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Thought I'd post up a quick review on a recent stick I'd tried, courtesy of our Royal BOTL - Sir Keith, the Prince of Moseley.
As some of you may have read elsewhere, myself, Bopmachine, Keith (and other esteemed guests), met up last week in the Midlands for a spot of Herf-age.
On the menu were some of Hamlet's freshly rolled Cubans, the Por Larranaga Regalias de Londres, and one or two others.
Added to this mouthwatering list however, were some of Keith's own unbanded Cuban cigars.
Which he generously donated from his private stock. (Cheers Keith!)
If my memory is correct, he purchased a box of these after a sampling in one of Cuba's 'Paladares' (Private restaurants). At a cost or roughly ?3/4 per stick (?).
Now, I have to confess, and this may come as something of a shock to most of you, but I do tend to prefer Cuban cigars over Non Cuban.
(I know, I know, I've been trying to keep it quiet so as to not offend anyone - but. . there, I've said it now).
However, this being said, there are one or two advantages to preferring NC's over Cubans that I'm prepared to admit:
1. The quality control is generally superior - Beautiful construction, rarely plugged, great consistency etc, and. .
2. On average - they are significantly cheaper than an equivalent Cuban.
So, bearing all that in mind I was curious to see how a young, inexpensive, locally made Cuban of no-fixed provenance would stand up against its more illustrious (and better known) rivals.
The Answer?
Surprisingly well, as it happens.
The stick itself was Churchill sized, which I always think feels good in the hand. Great construction, triple cap, no blemishes or soft spots etc.
In fact, as good as most of the more well known brands.
Clipped and lit, it smoked perfectly - superbly weighted draw (just the right amount of resistance) no touch-up required and a razor sharp burn to the end.
The strength of the smoke was around the medium mark from the word go, with bags of flavour to boot.
However, I remained cautious. Hamlet's freshly rolled had started well, before becoming (for me anyhow) too mellow and subtle. Smooth? Yes. Due to his tobacco being well aged (5 years?), but lacking in 'bite' from a flavour point of view.
Not this though. Clearly the youth of this cigar came through with the occasional harsh moment or two. I suspect the age of the tobacco used in these was pretty young (which is only to be expected).
But, given the choice I'd pick these over Hamlet's every time.
It makes me wonder what a year or two in the Humidor would do for these cigars?
I suspect, once time has worked its magic and smoothed out some of the harsher edges, these could be the equal of many a high-end and higher-priced seegar.
So, in closing, it looks like another myth has been busted - Good Cuban cigars can be had for less than the price of an NC.
I thank you.
As some of you may have read elsewhere, myself, Bopmachine, Keith (and other esteemed guests), met up last week in the Midlands for a spot of Herf-age.
On the menu were some of Hamlet's freshly rolled Cubans, the Por Larranaga Regalias de Londres, and one or two others.
Added to this mouthwatering list however, were some of Keith's own unbanded Cuban cigars.
Which he generously donated from his private stock. (Cheers Keith!)
If my memory is correct, he purchased a box of these after a sampling in one of Cuba's 'Paladares' (Private restaurants). At a cost or roughly ?3/4 per stick (?).
Now, I have to confess, and this may come as something of a shock to most of you, but I do tend to prefer Cuban cigars over Non Cuban.
(I know, I know, I've been trying to keep it quiet so as to not offend anyone - but. . there, I've said it now).
However, this being said, there are one or two advantages to preferring NC's over Cubans that I'm prepared to admit:
1. The quality control is generally superior - Beautiful construction, rarely plugged, great consistency etc, and. .
2. On average - they are significantly cheaper than an equivalent Cuban.
So, bearing all that in mind I was curious to see how a young, inexpensive, locally made Cuban of no-fixed provenance would stand up against its more illustrious (and better known) rivals.
The Answer?
Surprisingly well, as it happens.
The stick itself was Churchill sized, which I always think feels good in the hand. Great construction, triple cap, no blemishes or soft spots etc.
In fact, as good as most of the more well known brands.
Clipped and lit, it smoked perfectly - superbly weighted draw (just the right amount of resistance) no touch-up required and a razor sharp burn to the end.
The strength of the smoke was around the medium mark from the word go, with bags of flavour to boot.
However, I remained cautious. Hamlet's freshly rolled had started well, before becoming (for me anyhow) too mellow and subtle. Smooth? Yes. Due to his tobacco being well aged (5 years?), but lacking in 'bite' from a flavour point of view.
Not this though. Clearly the youth of this cigar came through with the occasional harsh moment or two. I suspect the age of the tobacco used in these was pretty young (which is only to be expected).
But, given the choice I'd pick these over Hamlet's every time.
It makes me wonder what a year or two in the Humidor would do for these cigars?
I suspect, once time has worked its magic and smoothed out some of the harsher edges, these could be the equal of many a high-end and higher-priced seegar.
So, in closing, it looks like another myth has been busted - Good Cuban cigars can be had for less than the price of an NC.
I thank you.
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