cuban classics/benchmarks

[corneliusmaximus]

So I'm new to Cuban cigars. Not cigars in general, mind you, but the Cuban market. I want to get a crash course on what profiles are available on the market. Seems simple enough, but I've having a hard time finding a list of cigars that would be considered benchmarks or classics, as opposed to a single person's personal favorite. Namely, cigars that are regular production that are representatives of the brands or a vitola or strength level or cuban cigars in general.

For example, it seems that most agree that Montecristo 2 is a benchmark for medium-body torpedo's and Partagas D4 is standard for full-bodied robusto's. I'm looking to construct a list of a few cigars, let's say 10, that would give me a good overview of the Cubans cigars on the market.

Thanks!

[johnhenry]

The none siglo line of Cohiba is the bench mark to me ,the lancero to me is the cream of the crop when they are properly rolled. Ymmv

[Magpie]

These are all Legends, but it's a matter of preference, so best get trying as many as possible.

Monte 4

Hoyo EP2

Partagas D4

Bolivar Belcosos Finos

Punch Punch

Monte 2

Cohiba Siglo VI

Buy quality boxes from El Pres

[Troels]

Good idea to get a sampler of regular production - would suggest petit corona in as many brands as possible, then add partagas serie d nr4, hoyo epicure nr 2 and partagas shorts and you're helped quite well

[Livo]

HdM Epi 2

HdM des Dieux

PLPC

Sir Winston

Monte 2

Monte 4

CoRo

Partagas 898

What I consider to be some of the benchmarks, for what it 's worth.

[shlomo]

Just buy the 10 most popular answers you get here. Then buy another 10 different cigars and another 10 different ones. You'll figure it out.RRemember that CCs are generally less consistent and more fickle and temperamental than NCs so one sample of each sometimes is not enough to judge on.

[shlomo]

And try not to ignore the smaller vitolas. For me anyways, they are generally the most consistent and enjoyable of each marca.

[CaptainQuintero]

Bolivar petit corona

Cohiba siglo 2

H.Upmann connoisseur #1

Juan Lopez petit corona

Montecristo Especial #2

Por larranaga petit corona

Partagas 898

Quai d orsay corona

Ramon Allones specially select

Romeo y julieta exhibition #4

San Luis ray serie a

Sancho Panza Belicosos

San cristobal la Fuerza

Trinidad fundadores

Just my list but personally I think it's a good showcase of cuba and each marca, not to mention very tasty

[ramon_cojones]

nobody has answered the poor guy's question

[LordAnubis]

Look through the Todays Smoke thread and yo uwill see what people smoke on here...

[fingerburner]

My benchmarks:

* Piramides - Upmann No. 2

* Belicosos - Sancho Panza

* Robusto - CoRo

* Hermosos No.4 - SLR Regios/Upmann Conni No.1

* DC - Saint Luis Rey

* Churchill - Sir Winston

* Corona Gorda - SLR Serie A

* Corona Grandes - Hoyo Des Dieux

* Dalias - Partagas 8-9-8

* Petit Corona - Por Larranaga

[Smallclub]

nobody has answered the poor guy's question

I don't believe you're surprised, are you? This kind of thread systematically turns to a "Name your favorites" thread…

what was the question again?

[Bartolomeo]

Off the top of my head here are a couple that represent the brands true taste the best IMHO

Monte- Especiales

Cohiba- CCE

VR- Unicos

Punch - Punch Punch

Quai- Panatelas

LGC- 1 or 2

Partagas- 898

ERDM- Demi Tasse

Bolivar- PC

PL - Aged PLPC

SLR- DC

HDM- DC

JL - PC

RyJ- MF

[Guest Robo]

Regarding the Cuban classics, I think you need a target audience to answer this question properly.

For the beginner:

Cohiba Esplendidos

Monte #4

RyJ Churchills

For the novice:

Cohiba Lanceros, Robusto & Siglo VI

Monte #2, #4 & Edmundo

RyJ Short Churchill

H Upmann Sir Winston & #2

Parti Lusitanias, SDN4 & 898

Hoyo Double Coronas & des Dieux

Bolivar Petit Coronas

Trinidad Fundadores & Reyes

La Gloria Cubana Md'Or #2

For the seasoned smoker:

don't ask...

[corneliusmaximus]

Thanks for the recommendations, guys!

@Campanas - I mentioned that I'm not a beginner in cigars but just in Cubans, in that I've only tried Monte tubos and Partagas 4.

I guess this question is difficult to answer because there are the Classics that are the bestsellers which the general public likes (e.g. R&J, Monte 4), then there are the connoisseur favorites (e.g. Partagas 898) which are not bestsellers but well received by "critics". Would that be fair to say? If that's true, then it would be good to be aware of both, but know the difference.

[Knilas]

Great question. But I think your answers lie within your own personal tastes. (Re)search is your friend! Enjoy the ride!

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

[corneliusmaximus]

Would you guys say that there's a huge variability within a certain macra, as opposed to between them? Or does the house style pretty much stay consistent? For example, cubancigarwebsite.com says that " The Classic & Behike range comprise medium to full strength cigars and the Siglo & Maduro range comprise medium strength cigars."

[CaptainQuintero]

nobody has answered the poor guy's question

I did! I just worded it awkwardly lol, I think my list is indicative of each marca

[cigcars]

I would recommend any Partagas lonsdale size (898), shorts, milles fleurs, Presidentes, the Saint Luis Rey A, most Bolivars, Ramon Allones and Por Larranaga regular productions

[Optic101]

This info from Rob was very helpful for me looking at the marques.

"Cigar Taste Description FOH 2007 by Prez."

» The Marques:

»

»

» Bolivar

Medium bodied

Earthy.

Toasted Tobacco

raisins

White pepper

» Cohiba

Medium Bodied

Honey

lemongrass

Milk Coffee

» Cuaba

Medium Bodied

Wet earth

Toasted Tobacco

Cedar

Peat

» Diplomatico

Medium Bodied

Pimiento spice

Paprica

saffron

Latte Coffee

»

» El Rey Del Mundo

Light/Medium Body

Milk Coffee

crushed sugarcane

Shortbread

» H. Upmann

Medium Body

Bread and Butter pudding

Toasted hazlenuts

Toasted tobacco

» Hoyo De Monterrey

Medium Bodied

Double cream

fig

Ristreto coffee

» La Gloria Cubana

Light Bodied

Citrus Peel

Long dry grass stalks

weak milk coffee

» Montecristo

Medium Bodied

Classic Milk Coffee

Short Bread

Cocoa

» Por Larranaga

Medium Bodied

Toasted Tobacco

Caramel

» Partagas

Full Bodied

Dank forest floor

charred wood

stewed unsweetened black cherries

» Punch

Medium Bodied

Sweet spice mix (5 spice)

milk chocolate core

toasted tobacco

» Rafael Gonzalez

Light Bodied

Floral

Weak milk coffee

Anise

» Ramon Allones

Medium Bodied

Stewed fruit

Wet forest floor

quality espresso

» Romeo y Julieta

Medium/Full Bodied

Toasted tobacco

Cherries

Dry Cedar wood

Belgian Cooking Chocolate (non sweetenened)

» Sancho Panza

Toasted Tobacco

Salt

some sweet nutmeg spice

» San Cristobal

Light to Medium Bodied

Molasses

Morning Milk Coffee

Cinnamon

» Vegas Robaina

Medium Bodied

Wet earth

Cooking Chocolate

Dark roasted coffee

Toasted Tobacco

Trinidad

Medium Bodied

Clean toasted tobacco

roasted nuts

burn't caramel