cuban H. Upmann Cigar

My friend also smoked a few H. Upmann Magnum 50 Limited Edition 2005 cigars. It was one of his favorite smokes while in Cuba. The cigar's construction was flawless. It is a big cigar, measuring 6 1/2 x 50 inches. It had a smooth, darker wrapper. The cigar produced large volumes of smoke, and developed a nice ash. It was a smooth cigar, well balanced with toasty flavors. For such a large cigar it was a light to medium intensity cigar. The current issue of Cigar Aficionado gives this cigar a 90 rating. However, their tasters said the cigar is an "almost raw smoke at the moment" that will do well with some more time in the box. Either way it sounds like I should get my hands on some!

cohiba cuban cigar

My friend had the opportunity to smoke a Cohiba Sublime Limited Edition 2004. Its a 6 3/8 x 54 toro with a maduro wrapper. He said the cigar looked beautiful. (He is in the process of developing his photos, which include some pictures of select cigars). The cigar was dark and very oily. It looked like a very promising smoke, he said. However, once lit, the problems began. The cigar would not stay lit. And when it did, it burned funny. It turned out to be a very light smoke, with a slight cherry- chocolate flavor. He was the only person to smoke one of these, so these burning issues could be a one off problem. He was disappointed in the lack of flavor and taste. Also, towards the end of the cigar it developed a bitter taste. It was definately not worth the 21.85 Cuban pesos spent!!

Cuba

For Americans it is very difficult to travel to Cuba. It's not impossible, just very difficult. In short the embargo says you cannot spend any American or money earned through efforts in or with American companies. So if you could find a Cuban sponsor that would pay your entire way, I believe it is possible to legaly travelto Cuba. However, do not take my word, go to the State Department's web site and do your own research. Also, I am not condoning travel or trade with Cuba in any way. I personally wish the U.S. would lift the embargo, but that is a different story.

My friend said there is a 10 percent commission on exchanging American dollars in Cuba. Plus, the exchabge rate is not very favorable. The end result when changing $100.00 U.S. is $80.00 CUC. (Convertable Pesos). So the exchange rate stinks. The 10 percent commission applies to U.S. dollars only, so you are better off bringing Euros or Canadian Dollars. Also, all banks and money exchange places offer the same rate, so it does no good to shop around. It sounds like Castro is making a lot of money this way, because a lot of travellers bring American Dollars to the island not knowing they are going to be fleeced!

The Cuban Nationals don't use the Convertable Peso, they use a different national peso. They also shop for food and other goods at different stores using this money, and foreigners cannot shop at these places. Of course, people involved in the tourist trade receive tips in ConvertablePesos, so they are able to shop at the better stores. My friend said it is Socialism meets Capitalism. The Cuban people are very proud. They are all educatedand make to best with what they have. They seem to take pride in themselves--you will see owners buffing their old patched-up 1956Chevys, and sweeping the floors of their crumbling abodes,my friend said. He said it is anyones guess how they really feel about the "revolution."

Well, my friend smoked plenty of cigars while in Cuba, and he got the skinny on all the cigar shops in Havana, so look for that information to come!!

El Rey Del Mundo

Most of the single smokes my friend bought while he was in Havana he purchased at the Hotel Nacional in Vedado. The staff was friendly enough, but did not know much about cigars. The clerk did know what is considered to be "the best," including Cohiba and Partagas, and seemed to steer my friend to the most expensive smokes. I believe my friend purchased around 25 singles here. He later said their stock of cigars seemed to be the best kept. The shop was kept at a proper cigar temperature (not too cold or hot) and of course there was no humidifier needed in the humidor, the island being one giant humidor. However, someone in the industry said cigars should keep at least six months on the island without needing to be placed in a proper humidifier.

The first cigar he lit up was the EL Rey Del Mundo Choix Supreme. A robusto, it measures 5 x 48. The wrapper was slightly salty, with a great tobacco taste, he said. The wrapper was a bit toothy and rough looking, but the construction was good. It look rugged and dark. It started out smooth and light, but by the middle of the cigar it developed into a medium strength smoke with deep tobacco flavors. The burn was great, developing a nice grey ash that did not want to leave the cigar. It also produced volumes of smoke. It tasted like the Havana's of old, that dark, rich tobacco taste you imagine when you open a box of cubans and take a deep breath. This little cigar did not disappoint, and my friend said it was one of his favorite smokes! The El Rey Del Mundo line is well known for its dark and oily wrappers, and this particular stick did not disappoint.

His travel companions each smoked one of these and agreed on his review of this cigar.