Cigars made in America

[craig]

I suspect it can be done, but there would be no money in it - growing is less expensive elsewhere, production is less expensive elsewhere, and the US has low duty and excise rates on cigars.

There is also no well-known historic precedent for premium American-grown and -made cigars. The top premium brands (rolled in the US) historically used Cuban tobacco ("Clear Havana's") so there is no historical industry/romance to revive.

The only US-grown premium that I know of is the Kauai Island Prince, although their wrappers are non-US, and, due to tax laws, the tobacco is processed and rolled in Nicaragua(!).

[ashauler]

I suspect it can be done, but there would be no money in it - snip........

Perhaps.

[Paddy]

It seems in this day and age it’s more “PC” to grow marijuana than to grow tobacco.
As states are outlawing tobacco, they are legalizing marijuana. Shame.

[mrtr33]

I suspect it can be done, but there would be no money in it - growing is less expensive elsewhere, production is less expensive elsewhere, and the US has low duty and excise rates on cigars.

I agree that growth and production are cheaper, but I'm not sure there wouldn't be any money in it. There's definitely a niche market for American-Made goods, whether it's tobacco, alligator-skinned boots, automobiles, whatever. Some people exclusively purchase American whenever possible.

There is also no well-known historic precedent for premium American-grown and -made cigars. The top premium brands (rolled in the US) historically used Cuban tobacco ("Clear Havana's") so there is no historical industry/romance to revive.

True. And this would be the biggest hurdle. But I don't think it's impossible. Strategic marketing, appealing to both the cigar enthusiast and American consumer would have to be employed. I'm not saying it would be easy, I'm just saying it hasn't been done yet - not impossible, though.

The only US-grown premium that I know of is the Kauai Island Prince, although their wrappers are non-US, and, due to tax laws, the tobacco is processed and rolled in Nicaragua(!).

To many in the continental US, Hawaii might as well be a foreign country.

In conclusion, I would think that if the time and money were put into developing a superior product, it would find a market in the states. I've noticed that American cigarettes are consumed in foreign countries, so there's reason to believe American cigars, while may still be second to established Cuban counterparts, could still be a viable option in the humidor. I just don't think enough effort has been put in marketing.

[craig]

In conclusion, I would think that if the time and money were put into developing a superior product, it would find a market in the states. I've noticed that American cigarettes are consumed in foreign countries, so there's reason to believe American cigars, while may still be second to established Cuban counterparts, could still be a viable option in the humidor. I just don't think enough effort has been put in marketing.

Marketing can accomplish a lot, I agree. However, the cigar doesn't have to be a puro to benefit - look at the CAO America - look at CAO, in fact. There are many American cigar companies that have produced, or could easily produce, in the US, but they don't seem to have to in order to retain their "American-ness."

In any case, the defining characteristic of most premium cigar tobacco is that it is grown in volcanic soil. Cigar smokers are used to the flavour of tobacco grown in volcanic soil. An American puro (non-Hawaiian) would have to overcome that.

[ashauler]

Marketing can accomplish a lot, I agree. However, the cigar doesn't have to be a puro to benefit - look at the CAO America - look at CAO, in fact. There are many American cigar companies that have produced, or could easily produce, in the US, but they don't seem to have to in order to retain their "American-ness."

In any case, the defining characteristic of most premium cigar tobacco is that it is grown in volcanic soil. Cigar smokers are used to the flavour of tobacco grown in volcanic soil. An American puro (non-Hawaiian) would have to overcome that.

Interesting that a couple of notable exceptions to that are CT Shade and both CT and PA Broadleaf. Not sure if the soil is volcanic in nature in Cameroon or Mexico either. Without a doubt, the soil composition plays a large part in the flavor of a given tobacco, however, it is not the only factor.

[badwhale]

I think the growing regions in Mexico such as the San Andres Tuxtla region and Cameroon, Africa are volcanic soils.

Will

[craig]

Interesting that a couple of notable exceptions to that are CT Shade and both CT and PA Broadleaf. Not sure if the soil is volcanic in nature in Cameroon or Mexico either. Without a doubt, the soil composition plays a large part in the flavor of a given tobacco, however, it is not the only factor.

Very true, but CT Shade/broadleaf are primarily binders and wrappers. Filler tobacco is grown in both places, of course. The resulting mild taste is currently out of fashion with aficionado's, but these things often go in cycles.

Mexico's cigar-tobacco-growing areas are volcanic IIRC, I don't know about Cameroon. Cameroon sun-grown wrapper has a unique taste, though - and a unique taste is what an American puro would need to succeed, I think.

FYI, http://www.marshwheeling.com/ (seems to have PA broadleaf/Dom filler)
http://www.fdgrave.com/ (Muniemaker)

Neither is hand-rolled, though, AFAIK.

[ashauler]

snip.....and a unique taste is what an American puro would need to succeed, I think. snip

There we go.

[mrtr33]

Marketing can accomplish a lot, I agree. However, the cigar doesn't have to be a puro to benefit - look at the CAO America - look at CAO, in fact. There are many American cigar companies that have produced, or could easily produce, in the US, but they don't seem to have to in order to retain their "American-ness."

In the aforementioned example, however, I think what's ended up happening in this instance is over-marketing, to the point of almost being a gimmick. It doesn't immediately appear to me that this was an attempt to label the 'America' cigar as showcasing American tobacco as a gimmick of representing labels from anywhere tobacco could grow (Brazil, Italy). CAO, in my mind, would stop at nothing to put any kind of spin they could on any product they have in order to sell it. The cigar is not necessarily indicative of the country's tobacco.

Cameroon sun-grown wrapper has a unique taste, though - and a unique taste is what an American puro would need to succeed, I think.

I agree with this statement - if it would happen here, there would need to be some kind of unique twist that would appeal to aficionados. I don't know that Cameroon sungrown is the answer, but something along those lines (jayhawk?).

[craig]

In the aforementioned example, however, I think what's ended up happening in this instance is over-marketing, to the point of almost being a gimmick. It doesn't immediately appear to me that this was an attempt to label the 'America' cigar as showcasing American tobacco as a gimmick of representing labels from anywhere tobacco could grow (Brazil, Italy). CAO, in my mind, would stop at nothing to put any kind of spin they could on any product they have in order to sell it. The cigar is not necessarily indicative of the country's tobacco.

LOL. Almost a gimmick??? Well, they didn't make a Nub, that's true!

I pointed out the CAO America as an example of a cigar that is marketed to appeal to Americans - and to Americans' patriotism - just as an American puro might be marketed (along with a unique taste) ... and yes, the CAO marketing fluff talks about American tobacco.

In general, this issue is kinda like single malt whisky. Malt whisky is made in lots of places, but it takes good products plus a huge amount of marketing to establish a presence in the premium single malt market beyond Scotch. Japanese brands have made an impact - so it can be done.