Expert: Bill Finck Jr. - 8/17/2007

Question
QUESTION: Is there really a huge difference today in cigars from Cuba vs cigars from the Dominican or even Honduran? I have only been smoking cigars for maybe 8 years and do not claim to be an expert on any of them. I perfer to buy single cigars for more of a verifity of just having different cigars in my humidor. I do buy a box once in awhile. I do buy cuban cigars but they are harder to get here in the US. I can only get these when I travel. They tend to be abit stronger then the Dominican's but that seems to be the only difference I can tell. They both smoke very well, smell very good, and burn well. You can buy a 5 to 10 dollar stick and it will smoke like a 5 to 10 dollar stick and that seems to be the same for a 20 to 40 dollar cigar. I think you get what you pay for (right) I think my most fav. cigar to date is the Prodomo Silvio about 25.00 us dollars but a very good smoke.

ANSWER: Jim,
The tobacco grown in Cuba is definitely different tasting than tobaccos grown in other countries, so Cuban cigars have a different taste than cigars made with tobacco from other countries. If your question is are Cuban cigars better, that is simply a matter of taste. I agree with you suggestion that a great quality Dominican or Honduran or Nicaraguan $5 cigar tastes as good as a $20 Cuban, but that is simply my taste. The bottom line is, a cigar is only worth what you are willing to pay for it. If you enjoy a good Dominican, why pay 3-4 times more for a Cuban?

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QUESTION: So Bill are you saying that people pay 3 or 4 times more for a cigar because it tastes better or are you really paying 3 or 4 times more because its from Cuba and harder to get?
jim
ANSWER: Jim,
I think a lot of people who smoke Cuban cigars simply like them better and don't mind paying the price - my point was really that just because the cigars are so expensive doesn't mean they are better.

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

QUESTION: Ok so what makes that Cuban cigar better? or maybe what makes people like them better? Is it all in the tabacco?

sorry just trying to understand and learn

jim

Answer
Jim,
Throughout our e-mail exchange I've repeated that "better" is all a matter of taste. Cuban cigars are only better if you like them better. For the guy who's smoked King Edward cigars his whole life, they are "better" than any Cuban. The only difference in Cuban cigars and all others is the tobacco, so if you like Cubans better, then yes it is the tobacco that makes them different.