Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately
 

The Herrera Esteli (by Willy Herrera for Drew) and the Pinolero by AJ Fernandez. I've not been a big fan of AJ's smokes (just don't suit my tastes) but this one is a winner in my book. It has a good balance of strength and tang, at least in the corona. The Herrera is very well crafted with a silky wrapper, great burn, creamy with a little bit of tanginess. Both are medium in strength. They both come from Nicaragua (no surprise LOL), but I'm not sure if they are puros.

Anyone else tried them......opinions?

Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately
 

Yes like them both but not something I'd smoke alot of. Too mild for my tastes. Give me a maduro any day over these. But they are a nice change of pace.

Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately
 

I like the Herrera Esteli cigars, but have not tried the Pinolero yet. I have been going down the maduro highway at full speed lately, but I still enjoy this type of cigar.

You should also try the CyB cigars by Joya De Nicaragua. I think they have a similar vibe to the Herrera Esteli line.

Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately
 

I really enjoyed the few Herrera Estelis I have had. As Kevin said, these are a great change of pace sticks from my regular diet of maduros.

Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately
 

I smoked a Herrera Esteli a month or so ago and was pleasantly surprised with not only the flavors, but the fact that those flavors held throughout the entire smoke and until it was nubbed. Definitely the closest NC to having a Cuban profile that I've smoked.

Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately
 

Note to self when I want to be disappointed by a cigar I should smoke a Pinolero and Herrera Esteli. ;)

Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately
 

I bit on a fiver of Esteli short coronas, and the one I had was very enjoyable. Agree on your point. At at a very reasonable price.

Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately
 

Pinolero corona sat me on my a$$. Really enjoy the toro though and definately get that "cubanesque" taste from it.

Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately
 

From my understanding, there will be a Hererra Esteli Maduro in the near future. At least that has been teased. I do like the HE quite a lot and have smoked them pretty regularly since they were released.

Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately
 

Glad y'all had some luck with the HEs and Pinoleros. Neither of mine I could consider good. The HE was bland and boring and the Pinoleros I've tried have been flat out awful. If I want a CC-esque profile, I'll reach for a Curivari any day. Fratellos too, they have some striking similarities to some Partys.

Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately
 

Love the HE and the Curivari, but one of the most CC tasting NCs I have had is the Quesada Espana Corona/Lancero...Awesome ;)

Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately
 

+ 1 for Fratello,but they are bolder than the average cc.....

Curivari are just good,always.

Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately
 

I'll have to check out the cigars you guys mentioned.

Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately
 

I liked the Hererra Esteli (my review is here) but I didn't think it was particularly Cubanesque.

Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately
 

Nice review....I've personally detected a good bit of tang in the ones I've smoked which also happens to be the short corona.

Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately
 

Like the orange juice the astronauts drink? :D

Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately
 

I've always wanted to try a Tang

Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately
 

Two astronauts walk into a bar.............

Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately
 

I realize "tang" can mean several different things.......LMAO

Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately
 

I ahve heard "twang" used to describe Cuban cigars, although I find it kind of non-descriptive....that the word you were meaning to use, Mike?

Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately
 

Smoking one now, nice spice but not really similar to the Juan Lopez #2 i just finished. YMMV

Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately
 

And if you have a line on where to buy some quesada españa coronas, idbe much obliged.

Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately
 

no...tang, as in tangy......tart, sharp.....but I have heard twang used before, but I usually associate that term with a guitar

anyway, dems good ceegars

Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately
 

Gotcha, Mike.... I was confused because I don't associate tart flavors with a Cuban profile.

Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately
 

http://smallbatchcigar.com/quesada-q...of5-p-434.html

http://www.jackschwartz.com/s.873/em...-specials.aspx

Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately
 

:tpd:

I've often heard some refer to the Cuban "twang". But never "tang" (spicy/tart).
:2

Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately
 

Damn....tang vs. twang almost needs its own thread :)
I forgot to mention that I often exhale through my nose and sometimes run the burning foot under my nostrils and inhale the off-smoke. A lot of flavors and aromas can be missed if you don't IMO.

Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately
 

Yeah, retrohaling is pretty standard amongst the Cuban smokers here, Mike. Still never got a tart progile from a Cuban though.

Oh well, different strokes for different folks.