What are we going to do about Cuaba?

[Wicky]

i actually think those wannabee dog droppings called the salamones are the worst of all. have tried those from rob, from vendors in spain, from cuba, from mates and so on. never one, not one single one, has been anything other than a foul wind tunnel that has absolutely no resemblance to a quality cigar in any way. for me, far and away the worst regular production cigar made. daylight second.

but each to their own.

Awww. Come on now!

[MIKA27]

bar the LE, they are dire. have tried and tried with these and as far as i am concerned, the entire lot should be discontinued. never had a single vaguely decent, half acceptable one. they are a toxic blot on the proud history of habanos. in time, they'll look back and experience a real 'what were we thinking' moment.

better yet, keep making them and put them out under bands from other countries - that will only enhance cuba's reputation against the other producers.

and i vote we make the forum a cuaba free zone.

I agree with you Ken.

The Cuaba LE's are an exception and are magnificent.

If we make this forum a Cuaba free zone, lets keep the LE's though.

[Ken Gargett]

I agree with you Ken.

The Cuaba LE's are an exception and are magnificent.

If we make this forum a Cuaba free zone, lets keep the LE's though.

absolutely.

but i think that we should change the name. poor things must suffer badly from association. it would be like going through life with the surname 'hitler'.

[maalouly]

i actually think those wannabee dog droppings called the salamones are the worst of all. have tried those from rob, from vendors in spain, from cuba, from mates and so on. never one, not one single one, has been anything other than a foul wind tunnel that has absolutely no resemblance to a quality cigar in any way. for me, far and away the worst regular production cigar made. daylight second.

but each to their own.

Ken,

I really don't think you have tried enough. I am going to post a review today that I have been meaning to, I smoked a Salamones two weeks ago paried with Thomas Wine Six Degrees Semillon and mate it was as if I was eating a milky chocolate bar.

I will bring you a salmones with me next week and if you dont like it, we will never visit this subject again promsie.

Cheers,

Elie.

[MIKA27]

absolutely.

but i think that we should change the name. poor things must suffer badly from association. it would be like going through life with the surname 'hitler'.

[MIKA27]

Ken,

I will bring you a salmones with me next week and if you dont like it, we will never visit this subject again promsie.

Cheers,

Elie.

If you dare Ken. MWAHAHAHAH!!

[AVIDFLYER]

I thought the 2008 EL's were spot on, love them.

[Ken Gargett]

Ken,

I really don't think you have tried enough. I am going to post a review today that I have been meaning to, I smoked a Salamones two weeks ago paried with Thomas Wine Six Degrees Semillon and mate it was as if I was eating a milky chocolate bar.

I will bring you a salmones with me next week and if you dont like it, we will never visit this subject again promsie.

Cheers,

Elie.

elie, what did i do to make you hate me so much? always prepared to try anything (about 8 times i guess) but i reserve the right to try and find some of my hamlet salamones so you can see what a superbly rolled effort should be like.

i will concede that i have not tried one for 18 months/2 years so if they have improved things in that time, i missed it.

[Omskakas]

I've smoked singles from divinos that were ok. My first one salomon from a box 08 was too tight and needed time. But flavour, after the draw opened, wasn't bad but not very good either. I'm hoping that in 2-3 years these will smoke good.

Ken, have you had cuabas with age (5-7 y) on them?

[winelover]

Tend to agree with Rob that they are very hit and miss, but more miss than hit unfortunately.

I've only tried the distinguidos and have smoked three singles, all EMS purchased in London. The first was great - very rich and lovely flavours and I wondered why I had been ignoring these.

The second and third distinguidos I had were truly awful. They were ridiculously underfilled - almost like a cigarette, and burned very fast and aggressively. Since then I have not been back.

I think Habanos SA should either stop making them (and Monte Opens too), or make them at least to a satisfactory standard in terms of construction.

Graham

[Kangaroo495]

elie, what did i do to make you hate me so much? always prepared to try anything (about 8 times i guess) but i reserve the right to try and find some of my hamlet salamones so you can see what a superbly rolled effort should be like.

i will concede that i have not tried one for 18 months/2 years so if they have improved things in that time, i missed it.

Go for it Ken. Everything I've had from Cuaba 08 has been exceptional. Had you smoked an 08 18 months ago it would've been too young, otherwise you were smoking the older stuff.

One box of 08s (June, I believe) has been simmering in the humi for 6 months since I got it from Czar's HQ program. The difference between then and now is mind boggling.

Though I do suggest you have a pinch of a few before you select the one you smoke. They do have a tendency to be EITHER under filled or over filled. I'd say, they're spot on only 30% of the time. But isn't that the hit-rate for most Cuban cigars?

[Ken Gargett]

Go for it Ken. Everything I've had from Cuaba 08 has been exceptional. Had you smoked an 08 18 months ago it would've been too young, otherwise you were smoking the older stuff.

One box of 08s (June, I believe) has been simmering in the humi for 6 months since I got it from Czar's HQ program. The difference between then and now is mind boggling.

Though I do suggest you have a pinch of a few before you select the one you smoke. They do have a tendency to be EITHER under filled or over filled. I'd say, they're spot on only 30% of the time. But isn't that the hit-rate for most Cuban cigars?

so i have one of you telling me to smoke young ones and one telling me to smoke old ones. have smoked plenty of the youngsters but not that many older ones. i should dig out what i have left as they'd be old enough by now. i simply could not find anyone i disliked that much to give them to.

[soltino]

I've only smoked the Distinguidos (2006) and the recent LE and thought they were both pretty average. The LE was certainly more flavourful then the Distinguidos but I don't really think it is going to go anywhere over the course of time. I found it pretty one dimensional. Here's hoping though

I've also had problems with underfilling. One of the Distinguidos really brought the term "wind tunnel" home to me...

[rdb6]

Purchased 3 boxes 9 years ago. I thought they were unique in flavor, a flavor I liked very much.

[mash]

I actually like this Marca. I have a box of Divinos from '08 that are powerful and well constructed. I have some '05 Exclusivos that I enjoy too. They taste grassy to me, and I like the change of pace. I have tried a few Generosos and eventually bought a box as well.

Sounds like it's inevitable these will be phased out at some stage though if they're not selling well.

[Leopolis Semper Fidelis]

I don't think Ken's exaggerating. I bought a couple of boxes of the first production of Cuaba (Exclusivos and Divinos) because I was attracted by their old-fashioned shape. To cut a long, unpleasant story short: never again!

[Ken Gargett]

I don't think Ken's exaggerating. I bought a couple of boxes of the first production of Cuaba (Exclusivos and Divinos) because I was attracted by their old-fashioned shape. To cut a long, unpleasant story short: never again!

as i've said a billion times, i never exxagerate!!

[laficion]

as i've said a billion times, i never exxagerate!!

No refunds ?

[Alberto_Magnus]

I remember a similar discussion some time ago, it's good to be talking about an important brand like Cuaba.

It's a love it or hate it brand. I personally love it, including the infamous Salomones (I remeber the "hint of urine" review of the Prez some time ago ). But I totally agree with Rob:

1) Cut quantities! This is a niche brand.

2) Only keep the distinctive formats: Divinos, Distinguidos, Salomones & Diademas.

3) Quality control!

[Ken Gargett]

1) Cut quantities! This is a niche brand.

i agree with this. cut quantities to about three cigars a year.

[MIKA27]

i agree with this. cut quantities to about three cigars a year.

Well if that's the case Ken, I've just smoked this years quota!

Since Wednesdays Melbourne meet, I've had three Cuaba Piramides LEs and every one of them have been amazing. I think in total, I've had 6 of these and all have been great, however Steve (Oz Cuban) was unlucky to get a plugged one......

I must buy a box or two of these.

[OZCUBAN]

I had an EL on the Melbourne gig went in the bin but then i Had a party d5

But Habanos have all ready shown cut production and the quality follows IMO

cheers Oz

[Colt45]

as i've said a billion times, i never exxagerate!!

Perhaps not exaggerate.

Exacerbate on the other hand.........

[Ken Gargett]

Perhaps not exaggerate.

Exacerbate on the other hand.........

only if it is the interests of world peace!

and i have always maintained that those LE's of 08 are a different breed. they were terrific but completely atypical of cuaba.

[Colt45]

only if it is the interests of world peace!

Uh, yeah - that's the ticket..........