I agree with Triumph the insult comic dog, the major makers SPEAK of this new blend possibility when the embargo
drops, but I believe this would only tighten Havana's resolve to keep island tobacco on the island. Of course, you can
now get boxes, bands, seals, holograms and cigars there on the black market, so I imagine the leaf will escape, too.
BUT will the manufacturers be able to state that the blends now include CT if the CT was gotten illegally?

I smoke CCs because I absolutely do not prefer my nostrils to be singed by one-note NC cigars. I will smoke a Padron
that's about it. At least to enjoy. I have been gifted some of the top o the line NCs lately by members here and
while I was appreciative, naturally, I was not impressed by what I have apparently been missing all these years.
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This is not true. Custom rolled abound.

Years ago, and they may still be available, Spain, Germany and/or Canada produced cigars that were made of cuban tobacco.

I know of at least one non-cuban manufacturer who has bales and bales of cuban tobacco in his warehouse.
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Let the $hi+ storm ensue:-)
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Yes Cubans are a disappointment. :-)
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**** storm here or the industry? I understand why is it so in the industry, that's why I didn't name the manufacturer.
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In my personal opinion, I would love to see the travel restriction lifted. Cuba has some of the most beautiful beaches, great culture, great people and food. I would love to travel there.
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You'll find full bodied, strong CC's if you look, I have. I had trouble finding cc stuff I like for a long, long time, because I enjoy nic puros and dominican puros.
I didn't necessarily get a ton of help from the guys because what was strong to them was pretty tame to me. Eventually I found lots of wideass spicy stuff I really enjoy. :-)
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The strongest CC I've ever smoked was a Monte Sublime...made me dizzy and the back of my head tingled. Sailchaser can attest to this as well. :-)
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They do not "abound" in the sense described in this thread (ie. major manufacturers making commercially-marketed blends). There is a very small number of manufacturers who have been granted exception and offer Cuban leaf in a non-Habanos product, commercially identified as such.

We'll talk again when this manufacturer becomes able to acquire new harvest leaf and identify it in the market as Cuban tobacco without facing the legal retaliation of Habanos, SA.
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+100000000000

I'm with Bob on this one. I don't really enjoy having my mouth steam rolled by a super full bodied cigar and don't fit into the 'Americans only like super full bodied cigars' mold. Mold? That's plume!!!
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The only thing that would happen by lifting the embargo on Cuban cigars is that QUALITY would be killed by QUANTITY. Then you also have to factor in SUPPLY & DEMAND. That would then lead to a small exclusive list of distributors and/or shops that would carry them. The price would not drop if anything it would up. :-)
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Good point N2 GOLD. it also begs the question if they can produce enough given the US market is SO huge. Quality would decline I'm sure.
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Yeah let's not worry about authenticity of cigars:-)
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Every once in a while, I have to laugh that it's come to this. I remember before the first boom when the 'Americans', Macanudo in hand, would ask me if I thought they would like Cubans. "Be prepared- they're a lot stronger than the cigars you smoke", I'd have to respond. It's amazing how far 'Americans' have come. :-)
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If 70 or 80% of Cubans are complex and medium-strength, and cost the same as NCs, I can see myself buying some. But even now, the amount of NC cigars from which to choose is staggering. I certainly can't keep up, and I have 4-500 premium cigars.

I smoked 5 Cuban Montecristos and wasn't impressed. That's it; just that 5. They were medium-strength while I prefer full; but strength doesn't get it for me in the end. What a really value is taste and complexity. They didn't have it.
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The only take-away here is that you don't care for the Montecristos. That should not mean that all CC's are "unimpressive". As with NC's (or anything) you just need to find what you like... The experimentation can be fun!
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I wouldn't even take that much from it. I think he just got some lame Montecristos (there are plenty out there). My favorite Montecristos are the definition of complexity, so I would warn against writing off the marca (let alone CCs as a class!) on the basis of a literal handful of unimpressive sticks.

:-)
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Well put. Within a marca there are MANY variations on taste/strength, some of which you may enjoy. On top of production smokes there are LE's/RE's which add even more variation.
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What years were these Montecristos you smoked?

If they were under say 3 years old that could be a good reason for the lack of complexity and enjoyment.
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Yes.. Let's not forget the Rule of 3's:-)
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