Expert: M J Robbins - 10/8/2009

Question
what cigar is the closes to the cuban cohiba the real ones?

Answer
Which orange is just like a Florida orange only grown in California?
Which California Cabernet is just like a French Cabernet?
To compare is not possible in reality as the soil and other elements impart different taste to the Tobacco as it does to wine.
So in my opinion you must just taste the best from Nicaragua, Honduras and Dominican Republic and decide on the taste you like. Those cigar smokers that tell you different are mistaken.
I can only lead you to the best Cigars in the World...
Padron is the Master and grows in Nicaragua. The perfection of his technique is legendary in Cuba as he follows all the OLD Cuban rules that the Cuban's cannot follow as they are controlled by the government. Padron cigars have a Black Coffee and dark chocolate taste different from Cohiba, but this is the legendary cigar of the new Millenium. Try the Padron Anniversary Exclusivo Maduro, the Diplomatico Maduro and the highest rated cigar of this decade the 1926 #9 Maduro. Also try the 45th Anniversary Padron Maduro but this is excpensive and rare. If you were in Europe or Cuba they would kill you for a Padron -or trade you 5 Cohiba's for 1 Padron Anniversary.
The Padron cigar is made by the best rollers in the world and you will see no inconsistencies as every cigar smokes perfectly. I have never seen a better rolled cigar period and this is my 30th year in business.
Other common cigars to try are Macanudo crystal but this will be milder than Cohiba.
Try Oliva V, the Nub Cammeroon or try Macanudo vintage, the Mac will be inconsistent and expensive but that is the case with the Cohiba also.

In finality I CAN tell you about the best cigars in the world but I cannot tell you a French wine that is exactly like a California wine or Cuban cigar that is just like a Nicaraguan, Honduran or Dominican cigar.
Make sense?
Smoke a Padron Anniversary 1964 Diplomatico Maduro
Then a Padron 1926 #9 maduro

Mike
PS
I missed the MINI in the question
How bout the Padron Principe maduro ultimate
Don Diego Prelude
Punch Slim Panatella
Chevere made in Ireland