Where would we be without Cuba? If you’re an American, please don’t answer that.

The fact is that Cuba has perfected many of our favourite, usually unhealthy, habits. From rums and cigars, there is something about Cuba that makes them irresistible to us collectors.

In fact, as history recalls, just hours before President John F. Kennedy authorized the US Trade Embargo, he had an assistant purchase 1,200 cuban cigars for his personal collection. Since then, some of the most exquisite cigars have been illegal on American soil, yet, that doesn’t seem to stop us from trying to illegally sneak them in.

In our past cigar guides we spoke in detail about the history, craftsmanship and manufacturing processes. In this installment, we’ll focus on some of my favorite cuban cigars and I’ll show you just what you’re missing if you happen to be one of those law abiding American’s who agree with all aspects of the trade embargo.

Now for many of you, you’ll expect me to recant the familiar phrases of “Cubans are the best in the world” or “No country makes cigars as well as Cuba“. I hate to break it to you, but that’s just not going to happen.

The fact is that Cuba does make some extraordinary cigars, but for the most part, they aren’t worth the hype. Most cigar smokers I know couldn’t tell the difference between a dominican, a Nicaraguan or a Cuban cigar without the label. They would smoke them and have not a clue what it was they were tasting. However, if you left the label on, I can guarantee most of them, regardless of actual opinion on the taste, would choose the Cuban as their favorite simply due to the appeal.

There are many Cuban cigars that I thoroughly enjoy, but there are many other cigars from various other countries that I equally like. While you are probably inclined to disagree with me, I would urge you to test this theory of mine on some of your friends or even on yourself.

Initially, I really enjoyed cuban cigars. I looked at them as a rarity since almost everyone knows that they’re illegal to acquire in the United States. You grow up being led to believe that cigars made in Cuba, as a whole, are distinctly different and far more rarified than anything else you could find in any other country. This is like saying the very best in mens clothing is from Savile Row in London. While there are certainly some exemplary articles of clothing made there, it doesn’t negate the fact that you can still find equally resplendent clothiers in various other regions or cities around the world. As well, you can also find substandard clothing in Italy or London, just as you can anywhere else.