Manufacturers always tell us where their tobacco was grown, but whats to stop a manufacturer from buying tobacco in Cuba, importing it to say Nicuragua and making their cigars with Cuban tobaccos as the old Clear Havanas were made?

Wouldn't the cigars taste a lot better if made with the premier tobaccos of Cuba?

There would be no way the United States Government would be able to know.

Am I treading on sacred ground here?

Hey Barry, your got a very interesting point, that has been talked with farmers in both sides. However there are too many -IF's- involved with the whole process, to ponder if the end product, would taste better.

The first condition, if- you could obtain top quality cuban leaf production, and then at decent price, and second if - the manufacturer could be able to do proper curing and blending.

Cuba is tight to release any of their best leaf in bales, since they currently suffer quality and quantity shortages.
Everybody forgets, but it was Cuba's Castro, the one that somewhat started the tobacco embargo in 1959, claiming they had some economic losses in this area, by selling the leaf cheap and buying the cigars and cigarettes back, at expensive prices, and they in fact stopped their leaf export and increased local manufacturing for local consumption.

To date, Cuba still exports tons, believe over 15,000, of tobacco in bales, most to Spain, some Brazil. However, their quality is inferior and mostly for cigarretes, only 10% makes is into short filler for cigars manufactured abroad.

What I am saying is, that the Cohiba, Robaina's, etc. would not sell their best leaf, at cheaper prices than what they can get, if rolled in their own finished cigars, some as high as the Cohiba 40.

So, the first hurdle is: Go thru extensive trouble, using a poor quality leaf, and at the end obtain an expensive mediocre cigar?

And if they can obtain a good leaf would have to be at volume that makes sense for investment, then yes, the US Government would have ways to track that down. Barry, think about sugar. Same deal, you wouldn't think able to trace, however is down to banning and fines if cuban sugar used in foreign drinks traded with the US.

Also the..would taste better... is subjective gamble, more to their liking, but equal at the top of the charts. The tobacco from Nicaragua can give a serious challenge competition to tobacco from Cuba, when properly manufactured and great blending. Could be like wines, New World Vs. Old World, however this time inside the New World ...LOL

One reviewer with great palate is our local magazine friend James Suckling. He just posted some tasting reviews (January 2007) on one blend from great guys at Esteli's padron....an amazing 98 points. Yes... Ninety Eight friggin points. That number alone, leaves many, many cubans in the (just ashes) dust.

And to make another quick comparison.. I know that Suckling's palate is also magnifique in wines. Look what happened to Rieussec, (I am glad I bought my 2001's before Suckling reviewed it, saved tons of $$$ lol), now the 2005 is super rare, because of that single review from James Suckling. And he was right on 2001, a superb wine, as well with other italian or New World wine that he constantly reviews. If they are rated at the top, they really are at the top, regardless of origin.

Plus I know what esteli cigar to take to a cuba - nicaragua cigar blind tasting, that will be on top of the list, and avoid getting pusnished to pay for the entire group dinner...lol.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ambassador,

I hear that is what Ghurka does!

The problem is in the "top tier" part of your question. The best Cuban tobacco is kept in Cuba to be made into the country's name-brand cigars. Some leaf is exported, but I don't think it's the best of the crop, and there isn't that much of it being sent out of the country.

The situation was much different in the days of Clear Havanas, when Cuba operated under a capitalist system and independent leaf brokers managed crops farmed by independent farmers. Then many tons of leaf was sent to the US to be rolled into cigars.

I suppose a cigar company could get some Cuban leaf and make a blend, but none of the sizeable cigarmakers could likely secure enough Cuban leaf to make a consistent blend and to make cigars in any quantity. I think that's the problem.

Would not tobacco of Cuban origin make the product illegal even if not made in Cuba?
Here's a quote:
"Canary Island cigars sold in the States cannot have Cuban tobacco in their blends because of the American embargo against Cuba."

from this article

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/CA_Archives/CA_Sho...e/0,2322,431,00.html

AnRyan, yes, that would make it illegal. Sorry to be unclear in my answer: When I said a company could get Cuban leaf and make a blend, I meant that they would be making an illegal product by doing so.

I'd be interested to see what type of checks and balances are in place to ensure there is no Cuban tobacco in these cigars. What is to stop a manufacturer from making a limited edition cigar that has "secret" Cuban tobacco in it?

quote:

Originally posted by David Savona:
AnRyan, yes, that would make it illegal. Sorry to be unclear in my answer: When I said a company could get Cuban leaf and make a blend, I meant that they would be making an illegal product by doing so.

David, I should apologise too, Doc did imply in his original question that the practice would be illegal when he stated "There would be no way the United States Government would be able to know."
Sorry Doc!

OH brother

quote:

Originally posted by Magnum:
I'd be interested to see what type of checks and balances are in place to ensure there is no Cuban tobacco in these cigars. What is to stop a manufacturer from making a limited edition cigar that has "secret" Cuban tobacco in it?

This has been my thought for some time. I am sure the supply would be available given the proper channels and the right $, but the supply would be limited and possibly a one time deal. You have to think it has happened at some point.