Cuban tobacco

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by Parshooter

He's from Canada. They ARE expensive there.

True but you don't have to buy in Canada.

[gnbikes]

In speaking with several industry insiders, the Cuban blenders are all ready experimenting with "imported" tobaccos. I did not believe it when I heard this the first time, but having it confirmed by people that "used to be" key people in the Cuban cigar industry, I now believe it. So don't be suprised when you see Cuban cigars that are not puros.
Garry

[shilala]

Originally Posted by gnbikes

In speaking with several industry insiders, the Cuban blenders are all ready experimenting with "imported" tobaccos. I did not believe it when I heard this the first time, but having it confirmed by people that "used to be" key people in the Cuban cigar industry, I now believe it. So don't be suprised when you see Cuban cigars that are not puros.
Garry

They would love to get their hands on Connecticut wrapper. It's tough to grow tobacco in Cuba that isn't chewed full of bug holes.
It certainly wouldn't be but a two minute consideration for them, I'm sure.
Iirc, pre-embargo cc's were nearly all, if not all, made with Connecticut wrappers.

Originally Posted by shilala

They would love to get their hands on Connecticut wrapper. It's tough to grow tobacco in Cuba that isn't chewed full of bug holes.
It certainly wouldn't be but a two minute consideration for them, I'm sure.
Iirc, pre-embargo cc's were nearly all, if not all, made with Connecticut wrappers.

I myself am waiting for Cameroon wrapped.

[M1903A1]

Originally Posted by shilala

Iirc, pre-embargo cc's were nearly all, if not all, made with Connecticut , wrappers.

I've never heard that. I did, however, read a claim once (but only once) that most if not all pre-embargo wrappers were sun-grown instead of shade-grown.

[hotreds]

I have been told by several folks that the Cubans are now importing tobacco because they simply don't have enough for all the cigars they produce. Not sure if this is true, but it kinda makes sense. Then again, could just be sour grapes from folks who can't get Cuban cigars.........

[poker]

Originally Posted by hotreds

I have been told by several folks that the Cubans are now importing tobacco because they simply don't have enough for all the cigars they produce. Not sure if this is true, but it kinda makes sense. Then again, could just be sour grapes from folks who can't get Cuban cigars.........

I seriously doubt that.

[Whynot]

One of the owners of a shop I frequent in Germany has mentioned that they fear that when the US embargo is finally lifted, Europe will no longer be be able to obtain CCs because they will all go to the states.

[T.G]

Originally Posted by hotreds

I have been told by several folks that the Cubans are now importing tobacco because they simply don't have enough for all the cigars they produce. Not sure if this is true, but it kinda makes sense. Then again, could just be sour grapes from folks who can't get Cuban cigars.........

That rumor has been floating around for many, many years. It might have some truth to it, or it might not have any. What it is though is often repeated, but there has never been any credible documentation to back it up. I think Rolando Reyes even once claimed in CA that he was selling tobacco to Cuba. Now isn't that just convenient, a non-Cuban cigar manufacturer making a statement subtly degrading Cuban cigars in a periodical that is widely circulated in the country that is the primary source of sales for his cigars, and Cuban cigars are one of his competitors.

It's a good rumor for the NC producers to have out there, but anyone can claim anything, regardless of a lack of proof. It's very unlikely that Cubatabaco is going to file a lawsuit for libel in the US.

[hotreds]

Originally Posted by T.G

That rumor has been floating around for many, many years. It might have some truth to it, or it might not have any. What it is though is often repeated, but there has never been any credible documentation to back it up. I think Rolando Reyes even once claimed in CA that he was selling tobacco to Cuba. Now isn't that just convenient, a non-Cuban cigar manufacturer making a statement subtly degrading Cuban cigars in a periodical that is widely circulated in the country that is the primary source of sales for his cigars, and Cuban cigars are one of his competitors.

It's a good rumor for the NC producers to have out there, but anyone can claim anything, regardless of a lack of proof. It's very unlikely that Cubatabaco is going to file a lawsuit for libel in the US.

That is why I take this with a large grain of salt! The other oft-repeated statement I hear is that the Cuban fields have been worked to death, and the quality is now poor. Dunno, but the ones I have had sure do taste good! and they weren't all vintage, either.

[Snake Hips]

Originally Posted by gnbikes

In speaking with several industry insiders, the Cuban blenders are all ready experimenting with "imported" tobaccos. I did not believe it when I heard this the first time, but having it confirmed by people that "used to be" key people in the Cuban cigar industry, I now believe it. So don't be suprised when you see Cuban cigars that are not puros.
Garry

Originally Posted by hotreds

I have been told by several folks that the Cubans are now importing tobacco because they simply don't have enough for all the cigars they produce. Not sure if this is true, but it kinda makes sense. Then again, could just be sour grapes from folks who can't get Cuban cigars.........

This goofy rumor's been happening for years now. There's no way in Hell Cuba would pay precious money or trade other valuable resources for tobacco they consider inferior. And besides that, there's no evidence whatsoever of tobacco shipments of any kind going into Cuba. And lastly, this rumor always seems to be spread by "people in the industry" who have a vested interest in misleading you and improving the image of their product and detracting from the image of their world competitor, and who aren't necessarily trustworthy just because they "would know" if it was happening. I don't trust anyone who is or is trying to sell me something.

Cuba has enough tobacco for the cigars they produce; this is because their production is limited by the tobacco. They only produce cigars if they can make them. They are preparing for a possible "sudden demand increase" (ahem) by testing and approving new fields for planting, so they do still have a good bit of potential for growth in production. At least that's my interpretation of the information.

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by Snake Hips

And lastly, this rumor always seems to be spread by "people in the industry" who have a vested interest in misleading you and improving the image of their product and detracting from the image of their world competitor, and who aren't necessarily trustworthy just because they "would know" if it was happening. I don't trust anyone who is or is trying to sell me something.

I love hearing this from major companies Reps. That and that if you buy Cuban cigars, at least half the box will be plugged. I just smile and nod my head.

[TheRiddick]

Originally Posted by shilala

Iirc, pre-embargo cc's were nearly all, if not all, made with Connecticut wrappers.

Criollo until about mid '30s. At which point they developed Corojo (derivative of Criollo), which became their staple until the big changeover in late '90s.

[mithrilG60]

Originally Posted by NCRadioMan

True but you don't have to buy in Canada.

You do unless you want to risk VERY expensive tariffs/duties/fines being applied by the friendly customs agent to your shipment of chocolate from Switzerland. Especially considering the Swiss have recently changed their shipping guidelines the odds of packages making it through customs and into Canada unaffected are less and less.

Originally Posted by akumushi

If you're paying $18 for a CAO Brazilia in Canada, it would be more appropriate to simply state that cigars are expensive there, CC or NC. I've spent less than that on a fiver of Brazilia before SCHIP was passed.

Welcome to taxation This is also the reason why no one in Canada thought that SCHIP was a particularly big deal. Even with the increase in taxation resulting from that bill, the taxes applied to tobacco in the US are still just a very small fraction of what we're dinged with up here.