Cuban vs. the world

[Blowin' Smoke]

I'm sure this has been debated many times before, but I did not see this anywhere. I spend time at a few local cigar lounges and this debate always comes up.

Is it true that Cuba produces superior cigars in this day and age?
There is no question that up until maybe 15 years ago the answer was absolutely yes!
Nowadays, there is such good product coming from Nicaraugua, Dominican, Honduras, etc....can we still say that Cubans are the best?
How many Cubans are really better than say a Padron Anniversary?

Part of me feels that a lot of the desirability (in the States) is from the "people want what they can't have" addage.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Twill413]

I saw this on another post, but since it is applicable I will share it. I don't mean to plagiarize, so credit to who said this recently.

If it is all about the forbidden fruit, then why is the majority of the cigar product in embargo-less countries Cuban in origin? They have a choice (essentially) on what to carry, and yet NCs are scarce. Could be some hold over from when NCs weren't as good, I don't know.

For me it is a cost to benefit analysis. I get as much enjoyment from a $4 Party Short that I get from that same Padron Anny costing at least a few times that. For CC versus NC on the same price point, so far I haven't found it to be even close. I can smoke a Siglo series that blows away an Anny IMO for the same price.

 

[mdtaggart]

cuban cigars are very different. To say "better" is just a matter of personal taste. The tobacco is different in every country, due to soil, weather and probably many other factors. Comparing a CC to Nicarauguan, is like comparing a Honduran to Dominican etc... Different tabacoo = different taste. :2

 

[Blowin' Smoke]

If it is all about the forbidden fruit, then why is the majority of the cigar product in embargo-less countries Cuban in origin? They have a choice (essentially) on what to carry, and yet NCs are scarce. Could be some hold over from when NCs weren't as good, I don't know.

I don't know about that. I know that in many countries Cubans are much easier to get than some of the premium brands we have here. Not everyone has Padron and Fuente readily available as we do in the States.

 

[jmcrawf1]

If it is all about the forbidden fruit, then why is the majority of the cigar product in embargo-less countries Cuban in origin? They have a choice (essentially) on what to carry, and yet NCs are scarce. Could be some hold over from when NCs weren't as good, I don't know.

I don't know about that. I know that in many countries Cubans are much easier to get than some of the premium brands we have here. Not everyone has Padron and Fuente readily available as we do in the States.

Yea this is true. I think most of the NC market is for the USA anyways.


But like Tony said, cost to benefit i'll take cuban anyday.

 

[Aladdin Sane]

I've only had a few Cubans but thought they were all fantastic....Might have been high expectations but I gotta say I've been VERY happy with all the options currently available to me :tu

When and if the Island opens up to American travel I plan to spend some time experimenting and comparing them with my current Nicirauguen favorites!

:chk:chk:chk

 

[OldDirty]

I will take a good Cuban cigar over any other cigar anyday but my budget doesn't allow. Only time I get CC is when I head over there myself since the prices are dramatically lower then the going prices over here in Canada. Cubans are in a class of there own nothing comes close in my experience but there are very good tasty cigars on the market that don't come out of Cuba.

 

[frankluke]

i voted by far, though the gap is shrinking i still think habanos are the best cigars in the world today.

it's not so much the forbidden fruit aspect anymore, at one time for me it was when i started, i won't lie. now it's a matter of what tastes better to me and this might sound crazy whats easier to get.

 

[SilverFox]

Up until I joined CS I have smoked predominately Cubans with only a box of Dominicans I picked up while down there.

I have been on a quest since joining CS to find an NC that was as good or better to me. Realizing I said to me as it is all personal taste. I have found a few that I quite enjoy and will continue to smoke but..........I can honestly say I have yet to find a cigar out there that on a dollar for dollar basis compares to CC's. I love the GOF Robusto's but I can smoke many cheaper cubans that I like as much. I very much enjoy the A Fuente Don Carlos Robustos but again at 170 to 200 a box I would rather smoke a SCdlH Fuerza or a HdM Petit Robusto at 120 to 150 a box.

On a scale of dollar to dollar basis I have not been successful in finding an NC that blows the CC out of the water. But I have found some very good NC's that I will continue to have in my humidors.........more for variety and choice

If I was on a desert island and had to choose only one smoke to have with me it would be a CC hands down.

Just my opinion, like belly buttons we all have them. Mine may or may not jive with yours but there it is.

 

[Twill413]

I don't know about that. I know that in many countries Cubans are much easier to get than some of the premium brands we have here. Not everyone has Padron and Fuente readily available as we do in the States.

That was my point. They have the option to choose what to stock, Cuban or not, and yet they carry mainly Cubans. I do not know how difficult it is be for a tobacconist outside the US to obtain NC stock for their store, but if it isn't too difficult, then apparently the market dictates that Cubans are in fact better. I can't say with any certainty however. Therefore, my entire point may not be valid anyways. :tu

 

[Blowin' Smoke]

That was my point. They have the option to choose what to stock, Cuban or not, and yet they carry mainly Cubans. I do not know how difficult it is be for a tobacconist outside the US to obtain NC stock for their store, but if it isn't too difficult, then apparently the market dictates that Cubans are in fact better. I can't say with any certainty however. Therefore, my entire point may not be valid anyways. :tu

I think you are misunderstanding me. I am saying that Cubans are easier to get from a B&M tobacconist standpoint, not a consumer.
It is easier for tobacco shops to stock Cubans in a lot of countries, than it is for them to stock many non-Cuban premium brands.
Many B&M's outside the USA would love to stock more NC's but they can't get them.

 

[borndead1]

That was my point. They have the option to choose what to stock, Cuban or not, and yet they carry mainly Cubans.

Because they are commie sympathizers! :bn

 

[smokinpoke]

would like to see a choice of "Tried a few but will stick with the NC's"

 

[RGD]

. . . Is it true that Cuba produces superior cigars in this day and age? . . .

Depends to me on what exactly you mean by superior.

If we are talking about the tobacco itself - then I say yes.

If we are talking about construction - then I say no - not superior.


Ron

 

[mdtaggart]

I think you are misunderstanding me. I am saying that Cubans are easier to get from a B&M tobacconist standpoint, not a consumer.
It is easier for tobacco shops to stock Cubans in a lot of countries, than it is for them to stock many non-Cuban premium brands.
Many B&M's outside the USA would love to stock more NC's but they can't get them.

How do you know that is true?

 

[Twill413]

How do you know that is true?

That's why I had to qualify my post. I don't know for sure, so I wouldn't make a guess about that. Hopefully some of the Non-US Gorillas have some insight on whether it is by choice or availability that NCs are tougher to come by out of the states.

 

[Strangg1]

I'm sure this has been debated many times before, but I did not see this anywhere. I spend time at a few local cigar lounges and this debate always comes up.

Is it true that Cuba produces superior cigars in this day and age?
There is no question that up until maybe 15 years ago the answer was absolutely yes!
Nowadays, there is such good product coming from Nicaraugua, Dominican, Honduras, etc....can we still say that Cubans are the best?
How many Cubans are really better than say a Padron Anniversary?

Part of me feels that a lot of the desirability (in the States) is from the "people want what they can't have" addage.

What are your thoughts?

Take a look around the rest of the world and see what they are smoking. It may be out of habit, or familiarity, but Cubans out-sell non-Cubans in places like Europe, an Asia. The US is the only country that has an embargo against Cuban goods, so other countries don't have a "forbidden fruit" mentality when it comes to cigars, they are free to choose.

Personally I smoke and enjoy both, everything from Fuente Curly Heads and RP Vintage 1990's to Jose L Piedra Cazadores and Bolivar Coronas Gigantes. But when it comes to high $ purchases, I spend most(But not all) of my cigar budget on Cubans. I usualy end up with a better cigar, and will spend less than what it would cost me to purchase a comparable sized Opus X or whatever high $ NC is available.


~S

 

[Blowin' Smoke]

How do you know that is true?

I have been to Canada, Mexico and several islands where I have talked to the owners/employees of legit tobacco shops. They always say the same thing "The limited release NC stuff is sold almost exclusively to US Tobacco retailers."
Go to another country and see what is easier to find...Opus x, Padron 80th, or Cohiba.

 

[Kayak_Rat]

I have been to Canada, Mexico and several islands where I have talked to the owners/employees of legit tobacco shops. They always say the same thing "The limited release NC stuff is sold almost exclusively to US Tobacco retailers."
Go to another country and see what is easier to find...Opus x, Padron 80th, or Cohiba.

Did you no think to ask them what they prefer to carry??

My experience is that other countries prefer Cuban cigars. I have found them to be better.

 

[mdtaggart]

I think you are misunderstanding me. I am saying that Cubans are easier to get from a B&M tobacconist standpoint, not a consumer.
It is easier for tobacco shops to stock Cubans in a lot of countries, than it is for them to stock many non-Cuban premium brands.
Many B&M's outside the USA would love to stock more NC's but they can't get them.

I have been to Canada, Mexico and several islands where I have talked to the owners/employees of legit tobacco shops. They always say the same thing "The limited release NC stuff is sold almost exclusively to US Tobacco retailers."
Go to another country and see what is easier to find...Opus x, Padron 80th, or Cohiba.

I thought we were talking about the CC vs NC in general. Are you saying that only the "limited release" NC's are the hard to get cigars outside the U.S.?

I wonder if there are some facts to back this up. No offense, but Canada, Mexico, and a few Islands does not quite cover the world market.