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Expert: - 9/3/2009


Question
QUESTION: like the 2008 Casa Magna Robusto- any other recommended cigars? fairly new to "real" cigars but enjoy a medium to full smoke

ANSWER: Hi Jack,

Here are some excellent medium to full-bodied non-Cuban cigar brands you should try:

Arturo Fuente Hemingway
Ashton Cabinet
Ashton VSG
CAO Criollo
Cohiba XV
Hoyo de Monterrey 1066
Hoyo de Monterrey Dark Sumatra
Partagas Black
Padron
Padron 1964 Anniversario
Romeo y Julieta Reserve Maduro

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

Regards,
James



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: didn't know i had the Cuban option in US? would love one

Answer
Hi Jack,

No, Cuban cigars are still illegal in the United States but there are many non-Cuban cigar brands that have the same name as the Cuban cigars.  For example, there are non-Cuban versions of Montecristo, Cohiba, Hoyo de Monterrey, Romeo y Julieta, Partagas and others but they do not contain any Cuban tobacco and the only thing similar between them and the Cuban versions are the names.  The packaging of the non-Cuban brands are also slightly different than the genuine Cuban brands.  If you are in a cigar store in the United States and see "Cohiba", "Montecristo" or "Romeo y Julieta" cigars, they are the non-Cuban versions.

All the cigars I listed in the previous email are non-Cuban.

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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