[aconsult1]

I've been smoking cigars for the past 15 years. I was lucky enough to have smoked only cuban cigars (which are legal where I'm from), so I know them very well.

Nicaragua and Dominican Republic are garbage compared to Cubans, still to this day. Several times while in the US (where I've lived in the past few years) I tried to smoke non-cuban cigars. Not once I found something that was remotely close to the worse cuban I've had.

My basic understanding is because of two factors: 1. The tobacco doesn't grow anywhere else like it does in Cuba. It's an island with very specific combination of soil and weather that can't be replicated. The tobacco leafs are huge in Cuba and that makes a big difference when making a cigar which ideally should use as few leafs as possible. 2. The best workers that know how to select, blend and roll a cigar are still all in Cuba. Other countries tried to replicate but they don't come close in terms of skills and knowledge.

I don't have sources for the two factors above but my experience tells me it adds up.

I only heard people complimenting non-cuban cigars here in the US. Nowhere else. Which sounds fair or else the entire cigar industry would have gone bankrupt without access to the best stuff. Overtime you won't find people in the US who understands what a cuban cigar is like because they have no exposure to it.

[akho]

I'm not in the US.

While the tobacco itself is unbeatable, Cuban cigars have quality control issues. You regularly run into draw issues, for example. Aging is typically required for best experience, which also isn't easy.

I smoke Olivas and Arturo Fuentes regularly, despite having access to Cubans.

[aconsult1]

I agree with your statement on quality control issues. Also fake cigars are a huge problem. I've heard about many cases of cigars made in Cuba by "freelancers" and then sold in repurposed boxes and labels. Those aren't terrible cigars, but definitely not great.

I'll try those 2 you mentioned and see if it's to my taste. Dona Flor, made in Brazil, are pretty decent. Unfortunately they are not easy to come by near where I live.

[akho]

Oliva Melanio Serie V comes in various sizes from robusto up, with maduro variants (I don't think Cuba does maduros). It's generally well regarded, smokeable, and I haven't seen one with significant issues. I often have non-maduro robustos in my humidor.

Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story is quick, and an alternative to the Trinidad Reyes in that respect. Different taste profile, of course.

In both cases — not Cubans, so no grassiness, and heavier, but not bad at all.

[pelagicAustral]

Macanudos are not bad at all, pretty unique flavor too... But yeah, Cubans are unbeatable... I'm somewhat addicted to Romeo y Julieta Cedros Deluxe n3