Expert: James Yee - 8/24/2007

Question
QUESTION: I recently smoked one of these and was just so much better than what i have
smoked in the states. What IYO is the dominican equal to this cigar?

ANSWER: Hi Chris,

It's really hard to find a Dominican equal to the Cuban Cohiba Siglo line.  Of course, taste is subjective but in my opinion, I would say that the Fuente Opus X line is very similar to the Cohiba Siglo series in terms of quality and performance.  The two brands aren't exactly identical in taste but everything about the brand such as burn, texture, smoke, strength and flavour just makes the Opus X a true high quality, premium Dominican brand.  Another great brand is Avo Domaine Maduros.  This brand is probably in my top 5 all-time favourite non-Cuban cigar list.  I have a dark oily batch of these aged for 4 years and they taste just as great as the Cuban Cohiba Edicion Limitada double coronas.  Absolutely fantastic.

Regards,
James

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

QUESTION: Okay what is your top five non cuban brand as being in the states make it very
illegal to smoke unless i go downtown to pick up a 200 dollar pre embargo
monte.

Answer
Hi Chris,

Here are my top 10 all-time favourite non-Cuban cigar brands:

1.   Fuente Opus X
2.   1964 Padron Anniversario
3.   Avo Domaine Maduro
4.   Ashton VSG
5.   Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur 1066
6.   Arturo Fuente Hemingway series
7.   Padron (regular line)
8.   Cohiba XV
9.   CAO Criollo
10.   Partagas Black Label

Some of these brands (ie: Opus X) are hard to find and in limited availability in the United States but they are certainly worth getting.  Other brands (ie: Padron regular line, Hoyo Excalibur) are commonly available and fairly inexpensive but fantastic brands that everyone should try.

Regards,
James