Cigar Wars: As the Cuban Embargo Fizzles, the Battle for Stogies Smolders

[El Presidente]

I found the below to be a very interesting article showcasing in equal parts: justifiable pride, challenges, frustration, fear and fight.

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2015/02/cigar_wars_cuban_embargo_ending.php?page=2

[wabashcr]

Also be sure to scroll halfway down the first page and read part 1, which ran last week. Very well reported, and underscores just how much is at stake for so many Cubans and exiles.

[MIKA27]

Wow, brilliant article, could so easily be made into a movie.

[CigarDarr111]

Great article.. An unseen effect of the thawing of relation between Cuba and The US.

[gcman68]

In case someone missed it here is the link to Part 1 that wabashcr was referring to.

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2015/02/cuban-cigar-embargo.php

[subiemech]

"By the time these tobacco sprigs are transformed into cigars, the U.S. embargo against Cuba will likely have fallen."

A pretty bold statement to make. Being an a American, I wish it were true. Lifting the embargo will literally take an act of congress and every american knows what that is like. The world can rest easily knowing that the american government will do the best that it can to keep americans out of their cuban cigar supply.

[shlomo]

"By the time these tobacco sprigs are transformed into cigars, the U.S. embargo against Cuba will likely have fallen."

A pretty bold statement to make. Being an a American, I wish it were true. Lifting the embargo will literally take an act of congress and every american knows what that is like. The world can rest easily knowing that the american government will do the best that it can to keep americans out of their cuban cigar supply.

You of course mean to say that Americans can rest knowing that the USA is still the easiest and cheapest place on the planet to buy Cuban cigars, and that includes Cuba.

[subiemech]

You of course mean to say that Americans can rest knowing that the USA is still the easiest and cheapest place on the planet to buy Cuban cigars, and that includes Cuba.

[RickHendeson]

"By the time these tobacco sprigs are transformed into cigars, the U.S. embargo against Cuba will likely have fallen."

A pretty bold statement to make. Being an a American, I wish it were true. Lifting the embargo will literally take an act of congress and every american knows what that is like. The world can rest easily knowing that the american government will do the best that it can to keep americans out of their cuban cigar supply.

Yah I note how the article talks a lot about the little guy and courts and lawyers but the real battle will be fought on K Street

[wabashcr]

If I'm Manuel Garcia Morejon, and I've already been in trouble with the Cuban government for corruption, I'm praying that last bit of the article doesn't make it back to the Castros. Seems like the Cubans would view that as treason.

[...]

Very interesting read, thanks for sharing!

[CharbelAntoine]

"The leaves are dried, rehydrated with various mojos — secret sauces whose recipes are jealously guarded by and passed down through generations"

What is this mojo they're referring to? Never heard of it and is it something that occurs in cuban cigar industry?

[ebhead]

Very interesting and informative article, although the following passage caught my eye:

"...When José Orlando Padrón arrived in 1967 at the invitation of dictator Anastasio Somoza, ..." (bold mine)

...and not related to this article but isn't the embargo effectively dead? Considering Netflix will stream into Cuba, never mind that only a small, very small, minority would be able to access it...Maybe I'm missing something. It just got me curious.

E

[riazp]

part 1 was great cant wait to read part 2

[Puros Y Vino]

"The leaves are dried, rehydrated with various mojos — secret sauces whose recipes are jealously guarded by and passed down through generations"

What is this mojo they're referring to? Never heard of it and is it something that occurs in cuban cigar industry?

When I hear "mojos" it's mostly in reference to Cuban cooking. A mojo is like a marinade. I've done one with pork which is just lime juice, cumin, pepper and bay leaves. I hope they're not using that on the tobacco! Though it might be interesting.

[Smallclub]

"The leaves are dried, rehydrated with various mojos — secret sauces whose recipes are jealously guarded by and passed down through generations"

The word "mojo" is misused and misspelled here*.

The spanish word "moja" means humidification, but the "secret" sauces (there's a bit of mystic about this) is named "bethune", it has been discussed here several times.

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=111761&hl=betune#entry329900

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mojo_%28sauce%29

[CaptainQuintero]

"The leaves are dried, rehydrated with various mojos â secret sauces whose recipes are jealously guarded by and passed down through generations"

 

What is this mojo they're referring to? Never heard of it and is it something that occurs in cuban cigar industry?

I think some vary from sugar and water to more questionable mixtures. I've heard of tobacco juice from crushed tobacco stem/stalk but I've no idea how true it is.

I think I remember reading somewhere there is something mentioned in hushed tones in regard to Cuban tobacco added during the fermentation or drying phase but again it could just be hearsay

[Puros Y Vino]

I think some vary from sugar and water to more questionable mixtures. I've heard of tobacco juice from crushed tobacco stem/stalk but I've no idea how true it is.

I think I remember reading somewhere there is something mentioned in hushed tones in regard to Cuban tobacco added during the fermentation or drying phase but again it could just be hearsay

Yeah. Something along the lines of the 1998 to 2004 Trinidad Fundadores. Where the story goes, the leaves in the pilons were sprayed with a mixture of water, with a teaspoon of rum and honey while they underwent fermentation.

[CaptainQuintero]

Sounds like my 21st birthday!

[Dourowino]

When I hear "mojos" it's mostly in reference to Cuban cooking. A mojo is like a marinade. I've done one with pork which is just lime juice, cumin, pepper and bay leaves. I hope they're not using that on the tobacco! Though it might be interesting.

And Don't Forget The Sour Orange Juice (Naranja Agria)

[CharbelAntoine]

Thanks for the mojo/moja/bethume information guys! Got plenty of interesting reading from now on,and maybe the discussion can continue in another thread