What cigar sums up cuba best?

[Bill Hayes]

A good mate is turning 40 so he's 'havanna' party. Yes, it's a cuban party. So it got me to thinking what cigar I should bring and what cigar best sums up Cuba. Everyone's opinion will be different as we all have different experiences, ideas and feelings about Cuba. Thought it'd be interesting to get people's thoughts. For me, it's the Bolivar Belicosos Finos.

[dragon]

Cohiba Esplendido

[El Presidente]

First trip to Havana and I found myself hanging my legs over the walls of the old fort (Morro) overlooking Havana Harbour. If anyone has had a chance to do it it is an excellent cigar experience. You have the murky Harbour waters on your left and the torquoise waters of the ocean on your right complete with the occasional Barracuda cruising the stone walls beneath your feet looking for baitfish seeking refuge.

It was here that I lit up a plain old Punch Punch. The sun was in the mid afternoon sky and not another moment since has captured the essence of Cuba for me as I scanned the skyline looking at the dishevelled technicolour grandeur of Havana picturing it's history from the pirate ships which sought protection in it's harbour to the roaring casino's of the 50's when this city sat alongside Paris and New York...to the hardships today and yet the absolute dignity of it's people.

A Punch Punch always takes me back to that moment.

[Tampa1257]

I'll have to say that I absolutely love the BBF, but.........

I would have to say that I would go with a Cohiba Robusto for one of if not the best Cuba has to offer straight across the board. It is refinement, classy, full of flavor, rich delicate and has the entire finesse and complexity that speaks of Cuba and all of her glory.

[Bill Hayes]

I went to El Morro too. But, being about the second day I was there, I was trying to keep my pasty Irish compelxion out of the stinging midday sun while busily running early holiday nervous energy out of my veins like a rat up and down a drain pipe, checking out all the different levels and views of Havanna. Unfortunately it took a while to get Las Vegas out of my system and to slip into Cuban time. But I finally got there.

[Freefallguy]

A very nice painting of the mind El P... but I'm with Tampa, here here to the Cohiba Robusto!

[mgillett]

Trini Fundadores.

[ALB]

For me it was the cigar I smoked the afternoon I arrived in Havana. After settling into the room in the Ambos Mundos hotel (next to Ernest Hemingways' room on the 5th floor), I went around the corner to the habanos bodega & picked up an Upmann Magnum 46 for $5 then headed to the Ambos Mundos rooftop bar.

Mojito in hand, the sounds of Cuban Son floating up from the bands playing outside restaurants in the nearby Plaza de Armas, I blazed up the magnum. Much more oomph than I expected from an Upmann, but so smooth (espec. after 3 mojitos), & 2 hours of smoking pleasure.

Watching the sun set across the harbour, reflecting off the top of the Catedral San Cristobal with the Caribbean in the background, I could easily have died & gone to heaven there & then. It was a truly magical moment, & really made me glad I had shelled out to make the pilgrimmage to Cuba.

Great start to a fantastic holiday.

[harwellplant]

for me, the cuba experience (without having traveled there) for me is bbf. pure, straightforward habano taste. not fancy in profile or name. strong and full of flavor, developing a rich complexity with age. an excellent pairing with cuban cuisine.

[longash4me]

I can't help thinking of a gnarled up peso cigar as representing the image for me. I don't know how many Cuban's smoke Cohiba's regularly and most of my cigar education was based on books and films depicting a more commonly acquired cigar. Just my theory, I don't really know, but it's what I think of.

[DocRKS]

The Partagas line of cigars does this for me --full of excitement, vibrant, spicy and a taste that stays with you after the cigar has given its all...

[Mel]

"Sums up Cuba"? I am not sure what is meant by this but I am going to interpret this as synonamous with the idea of the ultimate Cuban cigar.

Name recognition is everything and people think that the Cuban cigar should be spectacular. How many times have you gifted a cigar and the response was something like, I thought it was going to be more.

Needs to be smooth flavored and pretty. The wrapper should flawless and the construction perfect.

Most of the Cohiba fit this bill. Robusto or Esplendido in the Regular line and the Sig III or VI the Siglo series. Any should appreciate these as gifts. I know I would. :-P

[hagzo]

Tampa's on the money with the Co Ro

[smk819]

either a CoRo or a Monte #2.

[habanablue]

I think a classic like a Partagas D4 fits the bill here quite nicely!

[swl]

A Cohiba, Montecristo or Partagas would represent the old values of a fine Cuban cigar.

[Bunker1028]

Monte 2 or R&J Churchill

[smokeswirl]

I think you nailed that one. The BBF is a fine representation of Cuba. So is the Hoyo DC and the MOnte2 when they are on

[Shooter]

The cigar that immediately comes to my mind is the Ramon Allones 8-9-8. It was on my wedding day morning in 2000 that my "Best Man" and I sat in the yard listening to the birds and enjoying a fresh-brewed cup of coffee.

This was my first order of Cuban cigars and the 898 seemed like a good choice....It was.

Wow. Just tremendous flavors going on inside that cigar! Sadly this cigar is becoming very, very scarce due to its discontinuation. I grabbed another box of '02's not long ago and they are equally splendid.

Ramon Allones sends forth the "Now THIS is a Cuban!" message best to me.

[strayvector]

For those who have never smoke Cubans before, I think the legendary smokes like the Esplendidos and RyJ Churhill comes to mind. Tastewise, I would have to agree with the BBF.

[smokeswirl]

If its for a person new to cubans I would suggest ERDM Chiox Supreme. Fantastic beginners smoke. I was recommeded this as my first habanos and I loved it.

[Shooter]

I will second the ERDM Choix as one of the BEST choices to initiate someone to a great Habano! I've handed many out to friends and ALWAYS get accolades.