I have had very few Cubans over time and frankly have never been impressed with any of them. Guess my tastes have always been for the Nicaraguans, Dominicans and a few Hondurans. But have got the urge to try some ISOMs and would appreciate some information on ordering (procedures, sites, etc.). I believe that I have also seen on some old posts links to government price listings for ISOMs but a search turned up nothing. Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks
John

jmiller2225 (at) cox /dot/ net

Please... no postings of competitor information

Just e-mail me.

Thanks
John

You've obviously smoked the wrong Cubans. I have come to realize that there are some non-Cubans that stack up quite well, thanks to the folks here that just had to prove it to me. Still have a few sticks in the humi. But smoking mostly Cubans for the first 5 years of smoking, I have found better odds in finding great smokes in this category, but they're gonna cost. I've also had some really crappy Cubans. As many others will tell you, it's unfortunate that there are way more Cubans sold than made. If your not experienced in Cubans, you won't know the difference and might judge a fake for being bad. Even the experts have a hard time telling the difference by just looking, but once it's lit up and it doesn't have that unique Cuban flavor. It’s obvious. Now there are also some good fakes coming out of Cuba. From what I hear, some of those taste pretty good.

I read a story about a guy who bought some counterfeits in Cuba and wasn't pleased. The salesman found out, went to his hotel and replaced them. It's like it's a legitimate industry or something.

Since Altadis has become involved in Habanos the quality has dramatically improved. Try them again.

I have smoked probably 12-15 cubans. 4 of which were Montecristo #2s. I was really impressed with Bolivars, and Partagas, but was disappointed in my first 4 Montecristos. I recently picked up my first Cohiba that I am anxious to try. I know that alot of people swear by Monte #2s, but they are overrated IMHO. I will pick up another some time, but for now, I am still unimpressed. I have heard that you should not give up on a cigar, until you have smoked an entire box. This may be true, but maybe the Monte's just don't fit my flavor profile. But you can give me a Bolivar, or Partagas, anytime.
Just my .02, I don't have enough experience with ISOMs to give any real assessment of them. But am looking forward to the research.
Later
Dave (A.K.A. Homebrew)

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.

OK - this may be what some refer to as 'thread-jacking' (i'm still kinda new here and unsure of this) but i think this is a good place to post this because it was this post that made me think of it - anyway, does anyone here have a LEAST favorite 'country of origin'? I'm speaking generally and relatively, of course; there are always some good ones to be had, regardless of origin. BUT, I find that I tend to be less enthusiastic about honduran smokes. It just seems like every time i have a new smoke that i am less than impressed with, i find out it is honduran (or at least has some honduran filler blended in). Nicaragua and DR (and the few ISOM's I've had) generally tend to have more of a 'WOW' effect on me. especially the nic's. anyway, i was just curious if anyone shared this opinion, or at least have noticed a 'least favorute' trend in themselves.

maybe this is a pointless question.
maybe i should have another black hart stout. 😉

originalgoat --- yes, this would have been an excellent 'stand alone' topic ... and changing the direction of jgjam's original thread ... is probably what he didn't have in mind ... 😉

Why don't you start one? I, among others ... will probably have plenty to say on your topic!

originalgoat,

Cuba. My fondest cigars have been Cuban.

The most fondest, pre-2000. I have had more crappy Cubans since than. If they come back to the glory days, than I still don't think a lot of other smokes can beat average against average. However Dominican and Nic's from what I've read and the 50 or so different one I've smoked, are constantly getting better as farms outside Cuba get closer and closer to replicating the conditions of the original cigar country. There may be a day soon where cigars are rated by factory/brand, rather than one particular country.

Sorry I'm trapped and I don't know if I'll ever get out.

As a side note. The absolute worst cigars I've ever smoked did not come from Cuba.

Yes. Have yet to ever have smoked an even passably good cigar from the Phillipines. Have tried several different blends and they're all the same; to my taste they seem to be predominately filled with dried grass/hay/straw. There may be some good ones made but I have yet to find them.

Agree 100% with Slim. I've smoked some good Cuban cigars but with some of the cigars being produced elsewhere nowadays they compare very favorably. I believe a part of the popularity of the Cuban cigar is the "Cuban Mystique" and a part of it is the idea of "forbidden fruit." Cuban cigars that are currently being produced simply do not have the quality control that they once had. Nothing is more irritating than paying $15-25 or more for a Cuban cigar that turns out to be plugged/tunneling/unraveling etc.

Just my thoughts......

I think Slim made an exeptional point that I agree with 100%. Over the last 10 years I have spent a lot of time outside of the USA and smoked dozens and dozens of Cubans. What I have come to realize is that there are wonderful Cuban smokes to be had, but to put so much emphasis on them as being "The Greatest" really takes away from the many other contries that in my opinion are producing higher quality, easier to obtain, more reliable cigars.

If you are able to obtain genuine Cubans though one of my favorites you may want to try is the Romeo Y Julieta Romeo No. 2. I recently finished the last of the 10 tubes of these I acquired a year or so ago. Really a quality smoke not a dud out of any of them.

Slim,
I agree with you. I'm not looking for a better cigar than the current cigars that I smoke, just something different. I believe that cigars are like everything else... cars, food, etc. The country of origin doesn't make them better or worse. I'm from Kansas and we like our beef but the best prime rib I have ever had was at a restaurant in Daytona Beach.

I'm just ready to try the Cubans again after some time now. They may be good or they may be bad, but that is no different that when I try a new cigar from the DR, Honduras or Nicaragua. Some are just better than others.

John

My suggestion then, would be (if you can find them and you want to try an ISOM Maduro), would be either the Cohiba Piramides Limited Edition Maduro, the Hoyo de Monterrey EL Piramides Maduro or the Partagas Serie D No. 3 Limited Edition Maduro ... I have a Romeo y Julieta Robusto Limited Edition Maduro that I haven't tried yet, so I can't say on that one.

And, you can't go wrong with either the Partagas Serie D No. 4, the Punch Punch Cabinet Selection, the Saint Luis Rey Petit Coronas or Saint Luis Rey Regios, the Diplomaticos No. 1, 2 or 4, the Montecristo Especial No. 2, the Sancho Panza Sanchos, and last but not least ... the Trinidad Fundadores.

Not much help, I know ... but I have tried at least one of each of them, and thoroughly enjoyed them, although some were much better than others.

Basically ... it's a 'crap shoot' ...

And yet so many cigar companies trumpet that their cigars are grown with "Cuban seed" tobacco, or that they taste just like Cubans. Don't see anyone saying that their cigars taste just like Costa Rican cigars, or that they have that classic Honduran flavour.

Wonder why?

Hmmm....

J

Cuba does not produce a maduro wrapper.

Actually for the first time they are

calavera,

I like the way you think. Are you in sales.

calavera --- did you even read any of the above posts? The answer is there ... you just have to think a little.

donutboy2000 --- go to 'Picture Post', check out 'Just a few ISOM's I have' ... and look at the two on the left ...

... the ones with the Black and Gold 'Edicion Limitada 2001' bands on them ... are BOTH Cuban Maduro's.

One on the far left is a Partagas Serie D No. 3 Limited Edition Maduro, and the one next to it is a Romeo y Julieta Robusto Limited Edition Maduro ...

If you want, I can email you a link to a site ... possibly the largest Mail Order Havana Cigar Merchants in the UK, and supplied by Hunters & Frankau (Importers with 200 years experience) ... if you want to see all the lines of Maduro Cuban cigars that have been produced now, albeit, in very limited quanties ...

Slimboli - I've read the posts. Cuban mystique= b.s.
Cuban cigars= very good (If not the best). I smoke lots of non-Cuban cigars, and some are good, some are even great. However, many are crap.

In my opinion, the ratio of good to crap is much better for Cuban cigars, than it is for non-Cuban cigars. Unfortunately, I live somewhere where I can not legally buy Cuban cigars, so I have to make do with non-Cubans most of the time. But, when I can indulge in a good Habanos cigar, I do.

Besides, it does not matter anyway. All this is only my opinion, and if you care what I say, then the joke is on you.

J