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what do you think of this?.....(cuban cigars)
Sol1821
Posts: 707 ✭✭
Waylander:Some are okay (very few).
But Cuban leaf, has the most nicotine, so smokes better than any other.
Waylander:cool:
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Sol1821
Posts: 707 ✭✭
Sol1821
Posts: 707 ✭✭
Comments
This
The nicotine levels in a leaf of tobacco are dictated foremost by the position of the leaf on the plant (lowest nicotine levels on lower leaves to higher levels as you get to the top) which is also directly relational to the number of sun hours and the nutrients which are delivered to the leaves through the root system, specifically nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and calcium and to a lesser extent magnesium. (the reason the top leaves get more nutrients is because they stay on the plant longer after lower leaves have already been picked delivering more nutrients to fewer leaves in addition to the fact that they get more sun exposure). In terms of soil and direct sunlight hours, Copan (in Honduras) and Esteli (in Nicaragua) tend to be optimal based on soil analysis which I have studied quite a bit.
After leaves are picked, they are cured at which time there is cellular activity that dies by the end of the process as proteins are broken down into simple sugars and the the leaf turns from green to brown. This takes about 40 to 60 days.
After curing the tobacco needs to ferment for 12 to 18 months. During fermentation there are physical, biological and chemical changes taking place (that omit an ammonia like smell if you have smelled cigars not fully fermented). Biologically bacteria is building in the pilone promoting the actual process and breakdown of organic material, physically the leaf is taking on an even color, thinning and darkening and chemically there is a reduction in nitrogenous matter (proteins) and certain Carbohydrates like starch which actually reduce what are considered irritant substances. It is the chemical changes that impact nicotine. These chemical changes reduce nicotine levels and quite intentionally as improves flavor and the aromatic qualities of the leaf. That is why while Ligero may be all the rage in NC cigars, the focus is on long fermentation times which many of these brands advertise heavily as it is this process that improves the flavor and keeps the richness while dialing down nicotine levels so you can actually enjoy the cigar without the irritant or overly tannic tones to it.
Why is this important and how does it pertain to the original statement? Cuba as it is today and its cigar industry are government controlled and very poorly financed. It is common knowledge among people in the cigar industry that they do not really actually ferment their tobaccos and if they do, it is not done fully. They have a more abbreviated process that can mean fermentation actually starts in the barn right after curing or can mean it is not fermented at all. (I have found the limited editions to be the exception). So technically, Cuban tobacco isn't more nicotine intensive by nature, but it may end up that way because it is missing a vital part of the process in preparing the tobacco. If you think about it, this certainly does not make it better than non cuban cigars, if anything quite the opposite.
It is my opinion that this is one of the main reasons people say cuban cigars tend to age better compared to non cuban cigars, a fact I tend to agree with but there is a science to it. Even in the aging process you have have chemical reactions taking place, reducing irritants as well as nicotine levels so in essence it is doing what fermentation should have done but over a longer period of time and at a slower rate. That is why I think many non cuban cigars are better right out of the box and cubans for me need at least 3 to 5 years before I will even fire one up. So in essence, that is why many people feel the impact on aging is so much more pronounced with cuban cigars.
This is all just based on my research and my opinion and like anything else in premium cigars, it is a "to each his own" hobby so take it for what it is worth. I say, smoke what tastes good and what you like. I tell people the best cigar is the one I am smoking at that moment!
But that is what I hate about Cubans... I am very choosy when I pick a box, and then to sit on it for years... BLAH!
Waylander, the person i quoted in my opening post is someone ive spoken to about cigars a few times on a shooting forum im on. Hes one of those ones who only think cubans are good.
Do you know if its an online or a b&m brand, or does it not work like that here.
Ive not noticed anything like that as i usualy avoid all the shops over here as the service doesnt come close to ccom
I've had my share of authentic Cubans given to my by friends and BOTL's here. I've yet to be impressed by one. I felt that the 5 Vegas Classic tasted just as good if not better than my last Cohiba.