Maximum three questions re Cuban Cigars....

[El Presidente]

Maximum three questions per person re Cuban Cigars....That you have always wanted to know.

Ask the questions here and we (FOH Members) will address them individually. .

Use this thread only to propose questions. :-)

[Colt45]

1. DCs vs. Churchills - I've read that better tobacco is saved to use in the DC

in a line versus the tobacco used in the churchill of the same line.

Is there any truth to this?

2. Is it true that there is a relatively high content of lithium in Cuban soil?

3. If relations between Cuba and the U.S. were normalized, how would the Cuban

cigar industry deal with the probable increase in demand in the U.S, while

maintaining, or increasing quality worldwide?

[piranha]

1). Cab. vs. reg. (dress) box for the same cigar - Why do so many people say that the cigars in one style box (cab version), taste, smoke or age better than the other type?

Do they? What's everyone's take on this?

[habanohal]

1- Is it true that Cuba is a big importer of Honduran tobacco and is it rolled into Cuban cigars if they are short crop?

[1f1fan]

1. How long does it take once the crop is harvested until the cigars are actually boxed and ready to distribute...Example, what major crop (year) is being used to make 04/05 cigars.

2. Why are certain cigars discontinued? Lack of demand, or lack of tobacco to blend the cigars. Example, H Upmann #4

...I'll be back with another.

[Cohiba007]

Are the cubans cooking tobacco? Why did most of the Hong Kong collectors not buy any boxes from 03-04?

[Ken Gargett]

» Maximum three questions per person re Cuban Cigars....That you have always

» wanted to know.

»

» Ask the questions here and we (FOH Members) will address them

» individually. .

»

» Use this thread only to propose questions. :-)

1. why a max of three questions only?

2. why only this thread?

3. do you know any good travel agents?

[The Privateer]

1. How are the blends of individual Habanos recorded? Is there a fixed format of writing down a blend, and how is this tweaked to compensate for crop differences (e.g. tobacco variety, supply, characteristics)?

Ok, I'll take just that one question since it seems like 3 anyway :-D

[TR]

What is the "grey market" and what is the ramifications for authorized Habanos SA retailers using the grey market?

Why does everyone selling fakes seem to have a friend in Miami with a relative that works in a cigar factory in Cuba?

[Ginseng]

1. What brands of cigars do the regular Cuban people smoke? Are these brands we have never seen and are they any good? And if they are, is there any way to get some to try?

2. Where does the Spanish Cedar come from for the millions of boxes used by Cuba (and other producing countries)? This is not a joke, just wondering if it does in fact all come from Spain.

[Van55]

1. What, if anything, does the appearance of plume on a Cuban cigar signify?

2. Are you aware of any proof that storing Cuban cigars in airtight containers and at lower temperatures retards and improves the natural aging process?

[Colt45]

3. If relations between Cuba and the U.S. were normalized, how would the Cuban

cigar industry deal with the probable increase in demand in the U.S, while

maintaining, or increasing quality worldwide?

I'd originally edited my initial post to include this question (probably after my first

two were answered). If intentionally left unanswered, that's OK.

[dragon]

Are some cigars region specific and only made available to certain distributors in certain parts of the world?

For example, certain cigars regularly available in the HK/Australian market are never seen at vendors in Europe, and certain cigars found from vendors in Spain never appear at vendors in HK/Australia, etc.

Is this just the result of the ordering habits or preferences by large regional distributors or does Habanos have maket specific products based on popularity in certain regions?

[Wiley]

I read somewhere that some (or all?) totally machine made cigars are being changed to machine bunched and hand-finished. Is this true?

[CIGARHead]

Rob,

1. how does Habanos SA choose which cigars get specific boxes?

For example why do some get varnish and others dont? SLBs and dress?

Thats about all my brain wants to ask tonight. More tommorrow....

[Taino]

...my goodness Rob you must be a patient SOG, this is like having a herd of children around while holding a bag of candies:-D

[Guest cohiba]

Ok kind of a Supid question......

Why with cigars is Havana spelled "Habana"?

What are the El's for 2006?

And a personal question for all....i have been on vacation in Puerto Rico for close to a month, and have 2 more weeks to go. I have been longing to smoke my beloved cigars, but in this hot humid area i just dont enjoy them as much as back home in California. Ithink i am so accustomed to my smoking "place" that something differnt is hard to acclamate to. Anyone had this problm before?

[jaxstraww]

What is the true history of Cohiba?

What steps are taken to make sure cuban soil isn't overworked? Meaning are there times you say the soil is beat lets let it skip a growing season? Do they scrape topsoil after a period and till new fresher soil?

I think my second question is like five questions in one.

[n-tron]

1. How does a company become an official Habanos distributor (competitive bidding, history, connections)?

2. Does Habanos or the regional distributor inspect official retail outlets?

3. How to the cigars physically travel from the Cuban factory/warehouse to their final retail destination on the other side of the world (climate controlled shipping, airfreight)?

[novasurf]

This is a question I have interest in. They can't even get their coffee outta the country without some type of snafu.

How to the cigars physically travel from the Cuban factory/warehouse to

» their final retail destination on the other side of the world (climate

» controlled shipping, airfreight)?

[Shooter]

I've heard that draw-testing machines are being used by some factories in Cuba. How long has this process been going on and what percentage of producers are in fact using them?

[n2advnture]

1.) Why do more recent smokes have a shorter or non-existant "sick period" vs. smokes from just a few years ago. For the exception of the PSD4, smokes from late 03 through 06 seem to be more "ready to smoke" out of the box with little or no down time. Why?

2.) Is the implementation of the draw machines the result of smokes from recent years being consistantly loose and underfilled?

3.) Does Habanos plan on making any other changes that directly effect the quality of modern smokes like the draw machines, "cooking" and underfilling have done? Any what is the concensus on what effects these changes may have on long term aging?

Thanks Prez!

~Mark

[dragon]

Regardless of factory or date, which two cigars do you feel are the most consistent overall in respect to wrapper color and texture, construction, and flavor?