AshMap
Overview
The Nub Cameroon 638 is the quiet intellectual of the Nub lineup — the one that wears glasses and reads poetry while its stubby siblings argue about football. It’s a concession, yes, but a brilliant one: by slimming down to a 38 ring gauge, General Cigar has given the Cameroon wrapper a stage it rarely gets — one where the leaf’s voice isn’t drowned out by a fat binder and heavy filler. This is the Nub philosophy distilled to its essence: skip the foreplay, get to the good part. And the good part here is a study in restraint, a cigar that whispers rather than shouts, yet leaves a lasting impression.
From the cold draw, there’s a promise of sweetness — a faint, dusty cocoa and a whisper of cedar that feels like opening a forgotten drawer in an antique desk. The pre-light aroma is gentle, almost shy, with a hint of dried grass and a touch of honey. Once lit, the first third unfolds with a delicate precision. The narrow bore concentrates the smoke, delivering a clean, nutty introduction — think of the soft interior of a fresh almond, not the roasted skin. A dry cocoa dust coats the palate, while a faint, grassy undertone keeps things honest. The retrohale is where the Cameroon leaf first shows its character: a gentle, white pepper tingle that’s more a suggestion than a sting. It’s a remarkably composed opening, one that feels less like a smoke and more like a conversation.
As the burn line crosses into the second third, the wrapper begins to assert its personality. The sweetness deepens, evolving from simple sugar to something more complex — dried apricot and raisin, the kind you’d find in a high-end trail mix, not the sticky supermarket kind. This fruitiness is balanced by a soft, supple leather note that adds a touch of maturity without ever turning heavy. Toasted almond emerges as a supporting player, lending a savory counterpoint to the fruit. The earthy sweetness that held the first third together remains, but it’s now a foundation, not a feature. The smoke, though modest in volume, is rich and creamy on the tongue, a testament to the blend’s balance. There’s a subtle, almost floral undertone that flits in and out, a ghost of the wrapper’s African heritage.
The final third is a graceful descent. The caramel note that has been building in the background steps forward, coating the palate with a gentle, buttery sweetness. The toasted wood becomes more pronounced, shifting from cedar to a warmer, more resonant oak. The Cameroon character — that signature, slightly spicy sweetness — lingers on the finish, leaving a pleasant, short aftertaste that invites another draw. The slender vitola does introduce a mild sharpness in the final inch, a reminder of its narrow gauge, but it’s more of a nudge than a bite. The cigar ends cleanly, without the harshness that plagues many blends in their last act. It’s a performance that knows when to leave the stage.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Cameroon — African Cameroon (CFCE) — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Indonesian (Sumatra-seed) |
| Filler | Dominican and Nicaraguan long-filler tobaccos, aged |
| Country of Origin | General Cigar Company, Dominican Republic |
| Vitola / Shape | Nub (Short Toro / Stub format) |
| Size | 6 x 38 |
| Strength | Mild-Medium |
| Price | $8–$11 per cigar |
| Tier | Everyday |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged prior to rolling; no extended post-production aging noted |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
Opens with gentle sweetness characteristic of Cameroon leaf — mild cedar, dry cocoa dust, and a faint grassiness. The narrow ring gauge concentrates the draw, delivering a clean, slightly nutty introduction with traces of white pepper on the retrohale.
Second Third
The Cameroon wrapper begins to assert itself more fully with dried fruit undertones — think raisin and apricot — alongside mild leather and toasted almond. A subtle earthy sweetness holds throughout without ever approaching heaviness.
Final Third
Finishes with light caramel, toasted wood, and lingering Cameroon-characteristic sweetness. The slender vitola can introduce mild sharpness in the final inch, but overall the finish is clean and gentle with a pleasant, short aftertaste.
Construction, Burn & Draw
The narrow 38 ring gauge draws effortlessly with very little resistance, burning with a tight, even line and producing a modest but consistent smoke volume. Ash holds reasonably well for the gauge; construction is solid given its slim format.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
A light Highland Scotch such as Glenmorangie Original or a dry aged rum like Barbancourt 8-Year — nothing that overwhelms the delicate Cameroon profile
Wine
A light-to-medium Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley or Burgundy villages level) or a dry Chenin Blanc to complement the fruit-forward sweetness
Non-Alcoholic
A medium-roast pour-over coffee — Ethiopian Yirgacheffe brings out the fruit and cocoa notes beautifully — or a lightly sweetened oolong tea
Who Should Smoke This?
Meet David. He’s been smoking for about four years, has a humidor stocked with a few Padróns for special occasions and a box of Undercrown Shade for the weekdays. He’s not chasing strength or complexity for its own sake; he’s chasing a moment of quiet. It’s a Tuesday morning, the coffee is brewing, and he has exactly 40 minutes before his first conference call. He doesn’t want a project, he wants a companion. He’s been curious about Cameroon leaf but found the larger ring gauges too heavy. This 638 is his entry point. It gives him that sweet, woody profile he loves in a Connecticut, but with a bit more character, a touch of spice that keeps him engaged. He’ll smoke it on the porch, not thinking about work, just watching the smoke drift. It’s not a cigar for a milestone; it’s a cigar for a moment.
Bottom Line
The Nub Cameroon 638 is a masterclass in subtlety, proving that a cigar doesn’t need girth to have a voice. It’s a refined, accessible smoke that delivers a genuine Cameroon experience at a price that invites repeat visits. For a quick, contemplative session, this is a quiet winner.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Nub Cameroon cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nub Cameroon 638 a strong cigar?
No, it's rated Mild-Medium (2/5) on the strength scale. Physically, this means you'll get a gentle, relaxing nicotine buzz rather than a heavy hit. It's a cigar you can smoke on an empty stomach with a morning coffee without feeling overwhelmed, making it a great choice for a daytime smoke.
What does Nub Cameroon 638 taste like?
The flavor profile is a progression. It opens with dry cocoa dust, mild cedar, and a faint grassiness. The middle third introduces dried apricot and raisin sweetness, balanced by soft leather and toasted almond. It finishes with light caramel, toasted oak, and the signature lingering sweetness of the Cameroon wrapper.
How long does Nub Cameroon 638 take to smoke?
Given its Nub (Short Toro / Stub format) vitola and its 6 x 38 dimensions, you should expect a smoke time of 30 to 45 minutes. The narrow ring gauge burns efficiently, making it an ideal choice for a lunch break or a focused, shorter session.
What is the best pairing for Nub Cameroon 638?
For a spirit, a light Highland Scotch like Glenmorangie Original is ideal. Its delicate, floral and citrus notes will complement the cigar's fruit-forward sweetness without overpowering the subtle Cameroon wrapper. If you prefer coffee, a medium-roast Ethiopian Yirgacheffe pour-over will beautifully echo the cigar's cocoa and dried fruit notes.
Is Nub Cameroon 638 good for beginners?
Yes, it's an excellent choice for a new smoker. Its Mild-Medium strength is forgiving, and its 30-45 minute smoke time is not a long commitment. The flavors are clear and identifiable, not overwhelming, making it a great educational smoke. At $8–$11 per cigar, it's also a low-risk way to explore a premium wrapper leaf like Cameroon.
Where can I buy Nub Cameroon 638?
As a core line from General Cigar Company, it's widely available. You can find it at most well-stocked brick-and-mortar tobacconists, as well as major online cigar retailers like Cigars International, Famous Smoke Shop, and Holt's. Its everyday price point means it's rarely a limited or hard-to-find release.
What is the price of Nub Cameroon 638?
The Nub Cameroon 638 typically retails for between $8 and $11 per cigar. This places it firmly in the 'everyday' tier, making it an accessible premium smoke for regular rotation without the special-occasion price tag.
Is Nub Cameroon 638 worth aging?
Not particularly. The tobaccos are already aged prior to rolling, and there's no extended post-production aging noted. The Cameroon wrapper is vibrant now, and its delicate sweetness may fade with time. This is a cigar meant to be enjoyed in the near term, within a year or two of purchase, to capture its intended profile.
What wrapper does Nub Cameroon 638 use?
It uses a Cameroon — African Cameroon (CFCE) wrapper in a Colorado shade. This wrapper is the star of the show, contributing the cigar's signature sweetness, subtle spice, and notes of cedar and dried fruit. Its slightly toothy texture is a hallmark of genuine African Cameroon leaf.
Where is Nub Cameroon 638 made?
It's made at the General Cigar Company factory in the Dominican Republic. The production is hand-rolled, though some runs are machine-bunched and hand-finished. This blend combines an Indonesian Sumatra-seed binder with Dominican and Nicaraguan long-filler tobaccos, all assembled in the DR.