[biggbob]

I have thought about this a little bit. What I think would happen, should the embargo go away, is that at first Cubans will become very expensive due to the new indulgent American demand. If Cuba doesn't drop its quality to make more then I will be surprised. That would probably last several years.

The second thing to happen would be a slowly rising blended market. Alot of NCs are not puros, but are blends of this and that from all over. With Cuban leaf allowed, in 10 years or so after the lift, blends with Cuban leaf will show up. These will probably be very popular, but probably not very good at first because blenders will take almost any crap from Cuba just so they can label their premiums as Cuban blend.

After the blended market lessens and levels out, the real great blends will rise to the top and there will be a revolution of cigars with the best of all leaf from the best of all areas of the world. Imagine Dominican/Nic fillers with that gorgeous silky Cuban wrapper that makes them look so distinct. Or super-smooth Cuban fillers with a toothy Nic oscuro wrapper. This will probably take another decade to get itself together and stable.

All in all, I'm fine with the embargo. Although in 20 years post-embargo I predict the best cigars the world has ever known, I will be too old and properly enjoy them and the wait while the market stretches and contracts around the new supply and new demand will not make me enjoy my hobby any more than I enjoy it now. Very selfishly, I say leave well-enough alone.

--bob