Smoke what you like...like what you smoke!

Personally from what I have smoked on either side I would have to say that I prefer Cuban Leaf.

I can get Cubans legally here and they are easier to get then Non Cubans, still I smoke more Non Cubans as there is so much more to explore and there are some fabulous NC's out there, just as fabulous CC's. And there are also a lot of terrible NC's and some terrible CC's.

The cat's out of the bag now. You weren't supposed to tell on us, Vic.:-)

I think the split is between whether you like medium bodied, spicy cigars in a small ring gauge, or thicker, more heavy bodied maduros. Lovers of the former tend to prefer CCs, lovers of the latter prefer NCs. Cuban tobacco has a richness and flavor that NCs have a hard time competing with but their construction and consistency pales in comparison to most average NCs. I personally have stopped buying NCs as the only ones I like (Padron, Tatuaje, Pepin, Illusione) are slightly more expensive than CCs. If CCs were legalized in the US and the prices jumped up to the way they are in Canada because of taxes, then I would probably find myself smoking more Tats and Illusione because they would then be cheaper. I would say that there are NCs and CCs to suit pretty much any taste and some (but not all) of the best smokes I've had are CCs, so they are definitely worth trying!

I'm half Cuban but live in CA and for a time I was seeking CC's kinda for the same reason I was into Native Tribal music and Aztec dancing etc. I tried a few varieties during the last couple of years and one a very long time ago. I've never gotten one for $6 a stick as some apparently have. The best sticks I have had came from another country for MORE than $15 a stick but have been my favorite cigar ever. They are the Cohiba Siglo 2 and I loved them. The problem I find with CC's is it's been a huge amount of trouble to get in my experience to get them and half of the authenticity has to come with a grain of salt. All in all though, the CC's I've had are all as good or better than most NC's that I've had.

Better?

Are they better in terms of depth, flavor and taste? In my opinion, yes.

Are they better in terms of consistent and reliable construction? In my opinion, no.

Are they a better dollar-for-dollar value? I'd say emphatically yes.

Funny how you think of what you are going to say after reading the original post....then scroll down, and someone says pretty much exactly what you were going to say.

Matt said it for me. :-)

yes

Great comments on this thread. "Better" is completely dependent upon what YOU want in a cigar.

There are very good NC's out there, and I enjoy them. The few CC's I have had have been enjoyable. Different. Also very good.

I like cake and pie.
Posted via Mobile Device

:-)

In this case cake = Padrons and pie = Juan Lopez!

What he said! Now I think I'll go smoke a Bolivar PC.

I'm about a 50/50 CC vs. NC smoker right now. For strength and spice the NC's have it hands down. As for depth and nuance it's CC's.
I prefer a medium strength cigar so the cubans are right up my alley. The price is another huge factor.

You choose, a box of Fuentes for 400 bucks or a box of Party shorts and a box of Montes #4's and a box Bolivar Gold Medals. For me, it's a no brainer.

No..don't waste your time asking or even looking for Cubans...you stick to Non-Cubans..:-)

:-)

don pepin garcia...he uses non cuban tobac and makes em way tastier!

To each his own. :-)

thats the only real answer actually....:-)

De gustibus non est disputandum.

It's what makes the World go 'round. :-)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_gust...st_disputandum