The Value of a Cuban Cigar (Food for Thought pt2)

First of all, let me apologize for the tardiness of this post.  I got wrapped up in a few things and didn’t make it back home until today.  Just stuff out of my control.

Anyway, I want to thank everyone who responded.  It’s great to see where people’s perspectives lie on the situation.  Over the last few years, it seems that there was more talk about an end to the embargo than any in the preceding 30 years.  Or at least that I recall.

I have a few friends that have been my Cuban connection.  Two are Europeans with second homes in Cuba, another is a friend from the US who travels a lot, and the last is a very close friend who is an American with British citizenship who travels extensively as well.  So I’ve had my fair share of delicious Cubans.  And all of these friends are cigar smokers, and have their opinion on the matter.  I’ve also discussed the matter with guys in the industry, from boutiques and from major companies.  It’s very interesting to see what they’ve had to say as well.

Now we all know that soil and climate variations affect the tobacco plants.  And yes, each region of each country has it’s own unique flavour.  But growing the plant is only half the battle.

Just because you give a man some paint, doesn’t mean you should expect him to paint the Mona Lisa.  The same goes for cigars.  Am I saying cigars are a work of art?  To a degree, yes.  It’s not easy to blend different leaves with different characteristics to form a cohesive, delicious cigar.  I’ve had shitty cigars from Cuba, and I’ve had shitty cigars from Nicaragua.  (@czerbe knows what I’m saying here).  As well as from other countries.  It takes a certain person who has acquired the mastery of the leaf to know how to marry profiles, and it helps if that person has an innate talent when it comes to taste to do so.

Therefore, ultimately, it is our duty to try what we can and find those we like because we deserve to enjoy what we smoke.  It’s not worth our time or effort to pay $6, $10, or even $20 for something we don’t enjoy.  And if you like Cuban cigars, then enjoy them.  If you prefer Nicaraguan cigars, enjoy them.  If you enjoy a blend from different countries, then by all means enjoy them.

So with that said, I am happy that the restriction for Cuban goods has abated a bit.  It will allow more people the opportunity to enjoy something that has been taboo for far too long, for no real reason.  Politics aside.  And I believe that is part of the allure of Cuban cigars.  It’s something that’s been so close, yet so far away.  We always want what we can’t get.

From what I’ve read, Cuban cigars won’t be sold stateside, but we can bring up to $100 worth of Cuban tobacco products into the country without penalty.  And honestly, I think it’s fair for the time being.  After all, there are limits when making your declaration upon re-entering the country regardless from where you come.  But I digress.

So, do I believe the change in policy is a good thing?  Yes, but not because I think Cuban cigars are the holy grail of the tobacco universe, even though there are plenty of tasty cigars from that little spit of land just a stone’s throw from Florida.  There are numerous tasty cigars from many regions.  (One of my go to’s are Crowned Heads’ Four Kicks, and tastes better than some Cubans I’ve had).  No, I think it is good because times have changed and I see no reason why to keep the embargo.  And as @wm2slc pointed out in his response to my question, I too think it will be great to add Cuban leaves to the arsenal for blenders to create new offerings.   Let these artists use all the tools at their disposal.   And let us, the end users, enjoy the works of the masters.

These have just been some thoughts that came up because of the policy change, and because I did receive some Cuban exports for Christmas.  Thanks for humoring me, and thanks for your input guys!  Also, I downloaded this new app for my iPhone.  It’s called Manual, and it lets me tweak the settings of my camera like I can with my SLR, so I decided to play around with my Christmas present and at least put some images up for this post.  Haha.

Until next time!