Free Cuba
I'm a little embarrassed to even feature this brand. Why you ask? Click here then click on the product image. For those of you that actually made it back here, really we're not a porn dealer in disguise, I swear (although I have seen one or two competitors of ours actually break this line once or twice, but anyway.) That brand image launched this brand to an '89' rating in Cigar Aficionado. Yes, 89. The first cigar ever that no reviewers actually smoked...just kidding! Hell, the first time I bought it, I peeled off the cigar band to see if there was anything even more special on the inside.
What's annoying about this brand, though, and this picture in particular, is that it doesn't fit the brand name at all. Well, maybe it does, but it'd have to be a stretch. Like maybe the woman's name is Cuba and she's finally free-ing herself of her wardrobe. Nah, that's probably not it. Maybe her name is Cuba and she's the emperor's sex slave and is dying to be let free from the grip of his mighty ..... OK, probably not that either. One last one, maybe she lives in Cuba, a place that is so oppressed by the Communist dictatorship that she can't even afford a full blouse to cover her, uh, well, you know, and she's screaming "Free Cuba", "Free Cuba", "Free Cuba." So, for the love of all that's good, let's "Free Cuba" and help her out by buying a few of these bundles. (Or if you'd rather simply send a donation, cash only - no checks please, send them directly to my attention and I'll make sure the lovely lady on this wrapper gets the money.)
Well, then, we've gone nowhere, so is there a cigar behind those....ugh, I mean her...alright, focus now...is there a cigar behind that lovely, sultry band that just barely masks the lovely hue of the delicate wrapper leaf? Dammit, I'm going to pull off this band now and pay more attention to the cigar. That's what this is all about, isn't it? OK, now that the band is taped to my monitor, it should be easier to concentrate. What is it about those things anyway that get men all....geez it's getting hot in here, I better open a window!
I'm going to be brief b/c I've got to get some air. Here's the deal, I just smoked 2 of these trying to get through the first half of this pick and they're surprisingly delicious. Scout's Honor - no b/s. The wrapper is delicate and smooth - a top-notch Connecticut Windsor wrapper leaf that is simply georgeous, very fitting of our matron on the band. The flavor is subtle, mild, and unobtrusive. Seemingly all-Dominican long-filler and not even a slight hint of sharp, bitter flavor on your tongue. I bought a few bundles about 2 weeks ago, I just broke into the 2nd bundle, and haven't been disappointed by one. I've smoked it with everything I do - I've even tried taking one into the shower - uh, did I say that out loud. It didn't work out, don't try this at home.
Actually, we've had so much rain the past few weeks that my only chance to light up a puro has been here at the office. The mellow body doesn't linger and offend the office for weeks like some of my other favorites. It's a quick burner, even the toro at 6.0 x 50 runs at about a 1/2 hour long. Heck, at $1 a stick, I burn them down to about 2 inches and light up another. I've literally had this cigar hanging out of my mouth for the past couple of weeks non-stop. They do tend to burn a little warm toward the end, so go for it, pick up another. You'll get a burst of flavor just as you light it up through about the first 2 inches, it becomes very mellow from there on out. The medium-grey speckled ash holds to a solid inch before it flecks apart into your ashtray. Go out and buy some. And if you've pasted these bands all over your monitor like I have, send me a pic. I'll put it up on this page.