Are Cubans overated

Albinfk

First of all I've never had a real Cuban cigar but it seems to me that after all these years of not being able to have them (legally) that what the rest of the cigar world has to offer is as good or better. Thoughts?

Usaf06

Depends on your pallet. Some like fuller body some don't. I personally think that Nicaragua and other countries have caught up with Cuban tobacco

jliu

**** cubans 

jlmarta

Cubans are Cubans. Different? Yes. 

Better? No

Just different. Like non-Cubans, some are better than others. Your palate will decide which is which....  

jgibv

Well, if you're reading about them in Cigar Aficionado, then yes....but those turds overrate everything especially RP or Gurkha

Albinfk

I did and it was on the page right after the ad for the $20,000 watches. That's a lot of cigars! Love the way they rate them but forget to tell you that you can't buy them.

danielzreyes

Hipsters do not smoke Cubans ... therefore they are underated

0patience

I agree that Cubans are good.
But there are a ton of non that are just as good. 
As was stated, they are definitely over rated, but I still would buy them given the chance.

Puff_Dougie

I always thought Desi Arnaz was underrated...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nMrIjBBov8

Rain

Puff_Dougie

I missed you @Rain. 

miller65rod

I like Cubans but they are far from the best for me. Party and Cohiba Robo's are my favs. But as someone said the NC's have caught up and are just as good. Monte 4's seem to be mass produced and many times you have more issues with them than with others. Plugged, tight, etc. The Cuban cigars according to many in the 90's was just so-so. It seems to have made a turn for the better over the last decade but many have said also that they are not any where close to the cuban cigars made in the 60's 70's or 80's. I never smoked back then and have nothing to compare for myself other than words of wisdom from a bunch of old-timers at a local cigar lounge getting lit. I trust their experience. 

There are many NC's that smoke great and have great flavor. I love Boutique cigars from small blenders etc. If you get a good batch of Johnny O's they are great as well. 

When u see overseas retailers selling NC cigars that should tell you that the market is very diverse and the Cuban market hold is far from what it used to be. Value plays a big factor as well. I think the cigar market has many great cigars CC and NC.

Lee.mcglynn

I've been biting my tongue on this one but yes and no! If your going in expecting a world of difference and you love full bodied cigars then most likely no. Now if you have a refined pallet that like everything from mild to med-full then yes. I argue with too many people that say Cubans are full bodied and the best they ever had was something ryj. From the new full bodied stuff no Cubans are not "strong" because stuff like lfd,viaje and padron are on the market which IMO are full flavored in your face. Cc's have more of a refined and basic profile that one can enjoy and appreciate. But if your geared towards big flavored and your pallet can't get anything from a more mild cigar then don't bother it's a waste of time. To me yes I love a good goto ee and a nice punch punch...but I've had people tell me smoking the hoyo was like smoking air! And farther tell me the pallet they have is well they should be a "taster" well if you get no flavor from a hoyo ee then maybe your pallet is shot! All cigars have a place and yes I smoke cigars from all across the board but honestly I can truly tell you I wouldn't just smoke Cuban cigars since I like a wide range of strength and different flavores 

raisindot

I've had three Cubans, gifted by a generous BOTL from here. None of them were particularly strong. One was just plain lousy (can't remember the name). A Monte 3 was very good. And the best cigar I've ever smoked was a San Cristobal de La Habana. Medium strong, creamy, with that real "bubbly sensation" supposedly native only to Cubans. 

But I also agree that there are plenty of Nicaraguan and Dominican cigars that are probably just as good as most Cubans other than the Behinkes, which I've never tried. . 

GrouchoM

Hmmmm? Interesting...acquiring knowledge. Hope we will all get the chance to judge in the near future.

Dark_Roast

No. I dated one in the 80's and she was wonderful! She new the difference between Fullbodied and Full-Flavoured! Oh...Cigars, sorry never had one.

YankeeMan

I've only had two Cubans so far.  They were good, but a lot of the non-Cubans are just as good.

Nolagizmo

I have really enjoyed every one of the cigars I am not suposed to smoke, they have been limited to less than a dozen and never the same one. There are many NC cigars I prefer because I find them to have more spice or more of what I prefer. There is only 1 so far that I would get totally "hyped" up to be able to keep on hand. Maybe if our country that I love and respect moves out of the dark ages and stops telling us what we can and can't smoke I will be able to come to a more accurate conclusion. Till then I'm fine with what's available, doubt I will stop buying my favorites just because there is a higher priced cigar that I don't know I'm missing suddenly becomes available.