Description
Value Cuban Selection R695.00
As the Americans used to say – “what the country needs is a good 10c cigar”.
Maybe what you need for a casual smoke is a “good value” cigar.
One of the most effective ways of making a less expensive Cuban cigar is by using shorter filler leaf – much less costly than the full leaf and with less wastage. This often results in a much lighter, and easy-burning cigar. We’ve put together an interesting “Value Selection”.
These cigars are big enough to be complex in flavour – giving a satisfying, balanced smoke – and taking 30 – 45 minutes from start to finish.
Many less expensive cigars from Cuba are slender – not panatelas, just a slightly smaller ring gauge than usual. The trick is to open up as much of the head as possible to ease the draw – but don’t cut beyond the cap. Always smoke them slowly – you’ll get the best flavour that way, and enjoy a cool smoke.
Gillian Wesley
Romeo y Julieta Coronitas en Cedro (Slim Corona, 129mm x Ring 40)
Romeo y Julieta is probably the best-known Havana brand. The balanced and aromatic blend makes it the classic medium-bodied Cuban cigar. These cigars are tripa larga, totalmente a mano – long filler, totally handmade using an exclusive blend of tobaccos from the Vuelta Abajo region of Cuba.
Each cigar is individually wrapped in fine cedar leaves. These not only allow a better protection of the fragile wrapper, but also give the cigars a perfect aroma and taste. It is the
same length as the Montecristo No.4 but slightly thinner. If you find the draw too tight, cut a slightly larger hole – but don’t take off the whole cap or the cigar may unravel.
Jose L Piedra Petit Cazadores (Half Corona Extra, 105mm x Ring 43)
This is a slightly unusual range of cigars, because the leaf is grown exclusively, not in the Vuelta Abajo region, but in the Vuelta Arriba region of Cuba (Remedios area) where cigar leaf has been grown since the 16th century. The Habanos website tells us that these are made using the Tripa Corta Totalmente a Mano technique – totally by hand, but from shorter filler leaf – easier to blend and to handle. This provides an easier and more consistent burning rate, a perfect budget Cuban cigar. The Petit Cazadores is slightly longer and thicker than the classic half corona, very easy-smoking, which probably contributes to its popularity.
Quintero Brevas (Nacionales, 140mm x Ring 40)
Quintero is one of the few Habanos brands not born in Cuba’s capital city, Havana. Instead its founder Agustin Quintero with his four brothers set up shop in the south coast city of Cienfuegos, known as the “Pearl of the South”. Then as now all the tobaccos selected for Quintero came from the Vuelta Abajo region. They are hand made using short filler leaf. The short fillers are the off cuts from the higher priced premium cigars, offering an excellent value. The Brevas have a good draw with a medium full strength. Classic Cuban taste cigars, smooth with spicy notes. An excellent budget Cuban cigar – difficult to find.