If you are a cigar aficionado, you know that Cuban cigars are considered one of the highest cigars available on the market. However, there are a number of drawbacks to the Cuban cigar that you may not be aware of. The most prominent drawback is the fact that Cuban cigars are illegal in the United States. The good news is that there are a number of different brands of Non-Cuban cigars that are considered high in quality and are comparable to the Cuban counterpart, which means you do not have to be concerned about a loss of quality if you are not able to purchase the coveted Cuban option.
What to Look for in a Non-Cuban Cigar
If you have decided that Non-Cuban cigars are the right option for you, there are a number of things that you should think about in order to determine the overall quality prior to actually making a purchase. The first thing you should do is consider the appearance of the cigar. If it is labeled as a ‘premium’ cigar, it should have some key features that will let you know that it is, in fact, high-quality. Be sure that there are no holes in the cigar, or spots on the body of the cigar and that there are no tears in the paper.
Additionally, when you are actually smoking the cigar, you should be able to coax the smoke out easily – much like sucking water through a straw. You should not have to intensely drag on the cigar in order to feel the smoke come into your mouth. High volumes of white, thick smoke should also come out from the cigar with every single puff you take and without expending too much effort.
However, the most important feature of any premium, Non-Cuban cigar will be the flavor that is present. While the taste can vary from smoker to smoker, you should have the ability to notice the difference in a bottom or top shelf flavor. Evaluate if the flavors are purposeful, poignant and refined. A premium cigar will create flavors that will remain even many hours after you have finished smoking.
The Bottom Line
The fact is that while Cuban cigars may be the more well-known option, there are a large number of non-Cuban cigars that are just as high quality as a Cuban option and, in some cases, even more flavorful. Additionally, the non-Cuban varieties are typically more affordable than Cuban cigars, but the flavors are still balanced and complex. While it will truly come down to your particular taste and preference, there is no question that non-Cuban cigars offer flavor and quality – which is actually surprising to many smokers.