Greetings All,

The cuban cigars are simply "Not" the best made cigars, nor the best tasting. I am fortunate that I live in Germany, recently moved her for a better job and can purchase them without fear!

But to be honest they are "Not All That"!

My absolute favorite smoke is Macanudo Maduro - All Sizes and Shapes. Now that is a great even smoke every time!

So, without rambling (Anymore) let me make my point. Don't fret if you have never smoked a Cuban! Enjoy the great easy to acquire smokes!

Regards to All,

BSmith

Sorry BSmith ... but Macanudo says it all ... 😉

I knew that I was going to take some heat for posting the message. But I stick by the Macanudo for the Consistency.

Can you say that about the Cubans???

:-)

Mr smithbw ...

IMO, it is your prerogative to stick by Macanudo for ANY reason that you deem sufficient for YOU ... what I or others may find worth sticking by has no bearing on your taste, just as your findings don't necessarily bear on ours ... it is apparent from his remark that Slim does not share your fondness for Macanudo's and I must be frank in saying that I tend to agree with him, but the fact that Macanudo sells a great many cigars is proof that there are any number of those who agree with you.

There are cigars which I like that others don't care for and there are some they like that I find unacceptable ... one among the regular posters here openly admits to enjoing Lone Wolfs and he takes much teasing for his admission, but still, his taste is just that ... his.

Bottom line is that I also agree with your original premise ... Cubans are a sort of Holy Grail for cigar smokers that are in many instances overrated ... there are a great many very enjoyable and satisfactory brands of cigars that one may legally smoke.

I'll step up and say "ditto" on the Mad Macs - they really are nice, smooth cigars with rich maduro taste.

Not to cross swords with Slim, but I agree with you on the consistency of Macanudos, they just don't have enough "kick" for me! However, I respect your opinion and will say that I happen to like Onyx Reserves, Excaliburs, Padrons, CAO's to name a few! Some of us are much to judgemental and think we have the final opinion on everything, and I happen not to be in that group! Enjoy your Macs and enjoy Germany.

Charlie

I had smoked cigars for two years(including macanudo, punch, AF, etc) before I tried a Cuban Cohiba. While I was smoking it I said to myself "so this is what a cigar is supposed to taste like". Since then I have tried many cubans and some of them are not very good. But my favorite ones have that cuban taste.

As far as consistancy goes. I am not a judge of that. Maybe I am unusual but I do not have a "regular" cigar. I rarely smoke the same cigar twice in a row. I have 5 different types to choose from and I mix in odd singles.

Charlie --- consistancy?!? Every one I've tried so far is like smoking a 'broomstick' ... not once could I draw smoke through without a major struggle. And I agree on the body ... way too mild and one dimensional for my tastes.

Is there anything to all this fuss about Cuban cigars?

Absolutely! I used to think that the Cuban mystique was a combination of great marketing and nostalgia, until I smoked my first, a Montecristo #4 gifted to me by Rookie139.

I didn't pay a lot of attention to it at first, but as soon as it reached my lips ... even before lighting it ... the taste was marvelous and the scent of the perfectly cured tobacco was a revelation.

When I lit it up I literally had to sit down on my deck chair, in order to concentrate fully on the cigar. The taste was unmistakably unique from any 'domestic' cigar I had ever smoked. One that I can't describe ... but could tell was different. And then there is the trademark tingling of the lips and tounge, slight light-headedness and the relaxing in the afterglow ... that only a good Cuban cigar can promise.

Don't get me wrong. Not all Cubans are great, either. Many just plain 'suck'. But once you get a good one, you will know exactly what I'm talking about. On the other side of the coin, I've had many cigars from Nicaragua, Dominican Republic and Honduras that I like even better than many ISOM's, and think are far superior ...

But if we're going to talk about consistancy ... I don't care what cigar you are smoking, once that batch (crop) of leaves are gone, they are gone, never to be seen again. Sure ... if the factory has seasoned rollers, the construction will be the same ... but the taste will not. Oh, it will be close ... but not the same.

If you don't believe me ... get a first release Anejo 55 and the new Reserva Xtra Viejo (which is really the 55 in it's second release), and smoke them side by side. You can definately tell they are not from the same release ...

I have to say that some of the best cigars that I have ever smoked have been Cuban. The greatest smoke that I have ever had was a Partagas Serie D No 4, and now that I think about it, every one of these that I have ever had has been great. There just aren't very many non-Cuban cigars that can compare to Cubans. As a matter of fact, I am going to smoke a Bolivar Belicoso Fino right now to celebrate my birthday.

Well.....Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday calavera! I'll smoke one tonight as well. I don't care if you smoke Macs,I don't care if you smoke Cubans. Smoke what you like!

I'm with Slim. The taste the good ones have. Cant describe it but know it and like it.

Happy B-day dude.

Ditto on the Part SD #4...I've never had one that wasn't excellent!..I personally can't stand Macs..Ugh...I agree that Habanos aren't as consistent as cigars from Nicaragua and Honduras, but in my list of the top five cigars I've ever had in my five years of experience, every one of them are ISOMS..Here's my list:
1) Part SD #4
2) Saint Luis Rey Regios
3) Bolivar Belicoso Finos
4) R&J Celestiales Finos
5) Cohiba Siglo IIs
Other notable mentions are Partagas SHorts (simply the most consistent Habano I've had..every one of them are excellent!), Montecristo #4s (can be somewhat plugged at times..dependable flavor though), H. Upmann #2 (I've only had two or three and loved every one of them!).
Keith

While I am of the opinion that a Mac is better than no cigar at all (even a Lone Wolf!) it is a pretty bland piece of work.

On the other hand the No. 4 IMHO is a power-house of a cigar a true master piece and one of the top sticks known to man. (:>))

IMO tobacco from different countries have "base" flavors that are unique. Many people really enjoy the
flavor(s) of Cuban cigars (me included). That said, many Cuban cigars constructed in recent years have had problems (construction, inferior tobacco, released too young, etc.). It looks as if they have mitigated these problems with current releases. That said, I enjoy many of the cigars from Nicaragua, Honduras and the Dominican Republic. There are many great cigars being made in the world today. If the flavor profile of the Macanudo is your cup of tea, great, what I like is different.

Barry

Although personal tastes are for the most part subjective I find it laughable to hold a Mac. Maduro to such lofty standards. I agree with a previous post regarding the Partagas Series D #4. True..there are cubans that are sub-par, and keep in mind, quite a few counterfeits running amok out there. IMO, the Macs are a brand that is consistantly overreated and I can think of at least 2 dozen other non-cubans I would purchase instead. But....what the hell do I know!!

What's a Macanudo?

Isn't that a dance that they do at weddings?

I'm amazed at the consistancy of Macs. They seem to manage to bridge the gap from crop to crop and maintain the distinct flavor they have. Not my favorite. I have acquired a more diverse taste. But I never turn down an offerred Mac.

IMHO:
They are quite mild (of course) and not a bad smoke when I don't want to power up on a particular day or occasion. My smoke hating spouse doesn't dislike the smell either (too much).

Not my every day, but in my taste, not a dog rocket either.