Many people, myself included, often ask whether Cuban cigars are better than non Cuban cigars aka ‘New World’ cigars – a term us Brits often use to describe cigars made in the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Honduras.

The country and region where a cigar is produced have a significant impact on its flavour, aroma, and overall quality. This is due to variations in climate, soil, traditional manufacturing techniques, and the expertise of the cigar makers in each region.

As a cigar enthusiast, I’ve sampled a wide range of cigars and learned that there’s no clear-cut answer to which origin is “better.” Cuban cigars are renowned for their tradition and depth of flavour, honed over decades of expertise. In contrast, New World cigars tend to be more innovative, offering fresh approaches to blending and construction. Some “New World” cigars are crafted from a blend of tobaccos sourced from various countries and regions, including their filler, binder, and wrapper.

Do I have cigar preferences? Of course! I enjoy cigars from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Honduras—my personal cigar challenge from a couple of years ago confirmed that! I also love discovering cigars from countries I didn’t even know produced them. Recently, I’ve come across cigars from less traditional regions, such as Costa Rica, Haiti, Africa, Indonesia, and China.

This diversity enhances the cigar world, providing something for everyone—whether you’re a beginner, a passionate enthusiast, or a seasoned cigar aficionado.

Since we all have distinct palates and experience cigars differently, personal taste ultimately plays the biggest role in choosing the best cigars for each smoker.

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Recently, I came across an event hosted by Surrey Cigars called “Cuban vs. New World Cigars” tasting night, which sounded like a lot of fun. I grabbed a ticket, but unfortunately, I couldn’t attend. Fortunately, they sent the cigars to me, so I decided to do the blind tasting at home and record the experience.

The result? Probably the most boring video ever—just me comparing a Cuban cigar with a non-Cuban one!

For the blind tasting, I had one Cuban cigar and one New World cigar, both matched in vitola to allow for a direct comparison between the two distinct tobacco regions. The bands were removed and replaced with labels A and B. A score sheet was provided to assess each cigar based on appearance, aroma, and construction.

I might not be the best cigar reviewer. I don’t always pick up on the subtle flavors that others might describe in their reviews. Sometimes I catch specific notes and mention them, but more often, my judgment comes down to whether I simply like the cigar or not.

This highlights an important point: cigar reviews are inherently subjective. What I enjoy may not appeal to you, and that’s totally fine.

As mentioned above cigar appreciation is a deeply personal experience, shaped by individual tastes and perceptions.

If you get a chance to do a blind tasting do it – it’s a lot of fun!