Like all Cuban cigars, Quintero is distributed and overseen by Habanos SA, the state-run Cuban tobacco company. This particular company grows its tobacco in the Cienfuegos region of Cuba, which is near Santa Clara. Cienfuegos is in the mid-western side of the island, closer to Havana than Guantanamo Bay. See highlighted area:
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Cienfuegos makes some of finest Cuban tobacco. Unfortunately, due to our country's outdated Cold War attitudes toward Cuba, the American people are unable to sample these tobaccos. But, by various means which I will keep secret, I happened to come across a cigar from this region which I will enjoy today.
The smoke lit up nicely, and didn't require much coaxing to stay lit. It started nicely with a nice grey ash. The flavor was slightly sweet, not in artificial flavor but simply the natural leaf's oils coming through. I enjoyed the flavor since it was very delicate and smooth, and almost...plain. It wasn't big and strong but very subtle. No serious heat to the draw, just nice subtle flavor.
As it smoked, the wrapper came a little loose and it started to burn unevenly. I had to relight it once or twice, but it smoked down to a tiny little nub. All in all, a nice little smoke with no serious downsides.
As a note, I've had a handful of different Cuban cigars in the past, and there is nothing exceptionally different about them than many Dominican or Nicaraguan tobaccos. Many tobaccos from those countries are grown from the same seeds as Cuban tobaccos, and many are crafted with the same level of care and attention to detail as Cubanos.
The difference is one of taste, or at least, being able to explore new tobaccos and tastes. Also the pleasure of trying an (artifically) rare cigar. The appeal to Cuban cigars, at least in this country, is that they are restricted. But - on top of that - it's good tobacco, too. I'd be interested in trying this cigar in a larger format, to really appreciate the taste.
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