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Since years ago, cigars were something I enjoyed but never invested any time or money into. I always would have one if one was offered or a situation would lend itself to enjoying one. Not until recently did cigars become a bit of an obsession and one of my favorite personal extravagances. Last month I went to Cuba with my girlfriend on my way through a couple islands on my way to a wedding in Puerto Rico. I won’t go into detail on how eye opening the country and its citizens are or how magical the old colonial architecture of old Havana is, but the deep dive into enjoying and learning about Cubatabaco and Habanos S.A. was unreal. My first Cuban cigar I had was on the back patio of the Hotel Nacional after visiting the La Casa Del Habano downstairs. I picked up a Siglo VI based solely on ring gauge and length and loved it. Then I had what I found out later was a sub par example of a Montecristo no. 2. I ended up grabbing a SLB of Bolivar Belicoso Finos and a box of Partagás Serie D No 4 at the Partágas LCDH begins the capitol building and had some other singles. I still didn’t know how to pinpoint the differences of how the various vitolas tasted or smelled. Just started to know I would enjoy some more than others. Following that day, we went to Pinar Del Rio and saw the process (unfortunately the harvest was completed by May) but it was fascinating learning about how tiny the seeds are, the soil composition, seeing how the leaves are hung to dried and fermented and subsequently rolled into the binder filler and wrapper. I have a newfound appreciation for the immense physical labor and care that each cigar undergoes. What is even more impressive is the artisanal/natural aspect of the entire process down to the end product. Rarely in today’s world does a product reach the consumer in such a state. Again, further reinforcing my love for the craft and the whole product. I regret not picking up more of the affordable (1 CUC/each) hand rolled cigars made by the family that has 90% of their harvest taken for the state owned cigar companies, as they are as enjoyable as a deep value smoke versus any branded cigar I had and also a much better way to support the families that produce the tobacco we all love. Anyhow, I then picked up some Epicure no 1,2 especial, H Upmann cigars, a box of Cohiba Talísman EL’s and some other boxes. I came back yearning to pick up more to continue learning more and to develop my palate for cigars. I’ve fallen off the deep end now and am researching ways to build a cabinet humidor to age some of the boxes I grabbed and the list goes on on how much I have spent to fuel this amazing journey haha. i know that I am heavily biased at the moment but in an effort to find out for myself if Cuban cigars live up to their reputation, I then went on to buy a whole slew of singles from a local shop. I enjoyed certain cigars like the Oliva Melanio V and the Fuente short story and really disliked other such as a heavy Cameroon wrappered Cro Magnon and some other random ones I just simply did not like. I can objectively say that nothing beats the mellow yet very full bodied and fragrant cigars that seemed to characterize the Cubans. For a brief moment upon returning, it felt like I couldn’t get my hands on enough Cubans and I kept wanting to acquire more edicion limitadas and rarer cigars but I came to the conclusion that much like with watches, as a smoker I like what I like and the price of a cigar nor its reputation or rating influences much more than my initial buying of it. Once I smoke something I quickly know that I like it or do not like it despite what anyone says. Also highlighting this is that the understandable inconsistency in the product in a fully hand made item really does show within even the same box of Partagas cigars, I found several to be irredeemably poor, usually in construction - too tight, too loose, uneven burn (which I admit sometimes is due to my smoking it too fast) etc. This experience, supplanted by all of the countless hours I’ve spent reading posts from this community right here, and the many cigars I have enjoyed since my trip have me convinced that I’m a Habanophile for life!