Aruba Cigar Highlights

[AreBee]

The Warden and I spent a few days in Aruba and I took advantage of the cigar market. I only smoked a few while there and brought a handful home. Two Bolivar Belicoso Finos were the Cuban superstars and also enjoyed a Fonseca Delicia which I haven’t seen in ages! I also went to the Aruhiba Cigar Factory and picked up a couple of their various lines. I was fortunate that our hotel was across the street from Lindan Cigars and I brought back a handful of his custom rolls (unbanded) as well as two Kristoff perfectos made exclusively for the shop. Ryan is a really cool dude and I gave him a few of the smokes I brought from home. Lastly, I grabbed a couple traveler packs of Davidoff Winston Churchill Belicosos at the duty free shop in the airport. It was a good week!

 

[dottlejockey]

Nice score!

 

[irishearl]

We were in Aruba nearly 30 years ago and tried Cubans while there/ No longer remember the brands and styles. Ended up enjoying the 1 I had for $4 best. Even over the %18 Montecristo. Tried Cuban H Upmann pipe tobacco which was horrible.

 

[pantsBoots]

Nice spot of rum there, too! Everyone says you have to mix HC, but I like sipping it neat or with a splash of water. It's probably the best non-water cigar companion I've tried.

 

[BenMN]

I don't know anything about Cubans or Aruba, but I think those little 4-pack Churchills are lovely

 

[kcghost]

I used to smoke a number of Cubans in the 1990's but have lost interest as their quality went to hell.

 

[AreBee]

I used to smoke a number of Cubans in the 1990's but have lost interest as their quality went to hell.

Due to radical price increases over the last few years, I have pretty much been priced out of the Cuban cigar market. I buy them here and there if my travels take me out of the country. You are 100% correct about quality of Cubans. It is hit or miss nowadays. The first Bolivar I had last week was phenomenal. The second one I had was so tight it was a workout to smoke it.

Nicaragua, Honduras and the DR, among others, are making phenomenal smokes these days and I hardly miss Cubans anymore. The distinctive Cuban flavor can't be replicated, but many available smokes are great in their own right.

 

[AreBee]

Nice spot of rum there, too! Everyone says you have to mix HC, but I like sipping it neat or with a splash of water. It's probably the best non-water cigar companion I've tried.

HC7, one ice cube and a cigar is unparalleled in my opinion. I'm a big Rummy and I've not found one better in my price range. I brought home a bottle of Aruban Rum (Papimiento Añejo) which is also very good and on par with some of the rums available in the $50-$100 range in the states.

 

[BingBong]

We were in Aruba nearly 30 years ago and tried Cubans while there/ No longer remember the brands and styles. Ended up enjoying the 1 I had for $4 best. Even over the %18 Montecristo. Tried Cuban H Upmann pipe tobacco which was horrible.

In early 1988, while I was hospitalised, someone brought me a bunch of packs of Cuban cigarettes... mate... Weirdly enough, they were the result of my next gig which I never got to - in Angola's capital. It was the 10th anniversary party (Anita Baker headlining? Vaguely..) of one lot claiming victory over the other lot in an unending civil war, the place was awash with Cuban military, hence the cigarettes. Oh the stories that came back with them.

 

[pantsBoots]

HC7, one ice cube and a cigar is unparalleled in my opinion. I'm a big Rummy and I've not found one better in my price range. I brought home a bottle of Aruban Rum (Papimiento Añejo) which is also very good and on par with some of the rums available in the $50-$100 range in the states.

I lost my source for HC, but discovered Barbancourt as a result. The 8 year is very, very good - dry and not cloying in the slightest. I've been recommended other Haitian rhum, but Barbancourt is all I can find locally.