Some cigar smokers swear that Cuban cigars are the best in the world because of the amazing Cuban soil. Others say that Cubans are all hype and that they are just status symbols for posers. What do you think? Do you have a favorite Cuban? Have you been disappointed?
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The best way to explain this conundrum is if we compare countries that produce cigars to Ice Cream Flavors. Funny perhaps, buts it's the first thing that comes up so work with me here. I feel every country that produces cigars usually has a distinctive taste and flavor profile that allows a person such as myself to often make a guess as to the origins of a particular cigar and be pretty accurate.
First dilemma is that if tomorrow chocolate Ice Cream was forbidden for whatever reason it would raise demand, prices and reach cult status. In this example Cuban cigars are the forbidden chocolate ice cream That is one reason Cuban Cigars have gained recognition... because you can't have any (wink).
Second dilemma is that not all chocolate ice cream or cuban cigars are created equal. There are some good, some bad and alot of inbetween. This is a concern with all cigar manufacture's regardless of where it is produced.
Whether your flavor of choice is Domincan Republic, Nicaragua or Cuba, I would like you to be more open minded and entertain the thought that perhaps there is no wrong answer just opinions. Personally, I'm waiting for the perfect combination, a blend of tobacco that would be the equivalent of Neopoltan ice cream instead of plain vanilla.
Cheers,
KelvinBatista
mrkelvinbatista@gmail.com
good comparison, and I often look at it as Napa Valley wines versus Bordeaux wines.
Both can produce good products, but the terroir is different, and the history in harvesting and production are different, and Napa is perceived as trying to play catch up. If you take a 1998 Chateau Margaux, and compare it to Any wine, it is not contest. But some started on California wines, and most still like them. But the heaviness, and texture, and finesse, and nuances of the Bordauxs are unique, and if you can procure them and prefer them, then why not drink it all the time.
There is a bit of mysticism with cuban cigar being illegal, but if you know the right places and are willing to take that risk, then they are easy to get and even less expensive than their counterparts.
Also, many people accidentally get fakes and do not realize, and smoke one bad cigar and think that now all cuban cigars are bad.
Now, I smoke 4 cigars a day, and love my collection, I have had some so-so cuban cigars. IF you asked me 10 years ago, I would say Fuente Hemingways are the best. I re-visit and smoke 5 non cuban cigars a year, and they do not do it for me. I get a steely and a one dimensional flavor, and it seems to be lacking some complexity.
For me personally, I prefer cuban cigars over NC's.
Whatever YOU like, you should smoke. If I see you I will give you a cigar to try, and you may like it or not, Let's talk about it nonetheless.
-STEVEN
Yeah I agree. That seems to be what cigars are all about - smoking what you enjoy. There's plenty of hype out there, and a lot of BS 'etiquette' rules for smoking cigars. I generally ignore it, unless the 'rule' serves some sort of purpose for greater enjoyment of the cigar.
I definitely understand Kelvin's comparison to ice cream. I'm a bit more hazy on the wine comparison seeing as I haven't really had much of a chance to try many good wines or spirits. That's another reason I like FTNYC events ;)
Reblogged this on FineTobaccoNYC and commented:
The debate continues: Are Cuban Cigars Overrated?
anyone who thinks they are overly rated, see me at any herf, and I will change your outlook with a good stick