"You'll know by the smell and taste."

[ethernomad]

I come across this phrase a lot while perusing forum posts. It seems to be the end all argument regarding the origin of smokes. I want to preface the rest of this by saying I have NO doubts or concerns over authenticity. I just received my first CC order (sampler) and had the opportunity to spend a little time with it this evening. I gingerly unwrapped the package and fondled each stick. I gave the whole lot a thorough sniff. I have heard so many people mention the smell of Cubans that I've been dying to experience it myself. Well, they smell like cigars; good cigars mind you. Many of them smell like muddy hay, barnyard people call this. I often get this smell from Padrons.

Here's my question. Is there a particular smell/flavor profile that all CCs share? What is it that tells you you're smoking a real Cuban? Again, I'm NOT worried about the origin of my smokes. I've just never smelled or tasted a Cuban before, so this is a baseline moment for me. I want to make sure I'm categorically on the same page.

Realized it might be helpful for you to know what I received:

Bolivar Petit Corona

Cohiba Siglo II

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2

H. Upmann Connoisseur No. 1

H. Upmann Magnum 46

Montecristo No. 2

Partagas Serie D No. 4

Partagas Shorts

Punch Punch

Ramon Allones Specially Selected

[earthson]

Most CC, to me, have a certain flavor element that is a product of the terroir of the provenance. The smell of the unlit cigar is often "barnyard" or "manure." The flavor is commonly called "twang" in the parlance of the online tobacco addict community, and although not every brand displays it, it is quite recognizable. It's a little earthy to me, with some complicated flavor nuance that I can't quite place (hence, the term "twang").

Tell you what, as you slowly smoke through your sampler, see if you can identify it! Welcome to your personal journey!

[ck475]

To me Padrons do not have much smell just a bit of spice 26's 64's FR's. CC's to me on the other hand are more pungent barnyard dare I say slightly cheesy.

Whatever you do don't smoke any of your new shipment until you have rested them at least 2 weeks to a month or more. My first CC an Epi #2 smoked one week out of the freezer tasted like a Dominican. The next one two weeks later blew my mind with that distinctive Cuban twang and underlying taste. That second cigar really opened my eyes to the differences between NC and CC.

Chris

[Smallclub]

The flavor is commonly called "twang" in the parlance of the online tobacco addict community,

Precisely, of the US online tobacco addict community, since "twang" doesn't exist in european languages – it doesn't translate and doesn't have an equivalent, even in UK english AFAIK.

[Ginseng]

Is there a particular smell/flavor profile that all CCs share?

In short, no, not really. Oftentimes you get what has been described as "barnyard" but is more descriptively labeled as earthy, organic, composty, with sweet pleasant sweatiness. Sometimes, it's a floralness. Often it's a sweet leatheriness.

However, I would never offer that there is such a profile that is diagnostic. Meaning the absence of which definitively identifies a cigar as non-Cuban, or the presence of which identifies it as Cuban. There simply is no such thing.

Wilkey

[JohnS]

The main difference I get from cuban cigars is that one, they tend to be milder and secondly, they tend to be smoother. I could do 3 cubans over 4 to 5 hours in an afternoon with good company. I wouldn't do that with 3 non-cuban cigars.

You'll find that mildness and smoothness across the brands, the cuban cigars obviously differ in their flavour profiles. (For example, I find Cohibas creamy, whereas Partagas cigars I find tend to be more spicy.)

In that sample of cigars you received I would expect the Hoyo de Monterrey to be light to medium in strength, Montecristo to have a medium profile and the Bolivar and Partagas cigars to be more full-bodied cigars.

[DWC]

Nothing to do with cold aroma but a typical characteristic of Cuban tobacco when smoking is a very looong finish. I've never even come close to experiencing such a long (or as pleasant) a finish with NC's as I do with CC's.

[jfettlol]

in my experience, you won't know until you smoke a few. then'll you'll get the whole distinctive thing. then once you have a properly aged cc with years on it, you'll get why there's nothing better.

[Smallclub]

However, I would never offer that there is such a profile that is diagnostic. Meaning the absence of which definitively identifies a cigar as non-Cuban, or the presence of which identifies it as Cuban. There simply is no such thing.

Ah! Believe it or not but I find the smell at cold of nicaraguan puros (Tatuaje, Illusione for instance) to be very specific: more pungent, sharper, but less rich, and (you can tell I'm french) less appetizing …

[Smallclub]

Nothing to do with cold aroma but a typical characteristic of Cuban tobacco when smoking is a very looong finish. I've never even come close to experiencing such a long (or as pleasant) a finish with NC's as I do with CC's.

Agreed. Night and day.

[ethernomad]

Whatever you do don't smoke any of your new shipment until you have rested them at least 2 weeks to a month or more. My first CC an Epi #2 smoked one week out of the freezer tasted like a Dominican. The next one two weeks later blew my mind with that distinctive Cuban twang and underlying taste. That second cigar really opened my eyes to the differences between NC and CC.

I know not to light any up for atleast 30 days after transit. To help maintain my resolve, I'm going to be sniffing them a lot this next month. I'm curious how rehydration will affect the aroma. I have heard the term "twang" but don't really have a firm grasp of what that is. I will see for myself soon enough.

Of the ten sticks I listed above, one of them is going to be my first Cuban cigar ever. Is there an obvious choice on which one should pop my cherry?

[Ginseng]

Ah! Believe it or not but I find the smell at cold of nicaraguan puros (Tatuaje, Illusione for instance) to be very specific: more pungent, sharper, but less rich, and (you can tell I'm french) less appetizing …

I agree. Peppery is how i describe those. Padron is a different matter and their maduros something else entirely. I've smoked Padron maduros for many years and I would still never say they smell good in the box. Ashy and dull. But boy, are they ever satisfying on the smoke.

Wilkey

[Ginseng]

Nothing to do with cold aroma but a typical characteristic of Cuban tobacco when smoking is a very looong finish. I've never even come close to experiencing such a long (or as pleasant) a finish with NC's as I do with CC's.

Another related characteristic that has been often noted: clean on the palate.

Very rare to get an NC that leaves your tongue clean and happy. Just as rare to find a Habanos that leaves your tongue nasty. The very significant exception in my experience, the truly horrible Monte Double Edmundo. God, what a piece of trash.

Wilkey

[Habana Mike]

Another related characteristic that has been often noted: clean on the palate.

Very rare to get an NC that leaves your tongue clean and happy. Just as rare to find a Habanos that leaves your tongue nasty. The very significant exception in my experience, the truly horrible Monte Double Edmund. God, what a piece of trash.

Wilkey

Is your new avatar the 'Angry Wilkey Mod Face'?

[earthson]

Of the ten sticks I listed above, one of them is going to be my first Cuban cigar ever. Is there an obvious choice on which one should pop my cherry?

I would say either the HU Connie #1 (since it probably already has a couple of years on it) or the Part Short (because they are great with little age).

I would save the Monte #2 and RASS for last as they need more time (to my taste).

A great starter sampler, regardless!

[JohnS]

Another related characteristic that has been often noted: clean on the palate.

Wilkey

100% agreed. This was a significant difference in my enjoyment of cuban cigars!

[Ginseng]

Is your new avatar the 'Angry Wilkey Mod Face'?

Let's just call it the "make my day" avatar.

Wilkey

[PapaDisco]

Another related characteristic that has been often noted: clean on the palate.

Very rare to get an NC that leaves your tongue clean and happy. Just as rare to find a Habanos that leaves your tongue nasty.

I dunno about that Wilkey. Just try kissing any girl after smoking a CC (or any stogie) and see what SHE says about your tongue!

[GavLew79]

Precisely, of the US online tobacco addict community, since "twang" doesn't exist in european languages it doesn't translate and doesn't have an equivalent, even in UK english AFAIK.

Exactly. It has been (incorrectly) bastardised from "tang". Something in English can be "tangy" i.e. have "tang". Eg. Citrussy tang. Metallic tang. But not "twang". Twang is when you twang a guitar string for example.

Or, in conversational parlance, someone's accent could be said to have "a posh twang" or a "northern twang". Twang describes an audible entity rather than one that can be tasted.

[Ginseng]

I dunno about that Wilkey. Just try kissing any girl after smoking a CC (or any stogie) and see what SHE says about your tongue!

Hah, I'll take your word for it, mate!

I'm saying that my tongue is clean enough for me, and seeing as how it's in my own mouth a lot more than the missus' is, that'll do for now.

Wilkey

[alloy]

I have not bought any samplers. But the boxes I have bought when I open them up smell like chocolate/ barnyard. The custom rolls that I buy (5-15 at a time) are pretty much very fresh rolled and definitely smell like barnyard. At my local B&M, they let me take a whiff of a box of Padrons they just received (64's). No smell at all.

Wilkey, I like that avatar!

[Geo17pip]

Welcome to the Dark Side! lol Id start with Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 and H. Upmann Connoisseur No. 1 then go from there. You will see what we mean by this TWANG once you experience it. Its like an extra flavor no other cigar has and its dank, sweet burnt sugar, rich and also get more pronounced on a retrohale. (Hard to explain like others have stated) Eveveryone experiences it different so try them and let us know what you think.

[Ginseng]

Exactly. It has been (incorrectly) bastardised from "tang". Something in English can be "tangy" i.e. have "tang". Eg. Citrussy tang. Metallic tang. But not "twang". Twang is when you twang a guitar string for example.

Or, in conversational parlance, someone's accent could be said to have "a posh twang" or a "northern twang". Twang describes an audible entity rather than one that can be tasted.

Nicely done. The "twang" is cigar-driven synesthesia at its finest. I hear angels when I smoke a great Habanos, don't you guys?

Wilkey

[earthson]

Nicely done. The "twang" is cigar-driven synesthesia at its finest. I hear angels when I smoke a great Habanos, don't you guys?

Wilkey

Exactly! I'd argue it has been correctly bastardized from "tang." Hence, the difference between 'Merkan English and English English!

[torsion]

Welcome to the Dark Side! lol Id start with Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 and H. Upmann Connoisseur No. 1 then go from there. You will see what we mean by this TWANG once you experience it. Its like an extra flavor no other cigar has and its dank, sweet burnt sugar, rich and also get more pronounced on a retrohale. (Hard to explain like others have stated) Eveveryone experiences it different so try them and let us know what you think.

Agreed here, HdM Epi 2 first IMO