What You’ll Learn in This Article:

• Why many aficionados have stopped smoking Cuban cigars
• The behind-the-scenes story of rising prices and falling quality
• What premium cigar lovers in Australia are choosing instead
• Top Cuban-to-Nicaraguan cigar swaps, including Cohiba, Montecristo, and more

The Romance of Cuban Cigars — Fading?

Cuban cigars. For decades, they’ve been the crown jewel of the cigar world. The name alone — Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta — evokes luxury, exclusivity, and heritage.
But ask many seasoned smokers today, and you’ll hear a very different story: “I’ve smoked my last Cuban.”

At CigarBox, we’ve smoked them all. For years, we were Cuban purists. But lately? We’ve walked away. Why? Because the reality no longer matches the reputation — especially for cigar lovers in Australia.

Let’s unpack what’s really going on — and why so many are switching to Nicaraguan and Dominican cigars from trusted cigar shops with real quality guarantees.

The Rise, Fall & Overpricing of Cuban Cigars

Once revered for their flavour and consistency, Cuban cigars have hit a steep decline. Here’s the truth no one tells beginners:

🚨 Quality Has Dropped — Fast

Construction issues, plugged draws, under-fermented tobacco, and lack of consistency now plague many Cuban sticks. It’s not just one batch — it’s systemic.

💸 Prices Have Skyrocketed

Thanks to a controversial 2018 acquisition by a Hong Kong-based company, global distribution shifted overnight. Add in strategic price inflation, limited production, and pandemic-era disruptions, and you’ve got Cuban sticks pushing $100, $300… even $1000 each.

The problem? The quality no longer justifies the price.

The Turning Point: A Perfect Storm

Between 2018 and 2022, Cuba’s cigar industry took hit after hit:

• A Chinese conglomerate secured global distribution rights, triggering brand inflation
• Parallel imports and grey market Cubans flooded lower-tier markets
• COVID devastated Cuba’s economy and halted cigar production entirely
• Starving workers revolted; tobacco farms shrank; exports were throttled

The result: higher prices, lower output, and quality that fell off a cliff.

Even long-time Cohiba lovers at our own cigar shop have said: “I can’t trust what I’m getting anymore.”

A New Champion: Nicaraguan Cigars Take the Throne

While Cuba was in chaos, something amazing was happening in Nicaragua.

Legendary cigar makers — many with Cuban roots — began producing world-class cigars in the volcanic soil of Estelí, Jalapa, and Condega. With more freedom, better infrastructure, and consistent quality control, Nicaraguan cigars started winning awards, rave reviews, and loyal fans worldwide.

And unlike Cuban cigars, these sticks are:

✅ Easier to find
✅ Fairly priced
✅ Far more consistent
✅ Often better in flavour and construction

This isn’t hype — it’s a quiet revolution.

If You Smoked This Cuban, You’ll Love This

Here’s our own side-by-side list — built from years of experience — of Cuban favourites and their new world rivals that have won our hearts (and humidor space):

Cohiba Behike 52, 54, 56 → Tatuaje RC Series
Crafted by Pete Johnson, the Tatuaje RC No.1 / 2 / 3 was designed as a nod to old-school Cuban blends — even matching the ring gauges and pig-tail caps.
A blind taste test with a Behike? You’ll be shocked. One of our top-shelf secrets.

Montecristo No.4 → Oliva Serie V No.4
The beloved “Monte 4” has long been a go-to for many Aussies — but the Oliva Serie V No.4 delivers deeper, cleaner flavours with flawless draw and build.

Montecristo No.2 → My Father Le Bijou 1922 Box Pressed Torpedo
Cigar Aficionado rated it 97 points — and crowned it No.1 Cigar of the Year. It’s bold, complex, perfectly constructed — and blows the modern Monte 2 out of the water.

Bolivar Belicoso → Oliva Serie V Belicoso
Another 3-time Top 25 Cigar of the Year winner. Rich, spicy, and beautifully balanced. Bolivar fans love it.

Punch Punch → Tatuaje Black Corona Gorda
This is Pete Johnson’s personal blend — and in our opinion, it smokes just like the golden era Punch Punch. Full of character. Rarely plugged. An underrated gem.

Romeo y Julieta No.2 / 3 → Tatuaje Havana VI Angeles
If you’ve had construction issues with your RYJs, meet the Angeles. 93 points. Top 25-ranked. Creamy, consistent, delicious.

Partagas D4 / D5 → Nub Habano Sungrown 358
Hefty, flavourful, and built like a tank. If you love that D-Series spice, this is your go-to substitute — with way better burn and draw.

H. Upmann No.2 → My Father Flor de Las Antillas Toro
Both have topped Cigar Aficionado’s list. But Flor de Las Antillas comes in at a better price, with flawless consistency. A quiet beast of a cigar.

Cuban Cigars Australia — Still Available, But Buyer Beware

We still offer a curated selection of Cubans at CigarBox’s Cuban Collection — for those who want to experience them for themselves.

But we’re transparent with our customers: there are better options.

Cuban cigars in Australia are now among the most expensive in the world. When you compare price-to-performance, you’d be mad not to try a few premium Nicaraguans before lighting up your next $200 Behike.

What You Can Trust from a Real Cigar Shop

At CigarBox, we:

• Only stock cigars we smoke ourselves
• Offer verified, fresh stock from trusted suppliers
• Provide Australia-wide delivery with proper humidity packaging
• Curate cigars by flavour profile, strength, and Cuban alternatives

Looking for a cigar shop that cuts through the hype? You’ve found it.

Conclusion: Hype Isn’t Flavour

The myth of the Cuban cigar is powerful. But these days? That myth comes with a $300 price tag and a 50/50 chance it won’t even draw properly.

The good news is, the best cigars in the world right now are easier to find, more affordable, and every bit as satisfying.

We’ve made the switch. So have thousands of Aussie smokers.

🔥 Explore Nicaraguan Cigars

Discover the brands and blends that are dominating global cigar rankings — and winning over former Cuban lovers.

 

Joe Box – Your Brother of The Leaf.

 

P.S. Ever lit a Behike and thought “meh”? In an upcoming blog we’ll share the exact tasting lineup we used in our blind test challenge — you might be shocked which cigar won.

P.P.S. We drop a limited mix of Nicaraguan “Cuban Killers” — the same sticks our own team rates higher than their $150 counterparts. Keep your eye out for the Weekly Ligador and keep your humidor ready...