The Gentle Verdict

Short, no-nonsense cigar verdicts for Singapore. One pass/fail each week—why it matters + what to buy instead.

#001 - Week of 23 Sep 2025

- Guantanamera Cristales — PASS

Evidence (what we tasted & why it matters)

  • Machine-made, short-filler Cuban in plastic tube; construction is tidy but the experience is thin and inconsistent.

  • Cold draw is grassy; once lit it moves to dry hay, papery tannin, and bitter green tea. Little sweetness to balance.

  • The smoke body stays light-to-mild yet somehow sharp; combustion is quick with a loose ash and hot final third.

  • Draw varies stick to stick; even the best samples feel hollow and one-note.

  • In the same price band, several non-Cuban handmade long-filler options deliver richer flavor, better burn, and fewer duds.

Call: Save your money. If you want “quick and easy,” reach for a reputable handmade petit corona/robusto from DR/Nicaragua/Honduras instead—you’ll get real tobacco flavor and fewer surprises.

Storage note (SG)

Keep at 62–65% RH if you’re holding them for guests; higher RH exaggerates the bitter, vegetal edge and can swell the thin wrapper.

Etiquette tip

If a host offers a Cristales, accept graciously; cut shallow and puff slowly to keep heat down. If you’re the host, offer two choices (a mild handmade alternative plus this) so beginners can upgrade without pressure.