Question to our Canadian Berthern
BlueRings
Posts: 367
Ok, you smoke them more often due to the access, ISOM Cigars, but I want opinions of the other counties and how they fair in comparison. Ones that you consider better? Ones that you've tasted and thought wow this reminds me of a certain ISOM Cigar? I have smoked both and they have their differences but if given the alternatives which ones would you say you enjoy more? In starting this thread, and I have said before, the Epernay Le Ferme is my go to alternative, and I feel superior to 70% of those ISOM cigars ive smoked. Anyone can chime in not just Canadian.
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IMO, Cuban cigars have one MAJOR dissadvantage over most other cigars.
Now, don't jump on me yet......LTD Edicion cigars in the past 8 year? or so have been made with 2 year old tobacco, and some have had wrappers that are older than that, but in general, the tobaccos used are not well aged. For that reason, a 'fresh' Cuban cigar will probably taste harsh or bitter. This is something we get to understand over time, and is much more than just the few weeks of 'rest' that I see mentionned on this forum for the sticks from ccom. This puts ISOM sticks at a dissadvantage because most cigar smokers are not used to the idea of aging a cigar for 4 or 5 years before they are ready to be enjoyed.
Yes, you can smoke them sooner than that, but the taste will improve over years, not months. Remember that I stated this is IMO, as I understand and practice and what works for me is not necessarily for everyone.
Now to be more specific about your questions. I enjoy Rocky Patel, Perdomo, Liga provada no9, LFD ligero, some Gurkhas and many more. None of them remind me of any Cubans in particular. I haven't yet found a cigar to compare to a Partagas Serie D No.4, or a Cohiba Reserva, Sublimes or even a siglo.
I believe that we are all different in our tastes and what we like. That is what makes this such a great community. More tha 50% of my cigar collection is Cuban, but there are some non-Cubans that I like 'better' than some Cubans. I have found over the years that there are quite a few cigars that I don't like, and never want to light them up again, on both sides of the border.
The only advice I could give to someone who feels that Cuban cigars are not for them is this:
a) don't smoke them, send them to me,
b) Let them rest for 3 to 5 years and then try it....I'll bet you'll be surprised!
Example: The 5 Vegas Relic is made with a leaf of 12 year old tobacco, and there are many others that use 5 year old tobacco in the blend. You won't see this in 'most' Cuban cigars. That's what I meant. I hope that explains what I meant better..
Idk, maybe 2 years isn't enough time on these Cohibas. They have plume on them, but they just don't have much taste to them other than tobacco, some pepper and leather.
I have access to Cubans like most of us do but, for the most part I steer clear of them for one main reason, Price! While ISOM's can offer a flavor profile that is sooo desirable that people will go to great lengths and pay exuberant prices for them. Also I think personally that there is a real elitist or privileged kind of attitude that can be associated and attributed to the consumption of these cigars mainly because in the mindset of many social or amateur smokers. Many of these people are either not educated or experienced enough in terms of their palate, to know the difference between a well aged cuban and a cheap bundled cigar. If they are in the know, they may still believe the hype that ISOM's are better than non Cubans. This can be a result of a few factors, one of them is the exclusivity. Another could be the marketing. Some people think that the more you pay the better the cigar must be. But I think most of us in here would agree that, this isn't the case. Perfect example of this would be some of Gurkhas lines, such as His Majesty's Reserve retailing for $750 a stick. I mean 750 on ccom would buy you enough smokes to last you 6 months to a year or more.
However to answer your question a little more directly, I enjoy both ISOM's and Non ISOM's. My ISOM stock is limited but I have a decent selection of everything else. On a personal note I am thankful for people like the Pepin, Placencia, Perdomo families and guys like AJ and Alan Rubin because these men create tasty smokes for less money. I mean what would happen if non cubans were suddenly considered equal or better than Cubans? It's likely to say that prices on our favorite non ISOM's would sky rocket. Let us be thankful that these cigars are affordable and are something that an average Joe can still indulge in. Enjoy!
Yes, you can get more reasonably priced Cubans from sources such as European online sites, but for the most part they are expensive. You can get great cigars, when considering non-cubans as a great alternative at a lower price. I can get a box of Vegas 5 Gold Maduro for $60.00 and I know they won't be tanic tasting like some of the bolivars I've had but will be ready to smoke as soon as I get them. If you want to spend 212 and then have to age them for 2 or 3 years so they actually taste half decent I salute you. I don't have that kind of cash, the patience nor do I have the space in my humidor for a whole box.
-Regards and Long Ashes!
in general i like Dominican tobacco better.
i have nothing against Cuban tobacco but the flavor profile is not what i look for. every now and then, i like the flavors that a cuban cigar brings but in general ill take a Dominican, Honduran, or nicaraguann over any cuban.
for me, the best cuban cigars are the RyJs. they have a warmth that i dont get out of many ohter brands.
Fuente Opus and Anejo
Padron Anniversario
Pepin (well I can even begin to document everything that man touches)
Camacho
AJ Fernandez
Jesus Fuego
My local B&M, because of Canadian duties and taxes and price gouging, sells the Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 for a whopping $28.50 / stick. No kidding...there is not much for cigar shops and they have the ONLY walk in humi in the city. Nothing within 100 miles, so I guess they can soak us for whatever they want. My point is, I have purchased most of my Cuban cigars from licenced shops for less than that.
At least where I am from, there is no real price difference between your average cigar and a Cuban. It is ordinary to pay over $50.00 for a Davidoff, and under $20.00 for a Cuban R&J Tubo for example.
I do understand that in the U.S., cigar prices are quite cheap. I hope this helps to explain why Canadians might be willing to shell out more money for their Cuban cigars and not flinch so much at the price.
just to name a few. I'm sure others will have a totally different list based on what they like.
Do you have.... American bacon?
LULZ!!