If the Cuban embargo were to end -

[TheSilentChamber]

I think there would be a slight decline in sales of non cuban cigars for a brief period, then it would even back out. From what I'v read the cuban cigar market in general is starting to decline because of quality. Younger generations are starting to take over factories and the passion that was once there in the fore generations has started to fade away and there more intested in the money aspect.

[Kayakinboy]

working in the smoke shop, you'd get some numb nut no brain atleast once a week asking for cubans. I'd point to pinars. Personally, I think the big deal about cuban cigars is that they are illegal. If they weren't, they'd just be cigars. There's only a few habanos I've gone nuts and they aren't even the big popular brands. San Cristobals are still the best habano, atleast I think so.

[nhcigarfan]

Due to the American market size I would think the average price of Cubans would rise globally due to the spike in American Demand and the relatively flat Cuban Supply. This could actually encourage non-American markets to carry more non-Cuban cigars so the net benefit could be positive to non-Cuban growers.

Absolutely no facts or numbers to back this up.

[bigpoppapuff]

you're over-thinking this....i've asked the question of christian eiroa (caribe)...he feels that there would not be a gouge in prices....there would be so much to sort out on behalf of cubans who live here and owned property,etc,etc,etc......what could you expect after things get sorted out??........the use of cuban tobacco's in dom,nic,and honduran cigars.......and most likely the use of their tobacco's in cuban cigars......and some sort of a mini-boom.

lew rothman (jr) is said to own enough cuban cigars,warehoused in europe,to supply many consumers for a long time....

remember...most/many of the leading cuban cigar makers and tobacco growers have been gone from cuba for 45 or so years.....

[stjohnroe]

The other issue that you have to look at is the ownership of certain trade marks within the USA, e.g. Cohiba. While there may be the demand, marketing precedent and trademark law may cause a major barrier.

[Roham]

Due to the American market size I would think the average price of Cubans would rise globally due to the spike in American Demand and the relatively flat Cuban Supply. This could actually encourage non-American markets to carry more non-Cuban cigars so the net benefit could be positive to non-Cuban growers.

Absolutely no facts or numbers to back this up.

I agree 100% with this. The prices of cubans would rise drastically, supply and demand. The rest of the market might stay the same.


So on that note, thank god for embargo's

[TheSilentChamber]

I imagine within the next 15 years the embargo will be lifted. I think its just a matter of waiting on Castro to die. I wouldnt even be suprised that if some point it even became a US territory (not a state). From the cigar side it may be both good and bad, it may give birth to another cigar boom where prices of everything goes up and anything that looks somewhat similar to a cigar can make it onto shelves. But if that did happen it would soon fade and lead to some very good blends. I'm sure most of us here will see it lifted before we die- so time will tell.

[SuperChuck]

From the cigar side it may be both good and bad, it may give birth to another cigar boom where prices of everything goes up and anything that looks somewhat similar to a cigar can make it onto shelves.

Uck. Yeah, I imagine there would be a bit of a gold rush. Everyone rushing out to get their hands on cubans would lead to a mess of fakes and legitimate, but awful, cigars.

[Scooter]

So potentially, if you can get your hands on a few select, well rated, limited editions, it could pay dividends in the end? Assuming you could keep your hands off them.