While I enjoyed reading your article it makes it sounds as if all the Cubans have quality and flavor issues. Some Cubans have had severe quality issues, namely the 00-01 production. As of late though the quality rivals anything coming out of Nicaragua or the DR. Habanos s.a has improved their quality control significantly. And of the recent production, 03-04 and later I have heard of very little issues with construction issues. There will always be issues with construction, you are dealing with a 100% handmade product.
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.

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