I agree. NC seem to be constructed better and are more consistent. However in my opinion the flavours of CC are just alot more enjoyable.

If in doubt just try a Partagas Short.

I've only had a handful of CCs but I did enjoy them.

I'd suggest setting up a personal taste test but lordy, how would you ever manage a good setup? You'd have to smoke many marcas and vitolas of both CC and NC before being able to decide for yourself which cigars compare to one another and also which you'd even enjoy smoking to compare, then lay in a supply of fivers (or more) of each, then do a side-by-side test. By the time you managed all that you'd have already answered your own question! :-)

So I'll take the advice of the more experienced and just keep on smokin' whatever I get my hands on. CC or NC, if I hate it I'll probably never try it again. CC or NC, if I like it I'll put it on the list. If I love it I'll try to stock up.

*shrug* Seems to me the best part of this hobby (aside from meeting people, which I've yet to do) is smoking 'em and deciding. Might find that $2 NC gem or discover a deep, abiding lust for that $25 CC. You never know.

My wife thinks so.
Since she is Cuban too, I also think so.
27 yrs to prove it!!! :-)

Oh Crap!!!
The title says "Cuban Cigars".
I thought it said "Cubans".

Honestly? I'd say, by far, YES.

I became a Pepin whore early in my cigar career...once I discovered CCs in depth and built up a decent supply I found there really was no turning back.

That said, the way to make your own decision is to sample as many different kinds as you can. For example, many people like big cigars, whereas I don't, and many like Cohibas, whereas I find them very overrated.

:-) but that's the best way to find out!

:-) :-)

I know this is starting to beat a dead horse....but smoke what you like in the price range that is in your means.

Dave (trishield) has said many times that they still make junk like cremosas and others that I find repulsive....but some people have to be buying them and liking them. I have college friends who smoke backwoods and enjoy them.....granted they have never had a "good" cigar so have nothing to compare them to.

I think the more important part is the commoradary involved. They smoke backwoods, but it is a bunch of guys sitting together having a good time....so what they smoke is kind of irrelevant.

At shack herf this year some of us smoked an entire barberpole glasstop fauxiba. Granted we were slightly inebriated, but I will remember the fun we had versus the horrible cigar :-)

Back on topic for me....
Are they better?
Different.
Personal preference.
I enjoy the their flavor much better.
However, I don't enjoy the plugged ones.
All a matter of taste.

I've developed a simple rule...cut it as soon as it comes out of the humi and do a draw test.

If it doesn't draw like a straw, say, "Naw!"

Repeat until you find one that does, and go from there!

So true!!!

I agree with not fighting through a plugged cigar, but I think drawing like a straw is a bit too loose. I think there should be a little resistance (especially to help with control of the burn). I'm not sure if you mean "straw" literally, or just figuratively to make the saying rhyme.....so if I am over-analyzing, Scott, my apologies :-)

I haven't had that many CC's. Maybe 50 in my life but they are different. Some I have had I thought were the best cigars I have ever had, others not so much. Like each person is an individual so is each cigar.

Exactly. The last thing I want is a wind tunnel.

A good cigar is a good cigar regardless if it came from Cuba or Nicaragua or Honduras or the Dominican Republic. Everyone's palates are different, so are their likes and dislikes.

For the NC crowd:
http://www.kanyethis.com/?s=http://w...0International


For the Habanos crowd:
http://www.kanyethis.com/?s=http://w....asp&t=Habanos

lol!

i'm pretty new to handrolled cigar... but i try to smoke both cc and nc even though there are very limited nc here and the cc are freaking expensive..i do love monte..punch and partagas...at the same time quantanamera and h upman are shitty to me... but still...i love the padron and don diego aniversarios...

like said... its down to each own preferences...

but so far... i love cc :-)

I can count on one hand the NC's that I really enjoyed. Most make my saliva glands kick into overdrive and I find are "harsh" for lack of a better word. CC's are milder and more flavorful to me with no saliva issues.

Of the NC's I have had, I would pick a CC over an NC ALMOST every time.

Find what you like and smoke those is the best advice I can give. As long as you enjoy it, who cares. :-)

A bit of both, actually...I figured it would be a more useful rule of thumb if it rhymed, and it should have a good draw the moment it's cut. In my experience, if it's got a stiff draw when you cut it, it's not gonna get any better as you smoke it (in fact it will often get worse).

yes they are.

Are cigars from the B&M better than cigars bought from e-tailers? :-)

:-)

That is downright evil. :-)