Cuaba recommendation

[unclepauly25]

I was wondering if there are any Cuaba sizes that are smoking good right now? I was gifted one around Christmas and I really enjoyed it! I believe by the size it was a divinos. I’m not sure what year or box code. I heard you don’t want to buy them blind because of construction issues, thanks! 

[NSXCIGAR]

Not many Cuaba fans here, but I've always had decent luck with them. I was a big Generosos fan around 2000.

The Divinos are universally recognized as the best model by far. The Distinguidos would be second. Both are pretty reliable. Salomon when you can get them usually deliver as well.

I have no idea how the Tradicionales or Exclusivos are smoking. I've tried to get some opinions over the last 3 years and I find either no opinions or negative opinions. I've been open to grabbing a box but they get such poor reception I'd like at least a few opinions before buying. 

 

[BrightonCorgi]

I love Cuaba cigars.  I haven't had all of them, but am a big fan of Distinguidos and Salomones.  Real class blend and suits the vitola just perfect.  I am not so into the smaller ones.  The Diadema is fun, but I wouldn't go crazy or pay too much to try one.

[CaptainQuintero]

They're certainly a Marmite brand, but the Distinguidos are stunning even if you don't like the rest. Super rich, peanut, coffee bombs.

 

The 08 piramides ELs are amazing if you come across them too.

[99call]

1 hour ago, CaptainQuintero said:

Distinguidos are stunning even if you don't like the rest. Super rich, peanut, coffee bombs

This

I find the Distinguidos to be very classy unctuous cigars.  Far from just a 'change of pace' novelty cigar.  I really look forward to them, and think they deserve respect as high quality, well blended cigars

[JohnS]

11 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

The Divinos are universally recognized as the best model by far. The Distinguidos would be second. Both are pretty reliable. Salomon when you can get them usually deliver as well.

This echoes my feelings. On FoH, the Divinos and Distinguidos have the most support or recognition and come up most often on 24:24 listings. The Cuaba Salomon is a huge cigar (57 ring gauge x 184 mm or 7¼ inches) and will sell out the quickest when it's listed, which isn't often. (The same came be said for the Partagas Salomones too.)

[NSXCIGAR]

I'm still looking for any feedback on Tradicionales or Exclusivos. Has anyone smoked these in the last 3 years? 

[Ken Gargett]

i would fall firmly in the 'not a fan' camp. 

[Queens88]

I find that the Divinos is more flavoursome than the Tradicionales. They are the only ones that I have tried.

[mprach024]

Of the very few I’ve tried I’ve not been impressed on any occasion.  That being said I’ve only tried a few (all from different boxes) and this is not a big enough sample size to be an informed witness with any CC.

[NSXCIGAR]

I'm happy to report my box of RAT MAR 20 Exclusivos are smoking quite well. Pretty much a mini-Distinguidos. And they are mini--it's been so long since I've had any I forgot how small they are! Hard to believe this was the largest model in the lineup on release. A reminder of what HSA perceived size preferences as in 1996-97.

I'd give them a 91-92. Definitely not as well-rounded as a Distinguidos but high quality, flavorful and consistent. For their size, they're definitely not the best value. I would put these in the Petit Corona class and should be around $6-7 each, not $8-9 each which is where they're normally priced. 

[Hollywood Ninja]

I had an Exclusivo this evening which I thoroughly enjoyed (May 20) until I remembered how much they are. But I suppose if one has money to burn...

Mine smoked perfectly well, great construction, minimal transitions, felt shorter than the listed size due to its format.


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[Edicion]

Divinos are smoking really well young, good size for a breakfast smoke.

Really unique flavor and feel to them. 

[joeypots]

I'm smoking through a box of '15 Salomons. The first few I smoked were not to my taste but as time has passed they have come around. Sound familiar? They are mild but pretty good now.

[KCCubano]

I recently smoked a Divino single that was excellent. Nice change of pace cigar with unique flavors. 

[rcarlson]

On 3/15/2021 at 2:20 PM, CaptainQuintero said:

The 08 piramides ELs are amazing if you come across them too.

Recently had one.  Not ordinarily a Cuaba fan, but I can attest that it really was amazingly good.   

[CaptainQuintero]

39 minutes ago, rcarlson said:

Recently had one.  Not ordinarily a Cuaba fan, but I can attest that it really was amazingly good.   

  I'm a bit disappointed the blend wasn't used again in all these years. A butifarra Cuaba regular production with that blend would have been incredible

[cigcars]

    *I can't say I've  had a Cuaba I didn't like  

[NSXCIGAR]

3 hours ago, CaptainQuintero said:

I'm a bit disappointed the blend wasn't used again in all these years.

It's an EL, so that tobacco wouldn't be used in any regular production cigar. EL blends are pretty much one-offs. 

FWIW, I did not like the Cuaba Piramides at all on release in 08-09 and I would have to say that was also the consensus. They seem to have changed to mostly positive reviews over the last 5 years. Seems like they came around which seems to be a common occurrence with ELs after 5-7 years. 

13 hours ago, Hollywood Ninja said:

I had an Exclusivo this evening which I thoroughly enjoyed (May 20) until I remembered how much they are. But I suppose if one has money to burn...

Well, they're not that bad--maybe 10-15% more than they should be. IMO, the entire brand is overpriced. It's not exactly a high-demand marca. Positioning is as a premium brand with pricing is a mistake. Distinguidos have really jumped in price the last 2 years for some reason. At $11, I was buying. At $14-15, no thanks. 

[Ginseng]

I'm afraid I can't help here. I've smoked a box of a couple of vitolas and never found them to be very satisfying. All wood. Even the Divinos.

[Edicion]

10 hours ago, Ginseng said:

I'm afraid I can't help here. I've smoked a box of a couple of vitolas and never found them to be very satisfying. All wood. Even the Divinos.

Earthy wood, hint of dark cardboard box. In a good way.