Cuban Cigars vs. New World

[Exotic Pallet]

Fellow Aficionados, 

As I look into my humidor I see some great New World selections such as Opus X, Davidoff, Padron, etc. I also see the newest pickups of Cuban Cigars; Cohiba, RyJ, Monte, which I’ve yet to ever smoke (first CC and they are acclimating).

One shelf was purchased state side, and the other abroad. I presume most members here favor Cuban Cigars, but why? What makes them better than New World? The exclusivity? The taste? Are they even better? What do I have to look forward to? What’s all the hype about?

[yuppie]

4 hours ago, Exotic Pallet said:

Fellow Aficionados, 

As I look into my humidor I see some great New World selections such as Opus X, Davidoff, Padron, etc. I also see the newest pickups of Cuban Cigars; Cohiba, RyJ, Monte, which I’ve yet to ever smoke (first CC and they are acclimating).

One shelf was purchased state side, and the other abroad. I presume most members here favor Cuban Cigars, but why? What makes them better than New World? The exclusivity? The taste? Are they even better? What do I have to look forward to? What’s all the hype about?

To me, CCs have far less spice, that ever-so-lovely "twang" and more subtle, complex flavors.

I started with NWs, but often found myself tossing them due to too much earth, too much spice or just too strong of a smoke to enjoy. I initially gravitated toward Connecticuts in order to keep things more on the mild side, but when I tried a few different Cubans, I was just hooked and left my NWs behind.

Another interesting point is vitolas. In the NW catalogue, there never seems to be anything resembling the petit corona size, no shorts, some lanceros but not too many. I tend to enjoy short smokes and smaller ring gauges.

The NWs you have listed are excellent. I still am very fond of Warped Saunter, La Colmena, Isla del Cocodrilo, some Ezra Zion, Opus, Davidoff, Arturo Fuente, etc.

But, I'm constantly trading or selling these NWs off to make more room for Cubans.

[Exotic Pallet]

4 hours ago, yuppie said:

To me, CCs have far less spice, that ever-so-lovely "twang" and more subtle, complex flavors.

I started with NWs, but often found myself tossing them due to too much earth, too much spice or just too strong of a smoke to enjoy. I initially gravitated toward Connecticuts in order to keep things more on the mild side, but when I tried a few different Cubans, I was just hooked and left my NWs behind.

Another interesting point is vitolas. In the NW catalogue, there never seems to be anything resembling the petit corona size, no shorts, some lanceros but not too many. I tend to enjoy short smokes and smaller ring gauges.

The NWs you have listed are excellent. I still am very fond of Warped Saunter, La Colmena, Isla del Cocodrilo, some Ezra Zion, Opus, Davidoff, Arturo Fuente, etc.

But, I'm constantly trading or selling these NWs off to make more room for Cubans. 

Very good take! I actually love the shorter smokes as well and the CC vitolas peeked my interest as well. Thank you for the response! 

[JohnS]

5 hours ago, Exotic Pallet said:

I presume most members here favor Cuban Cigars, but why? What makes them better than New World? The exclusivity? The taste? Are they even better? What do I have to look forward to? What’s all the hype about?

What sets Cuban cigars apart is the leaf and specifically, the terroir. There's simply no place in the world to grow tobacco leaf like the Pinar de Rio region on the west coast of Cuba. I believe it's a combination of the volcanic ash in the soil, together with the coastal winds and the climate which combines to give tobacco grown in this area an acidity which is unique. You can take the seeds put into these regions and grow them elsewhere, but you will get different results.

Ex-Cuban patriots who were forced to leave due to the Cuban Revolution and forged their own mark in New World brands such as Padron, Arturo Fuente and E.P. Carillo (N.B. Ernesto Perez-Carillo himself was born in the Pinar del Rio region and learnt to make cigars from his father) would not hesitate for even a second to use Cuban-grown tobacco in their products if they could, in my view.

You can actually find some very useful information on this topic on Habanos S.A.'s website. The link is below...

https://www.habanos.com/en/tobacco-paradise/

[Mike Mecklenburg]

I smoked NW for over 30 years and my palate says, no more. In 2018 I went all CC, and it's because of that I am able to pull flavors that appeal to me, which are generally lighter in strength, but fuller in flavors. There is a light sweetness/twang that I get in a CC that I don't get in NW. I have aged NW and it will generally calm the strength down and smooth the flavors almost into a one flavor cigar.  You age a CC and your sometimes gaining different flavors. You ever read the "Connoisseur's Corner" in CO?

[gormag38]

Obviously most of us on this site are going to be biased. But much of what makes CC the 'best' cigars on the planet was summed up quite nicely by JohnS above. For me, it's the hallmark 'twang' or 'acidity' that sets them apart. When dry you can smell a box of NW vs CC and instantly know whether or not you've got Cuban tobacco, there's that 'barnyard' smell that you can get with CC that frankly I've never experienced in NW cigars. 

On another note, the portfolio size is SOOOO much more approachable in CC as well. The NWs often have lines within a line and then LEs of each vitola in those lines. Frankly it can make my head spin. With habanos I feel like I can 'get to know' a marca/vitola; Partagas alphabet series I expect this, Siglo series that, Classica Linea this....etc. (I'd also like to add that I think this is an area where the nudie/MOFOH has done a great job. Right in line with their 'no boxes, no bands, no bullshit' slogan.)

[my happy place]

2 hours ago, Mike Mecklenburg said:

are generally lighter in strength, but fuller in flavors. There is a light sweetness that I get in a CC that I don't get in NW. I have aged NW and it will generally calm the strength down and smooth the flavors almost into a one flavor cigar.  You age a CC and your sometimes gaining different flavors.

This is exactly how I think about CC vs NW. Which is why I love full bodied CC's. Full body NW's are way too peppery and earthy.

[Puros Y Vino]

Back in 2009 I started smoking cigars and the first ones I dove into were NW. There were some good ones and some absolutely abysmal ones (Partagas Black Label). In my travels, I'd grab Cuban Petacas from Duty free shops and really started to notice a difference in flavour profile and range. NW were somewhat monotone whereas CC's constantly evolved from foot to head. I made some local friends who were mostly into CC's and learned a lot and tried a lot more. Trips to Havana in the early days also allowed me to stock up and try something new everyday since you can smoke anywhere. To me the NW arena is too vast and I think littered with midrange tobacco in most Marcas and lines. The good stuff is saved for the best. limited releases OFC. And that is no different from what Habano is up to. But to my palate, I can light up a cheap Quintero and get more out of it than any Fuente, RP, Davidoff etc. With that said, there have been some absolutely great NW's I've smoked. LFD Mysterios (gorgeous rolls, great flavour range). Padron 50th Natural & Maduro (closest to CC I've experienced in the NW). Worth the price. Davidoff Geneve 100 (A BHK54 sized cigar to celebrate the Marca's 100th anniversary. It's in my top 10 cigars smoked, ever). 

[Montezüma]

I always keep a stack of NWs mainly as palate cleanser, Nica puros go especially well with afternoon coffee and actually so do the Nudies.

[Exotic Pallet]

11 hours ago, JohnS said:

What sets Cuban cigars apart is the leaf and specifically, the terroir. There's simply no place in the world to grow tobacco leaf like the Pinar de Rio region on the west coast of Cuba. I believe it's a combination of the volcanic ash in the soil, together with the coastal winds and the climate which combines to give tobacco grown in this area an acidity which is unique. You can take the seeds put into these regions and grow them elsewhere, but you will get different results.

Ex-Cuban patriots who were forced to leave due to the Cuban Revolution and forged their own mark in New World brands such as Padron, Arturo Fuente and E.P. Carillo (N.B. Ernesto Perez-Carillo himself was born in the Pinar del Rio region and learnt to make cigars from his father) would not hesitate for even a second to use Cuban-grown tobacco in their products if they could, in my view.

You can actually find some very useful information on this topic on Habanos S.A.'s website. The link is below...

https://www.habanos.com/en/tobacco-paradise/

JohnS,

Thank you for the such a detailed response! I actually love everything about cigars from taste to history! I will definitely check that link out. I’m extremely excited to lit one up soon. 

8 hours ago, Mike Mecklenburg said:

I smoked NW for over 30 years and my palate says, no more. In 2018 I went all CC, and it's because of that I am able to pull flavors that appeal to me, which are generally lighter in strength, but fuller in flavors. There is a light sweetness that I get in a CC that I don't get in NW. I have aged NW and it will generally calm the strength down and smooth the flavors almost into a one flavor cigar.  You age a CC and your sometimes gaining different flavors. You ever read the "Connoisseur's Corner" in CO?

That makes sense, I’ve had aged NW that with profiles often blended. Lately my pallet has enjoyed more milder vitolas, so I am looking forward to the journey! 

6 hours ago, gormag38 said:

Obviously most of us on this site are going to be biased. But much of what makes CC the 'best' cigars on the planet was summed up quite nicely by JohnS above. For me, it's the hallmark 'twang' or 'acidity' that sets them apart. When dry you can smell a box of NW vs CC and instantly know whether or not you've got Cuban tobacco, there's that 'barnyard' smell that you can get with CC that frankly I've never experienced in NW cigars. 

On another note, the portfolio size is SOOOO much more approachable in CC as well. The NWs often have lines within a line and then LEs of each vitola in those lines. Frankly it can make my head spin. With habanos I feel like I can 'get to know' a marca/vitola; Partagas alphabet series I expect this, Siglo series that, Classica Linea this....etc. (I'd also like to add that I think this is an area where the nudie/MOFOH has done a great job. Right in line with their 'no boxes, no bands, no bullshit' slogan)

I keep hearing about the “twang”, and yes the vitals are much more appealing and approachable for myself! 

Are these MOFOH sticks CC? What are the profiles? I’m very intrigued. 

[my happy place]

4 hours ago, Exotic Pallet said:

Are these MOFOH sticks CC? What are the profiles? I’m very intrigued. 

They're all NW tobacco and ship from Florida. 

Check out these threads to start: 

https://www.fohcigars.com/forum/forum/116-puro-desnudo-mofoh-cigars/ 

https://www.fohcigars.com/forum/topic/163283-fabrica-5-opinions/

A lot has been discussed.

 

[Ford2112]

They are 2 different animals, they cannot be compared. Cuban tobacco has this funky barnyard and when you get that " twang" it is unforgettable. I have smoked outstanding New World cigars as well. And I love them. Padron, Oliva,and the Fabrica 5 cigars will always be in the rotation. The absolute best cigars I have ever smoked however, are Cuban. I will never forget the first "real" Cuban I ever had, a Montecristo in the 90s. I have been hooked ever since. 

[Redgoldband]

3 hours ago, Montezüma said:

I always keep a stack of NWs mainly as palate cleanser, Nica puros go especially well with afternoon coffee and actually so do the Nudies.

This is an interesting approach. I might try this. What NWs do you keep on deck for this?

[Montezüma]

23 hours ago, Redgoldband said:

This is an interesting approach. I might try this. What NWs do you keep on deck for this?

Padron 6000 and Davidoff Signature 2000.

Sometimes Oliva Series V Lancero but lately I have found them to be a bit harsh, a Nudie Queen Corona would actually be the better choice.

[El Niño]

Shortly said, they taste quite different!

Fabrica5 & Aladino are the only New World brands that have Cuban notes that I've found. If you fall in love with the Cuban profile, those can stand in. Standouts for me from each are the Desnudo N1 Lancero & the Aladino Classic Robusto.

[Redgoldband]

For me, it's the "twang", the nuances, and subtle, complex flavors. They're pleasurable in a way that I don't find with NWs. I also appreciate the mouthfeel: they don't leave my palate tasting like an ashtray when I'm done.  

[Fugu]

So “New World” is the new vogue word when we actually mean non-Cuban...🙄😂

[ha_banos]

4 hours ago, Fugu said:

So “New World” is the new vogue word when we actually mean non-Cuban...🙄😂

I was at an event a while back where Ricardo Carioni was there representing Aging Room. Taking about Nicaragua, national pride, the industry there, the cigars etc. He said we prefer New World, no one wants to be known as non-anything! Lol.

 

[Fugu]

Haha, sure, it’s nothing but a clever NC-marketing move. Who would want to be a non-abee 😂. But let’s face it, that is it what sets them jointly apart - from Cuba. 😅

As a consumer I am in the lucky position to be free to choose not to adopt it. Like I am free to not wave my cigar in circles upon lighting.

“New World” is totally non-sensical in this context (said it before I guess).

[ha_banos]

2 hours ago, Fugu said:

Haha, sure, it’s nothing but a clever NC-marketing move. Who would want to be a non-abee 😂. But let’s face it, that is it what sets them jointly apart - from Cuba. 😅

As a consumer I am in the lucky position to be free to choose not to adopt it. Like I am free to not wave my cigar in circles upon lighting.

“New World” is totally non-sensical in this context (said it before I guess).

To be fair there are New World wines. But antipodean? Americas? Eastern Europe? 

New World cigars, African? Chinese? Other Americas? We're not quite there yet...

[Fugu]

 

2 hours ago, ha_banos said:

To be fair there are New World wines.

Exactly, and that for a reason. “New World” in cigars however is non-sensical, in the historical meaning as well as in any possible factual meaning (like e.g. Cuban expatriates finding a new home, tobacco plant finding new grounds like in wine, etc). So the question may be allowed, “New World” as to what or for whom?!

[joeypots]

I don't know how to describe it but one one gets a taste for Cuban cigars all others are second. Cuban cigars are finicky, age and RH play a huge role in the smoking experience, and it can be difficult for a novice to get one that lights the bulb. 

[Li Bai]

1 hour ago, Fugu said:

Haha, sure, it’s nothing but a clever NC-marketing move. Who would want to be a non-abee 😂.

Yeah exactly 👌

[El Niño]

3 hours ago, Fugu said:

Haha, sure, it’s nothing but a clever NC-marketing move. Who would want to be a non-abee 😂. But let’s face it, that is it what sets them jointly apart - from Cuba. 😅

As a consumer I am in the lucky position to be free to choose not to adopt it. Like I am free to not wave my cigar in circles upon lighting.

“New World” is totally non-sensical in this context (said it before I guess).

It doesn't make literal sense whatsoever, but it makes sense as a carryover from the wine world (as our dear ha_banos noted).

I think the 100-point scale is a worse carryover, but it works well enough, so it won't change. Look at how words are spelled in the English language for a much worse example of historical carryovers trumping sense.

AND I LIKE TO WAVE MY CIGAR AROUND WHEN I LIGHT IT SO SUE ME 😂

[Hoosh]

11 hours ago, joeypots said:

I don't know how to describe it but one one gets a taste for Cuban cigars all others are second.

I’d posit that for *you*, and perhaps others here, but certainly not *all*, CC certainly don’t make all others second. “Cuban cigar forum,” blah, blah, blah aside, there are great cigars coming from places other than Cuba and to not recognize this is to limit oneself immensely. Twenty-five years ago, I did all I could to only smoke CC.After a while, I realized that for me, given all the cigars out there, CC *weren’t* more than an occasional “different” enjoyment. The enjoyment comes for the things around smoking a cigar, the experience; the actual cigar is but a mere part. 

Speaking of “non-sensical,” it is equivalent to saying Arabica bean coffee makes all other beans secondary when Robusta beans are equally good with a good roaster AND they factually provide additional benefits above Arabica. 🤷