Cuban Cigars or Cuban Cigars?

By: Jim Bennington

A short musing about what would happen in the universe of cigars if and when the “embargo” on Cuba should be lifted.

Cuba has been a thorn on many people’s side. From politicians to cigar smokers, to those who believe they are right and everyone else is wrong.

For the politicians, which ever end of the spectrum they have positioned themselves, Cuba is the little despotic, tyrannical piece of land sitting a little off our front yard. Too close for comfort and reminding us constantly of what we don’t like and what we don’t want. That it is poor and ignorant, (save for a handful who maintain the status quo) making it impossible for its people to take charge of their own destiny. Cuba is a reminder of the long gone failed utopian Communism. We humans are too diverse in our needs and goals for our future generations.

For the cigar smokers, the long coveted Cuban forbidden smoke. Only because there is an embargo set in place by J.F.K. , who made sure he had a large stock of his favorite H-Upmanns before he signed it.

What will happen if and when the embargo is lifted? In cyberspace there is a lot of talk about it.

From hopeful beliefs that the embargo has been lifted, to the belief that some of binding chains have been removed.

Everyone is in high anticipation of what could be. If the embargo is lifted, the first to be benefited will be the smokers, as they will be able to freely enjoy the forbidden smokes without fear of being jailed or having to pay harsh fines for the transgressions.  The next one to profit from the freed Cubans will be the retailers. It will force the domestic brands to compete, reduce prices and offer promotions never seen before. Producing another cigar boom. Competition is good for business.

The last one to profit from the lifting of the embargo will be the Cuban cigar. Up until the embargo was set in place, Cuban cigars were blended like all the cigars produced outside Cuba.  After that, the Cuban cigars became a blend of tobacco grown only in Cuba. The Cubans could and can not import tobacco from the neighboring countries, like Dominican Republic, Nicaragua or Honduras, as they were under commercial and economical American rule. In that case, if the Cuban cigar is considered good today, imagine how much better it could be if blended with other tobaccos. It would lose its characteristic post “Fidel” aroma, but would gain in complexity and subtlety.

Therefore, we are all waiting in baited anticipation. Will they or will they not? All we can do right now is wait with dreams of Cuban swirls of smoke.

About the Author

Jim Bennington, in Boca Raton, FL, has been supporting the cigar and pipe smoker’s hobbies for over 25 years. For more information email: info@bocabenningtons.com or call 888-574-5404. www.bocabenningtons.com

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