Cubans and non-Cubans

[celsis]

Well, here's my 2c as regards this forum.

As you probably know, my wife comes from the Bay area in the US and I'm back and forward quite often. My first trip to the US was when I was 22 (during the bi-centennial!) and I liked the occasional cigar then. My problem with the ciagrs in the US was that I had never really found one I liked.

Since coming on this forum, I've really lost my Cuban snobbery, if that's what you could call it. Thanks to some of our Colonial cousins, I have tasted some excellent cigars that are available in the US and hail from other places than Cuba. In fact, I've found out that i really like Nicaraguan cigars!

So thanks, guys! I know what to look for when I'm in the US now and I can appreciate good smokes WHEREVER thay come from!

(Still can't beat the San Cristobal El Morro or the Cohiba Robusto, though!)

[MaledettoToscano]

Wise words.

although I don't travel to the US as often (once every 2-3 years), thanks to the great yan-keeh BOTLs on this forum I have discovered a lot of great smokes.

What I really like is the difference in style between cuban, Nicaraguan, Honduran, etc. In wine you talk about terroir, i.e. the flavour of the land the grapes were grown. I find that good cigars really bring that to the table and make the variety of smokes available even more exciting.

[misterbulgarin]

It's an untapped market for the UK I reccon. I got an order in today from cuban crafters, 35 cigars, 35! 25 I know are good smokes as I've tried a couple (Cuban Crafters Sandwhich, double corona I believe $34.99), and some other ones which are also double corona 10 for $12.99. Now I'm not being funny but to get reliable stock for that price is a steal. I'm ultra biased to the NC market because I look out for price all the time (limey freelancin student!), but I've just added 35 cigars (and pretty much filled my humi now) to my stock. I used to gethabanos and a few NC's from my local retailer, and due to the UK prices, even NC's where expensive, so getting cheap NC's in bulk is a godsend for me. I used to pay 10-15 quid for one poxy cigar, granted I don't mind this as it supports the local retailer, but I've found a good compromise and a great market, value and quality wise.

Give me 25 cigars bundled in a triangle AND wrapped in cellophane which will be 90% consistent, fun to smoke and draw, and provide a good smoke, to a russian roulette style 3 pack of CC's which cost loads more which has the chance of being plugged/damaged/not fun. My number one pet hate with this hobby is buying quality stuff for high prices only to literally watch it go up in expensive plugged flames.

Yeah I like NC's over CC's , went a bit off the rails topic wise but, yeah, you should tap into the NC market more UK friends

[Lee Nub]

I love both, but am leaning towards the NC's more and more. I love the great choice I have been able to get from our Botls stateside, and now look forward even more to my annual Orlando trip to buy some boxes, samplers etc

[jdawg]

Wise words.

What I really like is the difference in style between cuban, Nicaraguan, Honduran, etc. In wine you talk about terroir, i.e. the flavour of the land the grapes were grown. I find that good cigars really bring that to the table and make the variety of smokes available even more exciting.

I couldn't agree more! Variety is the spice of life. I find myself alternating between Cubans and Non-Cubans often for that reason. Over the summer, I smoked nothing but Cubans. Lately, I have been smoking mostly Non-Cubans with the occasional Cuban. It keeps things interesting.

There are so many good smokes out there to sample. Of course, you may run in to the occasional bad smoke, but sampling is what makes this hobby so exciting. Furthermore, I feel that both Cuban and Non-cuban manufacturers have really stepped up their game as of recent years. The competition is fierce in this business and they must produce quality smokes or they will be left behind.

It is cool to see that you guys are enjoying the variety as much as I have been.

[jdawg]

Since coming on this forum, I've really lost my Cuban snobbery, if that's what you could call it. Thanks to some of our Colonial cousins, I have tasted some excellent cigars that are available in the US and hail from other places than Cuba. In fact, I've found out that i really like Nicaraguan cigars!

So thanks, guys! I know what to look for when I'm in the US now and I can appreciate good smokes WHEREVER thay come from!

(Still can't beat the San Cristobal El Morro or the Cohiba Robusto, though!)

Very nice!

[68TriShield]

Quite a few of my USA cigar forum compatriots are Cuban cigar snobs.That is fine with me as I always say,"smoke what you like and like what you smoke.

For me though,there is no way I would ever give up non Cuban cigars.
Like it's already been said here,there are too many good NC cigars out there to give them up.

[Leojvs]

Quite a few of my USA cigar forum compatriots are Cuban cigar snobs.That is fine with me as I always say,"smoke what you like and like what you smoke.

For me though,there is no way I would ever give up non Cuban cigars.
Like it's already been said here,there are too many good NC cigars out there to give them up.

My humi is full of NC's. I love the variety. Many many fine NC's out there.

I must agree with the above. Smoke what you like....

[Kdot]

ive never been a cigar racist but for some reason I prefer the taste of cubans over NCs in general there are some exceptions like the padilla 1948, which is a great smoke but on the whole I side with the commi's on this