I was in Havana three years ago. I sat on the patio of the Hotel Nacional, ordered a Cohiba Behike (the “Holy Grail” of cigars), and lit it up.
It was plugged. I sucked on that thing until my cheeks hurt, but it was like trying to drink a milkshake through a coffee stirrer.
That is the dirty little secret of the cigar world: Cuba has a quality control problem.
Don’t get me wrong—a perfect Cuban cigar is a religious experience. But getting a perfect one is a gamble. Meanwhile, in Nicaragua, families like the Padróns and the Fuentes are making cigars that are technically flawless, richer in flavor, and don’t require a passport to buy.
If you want to impress your friends, buy the yellow band (Cohiba). If you want to actually enjoy your smoke, look at Nicaragua.
Key Takeaways: The New King of Tobacco
- The Soil: Estelí, Nicaragua has volcanic soil that mimics the Pinar del Rio region of Cuba perfectly.
- The Construction: Nicaraguan rollers use a “draw machine” to test airflow. Cubans are often rolled too tight.
- The Aging: Most Non-Cubans are aged for years before you buy them. Cubans are often sold “green” (too fresh) and need to sit in your humidor for 3 years before they are good.
1. The “Forbidden Fruit” Effect
We want what we can’t have. For decades, the US embargo made Cuban cigars the ultimate status symbol.
But while Cuba was stuck in time, the rest of the world moved on. The best tobacco growers fled Cuba in the 60s. They took their seeds (and their skills) to the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.
Today, the “student” has become the master.
2. My Recommendation: The Padrón 1964 Anniversary
- Price: ~$25 – $30
- The Experience: This is the benchmark. It is box-pressed (square shape), which gives it a perfect, loose draw every single time. It produces thick, creamy clouds of smoke that taste like cocoa, coffee, and earth.
You can light this up straight out of the box and know it will be perfect. You don’t have to “dry box” it or pray to the cigar gods. It just works.
3. If You MUST Buy Cuban…
If you are dead set on the “Habanos” experience, avoid the Cohibas. They are the most counterfeited item on earth.
Instead, look for a Ramon Allones Specially Selected or a Partagás Serie D No. 4. They are consistent, spicy, and cost half as much as the big brands. And please, buy them from a reputable dealer (like La Casa del Habano), not a guy on a beach.
I’m Lighting Up.
I just cut a Padrón 1964 Maduro. The draw is perfect, as always.
I’m sitting in the lounge right now with a glass of Diplomatico rum. I’d love to know what you’re smoking this week. Come show me your cutter.
[BUTTON: Join Elena in the Humidor Live] (Link to your Cam Landing Page)
FAQ: Cigar Etiquette
Should I dip the tip in cognac? Please don’t. That was something Winston Churchill did because cigars back then were dry and harsh. Today, it just ruins the flavor of the tobacco and makes the cap soggy.
How far down should I smoke it? Until it stops tasting good. Usually, that’s about an inch and a half from the nub. If you smoke it until it burns your fingers, the smoke gets hot and bitter. Leave it in the ashtray with dignity.
V-Cut or Straight Cut? I prefer a V-Cut (the “cat’s eye”). It opens up a lot of surface area for flavor but keeps the cap intact so you don’t get tobacco flakes in your mouth.
