Flavor Profiles

[Kferguson]

Hello all,

Mostly due to my curious nature I wanted to pose a question to my FOH brethren. I just finished smoking a La Imperiosa from Crowned Heads, and was contemplating flavor profiles. Personally as an American that has probably gotten far less experience enjoying the best that Cuba has to offer as some of the members here I have had a bit of a conundrum. I really love Cuban cigars, and I also really enjoy NC and other cousins, but what is it that sets them apart flavor wise? I  curious as to what you guys think that is. Thank you all, and interested to hear your opinions.

[Danimalia]

Good question. I love and smoke cigars from all over...

To my tastes, Cubans have a sweet, tangy, woody creaminess that is a bit unique. They’re very often wonderfully rich. 

Nicaraguan cigars are probably most distinguishable by their Earthiness and spice. They can also be sweet, but it’s usually a darker, almost brown sugar type of sweet.

For me, it’s hard to find specific flavor profiles that I associate with Honduras and the Dominican Republic. The best Hondurans have a smooth, earthy flavor most similar to Cuban Partagas. It’s savory, and can be full bodied and full flavor, but they generally lack the sweetness and pepper spice from Cubans and Nicaraguans. Dominican tobacco is often very smooth. While there are strong, Dominican tobaccos and cigars, I can’t think of a common sort of taste. The two most recent Dominican puros I’ve had (there aren’t a lot of them) are the Opus X and the Aging Room M356ii. Both excellent cigars, but they’re completely different experiences.

[CrankYanker]

So I tried some NCs before Cubans. Lots of pepper and didn't like too much of them. I find that Cubans are way more milder than what are produced from other areas around the world. They do have more of a sweeter taste. I am a big fan of Nicaragua tobacco. I just let people know I'm not a big pepper fan so don't give me something with a lot of that in it. I find Dominicans don't have as good tobacco and they are pretty one dimensional.  

[Kferguson]

@Danimalia @CrankYanker very insightful input gentleman. I find Cuban tobacco to have that wonderful creamy sweetness and more dessert flavors present most of the time. If tobacco were food NC would be a nice beefy steak with a peppery crust, and Cuban would be a nice Cuban Coffee. As a cigar nut here in the states i find quite a lot of people with a pretty distasteful attitude toward Cuban cigars. I think it ends up being that people are just salty and need something to whine about. That being said for someone that prefers Cuban tobacco you're almost a bit of a pariah (at least in my experience). 

[CrankYanker]

I think a lot of regular NC smokers like full bodied cigars which they can't really get much of that in the Cuban market. 

[Danimalia]

1 hour ago, Kferguson said:

@Danimalia @CrankYanker very insightful input gentleman. I find Cuban tobacco to have that wonderful creamy sweetness and more dessert flavors present most of the time. If tobacco were food NC would be a nice beefy steak with a peppery crust, and Cuban would be a nice Cuban Coffee. As a cigar nut here in the states i find quite a lot of people with a pretty distasteful attitude toward Cuban cigars. I think it ends up being that people are just salty and need something to whine about. That being said for someone that prefers Cuban tobacco you're almost a bit of a pariah (at least in my experience). 

Well, American cigar interests have a strong motive to slag Cuban cigars. Some American smokers are happy to go along with this because it keeps them from feeling like they’re missing out. I do the same thing. Dungeness crab is superior to lobster. Is it, really? Or am I just saying that (and believing it) because crab is readily available and lobster is harder to find and more expensive where I live.

 Of course, those same cigar makers and retailers still describe NCs as “Cubanesque” and rip off names and violas to trade on the reputation of Cuban cigars while they simultaneously try to run down that reputation. I suspect Cuban cigars and tobaccos will magically become wonderful again once they can start making money off of them again., as I saw someone post here not too long ago.

Likewise, it’s in Cuba’s best interest to cast all other cigars as pale imitations. If that was ever true, it’s not true anymore.

Ultimately, despite the societal pressure to discourage smoking with bans and taxes, I still feel like this is a glorious time to be a cigar smoker. There is an incredible variety of high quality choices available.

just my own 2 cents

 

 

[SOFLO88]

@Danimalia I agree with you 110% on this. It seems you have quite a few American enthusiasts out there who downplay anything Cuban because it’s not readily available. Most cigar shops will do the same when you mention it. I love Dominican cigars and some NC’s but I’m more of a mild-medium guy and Cubans fit my palette just right. Most of these enthusiasts will say “oh why do you want that? It all taste like grass and hay”... Yeah some do, however others are more complex than that and I enjoy it just as much as any other NC or Dominican or Costa Rican cigar. And I definitely feel pressured at certain smoke shops I frequent that they discourage Cubans in general. They aren’t losing a sale from me either way because I buy from B&M stores weekly regardless. It’s just sad that they are closed minded to even the conversation.

[Colt45]

Speaking very generally, painting with a broad brush - my initial thought is that Cuban cigars are more symphonic in nature, while cigars from other regions tend to be more monolithic. That said, I've smoked a number of very complex cigars from regions outside of Cuba, and some Havanas which tasted like a wet ashtray smells. In my mind, there is no question that NC producers can make consistently flavorful cigars if they choose to do so (and I'm sure many already do).

For me anymore, the comparisons and sparring which often accompany the topic are futile.

 

[Kferguson]

@Colt45 beautifully put sir. 

[DWC]

8 hours ago, Danimalia said:

    ....Dungeness crab is superior to lobster. Is it, really? Or am I just saying that (and believing it) because crab is readily available and lobster is harder to find and more expensive where I live.....

  

     Dungeness crab IS superior to lobster...   and this is coming from a life long New Englander.

          

[JohnS]

On 12/2/2017 at 12:10 AM, CrankYanker said:

So I tried some NCs before Cubans. Lots of pepper and didn't like too much of them. I find that Cubans are way more milder than what are produced from other areas around the world. They do have more of a sweeter taste. I am a big fan of Nicaragua tobacco. I just let people know I'm not a big pepper fan so don't give me something with a lot of that in it. I find Dominicans don't have as good tobacco and they are pretty one dimensional.  

Well said! Even though it's a generalisation, Habanos cigars tend to be milder.

On 12/2/2017 at 12:46 AM, CrankYanker said:

I think a lot of regular NC smokers like full bodied cigars which they can't really get much of that in the Cuban market. 

I was having this very same conversation this week with a few friends this week. Again, it's a generalisation that is more true than not.

The other factor to consider is the tobacco plant, soil and environment of Cuba. Cuban soil is higher in minerals, especially iron, and because of this the pH factor is lower in Cuban Cigars, which leads to a longer aftertaste. This fuller smoke as opposed to a drier smoke, per se, is what for me, makes a critical difference. Also consider the fact that it's just certain regions in Cuba that are used for growing tobacco crops, mainly in the western part of the island. If you take the tobacco seeds used in Cuban Cigars and plant them elsewhere (Nicaragua, The Dominican Republic etc.) you won't get the same product.

[Danimalia]

8 hours ago, SOFLO88 said:

@Danimalia I agree with you 110% on this. It seems you have quite a few American enthusiasts out there who downplay anything Cuban because it’s not readily available. Most cigar shops will do the same when you mention it. I love Dominican cigars and some NC’s but I’m more of a mild-medium guy and Cubans fit my palette just right. Most of these enthusiasts will say “oh why do you want that? It all taste like grass and hay”... Yeah some do, however others are more complex than that and I enjoy it just as much as any other NC or Dominican or Costa Rican cigar. And I definitely feel pressured at certain smoke shops I frequent that they discourage Cubans in general. They aren’t losing a sale from me either way because I buy from B&M stores weekly regardless. It’s just sad that they are closed minded to even the conversation.

Of course some people don't know any better. The person who says they just taste like grass and hay has maybe never had a decent Cuban cigar. If they haven't been a tool about it, maybe they'd be surprised and change their mind if they had a chance to try a high quality Cuban. I know my first couple of experiences with Cuban cigars were underwhelming. Of course, if they have a closed mind, there's no point.

 

 

[canadianbeaver]

Good day and may compare this topic to a collection to our wall of bourbon, Scotch, Irish whiskey and rum?

Depending on the mood, the price, the year and the brand, the drink, no matter where it is from, could rock my world.

Same with cigar I think, we just happen to only collect Cubans now.

Cheers brother!

CB

[dicko]

To my tastes, Cubans have a sweet, tangy, woody creaminess that is a bit unique. They’re very often wonderfully rich. 
Nicaraguan cigars are probably most distinguishable by their Earthiness and spice. They can also be sweet, but it’s usually a darker, almost brown sugar type of sweet.

Really good comparison between cuban and nicuraguan flavours couldn't have said it better myself.

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[Kitchen]

Great conversation.  I found this (attached) a little while back on overall flavor profiles and I think will add to the conversation. 

Personally, I agree with much of what is said, and prefer NC and Cuban cigars that are fuller in body but not too much pepper.  So for Cubans, I primarily like the Bolivars and RAs. 

Insofar as Americans prefering stronger spicier NC cigars, I think much of this could be racked up the overall taste preferences in the country.  If you look at beer, much of what is produced here are spicy and full bodied IPAs, similar to the NC cigars.  Although great and a beer I enjoy, I find many people put their noses up to other kinds of beer, especially if they are low in hops.  For instance, my brother considers himself a beer snob, but looks down at Belgian beers since they tend to be malty and not hoppy.  However, Belgian beers are probably the most complex beers in the world.  Although I can get him to taste a Belgian from time to time, he will not invest enough to learn them. 

Getting people out of their comfort zones long enough for their palates to develop I think is the hard part. 

[Fatshotbud]

[mention=296]Colt45[/mention] beautifully put sir. 

Yeah, he is like that.
I smoke both CC&NC from all regions.
There is pros on both sides flavor-wise.
Consider me a mood smoker who feels there is a perfect time and/or occasion for each type....



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[Kferguson]

that 

13 minutes ago, Fatshotbud said:

Yeah, he is like that.
I smoke both CC&NC from all regions.
There is pros on both sides flavor-wise.
Consider me a mood smoker who feels there is a perfect time and/or occasion for each type....




 

Couldn't agree more. I've had two NC's this week, both the same stick. My first felt like I had been pepper sprayed (mostly due to a lack of dry boxing on my part) and the second has been just beautiful. When the mood strikes it's just nice to have something to scratch that itch.