Even though the embargo against Cuba has been lightened — you can now legally bring $100 worth of tasty Havanas back to the States — it doesn’t mean you can buy them locally. You can order them online, but there’s no guarantee they’re the real deal, and you’re still messing with the law when you take that route. And so, if you’re like us and you salivate just thinking about the rich, complex and earthy flavors some great Cuban cigars impart, you want to “bend the rules” — but risks are risks.
Your other solution is finding a great alternative to a Havana. But this route takes a bit of know-how. Just because a cigar brags “Cuban seed tobacco” on its list of ingredients doesn’t mean the cigar will taste like the real thing — after all, the majority of the unique flavor comes from Cuban soil, rather than just the seed, itself. And be conscious that a great alternative won’t mimic the exact flavors of Cubans — you’re not matching a Hoyo De Monterey Epicure or a Cohiba Esplendido — but rather provide the smoker with rich taste and nuanced complexity that pay homage to the Cuban tradition. Most of the iterations below were created by cigar crafters who fled Cuba and took with them the knowledge on how to make an excellent stogie, and built factories in South America and other regions from where the US can legally import their goods.
Cuba’s Secret Sauce
The secret stuff of a great Cuban cigar is found in Cuba’s Vuelta Abajo, a fertile section of land in the west. It’s both the climate and subsoil that lend to the rich, earthy, complex flavor of “Habanos”. Vuelta Abajo can take credit for the perfect humidity of 65 percent, an average temperature of 73 degrees Fahrenheit and a wealth of minerals and sand. The result is high nitrate concentration in the tobacco leaves, giving Habanos power, flavor and quality. No one has been able to duplicate them, though many have tried, and these cigars come close.
La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero Chisel Maduro Toro Grande
This is the decadent favorite of the group, not only by virtue of body and flavor, but by the uniqueness of shape and cut. The flat chisel tip lets you either pinch the end to open it up or requires a punch cut in the top of the impeccably constructed, supremely oily cigar (the punch cut is the preferred method). It allows cool smoke to travel up to the roof of your mouth, providing a completely new flavor experience for cigar smokers.
Flavor Notes: The flawless draw of this cigar allows an immediate chocolate taste from the maduro wrapper, backed by delicious black coffee and wood. The billowy smoke is sweet smelling, making the experience that much better. There’s no wait for flavor — it’s right there and never lets up. Creaminess and spice show up in the latter half of the cigar, but the initial flavors remain throughout the smoke, making this full-bodied cigar one of the most flavorful experiences you’ll have.
Origin: Dominican Republic
Ring Gauge: 54
Length: 6 inches
Body: full
Wrapper/Binder/Filler: Ecuador/Dominican Republic/Dominican Republic
