Wondering if anyone can share some insight as to how Cigar Aficionado is able to get and smoke CCs for tasting and review (the “Cuba’s Regionals” piece with James Suckling in the video section comes to mind).
They are still illegal to purchase in the U.S., right? That seems a bit bold. Or, are the laws regarding CCs just not being enforced?
The fly once a month to Toronto,buy their stash,then go down to the CN-Tower,sit in front of the same and smoke away while looking up the CN-Tower.Thus the term "Vertical Tasting".
"The world is a book,those who don't travel read only one page"
Posts: 362 | Location: Ontario,Can. | Registered: January 17, 2008
James Suckling is an alias his real name is James Bond. He sneaks them in the country. You know how those spies operate,he risks life and limb to give you a hands on review.
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Posts: 7111 | Location: Reggio di Calabria, Italy / New York United States | Registered: July 12, 2007
Originally posted by Squarehead: The fly once a month to Toronto,buy their stash,then go down to the CN-Tower,sit in front of the same and smoke away while looking up the CN-Tower.Thus the term "Vertical Tasting".
If they do that or something similar then it is STILL a federal crime for US citizen.
I am curious myself how they manage keeping govern-mental harassment off their backs.
Or, maybe they don't? still curious.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Janusz,
Posts: 166 | Location: Left Coast of White North | Registered: April 18, 2007
I'm pretty sure it's that James is the "European consort" or something like that. He's in Italy, so he buys them, goes to Cuba and so on and so forth for the magazine.
Originally posted by Snake Hips: I'm pretty sure it's that James is the "European consort" or something like that. He's in Italy, so he buys them, goes to Cuba and so on and so forth for the magazine.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe he is still a US citizen so technically he's in violation of the embargo. I recall him blogging about US Customs grabbing his cigars when entering the US once.
Originally posted by Snake Hips: I'm pretty sure it's that James is the "European consort" or something like that. He's in Italy, so he buys them, goes to Cuba and so on and so forth for the magazine.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe he is still a US citizen so technically he's in violation of the embargo. I recall him blogging about US Customs grabbing his cigars when entering the US once.
I remember that blog as well, but in one of the videos that he a David did he stated that he did not have to smuggle that he was legal. I am going to go out and say that James is not a US Citizen. Thought that he lived in UK for a while and now in Italy.
Would be interesting to hear how it is between the lines.
well its really simple, james suckling goes to cuba every year, sometimes for many many weeks. That tells me that he's either not a us citizen or he has special journalism privileges to go to cuba, either way he would be able to possess cuban cigars and bring them to the states.
I am here for your sources and your first born... - BigStun
Posts: 2941 | Location: The Green Mountains | Registered: March 26, 2009
Just kidding. I believe this has been asked many times before, but I don't think there was ever an answer given. It's one of those mysterious things...
it has something to do with being a journalist and of course living overseas that allows him to travel to cuba and consume cigars. then of course there is always the secret knock when arriving at the border, and oh the secret handshake and the cone of silence and shoephones. oh thats get smart.whatever
