NC = CC

[Colt45]

Actually, it rather reminds me of my education in wine; had a pretty limited view until about 15 years ago my father in law bought a wine shop.

Then you know that comparing wines from different countries, or even regions within the same country, can be very subjective and often

fruitless. The same can be said for cigars.

We have many members here who smoke and enjoy non cuban cigars. Without trying to speak for anyone, the impression I get is that they

enjoy them for what they are, for their own merits, without trying to compare them to anything else. That's how I feel about the few NCs

I smoke.

[laficion]

Hi all you NC's vs CC's

I think that Ernest Hemingway sumed It up well when he said,

" My Mojito at the Bodeguita, my Daiquiri at the Floridita "

But you always here people asking, which is the best bar ??

Everyone is wrong and everyone is right, can you see the endless discussions ??

SMOKE THE CIGAR YOU LOVE AND LOVE THE CIGAR YOU'RE SMOKING.

The only person you have to convince is yourself.

[Ethernut]

Good question, and I think part of what excites me about this question as there are A LOT of CCs I've not tried. For a long time for me a Cuban cigar was a Montecristo. I've smoked a lot of those, mostly 2's and 4's, and they are of course superb. Also have had the RyJ Churchill pretty consistently. Until recently I had NEVER tried a Cohiba. I've GOT to have more of those! Also the H. Upmann #46 has been an eye opener. Never had a Partagas Series D until a few weeks ago. So, I'm no expert on Cuban cigars. Just trying to contribute what I do know about.

All of my CCs until very recently came from London or one of a couple shops in Paris. All high end, so I have no doubt of the quality/authenticity. The reasons for the 40% CC versus 60% NC are 1. I genuinely love a lot of non-CCs, 2. I live in Connecticut, and my wife grew up working on a tobacco farm, so I've got a bit of a connection to the Connecticut shade, which I also genuinely love, and 3. Cuban cigars in Europe, especially in London and Paris, are darned expensive! Recently, I've bought a couple of small orders from the Czar which are more reasonably priced, I believe for tax reasons. Plan on ramping up the purchases in the future to further enhance my palate. I don't for a minute doubt the sincerity of all of your devotion to Cuban cigars (that's why I'm here)!. Actually, it rather reminds me of my education in wine; had a pretty limited view until about 15 years ago my father in law bought a wine shop. That was an eye-opener.

Thanks for the thoughtful response. There is nothing wrong with NC's. Many people like them very much. I on the other hand have found more flavor and complexity from the CC's. Probably because I took the time to seek out the flavor profiles that were pleasing to me. LeighFermor, have you had the opportunity to speak with Rob? I would reccommend giving him a call, or PM him to see when would be a good time to reach you, explain what you like in cigars and allow him to assemble a sampler of cigars that fit what you like. A cigar is not a universal thing, like a shoe or a wine, people have preferences and we all understand that here.

If you're feeling bold, lay out the flavor profiles of cigars you've found to be superb, post them here and let some of the other experienced members make suggestions. I might make a new thread entiteld "Cuban Cigar Advice" or the like though.

I've also found it helpful to sit and smoke with someone that has a resaonable palate so you can discuss what your experiencing. This is all a learning process. My humidor has a good dozen or so NC's that I'm letting rest for a couple years to see what they're like when they get past their youth a bit.

Glad you have you here, it's a great community.

[PigFish]

Wake me up Momma... please!

[jawofboston]

Thanks for the thoughtful response. There is nothing wrong with NC's. Many people like them very much. I on the other hand have found more flavor and complexity from the CC's. Probably because I took the time to seek out the flavor profiles that were pleasing to me. LeighFermor, have you had the opportunity to speak with Rob? I would reccommend giving him a call, or PM him to see when would be a good time to reach you, explain what you like in cigars and allow him to assemble a sampler of cigars that fit what you like. A cigar is not a universal thing, like a shoe or a wine, people have preferences and we all understand that here.

If you're feeling bold, lay out the flavor profiles of cigars you've found to be superb, post them here and let some of the other experienced members make suggestions. I might make a new thread entiteld "Cuban Cigar Advice" or the like though.

I've also found it helpful to sit and smoke with someone that has a resaonable palate so you can discuss what your experiencing. This is all a learning process. My humidor has a good dozen or so NC's that I'm letting rest for a couple years to see what they're like when they get past their youth a bit.

Glad you have you here, it's a great community.

Sound advice. Made the call to Brisbane last night (ever stop to marvel at the ability to call someone well over 10,000 miles away for something like 40 US cents?). 112 sticks on the way, including some Lusitanias which I'm told will be best in 5 years. It will take all the willpower I have, and maybe more, to wait that long.

[Jimmy2]

All i have to say is where does he get his Cubans from a friend ? a vendor ?

Most people i have meet that said Cubans stink or are just as good as NC really never smoked a real Cuban and were always smoking fakes and could easly say they suck or are just as good as NC's.

Cubans are much better than NC's its not even right to compare them to CC's..

[Kangaroo495]

... including some Lusitanias which I'm told will be best in 5 years. It will take all the willpower I have, and maybe more, to wait that long.

Yep Lusitanias is a fine choice. What else did they recommend?

[jawofboston]

All i have to say is where does he get his Cubans from a friend ? a vendor ?

Most people i have meet that said Cubans stink or are just as good as NC really never smoked a real Cuban and were always smoking fakes and could easly say they suck or are just as good as NC's.

Cubans are much better than NC's its not even right to compare them to CC's..

Brick and mortar in London, and in Paris. I don't think I ever said Cubans suck.

[stargazer14]

Been smoking both for about 10 years,

all I know is my mouth waters over the thought of some of my cubans,

I dont have that experience for any NC.

[Padrino]

This thread (and numerous others) have got me really curious, so a question for the experienced CC/NC smokers from the USA.

Admittedly i've had very limited NC experiences (Ashton VSG, RP Olde World Reserve, OpusX) are there any current NC's that are above average when compared to CC's ?

[Ginseng]

What do you mean? NC that are above the CC average? In what respect? Flavor, construction, pleasure? I think the field is too broad to make any more than the most superficial of generalizations.

Wilkey

[Padrino]

What do you mean? NC that are above the CC average? In what respect? Flavor, construction, pleasure?

I'm not even sure what I mean myself to be honest. Let's say NC's that are above the CC average in flavor,consistency, pleasure. Not necessarily complex.

[Ethernut]

Brick and mortar in London, and in Paris. I don't think I ever said Cubans suck.

No worries on the some of the comments LeighFermor, some folks have had this NC vs CC conversation so much that it gets old so the claws come out straight away, havent met anyone here that I didn't like though.. ..and you may have no idea how common fake Cubans are. The fake industry is probably as big as the real industry. A LOT and I mean a L-O-T of people have been burned by fakes, so it's the natural initial assumption when someone mentions that he/she has a Cuban and wasn't blown away by it. If you stick around you'll see posts by guys who "just bought some great Cohibas in glass tubes in Cancun" and the like. Cohibas dont come in glass tubes or boxes with glass lids so, they got took. But, every now and then, it's been told that some of the fakes are actually pretty decent smokes accidentally so..

Hey, I'm glad you called Rob and bought some sticks!!!! He's a great mate with an amazing team, running a honest and fun business. If you get a chance, post what you bought, I'd be really interested in seeing what you have coming your way. Might make a new thread so this one can run it's course and you'll fall below the radar

p.s.

If you have any flavored/scented cigars like Acid brand in your Humi, you'll want to store your new sticks elsewhere or they'll ruin the cubans over time. The Cubans like 65% humidity (or slightly lower) better than 70%. At 70% you may have some intermittent burn/draw issues. If you dont want to retool your humidor you can dry box the smokes for a couple days before you smoke them which will help a lot (technique Rob swears by)

Ether..

[Ethernut]

I'm not even sure what I mean myself to be honest. Let's say NC's that are above the CC average in flavor,consistency, pleasure. Not necessarily complex.

I've heard Rob say there are only a couple NC's he'd actually pay money for, one was the Padron (1926/64 Series), dont remember the others...

[Colt45]

This thread (and numerous others) have got me really curious, so a question for the experienced CC/NC smokers from the USA.

Admittedly i've had very limited NC experiences (Ashton VSG, RP Olde World Reserve, OpusX) are there any current NC's that are above average when compared to CC's ?

As Wilkey has stated it's such a broad spectrum.........

For me it's all totally subjective and personal taste. For example, many love the Opus X. Every one I've tried, without exception, I've found to

be as bland as bland can be. I've tried one Tatuaje brown label (unicos) - reminded me of the Opus X. Granted it was one cigar, but I just wouldn't

bother seeking them out to try again. People love Pepin Garcia's cigars, Padillas, the list goes on. I've been disappointed too many times to believe

the hype any more.

Does that mean all who enjoy these cigars are wrong, or that I'm wrong? I don't think so. People enjoy any cigar for what it is and what it brings to the table.

While we can compare certain aspects of any cigar to another, I personally think that overall it's a waste of time. If I want a cigar that tastes like a

Cuban Bolivar, why would I look for that profile in a Nicaraguan cigar? When I want the taste of an AVO Domaine, I smoke an AVO Domaine.

Again I turn to the wine analogy - is it really worth the effort to try and make comparisons between wines from different countries / regions?

For me, I enjoy each for what they are - French cabernet, Italian sangiovese, Spanish tempranillo............

[Stalebread]

. . . I think the field is too broad to make any more than the most superficial of generalizations.

Wilkey

I agree, Wilkey. Isn't that what this thread and coutless others like it comes down to?

The most superficial generalizations?

-- Cubans are best.

-- Non-Cubans are not complex.

-- Cubans have construction problems but non-Cubans don't"

ad infinitum ad nauseam

Opinions stated as if they were facts.

Black-and-white. Little room for greys or subtleties.

Either/or. No room for "and."

And I confess, I get caught up in it just like some others do.

[Ethernut]

Opinions stated as if they were facts.

Black-and-white. Little room for greys or subtleties.

Either/or. No room for "and."

And I confess, I get caught up in it just like some others do.

Ahh black and white logical thinkers. Kind of an oxymoron huh?

We're all subject to it Bread.. apprciate your insights

Ether..

[Padrino]

If I want a cigar that tastes like a Cuban Bolivar, why would I look for that profile in a Nicaraguan cigar? When I want the taste of an AVO Domaine, I smoke an AVO Domaine.

That pretty much sums it up for me

[mash]

I live in Canada and smoke 90% Cubans. For the past 10 days, I've been in Hawaii. Didn't want to bring CC's through US Customs, so ordered a bunch of NC's for the trip. Illusiones, Cruzados, Epernays, Padron '26 and '64. Went heavily with the Illusione lines because I've had a couple of 88's that I thought were great.

With the exception of the '64 Exclusivo, and the '26 #6's and #9's, I wouldn't buy any of these sticks again. They are putting me to sleep. I can't wait to get home and fire up a Boli RC, a Partagas Lusi, RASS etc.

To add insult to injury, the NC's were all at least as expensive, if not more so.

[Ethernut]

I live in Canada and smoke 90% Cubans. For the past 10 days, I've been in Hawaii. Didn't want to bring CC's through US Customs, so ordered a bunch of NC's for the trip. Illusiones, Cruzados, Epernays, Padron '26 and '64. Went heavily with the Illusione lines because I've had a couple of 88's that I thought were great.

With the exception of the '64 Exclusivo, and the '26 #6's and #9's, I wouldn't buy any of these sticks again. They are putting me to sleep. I can't wait to get home and fire up a Boli RC, a Partagas Lusi, RASS etc.

To add insult to injury, the NC's were all at least as expensive, if not more so.

When I need to travel, I just take the bands off.. Simple..

[jquest63]

Having smoked both NC's and CC's for a number of years, I personally feel that Habanos are the King of cigars! Although, I am not ashamed to say I have enjoyed NC's, I would pick none as my desert island cigars. My decision to smoke NC's has been driven largely by availability and economics (Am a daily 2-3 cigar/day smoker, often provide my father with smokes and share with fellow BOTL).

[AngryBill]

The beautiful thing about cigars is there are approx. 1380 different brands of cigars. One might make you happy, while the others don't. Different smokes for different folks. Just keep trying the cigars, both NC and CC.

[mash]

When I need to travel, I just take the bands off.. Simple..

You think so? If I was entering the US from Canada with unbanded cigars, you don't think US Customs would assume they were Cuban?

[Ethernut]

How would they prove it? There's quite a few cigars that are bandless. If you want to be super anal, put some of your NC bands on it, smile and tell them to have a nice day..

[Jimmy2]

Like i said Cubans are better and thats a fact !!! But if others like NC no biggie more for me and others that think like me..