Learning about ISOM's

[Patrick B]

Gotcha. Still, I appreciate you sharing what you've picked up in your travels.

[kenstogie-cl]

I believe it's illegal whether you are in the US or not to posses a cuban product just because you are a US citizen
.
Supply and demand would suggest that Cuban Cigars would cost more after the embargo is lifted, right?

[havanitascigars-cl]

Originally Posted by kenstogie

I believe it's illegal whether you are in the US or not to posses a cuban product just because you are a US citizen
.
Supply and demand would suggest that Cuban Cigars would cost more after the embargo is lifted, right?

You are correct about it being illegal, but as I said above, who is going to enforce that law? You are in Barcelona at a cafe and light up a Cohiba. Do you really think some US Marshall is going to walk up to you and arrest you? It is a law as a gesture only passed by Bush in 2004 to win the Cuban vote in Florida. Sort of like laws against oral sex... no one actually believes they have to obey it.

Supply and demand may raise prices initially, but probably not for very long on the primary market. Where you may see a longer impact is on the secondary market. Right now, the Cubans are selling everything they make so supply is already tapped out. Pricing pressures would be constrained in the US due to willingness to pay.

Most people who are passionate about their cigars already obtain Cuban cigars if they want them so the novelty of being able to purchase them will not be there. In fact, these people may actually curtail buying if prices go up. I, for example, am stocking up so I will be able to sell sticks to those willing to buy them and pay a premium when their favorites are not available in stores.

40 years of development has allowed manufacturers outside of Cuba to catch up on quality. There are great cigars out there from all over. When it comes down to it, if prices jump up, then most smokers will probably treat themselves to a Cuban cigar for special occasions but will continue to smoke something else more regularly. Sort of like Dom or Crystal champagne. Sure it is great, but at the price there are much less expensive wines for less than special events.

[chrisguinther]

Yes, you are correct. if the embargo would end, I think the governmental changes would take precedence over the tobacco industry. Most of the world smokes Cuban cigars rather than non-Cubans. It really would only be an issue in the United States. Some sort of compromise would have to be reached to distinguish between two separate "brands."

Originally Posted by havanitascigars

Altadis SA sold out to Imperial Tobacco. The Brits control the exportation rights to Cuban cigars that were controlled by Altadis SA. And Altadis USA owns the rights to the names here in the US. The two companies are not the same. You would also have to see if an international court would hold up US decisions to allow the US company to still retain the rights to the names. It is intertesting a US court has decided if an American company can use the licensed name of a company in Cuba.

[BigJim-cl]

I'll just say that "IF" the embargo gets lifted... pay close attention to companies like Altadis, General, CAO... they have an inside track on Cuban tobacco and most likely have a fairly good sense of how they'll distribute in the US market.

When your at your local B&M... catch a rep from one of these companies... ask a few questions... and you'll be delighted to find out they (the big US distribution companies) have already engaged a brain cell or two in this direction.

Life gets fun when you take the time to watch.

[chrisguinther]

One of the most informative websites to learn more about Habanos is www.cubancigarwebsite.com.

[havanitascigars-cl]

Excellent site Chris. Pretty accurate from what I could tell after a brief run through.

[chrisguinther]

Also check out www.cigars-review.org.

[apstenzel07]

i honestly dont think the embargo will be lifted anytime soon. i mean really?! they've been saying it will be lifted "soon" since the embargo was put in place..the thing is, its really easy to get cubans at some fairly decent prices even if you live in the US. my buddy got some, and i had a puff of it and it was very good. but i couldn't judge it just on that puff of that one cigar of that one brand. so obviously its something i'm not well-versed in. buuut all that aside, its easy to get them..so i think its almost irrelevant to talk about the embargo lifting when it comes to smoking these..people do it anyway and if the gov't actually wanted to stop it, they could. (they have more important things to focus on)

just my $.02

[havanitascigars-cl]

Originally Posted by apstenzel07

i honestly dont think the embargo will be lifted anytime soon. i mean really?! they've been saying it will be lifted "soon" since the embargo was put in place..the thing is, its really easy to get cubans at some fairly decent prices even if you live in the US. my buddy got some, and i had a puff of it and it was very good. but i couldn't judge it just on that puff of that one cigar of that one brand. so obviously its something i'm not well-versed in. buuut all that aside, its easy to get them..so i think its almost irrelevant to talk about the embargo lifting when it comes to smoking these..people do it anyway and if the gov't actually wanted to stop it, they could. (they have more important things to focus on)

just my $.02

Actually, they are not that easy to obtain. If they were, then who would not have them. According to Habanos SA, about 90% of Cohibas sold in the market are fake. Over 80% of Cubans sold in the US are reportedly fake. Even in Cuba I found fake cigars. There are dog rockets that someone puts a different band on and then they sell them "for a great price". Yes, the tobacco is Cuban... there is no other kind on the island... but they are not what they claim to be, and they are not made with top-quality tobacco or even long-filler. If your friend is buying Cuban cigars below market rates, then he is buying fakes. He should check what the prices are in Cigar Magazine or on the Habanos web-site.

I obtain mine from travelling overseas or friends who live overseas and ship them to me. (Some airports do not check your bags if you are a middle-aged white guy with his wife and child with him.)

[chrisguinther]

Let's not stray from the topic of smoking Cuban cigars. Obtaining Cuban cigars is a very tired subject. If we start down that path, this thread will end very soon.

[Smoke 'em All]

Originally Posted by chrisguinther

Let's not stray from the topic of smoking Cuban cigars. Obtaining Cuban cigars is a very tired subject. If we start down that path, this thread will end very soon.

I agree. I don't think it's important to discuss how people get them. Most know, others don't. Even though the gov't may not care much, people who get them for others may not want their names thrown out there. There are lots of ways to get them, but let's leave that on the back porch.

Regarding fakes. Do these fakes taste like good cigars, or are they all dog rockets? If I'm smoking one and I think, "This is a pretty damn good cigar." Could it be a fake? I don't really care because I like a good cigar, but I was wondering if there is a major difference or not. I would have to assume that you know you got screwed.

[havanitascigars-cl]

[QUOTE=Regarding fakes. Do these fakes taste like good cigars, or are they all dog rockets? If I'm smoking one and I think, "This is a pretty damn good cigar." Could it be a fake? I don't really care because I like a good cigar, but I was wondering if there is a major difference or not. I would have to assume that you know you got screwed.[/QUOTE]


I say if you like it, then it does not matter. I have had fake Cohibas. I do not know what they were, but they were not Cohibas. Having said that, they were still really good. So does it matter if they were Cohibas or not? Not really, unless it comes down to did I pay too much for them. If you pay $20 for a $2 cigar, then do you feel ripped off? In this case ignorance may truly be bliss. If you bought that cigar for $20 and enjoyed, then it is probably best to not go looking for what it really is.

[apstenzel07]

Originally Posted by havanitascigars

Actually, they are not that easy to obtain. If they were, then who would not have them. According to Habanos SA, about 90% of Cohibas sold in the market are fake. Over 80% of Cubans sold in the US are reportedly fake. Even in Cuba I found fake cigars. There are dog rockets that someone puts a different band on and then they sell them "for a great price". Yes, the tobacco is Cuban... there is no other kind on the island... but they are not what they claim to be, and they are not made with top-quality tobacco or even long-filler. If your friend is buying Cuban cigars below market rates, then he is buying fakes. He should check what the prices are in Cigar Magazine or on the Habanos web-site.

I obtain mine from travelling overseas or friends who live overseas and ship them to me. (Some airports do not check your bags if you are a middle-aged white guy with his wife and child with him.)

my friend got them no problem. and they were damn good. there are a couple of sites that are legit and easy to order from. why wouldn't everybody have them? (one would be lack of knowledge of how easy it is to get them, or where to get them) **expensive**...and some people would rather just not break the law, as minimal of a risk as it may be. some people are just more honest than others...also you can get legal tobacco that is rather inexpensive that is really high quality right here in the US. that is why...pretty simple.

[apstenzel07]

the cubans he ordered aren't cheap, i never said that. i said the prices were "fairly decent" and i forgot to mention most of the cigars he ordered were fairly small in size. and the least expensive of the lines. he did so just so he could sample a few different kinds without breaking the bank.