Like many cigar smokers, you may wonder what the big deal is about Cuban cigars. A friend may have actually gifted you what he thought was a Cuban but was a horrible fake (they exist more than you might think).

With the advent of Nicaraguan tobacco grown in the Estelli region, the finest Cuban tobaccos have some serious competition. The quality difference between the 2007 RTDA and the 2015 IPCPR was amazing. Sure, there were some “misses” in the boutique companies, but these were rare and there were many more quality boutique offerings.

So, back to the question; what makes a Cuban cigar so special. It’s hard to pin down, but there is a certain quality to the flavors that is hard to nail down. And not all Cubans are created equal. A Vegas Robainas Familiar will taste quite different from a Cohiba Robusto, a Ramon Specially Selected and a Partagas Serie D No. 4. And that’s just a list of robustos. You also have Petite Coronas, Tre-petite coronas, Piramids, Churchills, Double coronas, and large selection of Figurados.

If (when) the trade embargo comes down, experiment. You will initially be put off at the cost, but as their competition thrives, their prices will moderate. Also find a good cigar shop. Many will offer reasonable memberships complete with discounts, and for a bonus cost you can rent a locker so as to never find yourself in the shop broke and cigarless.

I hope you are finding these articles interesting. (Hell, who am I kidding, I hope you’re reading them.) I’ve been smoking cigars for about 30 years know and have picked up some valuable information along the way that I would like to share with you, both in this blog and in my reviews published @Cigarweekly, your one stop internet destination for all things cigars, pipes, libations, music, politics and travel. And lots of humor.