Expert: James Yee - 5/22/2007

Question
QUESTION: Been reading your posts for many weeks now and I appreciate the wealth of information you have to offer. I am sure these two questions have been answered before so my apologies if that is the case but I could not find the answers. I look forward to reading your book when it comes out, and thank you very much for your efforts here.

1. Firstly, I would appreciate some suggestions for cigars. I began smoking mild cigars about a year ago and would appreciate some advice on cigars for the next step, and some examples of what to look for once I become "experienced" as well.

2. Are you able to purchase Cuban cigars in Canada? If so any recommendations for where to acquire legit cigars?

ANSWER: Hi Chris,

1. For the next step for a novice smoker, I would suggest that you continue to build your cigar palate by continuing to smoke mild cigars but gradually move to medium and then full-bodied cigars.  By progressively advancing to fuller, stronger cigars, you will expand your cigar palate and be more able to recognize more defined cigar flavours and aromas.  This will develop a stronger appreciation for cigars as you'll be able to differentiate the varying levels of flavours and strength.  Some great medium-bodied Cuban brands for you to advance to next are Romeo y Julieta, H. Upmann, Vegas Robaina, San Luis Rey and El Rey du Mundo.  After this, you can try advancing to heavier brands such as Hoyo de Monterrey, San Cristobal de La Habana, Partagas, Ramon Allones, Cohiba and Montecristo.

2. Yes, you can most definitely purchase Cuban cigars in Canada. I'm not sure where you are located in Canada but if you're in/near Toronto, Montreal, Windsor or Vancouver, you can purchase cigars from La Casa Del Habanos (LCDH) shops and they all carry genuine Cuban cigars.  You can also purchase cigars that are authorized "Habanos" retailers or stores that receive their cigars from "Havana House" which is the Canadian distributor for geunine Cuban cigars.

Hopes this answers your questions.  If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask.

Regards,
James

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

QUESTION: Thanks for the quick reply!

I apologize for the misleading question orginally, as I am not in Canada. My wife and I will be travelling there later in the year however, which is why I asked about Cuban cigars there.

Do you have any recommendations for cigars that are legal in the US for advancing my palate?  

Answer
Hi again Chris,

Some great non-Cubans that I like to recommend are Padron 2000/3000, Macanudo Maduros, Hoyo de Monterrery Excalibur 1066, Avo Domaine Maduros, Camacho and Arturo Fuente Hemingways (Signature & Short Story).  They're all fantastic cigars that can help you define your cigar palate.  You should be able to find all these at your local tobacconist/cigar shops.

Best regards,
James