The Next Cigar Boom Is Looming....

[Bill86]

Originally Posted by icehog3

Perhaps the powers that be will realize, seeing the influx of Cuban cigars into Chicago over a two week period, the potential for tax revenue that can be generated, and might be a small push toward ending the embargo for economic gain?

We can only hope.....we can only hope.

[gvarsity]

Originally Posted by icehog3

Perhaps the powers that be will realize, seeing the influx of Cuban cigars into Chicago over a two week period, the potential for tax revenue that can be generated, and might be a small push toward ending the embargo for economic gain?

Unfortunately opening Cuba is not about money it's about ideology and mobilized political groups which leads to real money as in campaign donations which trump tax revenues for most politicians. As long as Cuba is communist and the wealthy exiled Cubans are active in Republican politics it will be hard to sell much beyond limited relaxing of rules regarding Cuba. Maybe humanitarian aid and increased travel but unlikely they are going to open up to their only real export. We'll see but I would be surprised if it happened any time soon.

I think it is clear that if not a boom we are in a golden period for NC cigars. The number of new boutique brands bringing quality product with a whole variety of innovations and rediscovered traditions being released indicates real growth particularly considering the poor economy. It seems like it is more tobacco people with good product than people trying get on a trend make a quick buck with marketing like in the 90's.

I think the lack of taxation on internet purchases and the inherent dangers of states trying enforce sales tax make quality cigars much more affordable which is contributing the increase in cigar purchases. It is also unfortunately contributing to the demise of many B&M's. I don't know of a single B&M in my area that is not also selling wine & beer or something else other than tobacco besides a couple of outlet kinds of places.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by gvarsity

Unfortunately opening Cuba is not about money it's about ideology and mobilized political groups which leads to real money as in campaign donations which trump tax revenues for most politicians. As long as Cuba is communist and the wealthy exiled Cubans are active in Republican politics it will be hard to sell much beyond limited relaxing of rules regarding Cuba. Maybe humanitarian aid and increased travel but unlikely they are going to open up to their only real export. We'll see but I would be surprised if it happened any time soon.

I think it is clear that if not a boom we are in a golden period for NC cigars. The number of new boutique brands bringing quality product with a whole variety of innovations and rediscovered traditions being released indicates real growth particularly considering the poor economy. It seems like it is more tobacco people with good product than people trying get on a trend make a quick buck with marketing like in the 90's.

I think the lack of taxation on internet purchases and the inherent dangers of states trying enforce sales tax make quality cigars much more affordable which is contributing the increase in cigar purchases. It is also unfortunately contributing to the demise of many B&M's. I don't know of a single B&M in my area that is not also selling wine & beer or something else other than tobacco besides a couple of outlet kinds of places.

Agree with you on most all of it. The "tax revenue" idea was more tongue-in-cheek than anything. We were just discussing at breakfast how powerful the expatriate lobby was, how such a small group percentage wise wields such a powerful influence.

[SNKBYT]

just saw the news clip about the O'Hare CC seizures (insert crying smiley here)

[gvarsity]

Originally Posted by icehog3

Agree with you on most all of it. The "tax revenue" idea was more tongue-in-cheek than anything. We were just discussing at breakfast how powerful the expatriate lobby was, how such a small group percentage wise wields such a powerful influence.

It is amazing. Can't be more than 10-15 thousand core expats. Shows what you can do when you have money and are well connected and very focused.

It is a crazy tight community. I spent a week in Miami in the early 90's with a buddy of mine from college who's family was part of that community. All handshakes and backroom deals. I did get to meet the elder Padron son at the Padron Little Havana factory again via the side door. Got a bunch of X000 maduros for a buck a stick after watching the torceador roll em up.

What happened in the late '80s and early mid '90s was great for the industry as a whole but it hit a ton of us right in the can. Really good cigars were cheap...but then it became the 'in' thing to do and like T.G. said, you could roll up floor sweepings and they would smoke it saying it's the best thing they ever had just because they paid a lot of money for it.
The bad that came out of it were high cigar prices...initially cutting the 'everyman' out.
The good, of course, is that it increased tobacco production...it got more blenders and makers into the market and increased the number of quality cigars in the market.
The events I see unfolding with the cigar prices having leveled off some...more makers trying to bring a good $4-$5 stick to market...more boutique blends...a boom? I don't know...But it's a good time to be a cigar smoker.

[jledou]

Not necessarily a boom right now but the trend to produce one or more new blends each year until you have too many to control seams to be the current issue. It looks like it may be sorting itself out and more are doing short runs or limited production runs each year while maintaining a couple of core lines.

[Bunker]

I think another small contributor could be all the talk of taxing pipe tobacco the same as cigarette tobacco (to get all those scofflaw roll-your-own guy using pipe tobacco in their cigarettes).

One of the attractions of the pipe, at least for me, is the cost savings compared to smoking 2-3 cigars a day.

Yes, I do enjoy Stonehaven but given the choise if eventhing else is equal I would still rather smoke a cigar.

[RevSmoke]

So, what have I missed that leads you all to think there will be another boom? What cigar events are these?

Lived through the first one, saw the prices rise and then fall a little bit, but nowhere near where they were previously - they are nearly doubled where they were pre-boom.

If that happens again, I may give up cigars altogether.

[longknocker]

Originally Posted by RevSmoke

So, what have I missed that leads you all to think there will be another boom? What cigar events are these?

Lived through the first one, saw the prices rise and then fall a little bit, but nowhere near where they were previously - they are nearly doubled where they were pre-boom.

If that happens again, I may give up cigars altogether.

Don't Do That, Todd!

[BloodSpite]

Originally Posted by RevSmoke

So, what have I missed that leads you all to think there will be another boom? What cigar events are these?

Lived through the first one, saw the prices rise and then fall a little bit, but nowhere near where they were previously - they are nearly doubled where they were pre-boom.

If that happens again, I may give up cigars altogether.

I'm with you sadly. With 3 gas, rising cost on everything currently cigars are a *affordable* hobby/pleasure. If the price goes up, the cost associated greatly reduces the pleasure value, at least that's my view from the cheap seats
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[dannysguitar]

Interesting thread. I don't know what to think...

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by T.G

Very big...

That's why I capitalized it.

Originally Posted by mariogolbee

Tom, you have soothed this savage beast.

My work here is done!

[T.G]

Originally Posted by icehog3

That's why I capitalized it.

Si senior Hog.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by T.G

Si senior Hog.

Es la verdad!!

[OLS]

Originally Posted by 68TriShield

With recent cigar related events, do those of you that remember the "cigar boom" of the mid nineties think there will be another?

I think it's sure booming at O'Hare this week. That's a herf I'd like to be at. We ned to do like those prison break
type movies where the truck get's knocked off halfway to the incinerator. I'm in, Tom's got the car, I have the
knockout gas.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by OLS

I think it's sure booming at O'Hare this week. That's a herf I'd like to be at. We ned to do like those prison break
type movies where the truck get's knocked off halfway to the incinerator. I'm in, Tom's got the car, I have the
knockout gas.

Initiate countdown......

It's 16 miles to Chicago. Brad and I got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses.

Hit it.

[68TriShield]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHa_jqxnn4o

[Bill86]

Originally Posted by 68TriShield

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHa_jqxnn4o

EPIC movie. Great scene.