Cigar Questions: Cuban-Style Profiles, Gordo Sizes and Liga Privada

From Creekside Podcast Ep. 005: Liga Privada Cigars are OVERRATED!? | Answering your questions, aired Feb 12, 2025. Recorded at Creekside Cigar Co. in Maineville, Ohio.

On this episode of the Creekside Podcast, Dave, Noah and Conner answer questions from the YouTube comments. They talk through cigars that remind them of Cuban profiles, alternatives to a cigar a listener enjoys, the effect of ring gauge, and a few honest opinions about cigars they did not care for. The common thread is that taste is personal, and a cigar’s format or reputation does not guarantee it will be right for every smoker.

Which cigars remind the crew of Cuban cigars?

The first question asks what comes closest to a Cuban cigar in the United States. The crew offers several possibilities, while making clear they are talking about flavor and smoking experience rather than claiming the cigars are Cuban. Atabey comes up repeatedly. One host describes it as mild and says it has the construction and flavor qualities he associates with Cuban cigars, though he finds it lacks some of their “zip.” Another mentions that the tobacco is undisclosed and speculates about its origins, but that is not established in the conversation.

Warped’s Don Reynaldo is another pick, described as Cuban-esque. The crew also mentions Serino Tuyo, Caldwell Eastern Standard, and a cigar referred to as OneOff +53. One host describes the latter as creamy and nutty, with baking spice and a medium body. Their rankings differ, which is part of the point: familiar characteristics can mean different things to different palates.

The conversation also touches on a Cuban custom lancero shared by their friend Mike. One host says it helped him recognize a similarity between that cigar and Don Reynaldo, while noting the Cuban cigar seemed spicier and more savory. That comparison helped shape his view, rather than serving as a definitive test of what makes a cigar Cuban-like.

What cigars might suit someone who likes Milano?

A listener asks for something similar to a “Milano.” The crew suggests Alec Bradley Safe Keeping, saying it offers a comparable feel: well-aged tobacco character without a lot of strength. One host points out that he prefers the Maduro version of Milano, while the question does not specify a version.

Fratello Classico is another recommendation. The hosts describe it as roasty and toasty, with chocolate, coffee and charred-wood notes. They focus on a dry, powdery cocoa quality rather than a syrupy or especially spicy chocolate note. Sin Compromiso also enters the discussion. One host sees overlap in the core profile, including cocoa-dusted almonds and sweet earth, while another stresses that it is richer and more full-bodied. Similarity does not mean a cigar will deliver the same intensity, so the crew treats these as suggestions, not exact substitutes.

Does a cigar’s ring gauge change its flavor?

The crew’s answer to a question about disliking gordo sizes is that there is no universally right size. One host says larger ring gauges do not feel comfortable in his hand or mouth, and that a gordo can taste more muted to him. More air relative to tobacco, along with a different wrapper-to-filler ratio, may affect how a blend comes across. They also note that manufacturers can adjust blends across sizes, so the experience is not simply a matter of making one cigar wider.

For trying an unfamiliar blend, one host usually looks for a smaller ring gauge, such as a corona or lancero. He says a master blender may choose a smaller format to assess a blend’s character. Still, he acknowledges that some cigars work well in larger sizes: he particularly likes the 6-by-60 version of Plasencia Alma del Campo. The practical takeaway is to try different formats rather than assume one size is best.

Is Liga Privada overrated, and what makes a cigar a pass?

One host agrees with a listener’s claim that Liga Privada can be overrated, while recognizing that plenty of customers enjoy it. He also criticizes a retail arrangement in which shops may have to buy less popular cigars to access the lines customers request. As an alternative, he names Tabernacle. That is a personal preference from the conversation, not a claim that every smoker will like one more than the other.

The crew is equally candid about cigars they did not enjoy. One host recalls Mark Twain Memoir as harsh and unpleasant, while another describes Plasencia Reserva Original (formerly called Organica Original) as strongly barnyard-like and not to his taste. A third could not recall the name of a U.S.-grown puro he disliked. Crazy Alice, an infused cigar, also did not work for one host, although he recognizes that other smokers enjoy it. Their advice is straightforward: there are many cigars to explore, and you do not have to finish one you dislike.

Key takeaways

• Cuban-like is a matter of comparison. The crew names several cigars with qualities that remind them of Cuban profiles, without presenting them as Cuban cigars.
• Related flavor does not mean equal strength. Their Milano suggestions range from gentler tobacco character to a richer, fuller experience.
• Format can affect the experience. Ring gauge is worth considering, but personal comfort and preference matter most.
• Reputation is not a guarantee. A popular cigar—or one a host dislikes—may still be right for someone else.

Cigars from this episode

• Atabey: Several hosts named it as a cigar with Cuban-like qualities; one described it as mild and well-constructed.
• Warped Don Reynaldo: Described as Cuban-esque; one host compared it with a Cuban custom lancero.
• Serino Tuyo: Named as one of the crew’s suggestions for a cigar with a Cuban-like profile.
• Caldwell Eastern Standard: Named as another cigar with a Cuban-like profile.
• OneOff +53: Described as medium-bodied, creamy and nutty, with baking spice.
• Alec Bradley Safe Keeping: Suggested for someone who likes Milano; one host compared its aged-tobacco character and low strength.
• Fratello Classico: Described with chocolate, coffee, charred wood, and roasty, toasty character.
• Sin Compromiso: Compared with Milano in its core notes, but described as richer and more full-bodied.
• Plasencia Alma del Campo: One host said his favorite version was the 6-by-60.
• Liga Privada: One host agreed it can be overrated while acknowledging its popularity with customers.
• Tabernacle: Named by one host as an alternative to Liga Privada.
• Mark Twain Memoir: One host recalled it as an especially unpleasant cigar.
• Plasencia Reserva Original: One host strongly disliked its barnyard-like character; it was previously called Organica Original.
• Crazy Alice: An infused cigar that one host did not enjoy, while acknowledging others like it.

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