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Cigars/Recommendations for Cuban Cigars

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Expert: - 10/2/2009


Question
James,

Long time reader, first time poster. Anyway, a friend of mine will be coming in from Singapore in several months and will be bringing with him some cigars. I may or may not live in a place in which I cannot get them myself. I wanted to solicit your opinion on what would be some quality, yet not obscenely expensive, Cubans for him to bring back with him.

Many thanks for your consideration,
-Patrick

Answer
Hi Patrick,

There's lots of great, moderately priced Cuban cigars.  The key to finding a great Cuban cigar is to buy dark, oily-looking cigars.  The more natural oils there is on the cigar(s), the better it will age and the richer the flavours will be.

Here's a list of what I recommend:

Romeo y Julieta Mille Fleur
Romeo y Julieta Tubos No. 1, No. 2, No. 3
Romeo y Julieta Cazadores
Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No. 4
Partagas Mille Fleur
Partagas Serie D No. 4
Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 1, No. 2
Montecristo #4
Montecristo #5
San Cristobal El Principe
Vegas Robaina Famoso
Fonseca Cosacos
Fonseca KDT Cadet

Hopes this helps.  If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will 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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