Cubans

Are Cuban cigars really better than the rest? Some say yes, others no. Are they considered better because they are forbidden fruit? I must say, I enjoy a well rolled Cuban cigar. There is nothing like the distinct smell and taste of the tobacco. I think the Partagas brand is my favorite, followed by Montecristo and Saint Luis Rey. I smoked an Arturo Fuente Untold Story the other night while my friend smoked a Partagas Salomones. His cigar smelled much more flavorful and interesting. Don't get me wrong, the Fuente was excellent, but I could smell his cigar over mine!! Also, the construction and burn were superb!!

So, I would say Cubans probably are not better, just different. And be careful, if the local tobacconist tries to sell you a "real" cuban, be suspect. I've seen figures thatsay 90% of the cuban cigars sold in the United States are fakes. I had a guy in a shop try to sell me a maduro Hoyo!! And his Cohiba's came in a box with a glass top!

Have a great day, and I hope the new year is off to a good start!

Smokes

I smoked an Arturo Fuente King B the other night. I only bought one, so this review is made after only smoking the single cigar. It had a very strong smell in the hand before lighting. the wrapper was oily and a dark red color. The taste was slightly spicy before lighting. Once lit, the cigar produced copious amounts of blue and grey smoke. It was a strong, stogey type of smell, with just a hint of sweetness. The tasted of strong tobacco, with a little spice at the back of the mouth. The burn wasn't too good, however. And it started to burn hot during the last third of the smoke. Some people might call it a "smelly" cigar, reminiscent of the air around a poker table in one's basement. My wife said I was smelly when I was finished with the cigar. (She is an occasional cigar smoker so I trust her sense of smell).

Overall it was a good, medium bodied cigar. It was a bit pricey, however. If Fuente could fix the burn problems it would be a good cigar to smoke outdoors after mowing the lawn. Or maybe light one up next Saturday at the local poker game!

Cigar web retailers

Hello:

When I purchase a full box of cigars I usually do so online. Some of my favorite online retailers are: (in no particular order) www.paylesscigars.com, www.nickscigarworld.com, www.rockyscigars.com, www.abnersworld.com, www.jackschwartz.com, www.seriouscigars.com, and the soon to be www.legendarycigars.com (my new website).

I smoked an Arturo Fuente King B last night. Tomorrow I will give it a quick review.