Expert: James Yee - 2/3/2011

Question
Hi James,

I have smoked cigars on and off for a couple of years now and I am interested in your opinion on a cuban cigar that would match my taste profile. Funny enough, the first time I ever tried a cigar was in Cuba? Never smoked a Cuban cigar again since then..

Now to my taste profile...I like a mild to medium cigar with a noticeable sweet taste in the flavour profile. Something similar to the Cuban Crafters Medina 1959s (malty carmel notes). Another flavour profile I enjoy is the chocolate/cinnamon flavours. Not big on the strong nutty/toasty/earthy flavours. But I do like the cedar/leathery flavours mixed in with the sweet flavours I described..

I like some spice but not heavy or overpowering..

I smoke Dominican Montecristo Reserva Negras (1 year aged) and the Cuban Crafters Don Kiki Red Label cigars (1 year aged as well), as well as the Cuban Crafters Medina 1959s..

Hope this helps...Any suggestions would be appreciated..

Mark..

Answer
Hi Mark,

Based on your taste profile, I would recommend the following Cuban brands (recommended cigar sizes in parentheses):

Vegas Robaina (Clasicos, Familiar)
El Rey du Mundo (Choix Supereme, Lunch Club, Petit Corona, Tainos)
Romeo y Julieta (Mille Fleur, Exhibicion #3 & 4, Cedro De Luxe #1, 2 & 3)
San Cristobal de La Habana (La Fuerza, El Principe)

The first three brands are mild to medium in strength and possess a sweeter flavour profile.  The Vegas Robaina brand is sweet and "creamy" with light chocolate flavours. El Rey du Mundo and Romeo y Julieta have a more leathery aroma with hints of cinnamon.  Romeo y Julieta is predominately an "earthy" brand but the smaller cigar sizes in this brand such as the Mille Fleur and Exhibicion #4 are sweeter on the palate.  (RyJ Exhibicion #4 has a really nice honey-sweetness to it.)  San Cristobal is more medium-to-full bodied but it is also full of leathery flavours with a strong hint of cinnamon.

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

Regards,
James