I am new to cigars and I'm just wondering if a lot of the appeal of Cuban cigars comes from the very fact they are illegal here in the United States. I'm not trying to bash them, the thought just crossed my mind and I'm wondering what all of you Cigar Aficionados think. Cheers.
Posts: 2 | Location: boston | Registered: May 14, 2007
Interesting question, but I don't agree. The difference between a Cuban cigar and a non-Cuban cigar is kind of like the difference between Bordeaux and Beaujolais. Both can be high quality and enjoyable; but the tastes are completely different.
Posts: 162 | Location: Minnesota | Registered: August 08, 2002
Originally posted by puff master flex: I am new to cigars
Welcome. You might want to introduce yourself in Cigar Talk and tell us a little about your cigar experiences and preferences to date.
quote:
and I'm just wondering if a lot of the appeal of Cuban cigars comes from the very fact they are illegal here in the United States.
Perhaps in the US. In the rest of the world, where consumers can choose between Cuban cigars and (much cheaper) non-Cuban brands, they overwhelmingly choose Cuban cigars. To me, that says it all.
There's no doubt that wherever something is banned it becomes slightly more alluring, but I believe this is not the case here. In the US perehaps, but Cuban cigars are not banned where I live (or anywhere else in the world) but having the choice between Cuban cigars and Non-cubans ,I choose Cubans every time.
Why? It's like going out to a meal and having the choice between a fine steak dinner or a soggy vegi-burger. I'm sure to offend those who like NC's as well as CC's, not to mention vegitarians, but if I have the choice it's going to be a steak and a Cuban every time!
In actuality you alone are the only person who can answer that question.
Personally, I think that the "illegality" issue has a lot to do with people in the US wanting to try a CC just to say they had the experience. But I would associate this more with casual cigar smokers.
On the other hand I believe it has little or nothing to do with someone in the US initially trying CCs (for whatever reason) then continuing to buy and enjoy CCs over the long haul.
Seems to me if your motivation for smoking CCs is simply the "forbidden fruit" aspect without a particular love for the product itself, the novelty would quickly fade.
Were they available, I would take a $6 Bolivar Royal Corona over any Opus X. The cuban cigars that I have tasted have a depth, character and changing flavor profile (when properly aged) that makes them world class. No knock on the excellent offerings of Opus X, Padron or Davidoff to name a few. But if I lived in Spain or someplace where Habanos were legally sold in the same case next to these, I'd be saving a few bucks and picking among the Habanos every time. Nothing to do with forbidden fruit - just quality and flavor.
Posts: 470 | Location: New England | Registered: May 02, 2003
Thanks for the responses. I guess something I wasn't thinking about when I originally posted was that they aren't banned all over the world just the United States, so I guess the appeal might be there in the United States but everywhere else they are regarded as very good as well. That's a good point and I guess shows my ignorance on the subject :-)
As far as my experience I go to this little cigar shop in Maine during the Summer every once in a while and try different kinds. I brought this topic up in the first place because I was visiting my girlfriend in Australia and I smoke a Montecristo #2 while I was there and I liked it. I was able to get one in Maine which was good, the guy gets them somehow. I'll post a little intro in Cigar Talk I guess to start out in these forums.
EDIT: Just another quick question. I paid $25 for a Montecristo #2. I'm obviously limited as far as where I can buy them is that a fair price? (Currently a broke college student)
That sounds like what you could expect to pay in Canada. Even if it's a real Monte, $25 is too much. If you can put together an order that is minimum of about $135, you can get Monte's for 9.15 for singles, along with an assortment of other singles at per unit prices not too much greater than the box price. Email me.
Personally, I think that the "illegality" issue has a lot to do with people in the US wanting to try a CC just to say they had the experience. But I would associate this more with casual cigar smokers.
Yup, that sound about right. I agree with what Extension said too. Sure, someone might what to smoke a Cuban in the States just to say they did, but I highly doubt people want to shell out the money and take the risk of legal trouble just to be "cool". Well, maybe children do, but I don't think rational adults would;rather, I hope rational adults wouldn't.
P.S. Welcome my fellow broke college student.
"Think for a moment about whether it is ethical to throw a living creature into boiling water before sucking it down with a cup of melted butter"
Originally posted by The Peacemaker: Hey, I've got a great idea! Let's rename this forum "Sources 'R' Us"!
Ever consider renaming yourself "The Cynical Remarker" In my opinion you express valid concerns with your posts regarding these threads that implicitly suggest a source, but I couldn't help but notice your attitude seems to be in conflict with your user name. I am not against cynicism though, but if my name suggested that i would have to rename myself "the hypocrite"
Originally posted by The Peacemaker: Hey, I've got a great idea! Let's rename this forum "Sources 'R' Us"!
Ever consider renaming yourself "The Cynical Remarker" In my opinion you express valid concerns with your posts regarding these threads that implicitly suggest a source, but I couldn't help but notice your attitude seems to be in conflict with your user name. I am not against cynicism though, but if my name suggested that i would have to rename myself "the hypocrite"
I don't see a problem with someone telling someone to e-mail them for a source, it's an adult disclosing his source, he's not posting it publicly. People share sources, what's the big deal? I know you may say that he may be telling the wrong people, but it's his choice. Everybody with a knowledge of CC's knows what sources are legit, it's not a big secret. If the government didn't have massive problems to deal with, they could get us all. Come on Peacemaker, guys charge CC's to a credit card, the government could easily get want they wanted. I really think they just don't care. I think they just send out the letters to say that if they really wanted to, they could get people, but just let this one letter be a warning. Of course, they want money, so they attach a fine.
Please don't take this the wrong way, I'm not being rude, it's just my opinion. Of course, I might just be ignorant, if so, I'd love to be enlightened .
"Think for a moment about whether it is ethical to throw a living creature into boiling water before sucking it down with a cup of melted butter"
Just wait until you get a letter and then continue pontificating how the govt doesn't care.
Even if they don't take action on most letters....you going to take that risk after receiving a letter? There are plenty of people who have received a letter and plenty of people who have not even attempted to make a single purchase since receiving it.
So yes, keep blabbing out sources to the same guys making "Hey what about this humidor?" or "Humi problems plese help!" posts because we all want that letter.
Originally posted by puff master flex: I am new to cigars and I'm just wondering if a lot of the appeal of Cuban cigars comes from the very fact they are illegal here in the United States. I'm not trying to bash them, the thought just crossed my mind and I'm wondering what all of you Cigar Aficionados think. Cheers.
Originally posted by jms2788: I really think they just don't care. I think they just send out the letters to say that if they really wanted to, they could get people, but just let this one letter be a warning. Of course, they want money, so they attach a fine.
Let's not forget, every once and a while they make an example of people. And the OFAC seems to be doing that on a regular basis now with "little guys."
Here's the latest round:
One individual has agreed to a settlement totaling $6,088.85 for allegedly dealing in property in which Cuba or a Cuban national had an interest: OFAC alleged that between September 2003 and August 2006, the individual purchased Cuban-origin cigars offered for sale on the Internet. The individual did not voluntarily disclose this matter to OFAC. The individual provided information to OFAC concerning additional purchases of Cuban-origin cigars.
One individual has agreed to a settlement totaling $1,261.00 for allegedly dealing in property in which Cuba or a Cuban national had an interest: In January 2006, the individual purchased Cuban-origin cigars offered for sale on the Internet. The individual did not voluntarily disclose this matter to OFAC.
How much time (and lawyer's fees) do you think the poor bastards above had to invest to "negotiate a settlement" with the OFAC? Sure, they didn't go to jail or anything, but the OFAC probably made their lives just a little miserable for a few months.
So before any new CA Forums members take their newly acquired sources and start placing orders, jusr remember...just because the websites make it easy to break the law doesn't mean there's no risk.
This is an informative anecdote as it tells us the potential penalty, but what would really help us decide whether or not to make the purchase is the degree of risk in terms of probability. We all choose to drive cars knowing there is an inherent risk, for example. Is there a way we can begin to quantify the risk of purchasing CCs? Perhaps we could start by finding out who among contributors to the CC forums have received letters. So far I have placed three orders, with no fallout.
Originally posted by Party Gus: This is an informative anecdote as it tells us the potential penalty, but what would really help us decide whether or not to make the purchase is the degree of risk in terms of probability. We all choose to drive cars knowing there is an inherent risk, for example. Is there a way we can begin to quantify the risk of purchasing CCs? Perhaps we could start by finding out who among contributors to the CC forums have received letters. So far I have placed three orders, with no fallout.
Maybe on HighTimes.com there's a post like this...
That was an informative post but is there a way we can quantify the risk of buying marijuana? Maybe we can start by finding out who among us has been arrested? So far, I've bought three ounces, one ounce at a time, with no fallout.
Of course, they can be excused because they're high.
Originally posted by Party Gus: We all choose to drive cars knowing there is an inherent risk, for example. Is there a way we can begin to quantify the risk of purchasing CCs? Perhaps we could start by finding out who among contributors to the CC forums have received letters. So far I have placed three orders, with no fallout.
laugh or cry...both are equally plausible choices after reading your post.
I'm just saying we're all adults who are making a choice to disclose sources, I see no need for anyone to have a problem with that. If anyone if that nervous, don't order CC's. I buy CC's threw a private source with cash, therefor, I'm not concerned. I just don't like when people talk about how there's a potential risk, but then they're willing to give their credit card number to people. My thought is, if you're going to break the law, don't be upset if you get caught.
Now, I'm not speaking about any member here, just in general.
Extension, good information, but I have a question. Don't you think that if the government really really wanted to get many more people, they could? I wasn't saying they don't care completely, but I don't believe it's at the top of their list, or anywhere near the top.
"Think for a moment about whether it is ethical to throw a living creature into boiling water before sucking it down with a cup of melted butter"
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