sanity Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 I agree with the current trend. What comes first is the flavor that I enjoy in a cigar. I would not appreciate something disclosed as cuban that is not. Ultimately, I would purchase what I like.
fokker4me Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 I purely care about taste. The country of origin is not important to me. I love bourbon, if they buy some of the corn or rumye grain from another country is still does not matter to me, just how it tastes. I smoke whatever I like some are Dominicans, Nicaraguan, Cuban and most NCs are blends.
Strick28 Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 It's all about my taste. I have to ago with the OP on this one. There are some good NCs out there and I have or have had them...
Troels Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 I'd surely smoke nc if they tasted as well and I couldnt have cubans - but I'll have to admit that the "branding" of cubans cigar affects me somehow. I like the history, the images of Cuba - and the fact that I discovered cigars in Cuba and associate to my travels does mean something to me 1
rodrigodeanda Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 I wouln't care at all. For me, just like most people commenting here, is about the taste and the experience. I've tried NCs but I find the cubans to fulfil my palate the most. One thing I don't really like about NCs is the overwhelming quantity of brands out there and the lack of information one can find on the internet.
Philski Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 Balls on the block here, but yes, it does matter to me. I love the history and romance of the Cuban cigar industry, and would feel very disappointed if Habanos were farting in my face by blending in non-Cuban tobacco. It's about authenticity and integrity, no matter how many crap CCs I have smoked. When all's said and done though, I think the rumours are bullshit. NC producers will try any trick in the book to associate with the aura of Cuban cigars, and saying that Cuba uses Dominican, Nicaraguan, etc., tobacco is just a part of that. And anyway, no matter how well the Cubans might be able to hold a secret, do you really believe that some sort of corroboration from the (NC) producers' side wouldn't have leaked out at some point? It would all be upside from their point of view... not forgetting, of course, that many, many of the NC producers are Cuban exiles or their descendants, who would only allow trade with Cuba over their dead bodies. 2
CaptainQuintero Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 I would imagine once the embargo is lifted, there will be Dominican and Nicaraguan cigars blended with Cuban tobacco. Probably not a lot initially, as Cuban tobacco will be scarce, but eventually this will happen. I have a hard time believing there is NC tobacco in anything Habanos is selling. The different tobaccos *typically* produce distinct enough flavors, that I'd expect plenty of discerning palates would detect the presence of NC tobacco in a Cuban. I still smoke more NC than CC, so I really don't care where the tobacco comes from, or where the cigars are produced. Like others have said, though, I don't like feeling like I've been told a lie. Unless the Cuban government decides to sell Cuban tobacco to NC manufacturers, the only way NC companies are going to get Cuban tobacco is to buy cigars then unroll them. The embargo ending does not mean Cuba will become democratic and the government will be replaced. The government will still own everything produced on the island and can see or not sell to whoever it wants. It's hard to deal in definites but I cant ever see the Cuban government deciding to sell its tobacco to its rivals, there's no benefits for them. From a marketing point of view its product suicide. 1
Smallclub Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 Balls on the block here, but yes, it does matter to me. I love the history and romance of the Cuban cigar industry, and would feel very disappointed if Habanos were farting in my face by blending in non-Cuban tobacco. It's about authenticity and integrity, no matter how many crap CCs I have smoked. When all's said and done though, I think the rumours are bullshit. NC producers will try any trick in the book to associate with the aura of Cuban cigars, and saying that Cuba uses Dominican, Nicaraguan, etc., tobacco is just a part of that. This.
wabashcr Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 Unless the Cuban government decides to sell Cuban tobacco to NC manufacturers, the only way NC companies are going to get Cuban tobacco is to buy cigars then unroll them. The embargo ending does not mean Cuba will become democratic and the government will be replaced. The government will still own everything produced on the island and can see or not sell to whoever it wants. It's hard to deal in definites but I cant ever see the Cuban government deciding to sell its tobacco to its rivals, there's no benefits for them. From a marketing point of view its product suicide. I agree in that I don't expect the government to sell Cuban leaf directly to other manufacturers. But I do expect that once the embargo is lifted, small amounts of Cuban tobacco will find their way off the island, and into the hands of a few smaller manufacturers. For all I know, this could be happening already. But lifting the embargo would make cigars with Cuban leaf legal to sell in the US, thus more manufacturers will be looking for a way to do it. Obviously anything large enough to concern the Cuban government would be too risky for all parties involved. I also think an increase in commerce with the US will result in a gradual loosening of restrictions on farms from the Cuban government. Maybe it won't happen right away, but farmers will know what their product is really worth. Other industries are already seeing the beginning of a gradual shift to private/co-op models. I would think lifting the embargo would only increase the rate at which that trend continues, across all industry in Cuba. 1
Fosgate Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 At first I would be upset because of taking the risk of bringing CC's in and getting slapped by big brother govt. Then I would quickly realize that I get really nice CC's often for the same or less than many good NC's.
joeskow Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 I know its apples to oranges but let's say you where buying an Italian or German sports car and found out later it was made with Japanese parts..not cool
avaldes Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 Yes I would care. And no I don't detect any non-Cuban tobacco in any officially released HSA cigars. I think the Fuente's could make some unreal cigars with Cuban tobacco. But I also think it would not be in HSA's interests to sell tobacco to ANYONE. I don't think they would dilute their products by doing this. 1
garbandz Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 does anyone remember Ramon Allones Extra,from 2011 ? Tasted less like a Cuban than any Cuban cigar I have ever smoked. I would say it tasted Dominican,especially when fresh..... I have read about Canary Island cigars blended with Cuban leaf for the Spanish market,anyone got any information about these? I remember there was a Canary cigar available in the US,one blend was not blended with Cuban tobacco and was sold in my state. Then the Cuban blend version showed up and the whole line was disallowed .............
DWC Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 Minor difference, but the OP was about Cuban cigars having non Cuban tobacco in them, not the other way around. Lifting the embargo has no effect in this discussion. As far as the embargo goes, it only effects USofA. The other tobacco producing countries aren't involved. They are free to trade with Cuba now if they want. Aren't they? 2
Ginseng Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 I'd surely smoke nc if they tasted as well and I couldnt have cubans - but I'll have to admit that the "branding" of cubans cigar affects me somehow. I like the history, the images of Cuba - and the fact that I discovered cigars in Cuba and associate to my travels does mean something to me I am off like mind. The experience of Habanos is about so much more than just a tube of burning leaves. I find it rather mercenary and unenlightened to simply say "if I like it, who gives an eff?" That's not enough for me. A cigar may just be a cigar, but a Habanos is a tradition. Something special, ineffable, wasted if relegated to just another sensory experience stripped of an appreciation for the literal and metaphorical soil from which it springs. Wilkey 1
Ginseng Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 My post should also acknowledge Philski's comments. Wilkey
Scroats Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 If it takes good, I'll smoke it. I have no particular allegiance to Hsa aside from what they can roll up and sell me to smoke.
Skyfall Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 If Cuban Companies are using NC tobacco in their cigars now, that tells me NC Companies are doing something very , very wrong with how they make their cigars. So I don't believe it. Terra Noir 3
cigcars Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 I would actually welcome the combination of Cuban and other countries' tobaccos in cigar releases. I think the possibilities would be pretty great IMHO, especially if combined with Cameroon, Jamaican, and Brazilian tobaccos...not to mention Connecticut shade grown such as is used in many Davidoff wrappers and products. Bring it!
Popular Post Skyfall Posted February 25, 2015 Popular Post Posted February 25, 2015 does anyone remember Ramon Allones Extra,from 2011 ? Tasted less like a Cuban than any Cuban cigar I have ever smoked. I would say it tasted Dominican,especially when fresh..... I have read about Canary Island cigars blended with Cuban leaf for the Spanish market,anyone got any information about these? I remember there was a Canary cigar available in the US,one blend was not blended with Cuban tobacco and was sold in my state. Then the Cuban blend version showed up and the whole line was disallowed ............. I've always disagreed about the RA Extra. I've commented many times on here defending it. I have roughly 8-10 boxes of RA Extra, all HQ or PSP hand picked by Rob. I've smoked through about 3 boxes so far, and I have yet to have a bad one, a plugged one or one that has any kind of an NC taste or characteristics. My buddies who have smoked mine have all agreed. Now they are even smoking better,(had one last week). 3 full boxes with no examples of NC taste and qualities is a good enough scope of measurement for me to know that I love "MY BOXES". I emphasize that because I have probably smoked 20 other RA Extras from some of my buddy's boxes, that were not hand picked for quality and some bought elsewhere, and I would say that out of that 20, 5 were as good as mine, 10 were nothing bad but nothing great, (maybe needed to be laid down longer) 5 were actually crap. Even in the crap ones, I still didn't see the NC comparison. I saw more of a bland, ammonia, bitter characteristic, which I see in many CC's. I'm very happy with my boxes of RA Extra's, I love them, balanced and refined creamy coffee, leather, toffee chocolate bombs. With as many mixed reviews and comments on loving them and hating them, I dare say this may be one of the most recent examples above any other cigar (at least EL) for the importance of handpicking for quality. 7
oliverdst Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 I was just commenting on the relevance of the whisky analogy. I've always been partial to a blend of blue and yellow. It might never be blue, but some people love green. It was just a benchmark.
FLB03TT Posted February 26, 2015 Posted February 26, 2015 I am off like mind. The experience of Habanos is about so much more than just a tube of burning leaves. I find it rather mercenary and unenlightened to simply say "if I like it, who gives an eff?" That's not enough for me. A cigar may just be a cigar, but a Habanos is a tradition. Something special, ineffable, wasted if relegated to just another sensory experience stripped of an appreciation for the literal and metaphorical soil from which it springs. Wilkey + 1 zillion... I don't believe anyone can disconnect the history, tradition, Cuban dress box artwork, banding and Cuban Puro mystique from the smoking experience. It's all deeply intertwined in the pleasure we derive from a one hour smoking session with a CC. IMHO, those who believe it's JUST about the taste of the stick regardless of what nations tobacco is in it are not being honest with themselves about all the elements involved with their smoking experience. Perhaps there is some minor "forbidden fruit" aspect, as an American, involved in my thinking, but it don't believe that effectively negates my analysis- regardless of ones nationality. 2
bigharpoon Posted February 26, 2015 Posted February 26, 2015 I believe there is no such thing as brand loyalty. Others may have their reasons to disagree but I am firmly of the belief that no matter how much you love a certain product (cigars, or otherwise) if there is another choice made available and that other choice is truly better (and similar enough in price to make it a non-issue) than nearly everyone will gravitate towards the better product. Where tobacco comes from isn't important to me. I am looking for taste, quality and price. Whoever puts up the best product with this in mind will get my money.
JerseyG Posted February 26, 2015 Posted February 26, 2015 As a few have already stated. I would care if I were being cheated somehow.
SCgarman Posted February 26, 2015 Posted February 26, 2015 I have heard from more than once source Cuba is using tobacco from other countries in their cigars. You know, anything IS possible.
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