,padilla,caos,pepins,tatuaje,roc ky patels,arganese,romeo y julieta etc etc

My collection is getting better and better

If you know were to look, you can get pretty much any your after here

[captain duff]

It is quite strange really that in the UK the range of NCs compared to Cubans is limited and actually the reverse of what it is in terms of production levels in the two different sectors.

I think one of the reasons is because the UK taxes on tobacco are so high traditiionally (and getting ever higher) that all hand rolled cigars are priced to be premium luxury products. In the US obviously there is the political issue of the embargo that artificially puts prices up on Cubans as essentially they need to be smuggled, but as I understand it the general level of tobacco taxation is lower so even when you have legitimate taxed NCs from cigar stores they can still be very cheap (compared to the UK market at least).

Therefore for us in the UK I guess that if both Cubans and NCs are premium products you do tend to stick to what is widely considered the best anyway (the Cubans) and so the NC cigars become more of a niche product in some ways and are usually sold as a 'value' alternative.

Also, while it is wrong to generalise, in my limited experience I usually find dominicans to be very mild. Of course there will be exceptions, but if you have the general idea that they will be then you may be put off trying ones you don't know in a situation where the Cuban varieties are so much better known and that usually have a better reputation in terms of taste.

Anyway, after all that I've liked the Padillas I've tried, although they are not particularly cheap for NCs, and also the La Rica brand (which definately are cheap), but I do often look at US online cigar sites are get blown away by both the vareity and the low prices, so can't help think that we are missing out on something (but I'm damn glad we don't have the embargo to worry about!)

[r0lan6]

Hey I'm with you! I want to just taste everything too! I think my next purchases will be more Trinidads, the Open Eagle, Bolis, Parthis, et al. If only NCs were easier to get then I would have added a few of them too...

[ctrl]

I rather like NC's myself....but so hard to get the range over here...

I like the dark CAO's (mx2 lx2 etc), im very partial to nubs as well...and of course Oliva

To my mind though there are lots NC's Id love to try that you just cant get over here (easily)....acid, alec bradley and onyx to name but a few....

Im pretty new to the world of cigars, im still in candy shop mode, and want to taste everything

[tippexx]

Not had that many NCs as I find it incredibly hard to find as wide a selection as that found in the US. Definitely a niche to be taken advantage of here in the UK!

Not that I've had all that may CC's either to be honest. My preference in cigars is in the light to medium, smaller gauge vitolas, which aren't as easy to come by in NC's.

So far my favourites have been Nestor Miranda-Coffee Break, Illusione Epernay-Elegance, Davidoff Millenium-Petit, NUB-Sungrown Torp, Padron 1964 Ann. Series-Torp.

Yes, all a bit woosey and not a log amongst them. But I'm the same with CC's and don't often smoke anything over 50 ring.

[Aussiewaz]

What? You cant afford boxes? Maybe we need to hit him with a whole box of something. LMAO. Can be arranged. Hmmmmmmm *Looking at bomb list for the next two weeks*.... Ummmm.... give me a bit, I'll see what kind of devious mood I can get into.

[eggopp]

Hello Mates
Dave/smelvis here new member who resides in one of Rons barracks and this is my first thread, I have been into cigars for 15+ years but Cubans for less than a year.

I am finding from friends in Aussie land that you also pay a premium for Non Cubans.

Would you mind sharing some of your favorites and why you like them.

Thank Ya Kindly

Be careful what you say here as I'm sure Dave is just hunting for what to bomb with. LMAO. J/K Dave. You know I'd never step on your toes mate, I'd get footrot! From my "Aussie" POV I still cant go past most Fuente's, the Liga Privida's, the CAO Mad line & the La Riquiza. The Padrons can never be ignored as premiums and the VSG line is impressive also.

Dave, please ignore this information as it is in no way a confession as to what I like.

I like all NC's haha.. but seriously although NCs are expensive in the UK compared to CCs, there is only a small difference in prices.

I rarely smoke CCs unless i get them when im out of the country or if ive come into a little money which isnt very often. Ive bought CC sampler packs on many occasion from cgars ltd (our sponsors) but never really been in a position financially to buy full boxes.

I used to be very partial to the La Invicta range of cigars, but since joining the forums and having been bombed so often with NCs my tastes are becoming greater and a lot of what im gifted are never available from our sponsor.

[Aussiewaz]

Indeed! Want to try something? Just PM me & I'll try to set it up. I'm not a seller but bombing is a pastime. LOL.

?

[Aussiewaz]

Be careful what you say here as I'm sure Dave is just hunting for what to bomb with. LMAO. J/K Dave. You know I'd never step on your toes mate, I'd get footrot! From my "Aussie" POV I still cant go past most Fuente's, the Liga Privida's, the CAO Mad line & the La Riquiza. The Padrons can never be ignored as premiums and the VSG line is impressive also.

Dave, please ignore this information as it is in no way a confession as to what I like.

[jibjob79]

I like NCs just because they can be different and each appeals for different reasons in different moods much like if i get home and fancy a beer, wine, G&T etc. Particular favourites are Nubs (wide ring gauge, flavours), Cains (strength), Don Tomas (creamy and cheap), Rocky Patel (variety and smooth) etc. Plus like i tell the Mrs it is always good to try new things, if you don't like it you don't have to do it, i mean smoke them again.

I do find that of all the random NC singles i have bought I'm more disappointed with them than satisfied but i think i might have spoiled myself with some nice cigars in the past and raised my expectations.