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Cigars/Cubans off the truck

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Expert: - 2/21/2009


Question
Hello James and thanks for taking another one of my questions. I'm thinking about purchasing some Cubans and I'm wondering if there are any brands that don't necessarily need a lot of aging to enjoy. I prefer Med/Full cigars and I like both spicy and sweet. Could you please tell me what brands that might fit that criteria and are able to be enjoyed right off the truck. Thanks again-Patrick

Answer
Hi Patrick,

You actually don't need to age any Cuban cigar. They can be smoked immediately without aging.  Aging them will cause richer and more defined flavours to develop but it's not mandatory to age cigars.  Many Cuban cigars do taste great even without aging.

For Medium to Full Cuban cigars, try these brands (listed in no particular order):

Cohiba
Montecristo
Hoyo de Monterrey
Cuaba
Partagas
Punch
San Cristobal de La Habana
Ramon Allones
Bolivar
Vegas Robaina

Hopes this answers your question.  As always, 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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