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Cigars/Top 10 smokes

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Expert: - 2/26/2008


Question
I tried 3 saint luis rey Regios cab of 50 and then bought a box of 25, But they just dont taste the same and the aroma is not as strong as the cab of 50, why is this?

And why do i get a small split on the end of some of my cigars, whilst being in the humidor?

I've always wanted to ask you what cigars you smoke? So if possible can you tell us what is your Top 10 smokes(cuban)

THANK YOU for your help

Answer
Hi Mario,

The reason why your dress box of Regios taste different than your cabinet box of Regios could be the fact that the dress box cigars are younger or older than your cabinet Regios.  Cabinet Selection cigars are intended specifically for [long-term] aging so it's possible that the Cabinet Regios have aged longer than the dress box ones which could explain why the cabinet version is more flavourful than the dress box version.

Cigars splitting in your humidor usually occur when a cigar is suddenly exposed to more humidity than it is normally used to.  This will cause the cigar foot to quickly expand to the point where the wrapper splits.  Usually the split wrapper is not too serious and won't affect the way the cigar burns or smokes.  

Here are my top 10 favourite Cuban cigars.  My list occasionally changes but these are my top 10 favourites right now:

1. Montecristo #2
2. Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona (cabinet selection)
3. Punch Black Prince
4. Partagas Serie D No. 4
5. Bolivar Belicoso Finos
6. Partagas 898
7. San Cristobal de La Habana "La Fuerza"
8. Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2
9.  Romeo y Julieta Cazadores
10. Cuaba Salomones

Hopes this answers your question.  If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I'll be happy to help. :)

Regards,
James

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James Yee

Expertise

My main area of expertise is Cuban cigars but I can also assist you with cigar etiquette, humidor maintenance and troubleshooting. Unsure of a certain cigar brand? Wondering what a certain cigar tastes like? Have any questions about Cuban cigars? Just let me know! I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. (NOTE: My main focus is on premium, hand-rolled cigars and not cheap, machine made, convenience store cigars.) IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE CIGAR OR CIGAR-RELATED APPRAISALS. If you have a vintage cigar item and you want to know if it's worth something, please contact an antique dealer that specializes in "TOBACCIANA".

Experience

I currently have 19 dedicated years of cigar smoking and counting. I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. For 5 years, I studied with Cuban torcedores (rollers), catadores (taste testers) and revisadores (inspectors) on every aspect involving the production of the Cuban cigar and I am currently writing a book that will help beginners understand everything they need to know about cigars and cigar smoking.

Publications
Maple Leaf Gardens: Memories & Dreams 1931-1999 (1999; ISBN: 0920445616)
50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do (2006; ISBN: 0452286654)
The [London] Times (October 8, 2009)


Education/Credentials
B.A. University of Toronto

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