As a veteran smoker of over 10,000 cigars, there's nothing that pisses me off more than some poser telling me that all he smokes are Cubans. The bluster is always the same:
"Oh, I don't smoke anything but Cubans, everything else is garbage."
"I have this great connection who smuggles in Cubans from Mexico. And they're all authentic!"
Saying that you'll only smoke a cigar from one country is as idiotic as saying that you only drink wine from France, or will only eat beef from Omaha. Saying such nonsense, rather than demonstrating your sophisticated palate, instead shows how much of an insecure dimwit you are. The G Luxe Crew use to have an acquaintance who said that he would only drink Patron Silver tequila. We could have put some rubbing alcohol in a Patron bottle and served it to this ignoramus, and he wouldn't have been able to tell the difference.
Now granted, there are some fine Cuban cigars out in the market today and in the years past, Cuban cigars truly were the benchmark by which all smokes were judged against. However today, there are some incredible cigars made from tobacco outside of Cuba including the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua, and even Brazil. In fact, I personally enjoy a Padron 5000 Maduro or an Ashton VSG over most if not all Cuban counterparts. Unless you've smoked your fair share of cigars, many Cubans tend to be stronger and will probably cause you to turn green.
Worst yet are the prices charged for the beloved Havanas. Even in countries that can legally sell them, Cuban cigars are a pricey proposition, usually selling for over $15 a stick even for average smokes. For that price, you can purchase essentially any of the non-Cubans on Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 of 2008. Hell, their cigar of the year is priced at just over $5 each.
And don't forget that most "authentic" Cubans sold in Mexico are fakes. Unless you or "your connection" bought the cigars from an authorized Habanos dealer, you're probably getting cigars made of left-over scrap tobacco from a Tijuana factory.
So here is my recommendation on how to deal with these poser idiots: Stock up on some crappy, strong, dollar-a-stick seconds, take off the bands, and if any ignorant jackarse tells you that he will only smoke Cubans, give him one of those while telling him a tale of how you get the "Cubans" directly from Shaq's personal cigar contact. Then watch him turn green as he tries to hold back the vomit.
9 comments:
I wouldn't be so quick to judge those who say they only smoke Cubans. There is a complexity that Cuban cigars have that just isn't present in other countries cigars. That is not to say that other countries produce poor cigars, they are producing some great cigars. But many smokers have their own preferences, and who are you or I to say that they are either pretending to like or dislike certain cigars.
I, for instance, tend to like cigars from Cuba and Nicauragua. The Dominican cigars just don't do it for me. So if you were to tell me I'm pretending, I'd call your BS.
As well, I pay between $4 and $7 for my goto Cuban smokes. That is in the same range or less then what I would pay for a Don Pepin Garcia smoke. It is much less then a Padron Anny.
All that said, I am inclined to say that you are just a bit misguided. If you have the means, smoke a Partagas Short, Juan Lopez Sel #2 and a Montecristo #4. You have just smoked some great Cubans that can be had for about $5 a piece.
There's a huge difference between saying you prefer to smoke Cubans (or Dominicans or Hondurans or Swisher Sweets) than saying you will ONLY smoke a cigar from a certain country. I will argue till Im blue in the face that saying that does make you ignorant. If you say that the complexities of a Cuban are just not present in other cigars, than why are the majority of the cigars on CA's top 25 list are non-Cubans? You may disagree with some of their rankings or tastes but it's hard to argue that those guys aren't qualified to judge a cigar.
All I can base my claims on, which is that people who say they only smoke Cubans are posers, are personal experiences. I've never met any veteran cigar smoke, cigar store owner, or anyone that genuinely loves cigars who has made a statement like "I only smoke Cubans". I have, however, heard that nonsense from investment bankers who just picked up the hobby, recently a Japanese restaurant busboy, another guy who I think simply lives off daddy's money to go clubbing, and a bunch of others who couldn't tell a Cuban from some short-filler crap you can pick up at 7-11.
And about those cigars you referenced, I was at a Habanos authorized store in Mexico last year and I guarantee you the Montecristo #4 was NOT $5 a stick. Maybe the ones offered by the peddlers at the beach but not an authentic one.
I don't see much of a difference because each island has different elements it adds to the tobacco to give it it's unique flavor. I think preferring one islands tobacco over another is not only likely, it the natural way people determine their favorites. I can honestly say I dislike most Dominican cigars.
As for Cigar Aficionado, I know what they like. They tend to like the brands who advertise in their magazine, some good, some not. But with cigars, we're talking about a hobby of personal preferences. So I don't ask CA what I like, I try things and decide for myself.
And before you accuse me of buying my Cubans on a beach, one (easily found)online LCDH sells Partagas Shorts for $6.88. You can also buy them from a Duty free Habanos authorized store for $90-$100 box of $25. Monte #4's for $108 a box of 25.
Not sure where you buy your Habanos, but if you are only buying and smoking them on vacation, you're not only paying way too much, but you may not have tried enough to get the breadth of knowledge you need to be evaluating them. I'd be glad to give you links to places that sell authentic Cuban Cigars at a discount.
Just respond and I'll forward the links.
First, I want to say that I do appreciate you posting your comments on our site. Hope you enjoy the banter back and forth and aren't taking offense to any of this.
I like Asian women. Strike that. I LOVE Asian women. One could say I have yellow fever if it wasnt for the fact that I too am Asian. As much as I love Asian girls, if some one said "Jaba, I can hook you up with Alicia Keys" or that girl from Slumdog Millionaire, I'm not going to say "No thanks, I only like Asian girls". Im sure even you would say that would be ridiculous. Same goes with cigars. Again, to my initial point, anyone that says they will ONLY (key word: ONLY) smoke cigars from one country is just being silly.
I don't understand how you can dislike cigars from one country, in your case DR, because not all tobacco from one country taste the same. In addition, cigars are generally made with blends: wrapper from one country, filler from another...its rare that you'll have a cigar made from tobacco purely from one country. So to say that you don't like cigars from DR...again, I just don't understand how you can make that kind of blanket statement.
I agree with your comments about CA. I'm actually not a big fan of that magazine, especially after the fat fuck who runs the rag refused to take a freaking picture with us during one of his Big Smokes. My only point is that they're not complete novices at judging cigars and even if they are somewhat influenced by advertisers, I'm sure there's some merit behind the cigars that made the top 25 list.
About my breadth of knowledge on cigars, Cuban or otherwise, I wasnt kidding when I said Ive smoked over 10,000 cigars. I've been smoking cigars for half my life. Ive smoked every kind from every country. Are there things I still need to learn about cigars? Of course. But I can tell you if some "Cohiba" is real or made in TJ.
Im sure you can find online retailers that sell cheap Cubans. You're probably not US based cause we can't legally import them here in the States. Some people dont give a crap about the laws, I personally dont want electronic records of me important contraband. Also, just like anything else, if you dont buy from an authorized dealer, you do so at your own peril. Can you buy Rolexes online at discount prices? Sure, but chances are the movement inside isn't exactly Swiss made.
So again, hope you enjoy the banter back and forth. Would love to hear back from you and hope this doesn't dissuade you from stopping by our site.
Cheers!
Jaba
I do appreciate the opportunity to interact with the blogger. And thanks for that opportunity.
I guess we're just arguing over semantics, but the reason I make a statement like I am not fond of Dominican smokes is that I tend to try a lot of cigars. When I really like one, I buy a box. I've noticed that most of the boxes I'm buying are from either Cuba(which are all puros)or Nicaragua. That is not to say I cannot find Dominican smokes I like. I just have a much better shot of liking the cigar if has those characteristics associated with either Cuban or Nicaraguan Tobacco.
I do prefer fuller bodied spicy smokes, so that may drive my taste preferences.
i has addicted by cigar, especially cuban cigar.. huh... it's exciting...
btw, ur article very nice..
I think all have their own choice. it is up to the smoker that which taste he like. Like some of friends smoke any brand that is accessible to them. but i am not favor of them. you should have consistency in every part of your life. so like i am also a big fan of cuban cigars. and always prefer to smoke them. but some times you should change your taste if some one offer you some other cigar for free. hahhahah
I also think that you shouldn't be so quick on making opinion on this.Cuban cigar especially HDM Churchill are my favourite. Cuban cigars provide such fantastic taste and perfect burn from start to finish. The flavors are simply intense, with earth, spice and licorice building into a dense thick smoke. They have so much character that it is really easy for anyone to illustrate difference between a Cuban and non Cuban cigar.
I think people change their taste time to time like a trend change accordingly. The demand for cigars are more increase as compare to cigarette. Nice info Thanks
Post a Comment