Cuban Cigars: Myth or Reality?
I never doubted the existence of Cuban cigars, of course, but often met some affirmations about these cigars which couldn't be taken seriously though some people did believe them. Today I feel it's time to reveal some secrets about these beautiful stogies and deny some information you thought was an absolute truth before.
My top-favorite legend (or myth, whatever you call it) - the cigars are rolled on the thighs of virgin rollers (women). Ever imagined a lot of women, the better half of Cuban nation sits under the sun and rolls the world's best cigars on their thighs?
I would like to reassure you (sorry if I disappointed you ;)), every person can roll cigars - be them men, women, virgins or any other usual people with some skills :) Also, it's almost impossible to roll cigars on someone's tights - very uncomfortable, if you ever try it, that's why there are a lot of factories in Cuba with furnished places where rollers create their cigars.
The second legend is sad enough for Americans but I need to tell it, otherwise you won't know the truth.
Everyone knows J F Kennedy was a passionate lover of Cuban cigars; of course he would do anything possible to have as many cigars as possible just before he signed the Embargo on Cuba. He asked his press secretary, Pierre Salinger, to get his favorite brand H. Upmann Petit Coronas just before the event, and this is one of the truest truths on Earth ;)
But the saddest part of this fact is that JFK, being a passionate smoker himself, wanted to exempt cigars from the Embargo but was confronted by tobacconists from Tampa who objected this attempt.
Just please do not try to kill these people from Tampa, they're all with Kennedy right now, I guess ;)
And a less shocking revelation right now - someone think the darker the wrapper (called Maduro), the stronger the cigar. And here we go with the legend #3 - it's not true, guys, the color of the wrapper solely won't help you determine the strength of your stogie, smoke it yourself and you'll understand it.
The fourth myth refers to cigar novices rather than aficionados. The thing is that a more or less experienced smoker knows that strength and body isn't a similar notion.
A strong cigar is not necessary full-bodied, and vice versa. The strength of a cigar depends on the nicotine level and spice, and not on the deep flavors a cigar could possess.
One more thing about stogies (just don't wanna be boring :)), someone believes that a good cigar should necessarily have a white ash when smoked - and that's a sign of a perfect cigar.
Nope, my friends, it's just a legend, beautiful, but still a legend remains. A white ash in a cigar means the tobacco it was rolled from was grown in a soil full of phosphorous and calcium. And the gray ash signifies the tobacco of that cigar was grown on a land with lots of magnesium. That's all, not a big science.
These myths are all very beautiful, of course, it's much easier to believe them than negate. So if you ever believed something which turned to be a big lie, you're welcome to comment on this article. We'll be glad to hear your stories and opinions. :)