Mon 20 Feb 2006
An interesting thing happened to me yesterday at the tobacconist’s shop. The guy, who I assume (from looking at the photos on the wall) has worked in the business for many years, asked me if I was looking for Cuban or non-Cuban cigars. I told him that I am looking for both, and that I like trying out different things to find the best smokes.
He then pointed me to the Cuban section (about 90%) of the humidor, and at my request, showed me the other section. While I have known for some time of the European attitude that only Cuban cigars are worth your time, I just wasn’t prepared to accept his next assertion: He basically began to purport, as if betting his life on it, that no cigar could ever be as full-bodied or a strong as an habano.
I meant no disrespect at all to the man, who was quite a bit older, but tried my best to convince him that I have personally had Dominican, Nicaraguan and Honduran cigars of comparable strength and body to many habanos. He motioned with his hand that he would argue no further and I just continued with my shopping.
But I couldn’t help being bothered by his non-sense… yes, nonsense. His surety is as arrogant and nonsensical as saying that no wine can ever be as good as French wine. One would have simply to make a trip to the Napa Valley to disprove the notion.
Perhaps once upon a long time his claim would’ve held up nicely, but I can assure you, as a guy who has right this minute a humidor full of both Cuban and non-Cuban cigars, that there is a good amount of hype to the Cuban cigar tale these days. The fact is that for many years now cigars from countries such as the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Honduras have come way up to meet (and in some cases out perform) Cuban cigars in terms of quality and construction, some even outscoring Cuban cigars in blind tastes by cigar Magazines. While the quality and construction of cuban cigars has generally declined.
Cuban tobacco does taste different than tobacco from other parts of the world, but I would contend that it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be appealing to everyone. It is simply different and unique in a way that many cigar lovers, myself included, find very appealing. Yet, whether you will like it or not, or whether you will prefer it or not, is just a matter of taste and your own personal preference.
While it is undeniable that Cuban tobacco makes cigars that are delicious and unique, a true afficionado would have to be a fool to dismiss the variety and richness of the other tobaccos of the world. Maybe european tobacconists need to get out more…
February 20th, 2006 at 9:39 am
A classy blog you’ve got here. Really great photography as well. As a law abiding American I have little experience with Cuban smokes, aside from the occasional gift and a box of Cohiba robustos I found under a bridge about eight years ago. (Absolutely genuine underpass puros, without a doubt.) So I’m not really qualified to comment on this issue, but to say that there are no great heavy hitters outside of Cuba is plain nuts. Has this tobacconist ever sampled a Padron 1926 maduro? Or a Camacho Diploma? Ashton VSG? Must I go on? I’m preaching to the choir here, I know. I’m enjoying your pages immensely. Tom (Cigarfan)
February 20th, 2006 at 1:54 pm
Thanks for your kind comments. I do always enjoy my visits to your well written blog. I’ve got to tell you that other than insanity, the only other plea this tabacconist can claim is ignorance. Perhaps it’s the lack of availability of these smokes in EU shops; they just don’t stock anything else. So far I’ve only found one online shop from Germany with an equaly vast selection of hon-habanos. Whatever I can’t get from them, I get directly from the U.S.
April 20th, 2006 at 11:34 am
In London there are a few cigar retailers of note who sell non cubans but the price is a rip off.
What in the US they pay $2 to £4 for we pay £9 to £12pds and the pound if worth nearly double the us$ so you can see why so many of us Brits import humidors full of smokes from US online retailers - marked as gifts to avoid the tax etc.
Most wont send to the UK (we’re only fit to go to war with) so I get mine via a US address.
I rarely bother with Cubans now
Roy.R UK
January 9th, 2007 at 5:28 am
Well said. To each his own, as always.
If you have the chance to explore both worlds, then why deny yourself of the other? Being a snob (or a sourgrape) only limits you to half a world of wonderful taste.
I say Cubans AND Non-Cubans.
Try ‘em all. In the end, only YOU can say what tastes good to YOU and no one else.
Chris A., Manila PH
August 30th, 2007 at 11:02 am
Who is only after cubans is missing out. The Dominicans alon offer a wide range of tastes beyond what you imagined a cigar could taste like. If it is for you only you can tell though. I like both just like I like I still like a nice Hamburger even if I can have hummer.
August 30th, 2007 at 11:04 am
I think the main problem is that due to the embargo all non Cuban is going to America, so retailers would want you sticking to the Cubans, which are easier to come by for them.
February 14th, 2008 at 12:01 am
What do all the old retired cigar rollers do in Cuba?
Perhaps this is the reason for the excellent so called counterfeits ?????