My take on Cubans

[moki]

Regarding Cubans, I'm sure I'll be in the minority here, but I think there are better cigars out there than Cubans these days. I've smoked a number of Montecristo's, Romeo's, Cohiba's, etc., I even have some edicion limitada of both the Monte's and the Romeo's in my humidor... but to my taste, there are better cigars out there. The Padrón 1964/1926's, for example.

I think the worst thing that could happen to Cuban cigars is the US import ban being lifted. Right now Cubans have caché. Lift the ban, and after an initial flood of the market in the US, they will no longer be the forbidden fruit, and will be judged on their merits.

Cubans used to be by far the best out there; I think they've long since been surpassed, and producers in Honduras, Dominican Republics, etc. are getting better and better.

I'm sure people will disagree strongly with this; I'd love to hear opinions on it. I just haven't been blown away by any Cuban cigars I've had.

 

[Shadow]

Smoke what you like, like what you smoke.

 

[AVB]

You're not alone but in the minority. There have been some big discussions in the chat room on this. If you like it, smoke it. There are good domestics and good cubans so there is something for everybody.

 

[BACCHUS]

Regarding Cubans, I'm sure I'll be in the minority here, but I think there are better cigars out there than Cubans these days.

I used to think the same way you do, and there is no question that Cuban cigars vary significantly in quality. But the tobacco in every Cuban cigar I have smoked (no matter the brand) has a signature flavor that is different (and I think better) than the tobacco grown in any other country. I can't describe the flavor, but when I taste it, I know I have a real Cuban. And when I don't taste it, I know I have a fake - box codes be damned.

 

[ricmac25]

I'm a huge Padron fan. You will never hear me say a negative comment about them. On a recent trip I had a Padron 1926 #2 and a Cohiba Robusto on consecutive nights. The Padron was flawless. Perfect construction, draw, burn, taste. Everything was amazing. The next night I had the Cohiba Robusto, let me tell you, it was unbelievable. Not because it was a Cohiba or because it was Cuban. I've had some Cubans that I didn't care for, but this one was amazing. And as much as I love Padron, I think the Cuban tobacco, when at its best, is unbeatable.

My .02

 

[Matt R]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder... or something like that.

 

[Lumberg]

You might be in the minority. "Some may say that I'm a dreamer, but at least I'm not the only one."

I agree with you.

Someone posted a thread about "what makes a good cigar" a while back. My answer was, among other things, consistency. When you pick up an Opus, you KNOW you're getting a good cigar. When you pick up a Cuban, it's a crapshoot.

'nuff said.

 

[Matt R]

When you pick up a Cuban, it's a crapshoot.

Depends on where you pick it up.

 

[Phil]

I think the worst thing that could happen to Cuban cigars is the US import ban being lifted. Right now Cubans have caché. Lift the ban, and after an initial flood of the market in the US, they will no longer be the forbidden fruit, and will be judged on their merits.

I honestly think that if the ban gets lifted the problems will not be that they get jugded unbiased, the problem will be that they will increase production to the point where quality control will be non-existant. Then we will all be looking for Pre-UNembargo cigars "back when they still gave a ****"



IMO

 

[Four Aces]

I'm a huge Padron fan...I think the Cuban tobacco, when at its best, is unbeatable.

I agree with both of these sentiments.

I might add, that I think lifting the embargo will actually help the Cuban industry. Their quality and quantity will go up, if indeed they respond to market forces. And now that they have foreign [European] management and capital helping their industry, I think now is an ideal time to lift the embargo, and not just for cigars.

[not meaning to stray into politics here]

 

[Shuji]

[not meaning to stray into politics here]

FWIW, I don't think discussing the embargo is considered 'political' 'round these parts.

A more reliable source is certainly welcome to correct me.

 

[Shadow]

When you pick up a Cuban, it's a crapshoot.

Depends on where you pick it up.

Exactly!!!!!!

 

[CoventryCat86]

When you pick up an Opus, you KNOW you're getting a good cigar.

That's just as much if not more than a crap shoot as well.

The last Power Ranger I had was terrible (burned crooked and had a "stick" in it) and the Anejo I had before that was plugged.

One of the most important things to me is a consistent draw and the high end Fuentes are the most inconsistent of all the cigars I smoke :angry:

 

[TheBeast]

When you pick up an Opus, you KNOW you're getting a good cigar.

That's just as much if not more than a crap shoot as well.

The last Power Ranger I had was terrible (burned crooked and had a "stick" in it) and the Anejo I had before that was plugged.

One of the most important things to me is a consistent draw and the high end Fuentes are the most inconsistent of all the cigars I smoke :angry:

OMG!! Did someone just post a fact finding intelligent statement on this board? Did someone just bash the "Holy Grail" that is Opus X? ****, my computer must be in a fritz, cause it shows that I'm at http://www.cigarpass.com/forums...and that's just not possible....must be at some other site. Where am I? :lookup:

 

[Ellman]

I would say that the most consistent cigar i smoke on a regular basis is the Pardon 3000. always burn well with the same draw and flavor.

 

[Lumberg]

When you pick up an Opus, you KNOW you're getting a good cigar.

That's just as much if not more than a crap shoot as well.

The last Power Ranger I had was terrible (burned crooked and had a "stick" in it) and the Anejo I had before that was plugged.

One of the most important things to me is a consistent draw and the high end Fuentes are the most inconsistent of all the cigars I smoke :angry:

Well that's the first I have heard of it. Other than the "plastic in Fuente cigars" thread over on CF but I don't think anybody found plastic in Opus.

 

[Phil]

When you pick up an Opus, you KNOW you're getting a good cigar.

That's just as much if not more than a crap shoot as well.

The last Power Ranger I had was terrible (burned crooked and had a "stick" in it) and the Anejo I had before that was plugged.

One of the most important things to me is a consistent draw and the high end Fuentes are the most inconsistent of all the cigars I smoke :angry:

Well that's the first I have heard of it. Other than the "plastic in Fuente cigars" thread over on CF but I don't think anybody found plastic in Opus.

LOL,

I have found plastic in a Phillies Blunt, but in an OPUS!!!!!! WTF!!!!!!!!


I will say that I HONESTLY have never had a bad high end fuente. NOT ONE, and I have smoked QUITE a few.

Maybe it's just good luck.


Even the 55 CC, everthing went perfect (THANKS SO MUCH)

 

[lucasbuck]

I've had good and bad Cubans and Domestics. Everyone's tastes are different but for me there is no domestic (and I've tried dozens) that compares to a good Cuban. I still smoke more domestics but I imagine eventually I will smoke 90% Cubans. It's hell waiting for them to age in to great smokes

 

[Triple_D]

I have found plastic in a Phillies Blunt, but in an OPUS!!!!!! WTF!!!!!!!!

Yeah but I bet you weren't smoking it when you found that plastic

 

[Phil]

I have found plastic in a Phillies Blunt, but in an OPUS!!!!!! WTF!!!!!!!!

Yeah but I bet you weren't smoking it when you found that plastic

NO!!

Thank GOD!!!!


We were uhhhhh *cough* making a Custom Roll.............


Ya,

We were making a custom roll, like those ISOM ones you order, but this one was CALI STYLE!!!


LOL