I've recently smoked my first Cuban cigars after having smoked non-Cubans for a couple of years. The Cubans have a certain taste componant that is definately unique. I'm curious to see how other cigar smokers would describe this "thing".

I am not too eloquent when it comes to cigars as of yet, but I verbalize it a a sweet spice. Its almsot like the pre light aroma remains while lit somehow.

I'm not too experienced with non-Cubans but all the ones I had just seem strong or mild, seems that there is no real taste to them just strength. But I'm no expert, particularly when it comes to non-Cubans.

Some call it "twang"

I would call it "Fullness" I think CC's have the ability to deliver a "Fullness" of flavor(regardless of what flavor it is).Others have mentioned a " metalic" tatse in none cubans, something I have never tasted in CC. Thick, Full, Rich. I feel like Cuban flavors are definatly more pronounced.

Now this may sound silly but NC's compaired to CC's are like leftovers, say like cold pizza. When you have it hot and fresh all the flavors are present and meld together in a harmonious blend, there is fullness and body to it. If you eat it cold the next day, sure you may taste a some peperonni,cheese or crust, but the delivery of flavor is thinned out and one dementional.

I think that's well put Elaw.
I don't have too much experience with non cuban premiums but the other night I had a Monte No 4 after a Peterson Toro. While the Peterson had a very good construction, draw and burn and was really quite enjoyable, when I lit the Monte about an hour later, it reminded me what I had been missing. Much more depth of flavour and interest. While I was smoking the Peterson, I kind of forgot that I was smoking a cigar. With the Monte, it reminded me with every draw and the flavours stayed quite a while after I let it go.
I know the Peterson's aren't very highly regarded on these forums so are maybe a poor comparison but the Monte 4 would not be one of my favourite Cuban blends either. For me, it's not a price or availability issue, so that was not affecting my judgement. Here, Monte 4s are cheaper and easier to get than the Petersons.
That's my 2 cents anyway.

Michael Lerner describes the "Cuban difference" precisely in a 1999 CA interview:

"A Cuban cigar is the wonder of the world," Lerner says before launching into a brief diatribe against cigar smokers who get too hung up on "velvet aromas" and "chocolate highlights." He runs the cigar beneath his nose, inhales greedily, then proclaims, "One of the reasons why a Cuban cigar is great is because of the manure. When you hold a
Montecristo No. 2 to your nose, you smell shit. That's what makes it great."

Ketchke nailed it. It be called that "Cuban Twang".
It is unique in nature,often imitated but never duplicated. X

Cuban twang it is. That's exactly how I've heard it referred to on numerous occasions After smoking my first years ago, I agreed.


~S

OK twang it is!
I've played Guitar for 20+ years.
Twang to me = 1972 Telecaster and 1965 twin reverb

I have never smoked anything but Cubans so I have no idea of any differences.

There is a bit more to the experience of smoking a cigar than the taste alone...

Please elaborate.

quote:

Originally posted by Robustojoe:
Please elaborate.

I can't speak for jmunro, but for me, I look at the wrapper first, then the cap, then the overall construction, then the feel in my hand, then the pre-light aroma and that's just before I cut it. Jmunro can take it from here...