Beneath the Band: Cuaba Divinos

[El Presidente]

This series to explore whether a particular cigar is humidor worthy. Cost these days is an issue for many so let's see if we can highlight some absolute standouts. This should particularly assist those new to the cigar world.  

To be fair, most of the cigars we have featured to date have scored exceptionally well. Surprisingly well! 

Scoring is: 1-3 (Poor)   4-6 (Average to good)   7-10  (very good to excellent)  Use the Poll. 

You are more than free to comment away 

Ahhhh Cuaba.  

I have a soft spot for the line largely becasue the Cuaba Distinguidos 52 × 162 mm (6⅜″) is one of my favourite cigars in the Habanos lineup. The Cuaba Salomon is very good but the Cuaba Distinguidos for me is the pinnacle of the line. That cigar screams peanuts coffee and cream. I am a sucker for a cigar that consistently delivers that peanut goodness. Now the Cuaba Divino is the short man of the lineup at 43 × 101 mm (4″). This Petit Perfecto when on song is glorious and also delivers that "peanut" hit. Outside of the Distinguidos it is the only Cuaba I keep on the periphery of my personal rotation. The only downside I have found is some QC construction issues. Still, a great box is a treat and the size lends itself to many occasions when you are seeking richness in a small format cigar. 

Cuban Divinos. Have your say! 

 

 

[Li Bai]

To be fair I haven't smoked one in years but I had so much construction problems with those that I was left traumatised.

If I could I'd have them discontinued, there are so many good short smokes in HSA's portfolio but to me this isn't one of them.

[Arabian]

I love the format and the blend, great coffee companion. However, they have a reputation of poor construction (Pisa tower kind of smoking experience). I still purchase them and keep them in the humidor.

[griller]

8 hours ago, Li Bai said:

To be fair I haven't smoked one in years but I had so much construction problems with those that I was left traumatised.

If I could I'd have them discontinued, there are so many good short smokes in HSA's portfolio but to me this isn't one of them.

This is me as well. Really wanted to like them, especially the Tradicionales size. Bought a box way back (maybe a year or two after the original Cuaba release) and literally every one had burn issues. Figured oh well, just back luck, and tried the Exclusivos size a couple of years later. Same experience... bad burns, inconsistent tobacco maturity, etc. 

I find it very odd that this exclusively figurado lineup has remained intact yet others (like Bolivar, SLR, and ERdM) that don't require the added construction complexity have been decimated. Drop Cuaba to a Limited Edition/Regional Offering and give me back the SLR Serie A, ERdM Lonsdale, and Bolivar Coronas Extra, Diplomaticos #4, etc.

[Fugu]

7 hours ago, Arabian said:

I still purchase them and keep them in the humidor.

Same here. Despite their little shortcomings. Rob has sketched the picture perfectly for me, as well.

I quite do like them. An interesting, hearty little smoke with a unique profile. Full depth of flavour and can be pretty strong, too. If construction is on point, it can be a real treat, a tasty little morsel. Current production appears to be good and mostly well-made (I think, newest I am smoking from is ’23; would have to look it up). I don’t care much about the figurado shape per se. Though in particular in this smallish format it helps to foster evolution and to concentrate the experience even further to culminate in some focal point towards the very end (if rolled/filled well, it’ll last me the best part of an hour). In my experience - and I don’t hesitate doing it - it may help with the burn to clip a bit of the foot for a head start and to give that little bugger a decent toasting for a more even burn line. But can be an issue still, that’s true. If you can't handle or aren't willing to accept that ... not for you! Together with the Distinguidos (and the Salomon if can be found…) the Cuaba most worthwhile smoking for me.

[JohnS]

My experience with Cuaba mirrors a number of our members' ones here. I have enjoyed the Cuaba Distinguidos and Salomon of late; as well as the Cuaba APAC Regional Edition, but have not gone back to the Cuaba Divinos in years. I don't know, maybe the Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story 'fits the bill' perfectly when I want a short, reliable perfecto cigar?

[Lucas Buck]

Only had a small sample size from my one box - not enough to vote in the poll. Love the Salomones but that’s the only Cuaba I smoke much. Not sure why as I love perfectos. Maybe just a tad too mild for my taste. 

[Arabian]

22 hours ago, Fugu said:

Same here. Despite their little shortcomings. Rob has sketched the picture perfectly for me, as well.

I quite do like them. An interesting, hearty little smoke with a unique profile. Full depth of flavour and can be pretty strong, too. If construction is on point, it can be a real treat, a tasty little morsel. Current production appears to be good and mostly well-made (I think, newest I am smoking from is ’23; would have to look it up). I don’t care much about the figurado shape per se. Though in particular in this smallish format it helps to foster evolution and to concentrate the experience even further to culminate in some focal point towards the very end (if rolled/filled well, it’ll last me the best part of an hour). In my experience - and I don’t hesitate doing it - it may help with the burn to clip a bit of the foot for a head start and to give that little bugger a decent toasting for a more even burn line. But can be an issue still, that’s true. If you can't handle or aren't willing to accept that ... not for you! Together with the Distinguidos (and the Salomon if can be found…) the Cuaba most worthwhile smoking for me.

I completely agree!. I had a miserable experience with the Exclusivos but the Divinos saved the Cuaba line. The construction/ burning issue is very manageable, they aren't too short also not too long yet once you start smoking you wish it will last for a long time. their sweet spot is when it slowly gets to the fatty part in the middle, delicious spice bomb. Also worth to mention, I always find them to have the perfect color wrapper. Oily little chocolate sticks.

As much as i bash Habanos, they do indeed have some outstanding jewels such as the Divinos, LCDH San Cristobal El Prado and  Quai d'Orsay Coronas Claro. I remember they were reasonably priced as well. 

[Mike Mecklenburg]

Very limited experience but the ones I smoked had good age (4+) on them. I just did not like the flavors and the burn/combustion was bad. Not a fan.

[gormag38]

17 hours ago, JohnS said:

I don't know, maybe the Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story 'fits the bill' perfectly when I want a short, reliable perfecto cigar?

Short Story > Divinos every day of the week for me. And like so many others here, I'm a habanophile and can still confidently say this.