This is one of those long debated, never settled, cigar issues.

Typically, these cigars are manufactured (according to their makers) with a certain amount of pre-embargo Cuban tobacco (which is legal). Oftentimes you hear about someone coming across a warehouse full of Cuban tobacco that was long forgot about, or was part of some type of bankruptcy deal. Many leading experts out there claim there is no such thing as pre-embargo Cuban tobacco at this point. Given the number of years since the start of the embargo, it is highly unlikely any of the tobacco was able to survive without having been rolled into cigars.

At any rate, these cigar makers claim to add a certain amount of this tobacco into their blends and sell them as such. The most recognized are the Gurkha pre-embargo's. I've smoked these cigars (amonst others), and haven't been overly impressed considering the price. I gotta think if momma bought them at Needless Markup, they weren't cheap.

I'm sure they're decent cigars - they usually are - but definitely not worth the coin they ask. That's just my view of 'em.

At any rate, smoke 'em!!!