Connecticut Shade in Cubans?

[massphatness]

Originally Posted by 688sonarmen

Even Cuban cigars – supposedly the finest in the world – use Connecticut tobacco for their outer two layers; though trading directly with Cuba is prohibited by law, Cuba is able to obtain Connecticut tobacco "indirectly" from other countries.

I don't believe this is wholly true although it's my understanding that pre-embargo, clear Havana cigars were rolled in the US sometimes using Connecticut Shade with binder & filler imported from Cuba.

I know there are a couple guys who are not overly active on this site, but are extremely knowledgeable about this topic. I'll shoot off a couple messages and see if I can cajole a response.

[Doctorossi]

Originally Posted by massphatness

I don't believe this is wholly true

I can't imagine it possibly could be. The Nicaraguan filler allegations are tough to definitively disclaim, but surely Connecticut binder and wrapper (!!) would be sore-thumb obvious on a CC stick.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by massphatness

I know there are a couple guys who are not overly active on this site, but are extremely knowledgeable about this topic. I'll shoot off a couple messages and see if I can cajole a response.

They might want to remain anonymous.

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by icehog3

They might want to remain anonymous.

If they didn't, they wouldn't be experts.
Posted via Mobile Device

[awsmith4]

Originally Posted by pnoon

If they didn't, they wouldn't be experts.
Posted via Mobile Device

[shortsqueeze]

Originally Posted by massphatness

I don't believe this is wholly true although it's my understanding that pre-embargo, clear Havana cigars were rolled in the US sometimes using Connecticut Shade with binder & filler imported from Cuba.

I know there are a couple guys who are not overly active on this site, but are extremely knowledgeable about this topic. I'll shoot off a couple messages and see if I can cajole a response.

Vin,

You are 100% correct. I am not 100% sure if there is one definition for Clear Havana, ie. Cuban filler and binder with CT shade or broadleaf wrapper, or if it's 100% Cuban tobacco rolled in the US. Likely both are viable interpretations but one thing is for sure, to be called a Clear Havana it had to be rolled in the US.

As for the Cubans using CT tobacco, that's wholly untrue. Maybe many years ago I don't know, but post-revolution certainly not. Some people have accused the Cubans of using other foreign tobaccos over the years but my personal opinion based on conversations with Cubans in the trade and my own knowledge gained through first hand experience leads me to think it's highly unlikely.

Now there could be an interesting debate pertaining to the various seeds, hybrids and their origins in which CT enters the conversation.

Josh

[markem]

Originally Posted by shortsqueeze

As for the Cubans using CT tobacco, that's wholly untrue. Maybe many years ago I don't know, but post-revolution certainly not. Some people have accused the Cubans of using other foreign tobaccos over the years but my personal opinion based on conversations with Cubans in the trade and my own knowledge gained through first hand experience leads me to think it's highly unlikely.

Now there could be an interesting debate pertaining to the various seeds, hybrids and their origins in which CT enters the conversation.

Josh

Thank you, Josh! I was wondering about the article as my understanding of the TWEA and related laws (Helms-Burton, etc) is that providing product to Cuba, even through a third party, is illegal unless it meets a very narrow set of conditions (US is the 5th largest official trading partner with Cuba, but accounts for less that 7% of Cuba's imports, according to one source I found). I can't imagine that the cigar wrappers meet the narrow standard and it is almost like the article was begging for an OFAC investigation. But I hope not!