Difference Between CC's and NC's

[jwr0201]

Now, understand that this only my observation over a couple of years in enjoying Cubans of several maccas.  IMHO, the most outstanding difference is in the smoothness of the Cuban cigars of every variety I've tried.  I've not encountered one single experience with any that have given that back of the throat harshness some NC's can give.  I've become spoiled and find that my preferences have changed markedly in favor of cigars from That island!  Now, I have hundreds of NC's to move along to make more room for the 24/24 goodies.  Good problem to have!  Is this a normal malady with CC enthisiasts???

[NSXCIGAR]

I have always found that NCs struggle to find intensity, richness of flavor and strength without a degree of harshness. This was very much the case 15+ years ago. I will give NC makers credit, though--they have worked extremely hard to refine and improve their blends over time and try and reduce the harshness I think we are both recognizing. However, I think Cuba's soil and climate have such an enormous inherent advantage that it is extremely difficult to match, let alone beat. They have not succeeded yet in producing a smooth and refined cigar with the depth and richness of flavor of a good CC.

I've never had a harsh CC in the same way as NC can be. Tannic, bitter, ammoniac, sure--but not "harshness". 

[stogieluver]

In my opinion, there's no comparison between CC's and NC's.  I spent a dozen years smoking NC's and never found one I truly enjoyed as much as I do CC's.  I chased all of CA's highly rated NC's only to wonder why my opinion of those cigars was so much less than that of Gordon Mott and his gang.  Thankfully, I never invested in boxes of NC's because I was never impressed by any enough to purchase more than a few at a time, always going from one marca to another, only to be disappointed.  Then, I had the chance to go to Cuba, and I saw the light.  That was almost four years ago, and I haven't smoke a single NC since.  So, I don't have your problem of trying to get rid of a bunch of NC's, thankfully, but my credit card balance has increased significantly.   

[cigcars]

    I think Ecuadorian, Connecticut shade grown, and Cameroon tobaccos for wrappers are the smoothest and nicest outside of Cuba. And Brazilian tobacco, because it's a tough leaf that's sweet and cool to the tongue makes excellent blending tobacco for NC's. Just my humble opinion. Davidoff's high end cigars specialize in Connecticut shade grown wrappers that are VERY pretty, but again IMHO, so mild and non-descript that to me they are downright flavorless. And does anybody disagree that Peruvian and Sumatra aka Indonesian tobaccos are mild too? It's probably the Honduran and some Nicaraguan tobaccos that you all are talking about as far as harshness and so on.

   I believe in keeping around and smoking NC's here and there in order to appreciate more my CC's. It's like only feasting on Kobe Wagyu beef steak, Alaskan King Crab Legs, Chicken Cordon Bleu, etc. You can get spoiled or even bored with the best EVERYDAY, y'know? I do enjoy plain ole all-beef hot dogs with mustard only, White Castle hamburgers (74 cents apiece for a plain), and Taco Bell chili cheese burritos every now and then...because it makes me appreciate it more when I can enjoy those expensive meals as described. Keep in mind an old Arab saying; "All sunshine makes a desert."

[zeedubbya]

My opinion is this.  When I got over the forbidden fruit thing I came to believe  CCs have a taste which is impossible to replicate and it's a taste I really like.  The big caveat is the consistency issues.  Before I started buying hand picked stock here it was so hit or miss.  A lot of times I smoked NCs because I knew exactly what to expect from each cigar.  A Padron Anniversay (if stored right) will be the same experience in nearly every box.  Back when I started smoking cigars about 15 years ago CCs were very hard to come by and very expensive, and nothing made me more angry than the inconsistency.  Granted this was a bad time in CC production from what I understand.    On the flip side there where some very very bad NC cigars.  Only a few actual decent ones.  This has been improved dramatically over the last 5-10 years.

I still have a very large collection of NCs, and acquire them every now and again.  I still have one once and awhile because there are some I really do like.  Its a different taste to me.  That's what sums it up.  Consistency and taste.  If CCs were consistent it wouldn't be a fair fight at all.

 So (as a prev post said) does one always drink single malt scotches or reds from Bordeaux?  Does one always eat dry aged beef?  To me it doesn't mean you can't appreciate another countries cigars even if you may like CCs the best.  It's genuinely a taste thing in my opinion.  I cannot wait for the day (may never come) when the Padrons, Garcias, and Fuentes can use Cuban tobacco in their cigars.  Until then I'll trust that most boxes obtained will be like these RYJ Pet. Coronas I have.  Awesome awesome taste and amazingly consistent.  

[RWhiz]

From my non-professional perspective, history and isolation has impacted the CC positively, while market share has impacted the majority of NCs negatively.

After all a cigar is a bunch of rolled up fermented leaves burned to enjoy.  Being so Cuba dose not have the only means of production for making rolled up bunches of leaves, they do however have the best climate and soil to grow the plant, and being isolated from the worlds largest market, haven't had to compete on the same level as NC marcas.  I believe that in general most NC producers have a certain market they are going after for their wares, nothing wrong with that, but they will change blends, die their wrappers, create ornate bands and try to create a buzz to "hook" a percentage of the market sector.  Cuba produces cigars in the manner they have for a hundred years or so.  Some kind of suck, while others are great.  A good CC is a great treat, a good NC is a decent cigar.  

Im not a CC snob, I'd prefer an Illusione over a Jose Peadra or Vegeros any day, so I know NC producers are capable of producing a great product, it's just so many of them get caught up chasing market share rather than producing a great product.  I'm looking at you Rocky Gurka!  

Anyway, my take is that remember, a cigar is a bunch of fermented leaves rolled up to burn and enjoy.  Cuba has some wonderful cigars, while the NCs can get caught up playing to a market sector.  Not all mind you, Illusione, Oliva, Padron and others I believe are true to the art of cigar making, just so many others loose sight of that.