Newbie Questions

[Shelby07]

Bigsmoke - I respect your opinion. In my opinion there are others that are just as good, maybe even better if subjectivity were a non issue. If ISOM's were legally available in the US I would still be buying more expensive non-ISOM's as well. I suspect many others would do the same. My message to newbies in the US is not to get wrapped up in the hype. There are lots of great cigars that are legally available right around the corner.

JMHO


BTW: The original question was in regards to what are pretty universally known as "pre-embargo Cuban cigars." No one was discussing cuban cigars until you brought it up.

[jiaguy]

Indeed, often ISOMS are underaged, ammonia filled cause they have only been shelved for a few weeks from the date code. If thats what you mean by the best then go for it. I seriously think the quality of the tabacco is the best but the rollers are no longer the best.

In Camaguey I saw a Cohiba cabinet box with a date stamp that was most 15 days old. There was probably enough ammonia in it to set off a bomb detector. Any ISOM fan can tell you their quality is going south as production is upped at a huge rate. Also a large percentage of ISOMS are still consumed in the US embargo or not.

[drew_goring]

Indeed, often ISOMS are underaged, ammonia filled cause they have only been shelved for a few weeks from the date code. If thats what you mean by the best then go for it. I seriously think the quality of the tabacco is the best but the rollers are no longer the best.

In Camaguey I saw a Cohiba cabinet box with a date stamp that was most 15 days old. There was probably enough ammonia in it to set off a bomb detector. Any ISOM fan can tell you their quality is going south as production is upped at a huge rate. Also a large percentage of ISOMS are still consumed in the US embargo or not.

I agree with both of you. My favorite stick is an ISOM, but there are a lot of non-cubans that are very close.

jiaguy, arguably the same could be said for a lot of non-cubans as well...*cough*ESG*cough* I had one fresh, and it was horrible. Had one recently and they are sure coming around. Definitely one of my top 5 sticks ATM.