Learning about ISOM's

[happy1]

I would be for a ISOM section

[chrisguinther]

Altadis owns a big share of Habanos SA. The naming issues would be relatively minimal.

Originally Posted by jitzy

Brian don't forget about the problem of the names since altidis owns most of the names they run into the trademark laws once they try to sell the cigars in the US market.

[tx_tuff]

Damn I'm already learning stuff I didn't know. I think a section will be a good thing. But I still don't think the embargo will be lifted any time soon.

[Cypress]

This idea sounds great but I have a feeling that way may have to say such words as "I have heard that this cigar tastes like this" rather that speaking from personal experience.

I would be also concerned if having a section like this would promote more isom's in the bst section as it may give a false sense of it being okay.

But hey, lets try it out and see what happens.

[Messerjocke2000]

Originally Posted by Stogie

I think in order for me to grasp this concept it would mean I would need to discuss it directly with the people who make those cigars. Boat trip...

*sigh* I´m allowed to go to Cuba, but it´s darn expensive from Germany. You live much closer, but are not allowed to go. Shame.

Kilian

[tobacmon]

Originally Posted by Bigfoot

One myth that everyone seems to believe is that once the embargo is lifted, manufactueres will be able to goto cuba and get access to tobacco. INCORRECT. There is only so much cuban tobacco that is available. Habanos SA obviously has the strong hold, other manufactureres, such as Henry Wittermans (now owner of CAO) has used cuban tobacco in their mini cigar over seas and in Canada, they will continue to have access to that tobacco. Guys like litto, fuente, etc...will have to buy tobacco at auction (just like most of them do now) to gain access and use it for blending.

That would make any cuban CAO/hybrid CAO cheaper to make vs a cuban/hybrid made by someone else.

I thought I heard this somewhere once before. Very good point Brian. Now this is "one" of the reasons ( along with many others) that I enjoy your line-- thanks for pointing this out.
Yes I would enjoy learning more about this country and it's fine tobacco products.

[Stogie]

Originally Posted by Bigfoot

One myth that everyone seems to believe is that once the embargo is lifted, manufactueres will be able to goto cuba and get access to tobacco. INCORRECT. There is only so much cuban tobacco that is available. Habanos SA obviously has the strong hold, other manufactureres, such as Henry Wittermans (now owner of CAO) has used cuban tobacco in their mini cigar over seas and in Canada, they will continue to have access to that tobacco. Guys like litto, fuente, etc...will have to buy tobacco at auction (just like most of them do now) to gain access and use it for blending.

That would make any cuban CAO/hybrid CAO cheaper to make vs a cuban/hybrid made by someone else.

Very interesting, seems like alot of the other manufacturers believe they will have access to the goods as well.

I believe if they buy it auction they will still hold the same standards as what they want in all of thier cigars right?

[Maduro PiPs]

Nothing beats a good, aged cuban.....that's all I have to say!

[ezmoney5150]

As someone who has smoked a bunch of ISOM's whenever I'm in Canada, I live 40 miles south of Canada. I don't feel that they get the big picture about blending. I prefer a Oliva Serie V or La Flor Dominica. They just have some richer flavors than the Cuban smokes. I find that the flavors of ISOM's are very subtle and I really have to sit alone with the cigar to enjoy it.

Just my opinion.

[tx_tuff]

Sounds like there needs to be a section (with rules of course). Because all I really know about them is I can't get them at my local B&M. I know I have talked to Mario about them before and would like to know which ones people like and why.

[Maduro PiPs]

A section would be great....but my take is that its a whole different world of flavors. I used to dabble here and there, but got really into it a few years ago and started collecting and aging full boxes. Now there are some lines/brands I say are OK, but then there are some that are truly the best tobacco I ever smoked. And I do not discriminate since I have a rather large collection of non-cuban cigars as well. That's just a sign of a true cigar smoker who appreciates good cigars no matter where they come from unlike snobs who just buy labels.

The cuban flavor is something very different and special. And they can get complex as well. If there is tobacco that can come close, I would say its Nicaraguan. Although still VERY different, sometimes I get that similar hint of flavor...but like I said, still very different. Now there was ONE TIME and one time only, that I picked up a cigar and if I didn't know what it was, or if the band was not on, I would have bet money it was a cuban. I was DRULLING over the flavors of this cigar.....the cigar.....the Cabaiguan Belicoso Fino by Tatuaje. It had over a year + age on it, very light wrapper, almost blond. It didn't take long to quickly buy a box and stash it away!!!

[Slow Triathlete]

Am I the only one who thinks that this will put a lot of crappy cigars out there in the market?

Think about it. Cuba is at maximum output right now trying to meet demand for the whole rest of the world. Then you open the American market and we'll get flooded with a bunch of crappy cigars from there. They already have aged accounts with several other nations that take precedence over us. We'll be the new kid on the block. And you know that the new kid never gets the best stuff.

Also, last year Cigar magazine did an article on the whole trademark issue that will have to be resolved before a lot of brands would be available here in the US.

As stated, the prices would be through the roof because demand will definitely outweigh the supply. And it won't be just us after them. Any dork who wants to look cool in front of a girl by smoking a formally illegal item is going to be out there buying these.

Then our government will see how much we spend on these and then tax them even heavier. And the world goes round and round.

Just my 2 cents. I would love to see it but probably won't smoke anything from there for about 5 years.

[Maduro PiPs]

Hey scott.....you are right brother.....I personally would like the embargo to stay in place for this reason alone. Now that's the cigar smoker talking! LOL It will really ruin the cuban cigars for many years because the demand would be too high.....and forget the prices. I'll probably still get them from other countries to avoid the BS and crazy prices!

[CHBIV]

I also agree with Scott. As it is Habanos SA is having a hard time keeping up with demand and at the same time keeping the product quality up. If the embargo were to be lifted I couold only imagine the pressure put on the farmers, torcedors, everyone involved in cigars, to increase output and attempt to accomadate the largest cigar market in the world ON TOP of continueing to supply the rest of the world it is currently strugglings to supply as it is. What will happen is people will be paying outrageous prices for them b/c the lack of supply and the quality would suffer greatly. I personally look forward to the embargo lifting but, am at the same time scared of the effects it will have on the cigar industry. Of course this is only my predictions, I geuss we will just have to wait and see....But yes I think it would be a great idea to have an ISOM section

[Saint Jimbob]

Originally Posted by Slow Triathlete

Am I the only one who thinks that this will put a lot of crappy cigars out there in the market?

(snip)

Just my 2 cents. I would love to see it but probably won't smoke anything from there for about 5 years.

Yeah, I'm with you S.T.. The struggle to keep up with ccurrent demand has resulted in lower quality Cuban cigars. The end of the embargo would break the camel's back.

I would love to see some new blends from tried and true manufacturers like Fuente, Pepin and Rocky. And, I'm hoping that they don't rush the process and, instead, actually AGE the tobacco a bit before rolling and sending it to market.

I'm a fairly patient guy, and the cigars I'm getting from D.R., Honduras and Nicaragua are more than sufficient for me. Unless Cuba will be putting out cigars that blow Fuente Hemingway, Oliva V, and Camacho Triple Maduro out of the water, I'm not in any hurry. The couple ISOMs I've smoked were good, but not worth the inevitable exorbitant prices.