Expert: James Yee - 8/18/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hi James,

I started smoking Cigars last January while on a trip to Cuba. I had asked you some question upon my return which helped me a lot and I can say I now have a small collection of Cigars in a converted Wine cooler. Most of what I have is Non-cuban now and I really like the Camacho Selects, Cain Daytona, RPV '92, and VS Primeros. As you can see I prefer a creamy smooth cigar. I am planning on going back to Cuba in December and was wondering if you could recommend some Cuban Cigars which are creamy and smooth. I know I like the Cohibas and RyJ. Although the Cohibas are quite expensive I was hoping to find alternatives to my flavor profile.

ANSWER: Hi Craig,

Based on the cigars that you like, you should smoke mild-to-medium bodied Cuban cigars.  Here is a list of mild and medium Cuban cigar brands.  The brands that I marked with an asterisk (*) are smooth and creamy brands very similar to the cigars that you currently like.  

Mild-bodied:
Guantanamera
El Rey du Mundo*
Saint Luis Rey*
Vegueros
Jose Piedra

Medium-bodied:
Romeo y Julieta*
H. Upmann*
Hoyo de Monterrey
San Cristobal de La Habana*
Vegas Robaina*
Trinidad*
Juan Lopez
Punch

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

Regards,
James

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

QUESTION: Hi James,

As a follow-up Question, I'm going to try and get a box of Cohiba Siglo III, I compared Size, Gauge and price and it seemed to have the best value for the smoke received.

Also I like the Torpedo shaped cigars and have read that the Montecristo #2 is the best Cuban torpedo you can buy, but that the Partagás Serie P No. 2 and in a lesser Vegas Robaina Unicos are almost as good.

What is you opinion on this?

Craig

Answer
Hi Craig,

The Cohiba Siglo III is a great choice.  I prefer the Siglo IV but the Siglo III is the best value for the money of all the Cohiba cigars.  The Vegas Robaina unicos is really good and very creamy.  If you like creamy and smooth cigars, you'll love Robaina cigars.  

Montecristo and Partagas are medium-to-full bodied brands which are less creamy and smooth but they're still fantastic brands (both brands have a strong, spicey and earthy flavour.)  Both torpedos are incredible when aged so you may want to buy a few to age in your humidor.

When shopping for cigars, try to find the really dark and oily cigars.  Dark and oily cigars are more smooth and creamy in flavour and have the best potential for long-term aging.

I hope this helps.  As always, if you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask.

Regards,
James