rjs
02-25-2001, 10:43 PM
Cuaba Generoso (isom 9/97) vs Bahia Vintage 96 Esplendido
The aged cigar. An isom aged cigar vs a non isom aged cigar. 2 different shapes. 2 relatively new players. One a Habanos puro 3-1/2 years old, the other a blend of non Cuban vintage tobaccos 4 years old. What a battle! Which one will win a place in my personal top 25 list?
The Cuaba Generoso
Launched in 1996, Cuaba was the first new Cuban brand since 1968. All the shapes are figurados (perfectos) and show some variation even from the same box. This Generoso is from 9/97, 3 1/2 years old! This will be my first.
The Bahia Vintage 96 (Epicure Selection) Esplendido
Released in 2000, this Bahia line uses Nicaraguan filler and binder but much of the cigar’s character comes from a 1996 Connecticut shade wrapper. I have a box with an additional 8 months. Currently one of my favorites although it hasn’t received much press.
Appearances
The Cuaba is an intriguing cigar that begs to be picked up. The Generoso is a beautiful, slender perfecto shape with a smooth, rustic looking reddish wrapper. (much better looking than it’s ugly duckling sister the Divino.) The cigar feels firm.
The Bahia has a delicate looking, light tan wrapper without large veins. Besides the wrapper color/texture, the Esplendido appears to be another well made toro cigar.
This category clearly goes to Cuaba.
Cuaba 1, Bahia 0
Construction Quality, Lighting, and Aroma
A cutter and a dual flame Colibri Chairman lighter were used on both cigars. I cut the tapered Cuaba at an angle to get more smoke.
The Cuaba’s draw was slightly tight, but still smokable. The perfecto foot was an easy light. The burn was mostly even and at the right rate with little smoke between draws. There was a firm, mixed ash. The aroma was light and had some spice.
The Bahia had a perfect draw. The light was easy for a toro with an even burn. The Ash was almost white and very firm. There was a medium amount of smoke between draws. The aroma was woody.
This category goes to Bahia because of the draw and burn.
Cuaba 1, Bahia 1
Taste and Aftertaste
This Cuaba is from 9/97. At 3-1/2 years, this is the oldest cigar I have ever smoked. "Should be enough time to tame this smoke" I thought. The pre-light taste was light spice. The Generoso was rough at the start and tasted slightly bitter for the first third. Half way through the spice opens up with some wood and chocolate. So far, not much power. The last third, there is more spice and rich, thick tobacco taste that lays on your tongue like a double expresso, but still needs more time to mature and smooth out. How can a cigar taste young after 3-1/2 years??? The Generoso never burned hot.
The Bahia was released in the spring of 2000 with a 4 yr old 1996 wrapper. I have had them for another 8 months. The Esplendido smokes very smooth and had consistent taste from begining to end. There was a subtle spiciness and cedar taste that accompanied the light, clean, tobacco taste. The Bahia didn’t have a lot of aftertaste. The power was also subtle. You don’t realize the power of the cigar until the last third when you start feeling the effects. It sneaks up on you. The taste is medium bodied, but the power is full bodied.
Although I wanted to enjoy the Cuaba, this Generoso just wasn’t ready for prime time. The youth and slight bitterness marred the smoke. With the Bahia, there was nothing to think about except enjoying a rich, smooth cigar that gives you a buzz at the end. The Cuaba had a bigger taste, but unrefined. I enjoyed smoking the Bahia more than the Cuaba. I have to give this category to the Bahia.
Final score
Cuaba 1, Bahia 2
The Cuaba is a sexy lookng cigar with good construction. A medium to full bodied smoke. After 3 and half years, this smoke still needs more time. I was more surprised than disappointed. The spiciness and rich tobacco taste were good, but young. Some chocolate flavor is trying to break through. I smoked it past the band. The Generoso had less power that the Divinos I have smoked with 18 months on them.
The Vintage 96 is a good looking, if plain, cigar with equally good construction. A medium flavored smoke, but full in the power dept. The hallmark of the Bahia vintage is it’s subtle flavors and smoothness. This is a refined smoke. More refined than the Cuaba anyway. In the end, I enjoyed the experience of smoking the Esplendido more than the Generoso.
... rjs
The aged cigar. An isom aged cigar vs a non isom aged cigar. 2 different shapes. 2 relatively new players. One a Habanos puro 3-1/2 years old, the other a blend of non Cuban vintage tobaccos 4 years old. What a battle! Which one will win a place in my personal top 25 list?
The Cuaba Generoso
Launched in 1996, Cuaba was the first new Cuban brand since 1968. All the shapes are figurados (perfectos) and show some variation even from the same box. This Generoso is from 9/97, 3 1/2 years old! This will be my first.
The Bahia Vintage 96 (Epicure Selection) Esplendido
Released in 2000, this Bahia line uses Nicaraguan filler and binder but much of the cigar’s character comes from a 1996 Connecticut shade wrapper. I have a box with an additional 8 months. Currently one of my favorites although it hasn’t received much press.
Appearances
The Cuaba is an intriguing cigar that begs to be picked up. The Generoso is a beautiful, slender perfecto shape with a smooth, rustic looking reddish wrapper. (much better looking than it’s ugly duckling sister the Divino.) The cigar feels firm.
The Bahia has a delicate looking, light tan wrapper without large veins. Besides the wrapper color/texture, the Esplendido appears to be another well made toro cigar.
This category clearly goes to Cuaba.
Cuaba 1, Bahia 0
Construction Quality, Lighting, and Aroma
A cutter and a dual flame Colibri Chairman lighter were used on both cigars. I cut the tapered Cuaba at an angle to get more smoke.
The Cuaba’s draw was slightly tight, but still smokable. The perfecto foot was an easy light. The burn was mostly even and at the right rate with little smoke between draws. There was a firm, mixed ash. The aroma was light and had some spice.
The Bahia had a perfect draw. The light was easy for a toro with an even burn. The Ash was almost white and very firm. There was a medium amount of smoke between draws. The aroma was woody.
This category goes to Bahia because of the draw and burn.
Cuaba 1, Bahia 1
Taste and Aftertaste
This Cuaba is from 9/97. At 3-1/2 years, this is the oldest cigar I have ever smoked. "Should be enough time to tame this smoke" I thought. The pre-light taste was light spice. The Generoso was rough at the start and tasted slightly bitter for the first third. Half way through the spice opens up with some wood and chocolate. So far, not much power. The last third, there is more spice and rich, thick tobacco taste that lays on your tongue like a double expresso, but still needs more time to mature and smooth out. How can a cigar taste young after 3-1/2 years??? The Generoso never burned hot.
The Bahia was released in the spring of 2000 with a 4 yr old 1996 wrapper. I have had them for another 8 months. The Esplendido smokes very smooth and had consistent taste from begining to end. There was a subtle spiciness and cedar taste that accompanied the light, clean, tobacco taste. The Bahia didn’t have a lot of aftertaste. The power was also subtle. You don’t realize the power of the cigar until the last third when you start feeling the effects. It sneaks up on you. The taste is medium bodied, but the power is full bodied.
Although I wanted to enjoy the Cuaba, this Generoso just wasn’t ready for prime time. The youth and slight bitterness marred the smoke. With the Bahia, there was nothing to think about except enjoying a rich, smooth cigar that gives you a buzz at the end. The Cuaba had a bigger taste, but unrefined. I enjoyed smoking the Bahia more than the Cuaba. I have to give this category to the Bahia.
Final score
Cuaba 1, Bahia 2
The Cuaba is a sexy lookng cigar with good construction. A medium to full bodied smoke. After 3 and half years, this smoke still needs more time. I was more surprised than disappointed. The spiciness and rich tobacco taste were good, but young. Some chocolate flavor is trying to break through. I smoked it past the band. The Generoso had less power that the Divinos I have smoked with 18 months on them.
The Vintage 96 is a good looking, if plain, cigar with equally good construction. A medium flavored smoke, but full in the power dept. The hallmark of the Bahia vintage is it’s subtle flavors and smoothness. This is a refined smoke. More refined than the Cuaba anyway. In the end, I enjoyed the experience of smoking the Esplendido more than the Generoso.
... rjs