I still amazes me ... how some people still think that Cuban cigars are 'all that and more' ... when all they are ... are just another EXCELLENT cigar, from one of the many 'countries of origin' on this planet ... that are able to produce EXCELLENT cigars.
Too many people have fallen for this Cuban 'mystic' thing, and have become overly crazed by it ... when in all honesty ... they are from an island that is not THAT much different from the Dominican Republic (for example), when it comes to climate, soils, longitude and latituded, etc.
Sure they are some outstanding cigars that come from Cuba, I have many ... and enjoyt them immensely. But ... are they any MORE outstanding than those that come from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Honduras, etc.?
I think not ... and for those that continue to keep their head in the 'Cuban' cigar fantasy world, are not dealing with reality ... as there are dozens of cigars out there that have consistantly beat Cuban cigars in blind taste tests over the years ... and you will continue to see more that do in the future.
I think what it all boils down to ... is what you started smoking, when you started smoking (Cubans from years past are far better than those produced today) and the length of time you have been smoking them. If all I smoked, were Cuban cigars, for the first 'so many' years of my cigar smoking life and nothing else ... you're darn straight I would be partial to Cuban cigars. And ... the same goes in reverse.
The old saying is, 'you never forget your first time' or was it 'your first time will always be your best' ... or however it goes ...
jgjam --- take it from someone who fell into that Cuban hoop-la for awhile ... and then came to his senses. There are a lot of better cigars out there, that will be easier to find, legal to aquire, and cost you a whole lot less ... and you won't have to worry (as much) to if they are counterfeit or not ...
... and believe me, if those don't own up to your expectations ... you will be a 'whole lot less' disappointed.
In finishing up ... I see this debate as being no different than the debates on which Political Paryy is the best, which religion is the best, what hair color on a woman is best, which libation is best ... etc.
It will be a never ending 'clash of opposing views' ... with the word 'opinion' being the only thing that ALL will be able to agree upon.