WSJ Front Page

[RickHendeson]

http://www.wsj.com/articles/smoked-cubas-cigar-industry-isnt-ready-for-its-american-moment-1463767535

Some interesting facts and figures re: production decline I had not heard elsewhere (with that much specificity)

[TheLiquidGator]

The comment section is entertaining.

[HavanaSunday]

Thanks for the link. Interesting read.

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[NSXCIGAR]

Interesting read.

The only factor that seems to be in decline is acres of cultivation. This could actually be a positive, as that could mean more efficient techniques and higher quality/yield tobacco coming from the land still being used to grow. This is seconded by the fact that total cigar production hasn't really been in consistent decline since 09, and HSA revenue has actually risen over time, or at least kept up with inflation.

This to me is a sign that production techniques, tobacco quality and yields are improving. Hopefully, they can increase acreage and production even further, although 20% per year is a little ambitious, IMO. Besides, the embargo will not be ending anytime soon, and this new FDA regulation throws even more sand in the gears. The Cubans will have plenty of time to figure things out, not to mention the embargo ending will also create more capital investment opportunities that hopefully offset the inefficient production and equipment a bit. If the embargo is being lifted, investors will see the cash cow and likely step in to shore things up.

Interesting how they're entertaining the idea of Davidoff coming in and producing cigars bypassing HSA/Imperial! And yet they still claim state ownership of the means of production is a superior economic system. What a joke. Most of the article just reinforces how absurd their whole economic model is.

[NSXCIGAR]

And who the hell is this guy?

Reid Bechtle, an American Cuban cigar aficionado who lives near Washington, is worried about quality problems. “As soon as the floodgates open, we’re going to get three to four years of absolute garbage,” he says.

The authority has apparently spoken...

This guy is CEO of the ZIPS Dry Cleaners company. Wall Street guy...

[NSXCIGAR]

The comment section is entertaining.

Yes it is. My favorite:

The solution to increase both production and maintaining and improving the quality of the tobacco is simple to plant/bury the death weeds called Fidel and Raul. That fertilizer would turn everything around - for the moment no change, same flat-line economy to continue.

Some NC propaganda:

Yep, a fad since 1959...but, you're correct about the quality nowadays. The DR and Nicaragua have certainly made Cubans an afterthought.

[TomF]

The new FDA rules, unless they are dismantled by Congress, now eviscerate the basic premise of this entire article; ie: that there is an enormous US market about to be opened up for Cuban tobacco products. The new FDA regulations basically replace the embargo (if it is ever lifted at all). Even if the Cubans were to follow the regulations and submit every marca and vitola for analysis, it would be years before any of them would be approved, and what do you think the chances are that HSA would spend the resources required by the regs?

[DoubleDD]

They can't even get REs out on time. Can you imagine the debacle it will be opening the American market?

[MPS]

Thanks Rick, great article. I agree with Reid completely. The smart smokers have been stocking up for years already.

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[topdiesel]

Thanks Rick, great article. I agree with Reid completely. The smart smokers have been stocking up for years already.

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+1

[Stogieninja]

...what do you think the chances are that HSA would spend the resources required by the regs?

I see this argument a lot, but honestly the chances are high. It's the largest market in the world, and try are if the largest cigar companies in the world. I'm pretty confident they'll pay to play.

[busdriver]

Thanks for posting. One of the better articles I have seen and the video was well made.

[Fugu]

Thanks for posting. Good read with many facts and numbers.

Closely reflects some of what Rob already mentioned a few weeks ago.

Edit: N.B. Somebody notice the crappy plastic moulds in the vid? They are so mean that they are getting damaged in the wise. Wonder what makes Cuba replace the good old wooden ones. The plastic ones may be cheaper, but it doesn't look as if they were fully working to purpose and come with a questionable operating life - at least the crappy ones shown.

[TheMonk]

What an absolutely delicious imbecile comment:

"Cigars, like wine, scotch, and barbeque will always be a subject of controversy as to which are the best. That said, Cuban cigars are absolutely lousy."

I, for one, can only hope most Americans continue to strongly dislike all things Cuban... That means I'll definitely be enjoying myself a lot more when I visit Cuba, and also be able to smoke CCs without a significant markup in the upcoming years.

[PigFish]

And who the hell is this guy?

Reid Bechtle, an American Cuban cigar aficionado who lives near Washington, is worried about quality problems. “As soon as the floodgates open, we’re going to get three to four years of absolute garbage,” he says.

The authority has apparently spoken...

This guy is CEO of the ZIPS Dry Cleaners company. Wall Street guy...

Opinions are all over the place, and everyone has one!

I respond here as a matter of answering your question... While I have not spoken to him in some time, I know Reid personally, there will be several on this site who do.

There is no need for me to carry water for anyone, however since Reid is a friend of mine, I will be happy to tell you, he is a gentleman, a cigar aficionado, and one very knowledgeable about Cuban cigars. For those of you who like custom rolled cigars and rarities (not really my thing) he has connections and collections that many would envy.

My point is only this. Of all people to ask about cigars, if this guy knows Reid, opinions notwithstanding, he knows some good, knowledgeable cigar people.

Just my 2 cents.

Reid is a member here by the way... And I would love to see him back!!!

Cheers. -Piggy