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Cigars/Cuban alternatives

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Expert: - 3/7/2010


Question
Hi James,

Quick question for you:

Can you make a few recommendations of non-Cuban labels that are worth a look? I do live in Canada, but am interested in picking some up cigars in the USA while on my travels, and will therefore be unable to purchase anything Cuban.

Thanks for your help!

Cheers,
Alex.

Answer
Hi Alex,

Here are some excellent non-Cuban brands and cigars that I recommend:

Arturo Fuente Don Carlos
Arturo Fuente Hemingway
Arturo Fuente Opus X
Ashton Maduro
Ashton VSG
Avo Domaine
CAO
Camacho
Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur 1066
Hoyo de Monterrey Dark Sumatra
Indian Tabac
Macanudo
Montecristo Platinum
Montecristo Serie C
Padron (Executive, 2000, 3000)
Padron 1964 Anniversario
Padron 1926 Anniversario
Perdomo
Rocky Patel

Within these brands are many excellent lines so try to sample as many as possible. ;)

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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