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Cigars/Don Tomas Clasico

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Expert: - 10/27/2009


Question
Hi James,

Thank you for your answers regarding Nicaraguan/Honduran cigars that I asked the other day.

A friend of mine recommended Don Tomas Clasico - but another friend claimed that it was a bit 'rough'. I wonder if you have come across it, and what is your view about it? Will it be worth spending money on it, or should I spend a little more and go for the Padron, for example?

Appreciate you taking the trouble to answer my questions. Thank you.

Rgds
Robin

Answer
Hi Robin,

Don Tomas cigars are very good but Padron cigars are better quality and much better in terms of flavour.  I personally enjoy Padron cigars more than Don Tomas but there are some excellent Don Tomas cigars that are definitely worth trying if you've never smoked them before.  I wouldn't say the cigar is "rough" but the Don Tomas Clasico is not as smooth as the Padron cigars.  However, it's still a very good cigar so you should eventually try one.

What you should do is buy both or try one brand now and the other brand later. :)

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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