From what I've read (I wasn't smoking cigars when this occurred) Cuban cigars were at one time the best rolled and most flavorful smokes in the world. Since that time Cuban cigar masters have left Cuba for other countries with similar environmental qualities for growing tobacco (such as Nicaragua, Honduras and the DR just to name a few). Once the tobacco fields were established these countries began producing quality tobacco also, not just Cuba anymore. With their expertise the former Cuban manufacturers began creating cigars from these places. Many people will argue that cigars from other countries are just as good, if not better than Cuban cigars. Don't believe me? Pick up a copy of Cigar Aficionado and look at one of the rating sections. Sure you will see some Cuban cigars but you will also see Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua, and other locations rated just as highly as the Cubans. Hope that this helps out.