A Sampler of Cubans

[Chef]

SO.....

I have decided to plunge into Cuban waters by moving forward with a purchase of a sampler pack from the forum's host's website.  I'm having an internal debate on whether to buy the corona/corona gorda, pyramide/belicosos, or the robusto sampler.  With non-cubans, I generally err on the side of the smaller ring gauges: coronas, lanceros, lonsdales.  However, the pyramide/beli size sampler includes cigars that even a newbie like me has heard of: Bolivar BF, Monte #2, and the Party P2.  In regards to the robustos, it seems like many Cuban cigars are accommodating a trend toward the slightly larger ring gauges in shorter packaging.  So maybe the cigars are now blended to optimize flavors in robustos?  I don't know.  What say you?

[FatPete]

Hi Chef,

Where to start your journey? If you’re anything like me you’ll be itching to try them all ? , but I think the robusto sampler is a good place to start. For me it gives the perfect smoking time for me to relax in, and the robusto sampler contains a good selection of classics like the Partagas D4 and the Hoyo No. 2, and my most smoked cigar the RASS. These 3 cigars have different profiles and a good intro into Cubans, in my opinion.

 

[aphexafx]

You're going to get a lot of opinions here.  Personally, I think a robusto sampler would be a good place to start.  They are large enough around to give a good profile of the various marcas and their various complexities.  They are also generally good performers.  There are a lot of classic robustos for a reason.  They are also priced well.

[garbandz]

" With non-cubans, I generally err on the side of the smaller ring gauges: coronas, lanceros, lonsdales.  "

 

follow your heart.

[Markspring1978]

If you get the “New to Cuban” sampler, you will get the best of all worlds. I have been smoking CCs for over a decade, but when I discovered this forum last fall, I picked up that sampler right away, as there was a fair bit there I hadn’t tried before, and what I was familiar with, I could smoke again. 

Enjoy the journey. 

[Phillys]

8 minutes ago, garbandz said:

" With non-cubans, I generally err on the side of the smaller ring gauges: coronas, lanceros, lonsdales.  "

 

follow your heart.

You can't go wrong with that!

[JohnS]

I concur that the Robusto sampler is not a bad place to start. However, I'd be inclined to get the different sampler packs at various points down that track if I was starting out again. That way, you can work out better what you like in regards to flavours and size formats.

[MikeinKS]

11 minutes ago, Markspring1978 said:

If you get the “New to Cuban” sampler, you will get the best of all worlds. I have been smoking CCs for over a decade, but when I discovered this forum last fall, I picked up that sampler right away, as there was a fair bit there I hadn’t tried before, and what I was familiar with, I could smoke again. 

Enjoy the journey. 

If you're new to cuban cigars, I really think this is the way to go.  Having the chance to try out the different flavors up front would seem more important than the size and length of time initially in my opinion.  It's how I started and I felt like Rob and his crew did a great job in assembling a great cross-section.  I developed a base of what I really like to build my collection and then sample with singles and extras that get offered.

[stogieluver]

I, too, enjoy the smaller ring gauge CC's.  Whatever you end up starting with, you can't go wrong because you need to try them all.  That's the fun part.

Bring your CC humidor down to low 60's rH before you get them, and rest them there for at least a couple of months before you smoke them.

[inter4alia]

I started with the new to Cuban sampler and thought it was a perfect entrance into the hobby. 

[dominattorney]

1 hour ago, Chef said:

SO.....

I have decided to plunge into Cuban waters by moving forward with a purchase of a sampler pack from the forum's host's website.  I'm having an internal debate on whether to buy the corona/corona gorda, pyramide/belicosos, or the robusto sampler.  With non-cubans, I generally err on the side of the smaller ring gauges: coronas, lanceros, lonsdales.  However, the pyramide/beli size sampler includes cigars that even a newbie like me has heard of: Bolivar BF, Monte #2, and the Party P2.  In regards to the robustos, it seems like many Cuban cigars are accommodating a trend toward the slightly larger ring gauges in shorter packaging.  So maybe the cigars are now blended to optimize flavors in robustos?  I don't know.  What say you?

You can't go wrong, and you'll probably try them all, but I think the corona/corona gorda or robusto sampler might be best.  Especially since you can get some good coronas or cgs for a lesser cost box-wise than you can the pyramides. 

[Hotboxx]

Buy cigars, smoke cigars, buy more cigars, smoke more cigars. There is no such thing as a mistake. 

[CaptainQuintero]

My 2 cents, if you like Corona sized then try out the Corona sized!

 Personally I find the the smaller rg Cubans, like Corona, lanceros, Dalia etc generally have a lot more intense flavours compared to their bigger cousins so this might also be a good way of finding what flavours you enjoy. You can always get the other sampler next time whichever you choose

[Burningman]

IMO start with what you know and branch out from there. Sub 50 RG cigars do it for me but it took a while to figure out. Most of what I have are between 35 and 42 RG. Smoke a variety and enjoy the ride!

[nKostyan]

It would not be bad to tell which NC you prefer, on the basis of this we can recommend not only the format, but also specific CC brands

[Chef]

Recently, I’ve been enjoying Warped, Illusione, Davidoff, Padron (partial to the natural F.R. 50 years), Fuente (Don Carlos and Anejo), etc.  There are so many.

I think I’m going to go ahead with the New to Cubans sampler, in hopes that it will include the more iconic vitolas with each offering, if there is such a thing. Maybe every size of every blend is good with Cuban cigars. But with non-Cubans, this is not so. 

[CaptainQuintero]

  You're pretty much going to enjoy a lot of them and be surprised along the way.    The best part of getting into the hobby is the journey as you work your way through the catalogue and find what you love, don't rush it just enjoy it as you can only smoke your first cigarX once etc

  Be sure to let us know how you get on, which were the villians and who were the hero's!

[SOFLO88]

I agree to go with the new to cubans sampler. I've found myself loving some cubans that are popular like everyone else and then completely disliking others that most ppl here claim is amazing. Try what you can, when you can and you'll be able to start to figure your own cuban palette.

[Chef]

Quick question to y’all.  I’ve noticed quite a few comments in various threads about the benefit, or even necessity, of aging Cubans.  Will I have to age the samples for months and months in order for them to offer good flavors, or will they be smokable right away?

[Colt45]

5 minutes ago, Chef said:

Quick question to y’all.  I’ve noticed quite a few comments in various threads about the benefit, or even necessity, of aging Cubans.  Will I have to age the samples for months and months in order for them to offer good flavors, or will they be smokable right away?

Personally, I'd give them time to acclimatize to your preferred smoking condition, then start to smoke them. It will help to give you an idea of what you might and might not like, and a general idea of Cuban cigars - you have to start somewhere. Good luck and have fun 

[MikeinKS]

4 minutes ago, Chef said:

Quick question to y’all.  I’ve noticed quite a few comments in various threads about the benefit, or even necessity, of aging Cubans.  Will I have to age the samples for months and months in order for them to offer good flavors, or will they be smokable right away?

You shouldn't have to let them age, but you should give them 30 days to rest.  While CC's with some age on them do seem to be noticeably better, you definitely can still get the intended flavor profile.  In my experience, however, there was a definite difference between smoking one right off the truck (ROTT) and waiting about 30 days.

[Chef]

On 2/7/2019 at 2:08 AM, Colt45 said:

Personally, I'd give them time to acclimatize to your preferred smoking condition, then start to smoke them. It will help to give you an idea of what you might and might not like, and a general idea of Cuban cigars you have to start somewhere. Good luck and have fun 

I definitely plan to acclimate them. I keep all my cigars in a couple of big, blacked out tupperdors.  I’ll most like keep the Cubans in a separate one, and at a slightly lower RH thank my NC cigars. 

I was more asking about actual time for aging. Hold for months and months or smoke right away?

 

On 2/7/2019 at 2:11 AM, MikeinKS said:

You shouldn't have to let them age, but you should give them 30 days to rest.  While CC's with some age on them do seem to be noticeably better, you definitely can still get the intended flavor profile.  In my experience, however, there was a definite difference between smoking one right off the truck (ROTT) and waiting about 30 days.

Roger that. 

[SOFLO88]

13 minutes ago, Chef said:

Quick question to y’all.  I’ve noticed quite a few comments in various threads about the benefit, or even necessity, of aging Cubans.  Will I have to age the samples for months and months in order for them to offer good flavors, or will they be smokable right away?

I think most of us on this forum who purchase from FOH give it at least about 30 days in the humidor to accilimate then smoke. Once you know what you like, youll decide to save a few from each box to age a year or more

[99call]

In terms of not spending a great deal of money, whilst also getting a good idea of how the brands should taste,  I think these cigars would provide a great cheap sampler

- Por Larranaga Monte Carlo

- Romeo Y Julieta Royales

- Ramon Allones Club Corona

- Monte 4

- Juan Lopez No 2

- JLP Cazadore

- Quintero Favorito

- Partagas Short

- LGC No 4

- Trinidad Reyes

- Bolivar Petit Coronas

- Cuaba Divino

- Le Hoyo De Monterrey Palmas Extra

- Upmann Half Corona

- San Cristobal El Principe

- El Rey del Mundo Demi Tasse

- Diplomaticos No 2

- Rafael Gonzalez Perlas

- Vegueros Tapados

- Quai D'Orsay 50 (Coronas Claro if you can get them)

- Saint Luis Rey Regios

- Sancho Panza Non plus

- Pack of Cohiba Shorts

[Colt45]

52 minutes ago, Chef said:

 I was more asking about actual time for aging. Hold for months and months or smoke right away?

Again, me personally, I'd start to sample after acclimatization. Typically, when we discuss aging, it's in years and not months. A sampler will give you a general idea of cigars you might want to investigate further. At some point you'll end up with enough cigars, and be able to leave some to "age" and see what the differences might be.

It is a bit of a journey....