Your favourite Cuban custom cigars

[El Presidente]

I received the following overnight and am having a hard time replying as what appeals to me may not appeal to others. 

"Rob, can you give me a list of the best custom cigars to pick up in havana? I am going for my first trip in December . Super excited!"

 

Can you let us know your favourite Cuban custom cigars and maybe a little detail as to rough price and how long you age them for?

 

[Frozen North]

I’d like to know as well. I’ve never had one. I’d sure like to buy some though.

[kalibratecuba]

El Pres, you're not going to mention the customs you had rolled? Are they all gone?

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[Hammer Smokin']

the email was for custom cuban cigars.

otherwise, I'm sure he would

[kalibratecuba]

the email was for custom cuban cigars.
otherwise, I'm sure he would

No, there were customs rolled in Cuba, only attainable by going to the island or mule. I did neither. There were also Cuban customs that Rob sold on here years ago.

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[Tstew75]

Most complex I've smoked have been Papos. As with most custom rolls, I'd probably smoke them in their first 8 years of life.

[madandana]

So many great ones. Alex, Juanita, Reynoldo... I’ve only found one that I didn’t love. 

Most of the LCDH have bars. Hit all of them, have a drink and sample what they have to offer.

[BrightonCorgi]

Such an open ended question. 

[Fuzz]

My favourites are La Puntilla, Alex's lonsdales and coronas, Reynaldo's petit coronas.

 

[LLC]

No, there were customs rolled in Cuba, only attainable by going to the island or mule. I did neither. There were also Cuban customs that Rob sold on here years ago.

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That is the La Puntilla rolled by Alex at The Commodore. They are quite good and under 5 CUC per stick.


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[treberty]

IMO, Monsdales, pre-2012 (when Enrique was still alive). The 2006 that I have still blow me away!

Fantastic blend, great torcedor.

[bmf30180]

2 hours ago, db13 said:

Hector’s lanceros

$10

No aging required

I'm traveling here at the end of the month with Jorge.  Should I try and pre-order or does he have these on hand?  

In lieu of hijacking the thread, I'll second the PC from Reynaldo and the Puntillas from Alex.  Mine have a year on them now and are perfect in every way. 

[Corneighdo]

This info is from a couple of years ago

Custom Rollers to See: 

Reynaldo @ Conde de Villanueva Hotel LCDH at Mercaderes #202 corner of Lamparilla, Habana Vieja - This was my favorite blender. His smokes I've had aging for 2-3 years and still getting better. They smoke great fresh as well. Sublime is a must along with robustos. 

Yolanda Medina @ Hotel Melia Habana LCDH at 3ra Ave. between Calle 76 & 80, Playa/Miramar - famous for Piramides which are phenomenal  

Cueto from the El Morro Castle shop (Parque Morro-Cabana Cigar Shop) - have not tried

Jorge Lopez Leal @ Club Havana LCDH (5ht Ave between Calle 188-192) MONSDALES (Playa neighborhood) Visited, but Jorge not there and NO cigars available, so you may want to call ahead. 

Leopoldina Gutierrez aka 'La China’ @ Partagas LCDH at Calle Industria #520, Centro Habana, tried but did not buy a lot

Santos - this is who rolls Johnny O's customs so since I can get them here, I didn't try to find him on the island. 

 

Prices are extremely fair - this cheaper than regular production. Best value in cigars. 

[JY0]

I’ve loved everything I’ve tried from Alejandro and Reynoldo. 
 

Alejandro’s lanceros and churchills are some of the best cigars I’ve ever smoked. 

[bpm32]

1 hour ago, Tstew75 said:

Most complex I've smoked have been Papos. As with most custom rolls, I'd probably smoke them in their first 8 years of life.

Yeah, Papo's cigars are amazing, probably some of the best cigars I've had. He's pretty passionate about blending.

[Chucko8]

Hoyo de Mena robusto. I've only had examples from 2018 so haven't aged them anymore than a year.

[Viva Vegas]

Leopoldina Gutierrez aka 'La China’ @ Partagas LCDH at Calle Industria #520, Centro Habana has great torpedo rolls for $5.00 each . Smoke great fresh and have in my humidor too. I think these Sticks are the best custom rolls I have had so far.

 

[westg]

The next time I am in Cuba..1st stop Reynaldo and his Petit Coronas.Sensational . His lancero are excellent. He makes these shortish fat cigars not sure what they are called...probably 58 gauge. On my last trip I picked up 10, easily the best cigars I have ever smoked . Packed with tonnes of lip smaking flavour, orange zest , leather and spice. Just brilliant !

[LLC]

The next time I am in Cuba..1st stop Reynaldo and his Petit Coronas.Sensational . His lancero are excellent. He makes these shortish fat cigars not sure what they are called...probably 58 gauge. On my last trip I picked up 10, easily the best cigars I have ever smoked . Packed with tonnes of lip snaking flavour, orange zest , leather and spice. Just brilliant !

Last couple of trips I’ve brought back his pyramids, they have been excellent.


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[anacostiakat]

Alex's Salomons! 

[pgwdaddy]

Noob question(s): is there a “Custom Cigars 101” post available for my education?

Would I be correct in assuming I’d have to make a trip to purchase or can they be acquired by other means?


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[alloy]

I luv 'em all!

Club Havana Monsdale/ Alex Puntilla/ PAPO BHK 54/ HLP 54 

[Cigar Surgeon]

Robaina farmies (although I've only had a handful) > Monsdales > Hamlet's Salomones > everything else.

[IanMcLean68]

Only custom I have had the pleasure to try so far is the La Puntilla. Kudos to both El Pres. and Alex for a great cigar, the two I have tried have both been crackers!

[Corylax18]

Prietos are a cut above the rest, I think. Smooth flavorful and well constructed. I describe them to people as smoking a stick of butter that's been rolled in dark brown sugar. Hector is a great guy too. 

Alex rolls a phenomenal stick as well. I've enjoyed every cigar I've gotten from him. Puntillas, Princes, Pyramides, double lanceros, all tasty and very well rolled. Alex is also a great guy. Humble, knowledgeable, and always has time for a chat. 

La Chine also rolls a mean cigar, but arthritis in her hands prevented her from rolling for a period. I believe she is back to rolling on a regular basis though, atleast she was in April when I was last in Havana.