In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

Prices aside which smoke does it for you? -(P

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

Cabaiguan with a couple of years on them. They have hints but, of course, nothing is like a habano.

:2

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

People will say Tatuaje but for me they are not even close. Nothing like a Habano as stated previously.

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

I have really been enjoying some Epernay Le Petites, I think they are similar to CCs but then again it may just be me

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

This is about the only stick that I find some similarities in to CC's. I dont find many similarities to any CC in most of Petes stuff. Not to say its not great. Infact in some instances I like them more. If I had to pick one I would agree with above.

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

It's like asking "Which apples taste most like oranges?". ;)

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

I was thinking the same thing.
Like asking which Dominican tastes most like a Nicaraguan. Or which Cabernet tastes most like a Shiraz or Merlot.

They are different animals - each having their own unique characteristics.

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

How about these apples?

http://www.zacryan.com/blog/wp-conte...ed-7378931.jpg

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

Jeez, you guys are no fun.

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

Oh, Peter is a lot of fun, he is probably just gassy tonight.

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

I have smoked a lot of both and enjoy both. I haven't found any non-cuban that tastes like a typical cuban. But there are cuban cigars with a "unique" flavor (Vegueros) that taste pretty darn close to a non-cuban in my opinion.

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

Agree Peter is a lot of fun. Especially in a hot tub after half a fifth of tequila...

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

A few NCs, in my opinion, taste similar to CCs...but it's in an "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" sort of way. It's almost there.

Cabaiguan
Tatuaje Havana VI
Cacique Miami

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

You asked a question that really has no answer,only opinions.
Myself and many others asked the exact same question early on in our cigar smoking experience.
The fun is in the journey not the destination :)

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

Just don't give him the whole fifth :xxx

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

ah, the age-old "alchemy of cigars" question...

:)

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

The only cigar I had that I consider close is a Vegas Cubanas. I thought it tasted sort of similar to a Montecristo CC.

But, like they said, there really isn't a NC that tastes like a CC.

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

Depends on what Cubans you're comparing too. I've had some aged Opus that taste like some Partagas. Personally, I feel that the only advantage that Cubans offer is price over NC's. You can get a very flavorful CC for $4-$5 Where it'll cost you $10+ for a NC that will even come close. But I feel that most CC's are one dimensional.

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

That is sooo true! You could drop 400 bucks on a box of Opus and probably not be as happy as dropping a 1/4 of that on a box of Party Shorts.

I think for me besides the price is the evolution of the CC's. With an NC's what you have in 5 years is pretty much what you had when you bought it, maybe a bit milder. But the CC's it's getting the chance to see what they become. :2

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

Yep. And with that said, my opinion is "none".

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

Tom and Peter are right on the money. Someone mentioned Vegeuros. Cuaba is another, that smoked fresh, tastes a lot out of the CC realm. Maybe a Mexican, Nic, inside with an Ecuadoran outside. Not so much Nicaraguan, maybe closer to Dominican. Heck, I don't know. I'm not a blender, I just pretend to be one in this thread.

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

Interesting perspective. I find the opposite to be true. :2

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

Cuaba tastes a lot like a Te-Amo Anniversario and Te-Amo Nic Blend combined. There, I got it. :tu
The easiest way to get the CC flavor is to fetch up some cc's, my brother.
Add Kelly to the list of guys that's right on the money, and I asked this question not so long ago myself.
The answer really is "none".
I have found some nc flavors in cc's, but they're less pronounced and really don't develop because the binder and filler take the forefront.
I enjoy my nc's more than my cc's right now, but I'm headed more and more in the cc direction. The cc's that I like have a lot of nc flavors and nuance. I think the Punch RS11 tastes a LOT like Pepin blnded stuff. I enjoy Cohiba maduros because they have a very nice sweet maduro wrapper that very much compliments the sweet insides, and I like my maduros and oscuros a LOT. Los Statos kinda tastes like a White Owl dipped in saccharin.
Mind ya, those are all a stretch, but I think some brothers might agree. At least they'll agree about the Los Statos. :D
Those are a good place for you to start, though.
Maybe someone will chime in with a couple "classic cc taste" recommendations so you can taste the extreme opposite end of the cc spectrum. :tu

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

I'm throwing CC's up against the pricier Tat's and Padron that I typically gravitate to. I had a RASS that had some complexity to it. But again...$4-$5 vs $10-$12+

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

I've smoked $3.00 cc's that offered tons more complexity than $30.00 nc's. Take an old erdm lunch club vs. Don Carlos Anniversario.
I know we put a lot of stock in complexity, but I'm sure there are a lot of smokers who seek out, and even appreciate a 10" one-dimensional cigar like an LFD EL A.
That said, I know exactly what you mean, and I feel much the same.
I'd much rather spend the money for something I really enjoy than to save money on something I don't. That's why I keep trying lots of different stuff. :)

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

None in my opinion. Pepin comes close in construction though.

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

Funny you should say that, because I do have one orange flavored apple in my humi. Or, a box and a half of them anyway. :D

Partagas Cifuentes Seasonal Blends Junio, I believe.
Last time I had one (almost a year ago) it tasted spot on like a party corona.
So I had another.... it did too... and another.... same result.
So, I bought another box. :D
Haven't had one since. Who knows, they may taste like rabbit ass now, but they were good.

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

Hmmm... deep fried or char broiled? Personally I can't stand deep fried rabbit ass but you toss that puppy on a charbroiler MMMMMMM...That's good eatin':D

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

I agree with Peter. Walt, are you smoking mainly "fresh" Cuban cigars. Often it takes some time for complexity to develop..but I have never had an NC, fresh or aged, that came close to some of the Cubans I have had in regards to complexity.

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

As most have mentioned, there is little to no comparison.


The vast majority of my consumption is in cuban cigars, however I don't mind mixing in a Nic Puro from time to time for a different taste. I don't have much of a taste for Honduran/Dominican anymore.


I'd be much more successful in giving a list of cubans that have very strong non-cuban profiles (Los Statos, Cohiba Maduro, RyJ Cazadores).


At the end of the day, I think you should consider 3 key points.

1. Cuban cigars may not be legal in your country.

2. Cuban cigars are almost ALWAYS cheaper than non-cuban cigars at the same 'quality level'

3. Smoke what you like.

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

I'm going to have to say yes for the most part (1-3 years old). I've got a Punch SS #1 from 92 in the humi. I'll be looking forward to it even more now, based on what your saying above.

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

Go smoke that homer, Walt. See what you think and get back to us.
If you like those old turds, I bet someone would love to share something else for you to try. ;)

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

I mentioned the Vegueros Scott. Yeah the Cuaba is another Cuban that is similar to a non-Cuban, except for the Salomone. I had one of those and thought it was a great Cuban tasting cigar....or maybe that was a Partagas....hmmm I think it was a Cuaba....have a great weekend everyone! :xxx

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

Agree on the flavor. Now about construction ... haven't had that many Pepins ... but I've never had a plugged Pepin. :D

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

cabiguan or davidoff.

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

I think the Indian Tobac Super Fuerte comes close with the Devil's Weed in a close second...

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

This question comes up often. There is no real answer to it (factual or opinionated)... what should be focused on is what cigar you enjoy the most, regardless of origin.



This would be like asking what fast food tastes most like McDonalds. There are many fast-food places out there national, local, global ECT... all have there pluses and minuses. None taste like McDonalds. And further more. Taste like McDonalds what? They have many items on the menu all taste different some like the big Mac some like a quarter pounder ECT.. Are you asking which fast food place tastes like a Quarter pounder? Well I can guarantee you that if you are asking a quarter pounder eaters this question but not specifying the quarter pounder part and you’re looking for other fast food places that taste like mcnuggets you will be disappointed.


Maybe im just rambling... maybe I don’t know S.H.I.T. from shineola take this for what it is........ Not much.

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

^^^ I understand what you are saying.

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

A great man once said: You asked a question that really has no answer, only opinions.

Ok. . . now that you guys have beaten that dead horse into meatloaf, back to the original question:

Many times I've told people that (IMHO) the Punch Rare Corojo Double Corona (Size: 6-3/4" x 48 ring) is most like the rich flavorful Cuban cigar profile. IMHO means: In My Humble Opinion. . . so there! You asked. I gave an answer!

FWIW:
I have strong opinions about Cuban cigars in the USA. All the books and articles I've read in the last 12 years reiterate that 90 to 95 percent of Cuban cigars in the USA are counterfeit. I cannot disagree with the rock-solid authors who write these books & articles because they have unapproachable credentials in cigar manufacturing. Anyone who knows me or has been to my home, knows I have a collection of cigar books. . . and I've read every one . . . cover to cover! (I'm obsessive compulsive, but therapy ended years ago.) Anyway, I've been fortunate enough to enjoy a few Cubans myself. I can't tell you how many times someone has gifted me one of their prized Cuban cigars. . . only to smoke it and find it to be of Nicaraguan or Ecuadorian tobaccos! One (high profile) member of another cigar forum gifted me a bag full of Cubans. The first one tasted like ship! I tried another and thought the flavor-aroma was familiar. So, I shared the rest with a cigar blender/manufacture. He immediately identified the wrapper as Ecuadorian tobacco. This same scenario has played out with numerous of other "high profile" forum members who fancy themselves as "cigar aficionados" in their own minds. They spend HUGE amounts of money on cigars! (with huge humidor cabinets and/or closets full of cigars!) They think because they buy overseas, they're getting the real deal. I share these examples because many who make the effort to buy Cuban cigars just don't want to believe they are part of the 90-95% getting counterfeit cigars! They wouldn't actually recognize a Cuban cigar because they've been smoking Nicaraguan or Ecuadorian versions . . . counterfeits. But, you'll never convince them. They'll die trying to refute anyone who questions them or their sources! Gee! I hope this didn't offend anyone here! I'm still new and have spent the last decade at a number of other cigar forums. So, no offense to you all. I just don't know you well enough to insult you (yet). :D

I would love to challenge them (anyone) to a blind-taste-test! Different "puro" cigars from different countries. . . Nicaraguan, Honduran, Mexican, Dominican, Ecuadorian, Cuban, etc. Here's the contest: "Smoke & Tell" where the cigar (tobacco) is from! Now THIS would be MY kind of "All-Day-Herf" contest for a true Cigar Summit! :ss

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

Thanks for the review!!

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

you did notice that the OP is in Canada and not in the USA and probably has access to real cubans.... not those pesky %95 fake USA sticks??


"OP" means Original Poster BTW

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

maybe the people who smoke CC's on this forum make up that 5-10%? :banger

also you talk about the people who will argue their CC's and the fact that they are legit till death. Seems like you are doing the same thing just arguing that they are wrong. Just my :2

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

Ok. You make a good point! :) Just sayin' . . .

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

Gee whiz, I sure hope I am among the 5 to 10% that have a couple "real" Cubans amongst all my fakes.

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

I don't agree that you can't compare ccs to ncs. That it is like comparing apples and rattlesnakes. To me asking which cigars taste like ccs is like asking which apples taste like Red Delicious. All cigars are made from the same element: tobacco. So there will be some similarities in taste. Thats me:2

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

These are done quite regularly. Search the forums for Fredster and Moki (if it's not here, it's at Puff.com)

Someone who has a well defined palate can usually nail the difference between cuban and non-cuban with a high probability of success (usually better than the statistical probability of a coin flip)

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

Cremosa

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

I smoke both.
Arguments both ways can be made on this subject until one is blue in the face.
To say that 90-95% of all in the US are fakes is something I can't phantom.
In the first place, no one has ever gone through 90-95% of what I have.
That I know of, non one has gone through 90-95% of what many folks I know very well have.
As such, if one adds all those I know and adds their stock and considers no one has gone through 90-95% of what they have....................well, you don't have to be a math major to figure out where I am going here.

That 90-95% is a SPECULATION by an author. Books are written in the eyes and beliefs of the writer. I have no clue how these people can assert these facts. I have learned to believe everything I read also. I write it down and then I read it.

As to taste, there is no doubt there is a clear and distinct flavor difference between NC and CC's. After 20 years of smoking cigars and having a dad who has smoked them in Cuba, since the age of 14 (and had them all custom rolled for him) and a mother in law who rolled them and a wife's family who were Vegueros, heck if I would ever know what a real Cuban tastes like or looks like.

I'll tell you where I agree with that 90-95% statistic and that is if you buy them from the streets of Miami or if you buy them from a friend of a friend of a friend, etc. Sure, I bet 100% of those are fakes. However, to state that 90-95% of what is sold from overseas are fakes, OK, let's agree to disagree.

As cigar manufacturing has developed from Cuban seeds outside of Cuba and as makers such as Pepin have raised the bar, no doubt there are many that have some sort of similarity. Are they the same? Heck no.

BTW,
I just finished smoking a very uniquely, unlike NC tasting, H. Upmann Mag 48 EL. Best darn fake I have smoked in a while.:rolleyes:
They are such good fakes I bought myself a second box to store for a while.

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

But these writers have "unapproachable credentials", Carlos. ;)

Re: In your opinion which NC is closest to a CC?
 

None. I have never met a NC cigar that tasted anything like a cuban.