anacostiakat Posted July 14, 2010 Posted July 14, 2010 My guess is they would not sell to the american manufacturers. Or at least not initially or for some time if at all. I wouldnt if I were them.
SethLG Posted July 14, 2010 Posted July 14, 2010 This is going to sound outrageous, but when the hurricanes were pounding Cuba in 2008 and damaging all the tobacco farms on the island, I talked with a couple reliable sources who just got back from Honduras and Nicaragua visiting manufacturers and I was told that they were selling some tobacco to Cuba, I don't know if this is true or not, but I think if it is, it will show that there is some business amongst Habanos SA and American cigar manufacturers. I have about a dozen cigars made with Cuban and Nicaraguan tobacco with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and the Cuban tobacco is from Alejandro Robaiana's farm. I think if things were to open up, there would be trade, at least I believe Habanos would be selling tobacco, they could sell it for high profit I imagine.
Colt45 Posted July 14, 2010 Posted July 14, 2010 We can speculate, but none of us can truly know what will happen post embargo until it actually happens. Ken makes a valid point, but how many of us not from there would give Cuba a second thought were it not for the Havana cigar?
Habanos2000 Posted July 14, 2010 Posted July 14, 2010 I believe it would negatively affect me, as far as my cigar purchases are concerned. But I'm a huge proponent of a free market society and believe there shouldn't be artificial restraints placed on trade. But then again, I don't see the US changing anything without significant changes on the Cuban side and believe that Castro's death alone, while a start, wouldn't be enough to put and end to the embargo.
joeypots Posted July 14, 2010 Posted July 14, 2010 A European vendor told me a while ago that an end to the embargo would cause a spike in demand for Cuban cigars. Also, raw tobacco would be sold to blend with the tobacco from other cigar producing nations. He anticipates a decline in quality and thinks that well kept embargo cigars will command a premium price for years to come. Take it for what it is worth.
MPS Posted July 14, 2010 Posted July 14, 2010 I really can't wait for this to happen. I can hop on a plane to Havana for a couple days whenever I want. I would try to open a cigar store here in Miami. It would be great for everyone really. The embargo has only hurt the Cuban people. It will happen soon. Most of the younger generation of Cubans here don't agree with their parents. Sure cigar prices will be higher than for what I pay now but I will always be able to buy overseas. With the decline of smoking in general I'm sure Cuba will be able to make enough cigars and not effect quality as much as what happened in the boom years.
SethLG Posted July 14, 2010 Posted July 14, 2010 Attached is a top secret govt. plan for post embaro. White House lobby 2010. White House lobby year after embargo Brilliant idea, will be part of the new White House Tour, focusing on JFK's presidency. The polls show that it will be bringing in money for interests in White House tours as well. They are throwing around the idea of "grab a cigar for the tour." Not sure on the full details yet, everyone is very hush hush on the whole thing.
jsd Posted July 14, 2010 Posted July 14, 2010 Nothing new here...increased cost, lower quality. We already have access to that here in the states. I would continue to purchase Habanos from an overseas vendor with very high quality standards.
Trevor2118 Posted July 14, 2010 Posted July 14, 2010 Sorry guys tried to fix poll question to fix error Ken pointed out ,but accidently stuffed it up lost polls that were before that time You took advice from Ken? Are you new here?
anacostiakat Posted July 14, 2010 Posted July 14, 2010 You took advice from Ken?Are you new here? Noob!
jawofboston Posted July 14, 2010 Posted July 14, 2010 I'll be more free, which is always a good (and these days very rare) thing. People tend to overlook the freedom to interact, communicate, and trade with people from other countries, but I think it's fundamental.
LeafLover Posted July 14, 2010 Posted July 14, 2010 Only thing I can be sure of is that I will be happy on the day that I won't have to feel nervous about buying CC's and receiving them through the mail.
OZCUBAN Posted July 15, 2010 Author Posted July 15, 2010 Attached is a top secret govt. plan for post embaro. White House lobby 2010. White House lobby year after embargo Brilliant idea, will be part of the new White House Tour, focusing on JFK's presidency. The polls show that it will be bringing in money for interests in White House tours as well. They are throwing around the idea of "grab a cigar for the tour." Not sure on the full details yet, everyone is very hush hush on the whole thing. Brilliant
NitrousPurger Posted July 15, 2010 Posted July 15, 2010 i think that it would kill the NC market. If you could get cubans in the US... why would you want to buy anything else? even novices in the cigar world will choose cuban just based on the stigma and exclusiveness that surrounds them now. I also think that as soon as the ban gets lifted, CC's will sell like crazy here because of everyone that has heard so much about cubans and never had the resources or opportunity to try one. NC's will have to get a lot better and a lot cheaper in order to compete with Cubans in the US. I would still rather buy from czar because if i buy from my local cigar shop now im paying around 20% tax! damn democrats and their crazy health legislation LOL! I think the US would go through another cigar boom if the legislation gets lifted
zuma Posted July 15, 2010 Posted July 15, 2010 i think that it would kill the NC market. If you could get cubans in the US... why would you want to buy anything else? even novices in the cigar world will choose cuban just based on the stigma and exclusiveness that surrounds them now. I also think that as soon as the ban gets lifted, CC's will sell like crazy here because of everyone that has heard so much about cubans and never had the resources or opportunity to try one. NC's will have to get a lot better and a lot cheaper in order to compete with Cubans in the US. Unfortunately, once the embargo gets lifted it is quite likely that a great flood of fakes will be mixed in with dinkum CC's (replace the NC band with a CC band, and voila!). Though I suspect that Habanos would have already projected how they will release CC's in the US (through network of authorised retailers), the B&Ms may (in)advertedly sell the fake stuff... I really hope that the end of the embargo coincides with more freedom and prosperity for the generality of Cubans, and that it will not result in the obscene extremes of wealth and poverty that have followed the dismantling of communist regimes (where in many cases former communist elite became new capitalist oligarchy).
OZCUBAN Posted July 15, 2010 Author Posted July 15, 2010 Unfortunately, once the embargo gets lifted it is quite likely that a great flood of fakes will be mixed in with dinkum CC's (replace the NC band with a CC band, and voila!). Though I suspect that Habanos would have already projected how they will release CC's in the US (through network of authorised retailers), the B&Ms may (in)advertedly sell the fake stuff... I really hope that the end of the embargo coincides with more freedom and prosperity for the generality of Cubans, and that it will not result in the obscene extremes of wealth and poverty that have followed the dismantling of communist regimes (where in many cases former communist elite became new capitalist oligarchy). Bravo Zuma well said
Aficionado Posted July 15, 2010 Posted July 15, 2010 Personally I don't want to see c- cigars on the U.S. market. I like thrills, especially when I still wait more than 21 days for delivery. The embargo is stupid, anachronistic XXI century, showing the weakness and immaturity of the US American government. EMBARGO OFF, NOW!!! FREEDOM for CUBAN CIGARS Around The WORLD
Wiley Posted July 15, 2010 Posted July 15, 2010 It wouldn't effect me at all. None of the cigar vendors around here have anything resembling the knowledge or charisma of the Czar crew.
Professor Twain Posted July 16, 2010 Posted July 16, 2010 The embargo ending will be good for me... even though it will lead to a worldwide increase in the price of Cuban cigars. I don't see the quality going down. I think this will be a luxury niche in the US and retaining high quality will pay off much better than raising production and lowering quality. I doubt I would want to buy my Cubans here in US cigar stores anyway, prices are likely to be higher, and I can get excellent service and comparison shop online from vendors around the world. The big plus for me would be the ability to legally and cheaply fly to Cuba, assuming the travel restrictions are also eliminated along with the embargo.
whiteknight Posted July 16, 2010 Posted July 16, 2010 The embargo hurts Cuba in so many ways, and ending it will be good for those people. OUR CONCERN, DEAR FOH MEMBERS, HOWEVER, IS WITH CIGARS... My first concern: Big American Tobacco Companies will do their very best to use their money and influence to control the Cuban Cigar Houses and modernize, mechanize, and start running the place like it is an R.J. Reynolds cigarette factory in North Carolina. That is, cranking out dog rockets at a feverish pace but keeping the prices sky high for everyone. The rest of the Habano Loving World would have to help regulate the market and keep quality as it is now. Many American Cigar smokers have never had the joy of smoking a true Habano, and still buy the Dominicans, and those from Central America, and think these are primo. I wonder if anyone in America really buys those White Owl and Dutch Masters Cigars? Cuba could send America seconds and rejects and less quality product and most of the Americans would never know the difference. The rest of the World would still be able to get what we are buying now at the same quality and nobody would be any the wiser. America would put a protectionist embargo on Cuban Cigars to make them so costly compared to American tobacco products as to be ridiculous to buy. I agree with one of the other contributors--You Yanks stock up now, and hide your stash from the American Government Cigar Nazis when they knock on your door.
BonVivant Posted July 17, 2010 Posted July 17, 2010 A fascinating topic and when it happens: Another boom is inevitable, production increase with decline in quality, taxes through the roof, taxes on cigars received from abroad and/or the law, prohibiting buying from outside the country - are just few problems that are foreseeable.
eman67 Posted July 19, 2010 Posted July 19, 2010 A fascinating topic and when it happens:Another boom is inevitable, production increase with decline in quality, taxes through the roof, taxes on cigars received from abroad and/or the law, prohibiting buying from outside the country - are just few problems that are foreseeable. Agreed...any way the US can profit from tobacco they will...already can't afford half the NC's in the US..cc's will quadruple in price.
MontrealRon Posted July 19, 2010 Posted July 19, 2010 Here in Canada, we have no embargo, but tobacco taxes are extremely high. Our customs and border service people are intercepting most packages. A box that cost me $100 arrived last week, with an assessment of $440 in charges! I could challenge the amount, and after a whole bureaucratic process, perhaps get it reduced to around $250. Of course, I'd have to pay the $440 first, then hope for mercy. Needless to say, the package will be returned to sender. It is so ironic that our US brothers, in spite of the embargo, can order and receive international packages with impunity - at least for now. It is highly probable, however, that if Cuban cigars ever become legal in the US, and as tobacco taxes continue to increase, US Customs may begin to follow the Canadian example, and become more involved with tax collection, becoming much more effective than they ever were with interdiction. If that comes to pass brothers, these last few years will seem like a lost Golden Age. On the other hand, the freedom to travel to Cuba will make up for much of the loss. Even if you have the same restrictions as we do - 50 cigars per person per visit, duty free - there is nothing like the pleasure of shopping for, and choosing your cigars, in Cuba, at Cuban prices; not to mention to see for yourself both the good and the bad aspects of life in Cuba. In spite of all the nastiness between governments, the Cuban people harbor no resentment against the American people, and you will be warmly received. May it happen soon!
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