Why I don't buy Cuban cigars
Sure, I've smoked Cuban cigars - guilty as charged - and have even enjoyed many of them, but I don't buy Cuban cigars. Actually the last time I bought Cuban cigars was about five years ago in Tijuana. They were Cohiba Robustos, and who even knows if they were genuine.
Let's face it, there is something to be said for Cuban cigars, but here's the rub: Whenever I speak to a cigar smokers who claim to buy Cuban cigars on a regular basis - they always have "a connection" - I tend to get this visceral reaction. Is it because I'm jealous that they can afford a $300 box of cigars? Maybe a little, but it's not about money. It's about principles. Sure, there are still some very fine cigars made in Cuba, and the Cuban soil and climate are perfect for growing prime leaf, but remember, the government makes the cigars, and we all know what happens when the government takes control of an industry. (Beware auto manufacturers.)
If you're a cigar smoker, they you're probably aware that many of the manufacturers of premium non-Cuban cigars are themselves Cuban expatriates. Moreover, the cigars are all produced from Cuban seed tobaccos. Families like the Perdomos, Olivas, Padróns, Toraños, Eiroas, Plasencias, the Carrillos, Quesadas - I could go on ad infinitum - have all been able to create some amazing cigars working with different soils in other countries. In many ways, the cigars created by the aforementioned are every bit as Cuban as a Havana Partagas Serie D or Montecristo No.2.
Using the skills that have been handed down for generations, these grandmasters working in Miami, Tampa, The Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Nicaragua have worked their tails off, independently from scratch mind you, to exceed the standards of their native country and create the fine brands they are today.
When an American buys a box of Cuban cigars, I doubt they ever consider, or can even relate to, the brutality many of these same Cuban families have had to endure at the hands of Castro's goons, as illustrated in this quote taken directly from the Perdomo cigars website:
So when someone tells me about the great box of Cubans he just picked-up, I think of it as a slap in the face to these fine gentleman, and all that they have achieved since putting their families' homeland behind them. Just walk through any cigar store today and look at all the marvelous cigars the free market has created! I don't see the need to buy Cuban cigars. And anyone who actually believes that Cuban cigars are superior to all other handmade cigars, is seriously misguided.
I think its fair to say that many of the manufacturers would like to see the embargo lifted, if only to blend their cigars with Cuban tobacco. Maybe when that happens, I'll buy a Cuban cigar. But realistically, I'd say the Cubans have a lot of catching up to do first.
~ Gary Korb
Let's face it, there is something to be said for Cuban cigars, but here's the rub: Whenever I speak to a cigar smokers who claim to buy Cuban cigars on a regular basis - they always have "a connection" - I tend to get this visceral reaction. Is it because I'm jealous that they can afford a $300 box of cigars? Maybe a little, but it's not about money. It's about principles. Sure, there are still some very fine cigars made in Cuba, and the Cuban soil and climate are perfect for growing prime leaf, but remember, the government makes the cigars, and we all know what happens when the government takes control of an industry. (Beware auto manufacturers.)
If you're a cigar smoker, they you're probably aware that many of the manufacturers of premium non-Cuban cigars are themselves Cuban expatriates. Moreover, the cigars are all produced from Cuban seed tobaccos. Families like the Perdomos, Olivas, Padróns, Toraños, Eiroas, Plasencias, the Carrillos, Quesadas - I could go on ad infinitum - have all been able to create some amazing cigars working with different soils in other countries. In many ways, the cigars created by the aforementioned are every bit as Cuban as a Havana Partagas Serie D or Montecristo No.2.
Using the skills that have been handed down for generations, these grandmasters working in Miami, Tampa, The Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Nicaragua have worked their tails off, independently from scratch mind you, to exceed the standards of their native country and create the fine brands they are today.
When an American buys a box of Cuban cigars, I doubt they ever consider, or can even relate to, the brutality many of these same Cuban families have had to endure at the hands of Castro's goons, as illustrated in this quote taken directly from the Perdomo cigars website:
A quiet and peaceful man steadfastly opposed to Castro and the communist revolution, Silvio Perdomo was soon arrested in his own home and quickly tried and incarcerated in the notorious Isle of Pines prison where he endured his harshest treatment. Three years later he was transferred to La Cabana, a murky 18th century fortress overlooking Havana Bay. For the next 12 excruciating years, Silvio suffered through squalid conditions, torture and near-starvation at La Cabana and four other Cuban prisons. Nick, Sr. was also a target of the wrath and violence inherent in establishing Castro's "New Cuba." Ambushed by pro-Castro guerillas, he was shot and critically wounded - within view of the very home his father Silvio was arrested and abducted from.José Oliva has often told me of his personal disdain for the Castro regime. David Blanco of Los Blancos Cigars once told me a story about a relative of his who, despite hating Castro, had an important job in the regime. One day he received a call from a friend telling him he was being set up for a "hit." In a heartbeat he was on the next boat to Miami, and had to send for his wife and children later. Can you imagine not even having time to say goodbye to your wife and children? There are countless untold stories of families enduring dishonor, oppression, strife, and death.
So when someone tells me about the great box of Cubans he just picked-up, I think of it as a slap in the face to these fine gentleman, and all that they have achieved since putting their families' homeland behind them. Just walk through any cigar store today and look at all the marvelous cigars the free market has created! I don't see the need to buy Cuban cigars. And anyone who actually believes that Cuban cigars are superior to all other handmade cigars, is seriously misguided.
I think its fair to say that many of the manufacturers would like to see the embargo lifted, if only to blend their cigars with Cuban tobacco. Maybe when that happens, I'll buy a Cuban cigar. But realistically, I'd say the Cubans have a lot of catching up to do first.
~ Gary Korb
Comments
I am guilty of forgetting, putting blinders on, that I support oppression when I buy a Cuban stick.
Thanks for the reminder of reality.
Sometimes I need a kick in the head to put the things of life in proper perspective.
Thank you
Tom
You're right, there may be something about consuming "forbidden fruit", but the fruit that's available in the U.S. is much more pleasing.
I've only been smoking hand made cigars for a few years, but the more I do, the more I realize that even if "Cuban" cigars were 10 cents each, at this time we don't have any way to absolutely verify their authenticity.
I look forward to the lifting of the embargo, where I can give the legendary Cubans the attention they deserve!
Thanks.
-Gary
Cuban seed tobacco, now that's funny. I love that line!
You can keep your Opus, PAMS and Ghurkas[sic]. Please pass the RASS and BBF's thank you.
Signed-
Misguided
Here I go again, I got censored once, you never know !!!!
Nobody is forcing you to smoke cubans. So why are you justifing
yourself with all this BS ?
If you're playing that game, look
at everything you're wearing, t-shirts, shoes, toys, etc etc .
They all come from where child labor is used . But that's ok, don't worry, the cubans that you won't smoke means more cubans for us. You can stay with your peppery
spicey candies and make believe
that the 90% of cigar smokers in the world ,who will tell you that Habanos are the best in the world,
don't exist. But for God's sake,
Stop trying to convice yourself and
wanting to convert others.
Truely my best regards,
Guy Buscéma, FRANCE
What experience do you have with the Cuban "market"? I hate to make assumptions, but I'm going to assume that you're stateside based on your employer and the "guilty as charged" comment. Your listed "experience" is in Tijuana, a city that does indeed have an LCDH but also runs rampant with fakes (as you candidly mention). Have you gone to a established LCDH or B&M outside of the States? Perhaps an old estancio in Spain or a small but well stocked store in Geneva? Or is your "experience" based solely on mail order, when "caveat emptor" applies, especially depending on the source?
It seems as if the "cool thing" during the boom was to have a cuban cigar. Now, the "cool thing" is to bash cuban cigars. Unfortunately, the sword cuts both ways (arrogant NC bashers number very many). Regardless, there is a reason why the non-cuban market has only cornered the United States. HSA owns the cigar market the world over, and there's a reason for that.
Bottom line is, don't write off something based off of so little experience. Otherwise, you sound like a mindless shill for your NC-based company trying to keep the mass's interest away from the possibly impending relaxation of the Cuban embargo.
"I'm speaking primarily to the hidebound Cuban cigar mavens out there who think nothing else can touch a Havana, and they of all people should know better."
It's a simple matter of taste, Gary. We Cuban cigar mavens happen to prefer the unique taste of Cuban cigars to the taste of non-Cuban cigars. To imply that we are misguided or disintenuous over a matter of taste is simply stupid. The expression "Each to his own taste" is so patently true that there's a cliche for it in virtually every language. The Romans said, "De gustibus non disputatum est." (Pardon any spelling errors). Translated it means "Concerning taste there can be no debate."
You've expressed your taste preference, which I fully respect. Now how about showing those of us who prefer Cuban cigars the same respect?
The only thing the US embargo has achieved is to make sure that the cuban people are not only living under a dictatorship, but also made sure that they are as poor as possible. And for what? Simply because the US administration can't stand to see any kind of communism work out and does anything in their power to stop it.
Don't get me wrong here, I am not in any way endorsing communism or dictatorship, I'm just saying that the people that are hurt the most by the lack of US trade in Cuba are the Cuban people, not the ones responsible for the state of affairs.
I agree that all Cuban cigars are not all they are made out to be, especially at the price point they are at there are often better options. But if the Habanos where allowed to compete on the free market and where readily available in the US (as they are over here) the prices might adjust as well. In my opinion (which should be the authors as well, claiming to be a libertarian) free and unrestricted trade benefits everyone in the long run, and is the way to better living conditions for everyone, not just a select few.
I say keep the embargo, and I'll keep smoking my NC Montecristos.
Oh...and to imply that the suffering of Cubans is a result of the US embargo is absurd!!! Since when was the US there to ensure the prosperity of the World?