http://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/ Luxist Comments for http://www.luxist.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.luxist.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/http://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/Feb 25th 2009 10:06AMhttp://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/http://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/When it comes to the complexity of flavors a there is really no comparison between a Cuban and non-Cuban. The complexity possessed by Cubans is something unique to them. “Taste trumps provenance,” Mr. Melendi has the quote right, but he has it backwards, people who are really into cigars know what they are getting with a Cuban. That is why they “melt,” yes the band lets you know what you are smoking but a good cigar is a good cigar. There are many Cuban marques that 99% of cigar smokers have never heard of, yet these little known marques are home to some of the best of what is coming out of Cuba.
Anyone who is truly into cigars knows you don’t walk into a US cigar shop and ask for a Cuban cigar. When someone does something like that it just shows how ignorant they are. They probably wouldn’t know the difference between a Cuban cohiba and DR Cohiba..... And the difference in the bands is something that unless you are examining it up close you, you can’t tell. Most of the most famous Cuban marques have cousin brands that can be sold in the US. The only things the 2 have in common are the name, and design of the band, that's it. It’s not as if a Cuban smells differently than a non Cuban either.
Most cigar shops keep their humidors over humidified to account for the constant opening of the door, and if Cuban’s are not stored properly it can hamper the smoking experience considerably. Ideally a Cuban cigar should be stored at around 65% humidity and 65 degree Fahrenheit. Appropriate storage for non-Cubans is 70/70. Cubans if they have been stored at too high of humidity can have burn and draw issues. I would be willing to surmise this is why the author has had issues with the ones he has smoked.

]]>Feb 25th 2009 1:35PMhttp://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/http://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/Ignoring the LE's or even the RE's which are absolutely some of the best cigars in the world, but not readily available; cigars like the Montecristo especial or #2 & #4. Or nearly any cigar from the Partagas brand or Juan Lopez Sel #2 or even the Siglo VI from Cohiba will out perform it's non-Cuban counterparts. If course IMO, because were talking about personal preferences here.

We had seen a number of bad Cuban cigar years from 99-01 which seemed to correspond with the boom years, but this stock has purged its way through the system and todays cigars have fewer construction issues.

The other side of the coin is that todays non-Cuban cigar producers are producing some great smokes. Don Pepin Garcia and Jorge Padron are leading the pack in full flavor smokes. But ask a Cuban cigar smoker what would be the best Cuban substitute, and they'll say there is none.

But going into a smoke shop in this country and asking for a Cuban is not only ignorant, it's stupid. 90% of the Cuban cigars in this country are fake, especially ones from Florida. You will get a fake cigar that tastes like a dog turd, and decide that you don't like Cubans. ]]>Feb 25th 2009 1:36PMhttp://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/http://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/Feb 25th 2009 3:56PMhttp://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/http://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/Mar 4th 2009 11:25AMhttp://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/http://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/I love a good Cuban cigar, just like I love a good Nicaraguan or Honduran. My humidor now is down to about 20% Cuban because so many great non-Cubans are on the market, for a lot less money. (See products by Padron, Ashton, and Don Pepin Garcia.)]]>Feb 26th 2009 8:38AMhttp://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/http://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/
Instead of wasting your time making generalizations about Cuban Cigars and the individuals who smoke them why don't you use this outlet to encourage and educate the obviously misinformed who ask for Cubans at the shops. Yourself and Mr. Melendi are doing a great injustice to our hobby by scoffing at those who know no better instead of introducing them to this passionate hobby. Worried about sales? Rule #1: Always purchase something from a vendor who provides you a place to smoke, especially if you consume something else on the premises. ]]>Feb 27th 2009 10:30AMhttp://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/http://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/
The quality of Cuban cigars after 2002 has been fantastic and is improving. You can disagree .. but you'd be wrong.]]>Feb 28th 2009 4:52PMhttp://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/http://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/
Aside from the current hysteria about fakes, Cuban cigars do in fact often have construction quality issues. But I would still smoke a less than perfectly constructed Havana - or even what the Stateside experts would call a "fake" - simply because the tobacco is frankly unmatched by DR, Nicaragua & Honduras. At times, close. But no cigar...Cuban seed tobacco is fine; Cuban terrior and processing is what makes the difference.

The non-Havanas are generally better made, many significantly so (e.g. 601 & DPG) - which is a plus and a pleasure. I have been very impressed by the higher-end non-Havanas especially. Problem is the good ones are priced as if they were serious Havanas. A Flor Dominicana Chiselito is a worthwhile experience - but @ US$5+ there are many fine "Cubans" which are better value. At least for now. When (not if) the embargo ends, US demand will run up the price. Will be interesting to see what happens to the price of non-Havanas.]]>Mar 1st 2009 10:14PMhttp://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/http://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/Mar 2nd 2009 8:36AMhttp://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/http://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/Mar 12th 2009 2:06PMhttp://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/http://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/http://www.vcao.net It's all a matter of personal preference. I suppose from your article that if or when CC do become legal here in the US you will walk right past them and only smoke the NC selections, right?
]]>May 7th 2009 7:31AMhttp://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/http://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/May 7th 2009 7:33AMhttp://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/http://www.luxist.com/2009/02/25/cuban-cigars-dont-smoke-the-label/The smoker loving cuban cigars and cuban cigar that everyone wishes to smoke..
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