I shall not try to defend my position because I am not capable of rating any cigars. I am a novice smoker by most people’s standards. I have only been smoking cigars for 3 years and smoke 2 to 4 daily.

The intent of my initial message was to dispel myths surrounding the Holy Cuban cigar(s). I was really excited about moving here to Germany to enjoy the Cuban but found out that it is not at all that great, in fact most of the Cubans that I have smoked are good but not great As stated previously I have a short list of Cubans that I have tried:

Romeo y Julieta Robusto Maduro
Montecristo #4
Montecristo #2
Partagas Serie D No.4
PartagasCoronas
Bolivar Coronas
Cohiba Robusto
H. Upmann Coronas
La Gloria Cubana Medaille D' Or 2

I realize that this is not a lengthy list and there are numerous Cubans that I have not tried but for my money and for my taste it is Mac.

My decision is based upon the last 6 months of smoking “Multiple Cubans Daily”! I will say that the Bolivar is a “Great Smoke”. Of course I am quick to point out that this is my opinion and everyone know what they say about opinions – Everyone’s got one! Just like everyone has a different taste.

Bottom Line: Life is too short not to enjoy the cigar (Regardless of Brand or style) that makes you happy!

Happy Birthday calavera !

BSmith

Beware Smithbrow,

Even in Germany, there are too many conterfits on the market. I've had Cubans given to me that I am sure are not the real McCoy, some were downright bad.

I smoked my first Cuban 25 years ago on my honeymoon in Bermuda, and it was a relevation. The true measure of a great cigar still passes through Habana. I do agree that there are many outstanding cigars to choose from here in the states (Padron Anniv. my fav.) but it still doesn't compare to a Monte #2 IMHO.

LMAO at Todog!
Hey, guys, I'm not a Macanudo guy, either, except the maduros IMO are not a typical bland cigar. And I typically go for a stronger smoke. Mac Maduros are not strong, but they've got a good flavor.
I'm not big on buying Cubans because I'm not big on spending lots of money, but the few I've had were some of my best cigar experiences. Sancho Panza belicoso and Diplomaticos #2 - I was in perfect peace.

I think the key here, is to get the genuine article ... and you've got to remember that 90-95% of the Cuban cigars out there are counterfeit.

Thank you all for your concern. I can honestly say that the cubans that I purchase and have smoked are:

Genuine, Genuine, Genuine!

I think that I will upload a picture of two of the "Real Cubans" which are calmly residing in the humi.

I buy them by the box which has the Republica De Cuba Green Label and the Habanos band. Inside the box comes the certificate of authenticity. The wrappers around the cigars all state Habanos. The box is numbered and says on the bottom: Habanos Hecho En Cuba Totalmento a Mano. Futhermore, my supplier is truly reliable - It is the Canadian Government. Therefore, more authentic you simply cannot get.

I will admit that the Cuban cigars that my wife bought for me today are "Remarkable" - Romeo Y Julieta No. 3. Wow! Now that is a cigar...Now that is a cigar but for a price!!!!

Still a MAC man...

Regards,

BSmith

You said, "... my supplier is truly reliable - It is the Canadian Government."

I'm not saying that what you've smoked isn't the real deal, but I hate to break this to you ... Canada is one of the countries known to be rampant with counterfeits.

In an article I just looked up on the internet, this is what I found ...

The most popular, and expensive, of the cigars are Cuban and the growing demand for Cuban product has created a flood of phony cigars. Some police estimates say 80 per cent of the Cuban cigars sold in Canada are fakes. And what passes as tobacco in some of these cigars would make the most dedicated puffer think twice.

Slim,

Thanks for the advice. I am going to ask the Canadians about that one...and change to the British Government for the Cubans.

Regards,

BSmith 🙂

England is a great place to get Cuban Cigars, especially at reputable places like the one that is supplied by the famous 200 year old importers 'Hunters & Frankau'.

Some observations about Cuban's:
1)Quality has fluctuated during the past 10 years due to supply/demand issues. This is where some of the crap cubans come from.
2)Counterfeits are common. The worst "Cohiba" I ever smoked was from Canada. I think some of the "fluctuation in quality" in cubans is due to counterfeits.
3)Many Cuban brands stink.
4)Cuban rollers tend to be excellent.
5)There are many excellent Cuban brands.
6)Smoker's tastes change over time. What is enjoyable may become boreing. What is nasty and nauseating may become sublime. If you enjoyed the cigar it was a good cigar.
7)That being said there are technical qualities of a cigar which can be described as "good" or "bad" regardless of how much an individual likes a cigar.
8)Time in a humidor improves cigars and can turn a real dog into a very smokable cigar.
9)Smoke what you like...and experiment often.

Just IMHO.

Jim

Jim,

Thanks for your wonderful thoughts.

I purchased a box of Cuban's from the British store today. The exact some box that I purchased from the Canadian's yeterday - Romeo Juliet.

Let the comparision begin.

Best Regards,


BSmith

There was some talk earlier on this thread about Macanudo Maduros. I decided to see if I still had the same opinion on these - Saturday night I smoked a big Prince Phillip with a couple years age, and it was really nice! I highly recommend Mac Maduros to anyone starting out with maduros. Great maduro flavor but without a big spicy kick.

I agree on the Mac maduros. Much better than the regular Macs (not that I find Macs bad, just not great, kinda bland). Even burn, decent draw, some intersting tastes. All in all a good cigar. Not great. I don't look forward to them when I'm at work. But I'll trade five Lone Wolves for one Mac Mad.

Jim

It is good to see some Maduro MAC supporters. However, I must be honest. I smoked a Romeo Juliet Number 3 today which I purchased from the "Brithish" store and found it to be remarkable. I cannot afford to smoke Cubans everyday but I think that I have found one of the best cigars in the world. Absolutely Amazing!

Although I really like the Romeo - I will never give up the MACS...

Regards to all,

BSmith

I'm going to agree with the philosophy that Mac's are bland and powerless. I will also agree that there are some other Cigars easily bought in the states, not cuban, that are better than cigars from Cuba. HOwever, I also agree with the statement about Cuban Cigars and their distinct nature. Just something about them...however recently I had been quite dissappointed to smoke a Cohiba Esplendido that had a great opening smell, a delicious flavor and tingle to the tongue and lips, but took my entire being to get the smoke from one end of the cigar to the other. Was a realy bummer because the light-headedness came from hyperventalation rather than a good jolt of supreme tabacco. There are never any guarantees. '

I would like to state for the record that the ACID line of Drew Estate cigars is a fine collection of several very unique and very pleasureful cigars.

This is a most interesting thread, filled with the expected amount of snobbery when it comes to someone that likes Macanudo's! Veteran Cigar buffs are "epected" to frown when Macanudo is mentioned, and say "who smokes those"? Well, they happen to be the number one selling cigar in America, so somebody must smoke them! I used to smoke them, but moved on to fuller bodied more robust cigars! I was shocked to smoke a Macanudo Robust Hyde Park at a friend's house and find that it was a full flavored gem! Now, will I buy them.........no, not a Macanudo prices! I can buy a lot of cigars that I like one hell of a lot more for the same price or less! However, I do not stick my nose up or show a look of horror when someone smokes Macanudo!

Charlie

Biblicized, I agree with the "unique" part re: Lars and Drew Estates..."Very pleasurable" is debatable IMHO 😉

I have to say...When I hear people say that they smoke cigars, and when I ask them what cigars they smoke, some of them (my brother does this) says emphatically, "I smoke Macanudos!", like I'm supposed to be impressed and think of them as a cigar aficionado..Please don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking anyone here at all for what they smoke...My brother smokes just to smoke, for social reasons..not to enjoy the cigar but just to keep his mouth occupied (man that really doesnt sound good, does it?..LOL)...Macs seem to be the cigar of choice for those that only smoke cigars on bowling night, at a bar, or playing poker (which tonite I am playing poker with my brother and his friends, all of whom fit this profile to the T)...Tonite, I intend on bringing for them every Lone Wolf, Mac, and every other bland mild tasteless cigar I can find...I on the other hand (call me a cigar snob..My wife does) will be enjoying an Oliva O Ole, a Joya De Nic Antano (I've been waiting to enjoy this one) and maybe a CAO Brazilia Gol...I would enjoy a nice Habano but I like to save them for special occasions (Lately though, I've been discovering a lot of "special occasions" to enjoy them)
Last night, I enjoyed a Coh Siglo III (good but not excellent) and afterward enjoyed a wonderful Bolivar Beli Fino...The special occasion last night was "Watching TV at home"
Gotta go to sleep finally!
Keith

and I gotta add, occasionally (about once a year), if I happen to have a Mac Maduro that has been gifted, I'll smoke it...I just wouldn't spend money on them myself...As someone else said earlier (Charlie, right?) I can think of so many other cigars that I'd rather spend the money on

damn rook!

a siglo and than a boli? mmm mmm good...

Some time back when I first tried premium cigars, I was full of questions ... newbie stuff like 'is this a good cigar?', 'do you think I'll like that?', etc ... the store owner told me, hey ... everyone's got different taste ... that's why there's so many kinds of cigars ... try a lot of different ones, all of 'em if you want, but the most important thing about cigar smoking is to remember what you like and what you don't ... then buy more of what you like and smoke those ...

I gotta tell you that until I saw this thread, I did not realize there was any stigma attatched to Macanudos ... I've tried them, found I didn't care for them, don't buy 'em, and don't smoke 'em ... no ones ever given me one, but if they did, I'd keep it for either my wife whose taste in an occasional cigar runs toward what I would call mild and bland or for my indiscriminate next door neighbor who'll smoke anything to go with his boxed wine ...

But there's a lot of other brands I don't like much either ... I don't think there's anything wrong with someone who DOES like them, I just think their taste is different than mine is ... a good example of that is the Excalibur 1066 ... to a lot of guys, many of whom post here, these are one great smoke ... to me, they taste about as great as lawn clippings rolled in a dead leaf from the fruitless mulberry tree in my yard ... so, just like the Macs, I don't buy 'em, I don't smoke 'em and if someone gave me one, I wouldn't be upset and I wouldn't complain ... I'd just see what MrsS or the guy next door had to say about it ... one or both would like it fine and that's OK ... it's just a matter of individual taste .. works the same way in restaurants too ... if cucumbers arrive on my salad, they are gifted to MrsS ... is that canteloupe in the fruit salad? ... 'nother gift for Mrs ...

there's nothing wrong with someone who likes cucumbers, canteloupes, Macanudos or 1066s ... it just ain't me