For over four decades, cigar smokers of America have been left without the ability to procure what’s reputed to be the finest smokes on the market; they’ve been left empty -handed like a child who lost a favorite toy, a very luxurious, flavorful toy, in a neighbor’s backyard. This has placed cigar lovers in perpetual wonderment, asking why they are missing out on one of life’s greatest pleasures.

The History

Bent on a legacy of close economic and geographical relations, the ties between Cuba and America began to unravel when the Cuban Revolution gave Fidel Castro power on January 7, 1959. These tensions between the two countries were further compounded when Cuba and the Soviet Union appeared in cahoots, like two forces attending a Communistic tea party. Reacting to this two-headed threat, the US dealt with unraveling ties by severing them altogether.

Cuban Cigars found their way into the history books on February 7, 1962. Intending to cut off Castro and his government, JFK implemented a trade embargo. Americans, under this embargo, were prohibited from purchasing Cuban Cigars and Cuba, as JFK intended, lost a majority of their customer base, and a great amount of revenue.

The US government knew this would happen; just four years earlier 67 percent of Cuba’s exports and 70 percent of their imports involved the US. A trade embargo was sure to hit them below the belt. And so, JFK laced up his gloves.

While the embargo resulted in American exporters losing an estimated 1.2 billion, the Cuban government lost much more; the embargo cost them roughly 70 billion. However, this loss didn’t hit Cuba with the force intended; the Soviet Union, supplying Cuba with subsidies, shielded the blow.

The Criticism

As soon as the embargo began, so did the criticism. While tobacco lovers everywhere were angry, standing by and watching their ability to procure the best cigars in the world go up in smoke, much of the criticism came on a political level.

While some argued that the embargo only strengthened the unity between the Soviet Union and Cuba – just as the attack on Pearl Harbor strengthened the relationship between the US and Great Britain – others argued that the embargo gave Castro an excuse for Cuba’s lack of prosperity. In a time when Cuba was plagued by problems, critics feared Castro would be able to shrug his shoulders and say, “What? It’s not me; blame the cigars.”

To this day, the embargo continues to be looked on negatively by members of the United Nations. Each year the UN calls, by a large majority vote, for the US to lift its embargo and each year the US refuses.

The Impact

No American wanted Communism to spread throughout the world, believing that the form of government that works for insect colonies would not necessarily work for humans, but no American wanted cigars from Cuba to become illegal either.

JFK himself was among those who indulged in the luxuries of a Cuban Cigar. In fact, knowing the embargo was imminent, JFK sent his press secretary out to obtain a stockpile of Cuban Cigars on the eve before he signed the Executive Order.

For those who didn’t have the inside information of the President, the Cuban Cigar embargo ended a cigar democracy Americans had come to love and expect.

Just as Prohibition forever changed the alcohol industry, the Cuban Cigar embargo forever changed the cigar industry; it is as if all the government needs to do to shake up any industry is make something about that industry illegal. While Prohibition saw bootleggers and wine smuggling, the Cuban Cigar embargo saw the black market obtain a best selling item.

And, of course, anytime anything comes onto the black market, counterfeiters sit by licking their lips and waiting for unsuspecting purchasers. This is particularly true with Cuban Cigars. While they are seemingly easy to get inside the US, everyone has a friend who has a friend who sells them, those patrons who purchase them have a better chance of being scammed than obtaining the real thing.

The Cuban Cigar embargo also added to the cigar’s already exciting reputation: smoking something illegal often seems more fun than smoking something not prohibited by law. Banning the cigars drew attention to them and, as soon as smokers learned they couldn’t have them, they wanted them even more. This resulted in a boom in the black market (Cuban Cigars began circulating everywhere), an upslope of cigar smuggling (people began transporting Cuban Cigars from Canada, where the embargo did not exist) and a foundation of counterfeiting (some people were able to quit their day jobs and start a business peddling fake Cubans, not much of a dental plan, but lucrative nonetheless).

The Cuban Cigar embargo is the epitome of tobacco history. Not only have few government acts in the entire existence of America impacted the smoking industry so drastically, but the Cuban Cigar embargo demonstrates how much the history of a nation is intertwined with the history of cigars.

The embargo had nothing to do with cigars themselves, JFK wasn’t offended or turned off by something a Cuban Cigar had once said to him. It was merely a political move to protect a country during a time when Communism seemed ready to take over.

However, times have changed: the Soviet Union has since dissolved and Cuba is not the threat they were in the years that preceded the Cold War. It seems, in fairness to American smokers, that Cuban Cigars should once again be legal in the US; the Cuban Cigar embargo needs a little embargoing of its own.

Jennifer Jordan is an editor and staff writer for http://www.whatsknottolove.com. At home in a design firm in Denver, Colorado, she writes articles specific to the finer things in life.

Author: Jennifer Jordan
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

The reason for this is the fact that Cuban cigars are made by hand, one by one; each tobacco leaf is carefully selected, cleaned, dried, and finally rolled through a very complex process, following very high quality guidelines to get that strong, tasty flavor that makes each Cuban brand unique.

Although this process takes much more time than other cigar’s manufacturing process (mostly assisted by machines), the resulting cigar provides a smoking experience that no one can leave unnoticed.

Perhaps the most famous Cuban cigars are the “Cohibas”, delicate and flavorful cigars that have smokers all over the planet. But let’s not forget about other unique brands too: “Montecristo”, “Partagas” and many more manufacturers make Cuba the first and most important tobacco producer and supplier in the world, and this is a well deserved award.

Of course, if you already tasted any of the fine Cuban cigars available, then you know this facts yourself, there is no need for me to tell this to you. But if, in the other hand, if you have smoked cigars before but never tried out a Cuban, or even if you have never smoked cigars but want to begin enjoying this pleasure (so much different to cigarette smoking), then I must strongly encourage you to get yourself a quiet place, maybe some peaceful music, and a nice “Habano”. You will realize that there is no better smoking experience.

Perfect companions for a selected wine, after a great meal, or among friends in a reunion, Cuban cigars have earned the top place in the finest tobacco’s list, and are almost mandatory if you are really a lover of the pleasures of life.

Tamara Williams contributes to the cigar website Cuban Cigars where consumers can find all the best cuban brands at affordable prices, plus information that will help them decide on the best cigars to buy.

Author: Tamara Williams
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Since President Kennedy placed an embargo on Cuba in 1963, Cuban cigars have been illegal to import. One little known fact is that JFK had one of his assistants go to Cuba and bring back a large supply of the Cubans before the embargo took effect so that he would have them for his own personal use. Partly because they are the best and partly because they are forbidden, the Cubans are highly desired by cigar aficionados. The only way that one can legally bring back cigars from Cuba is if you go there on an officially licensed trip, but even then you are only allowed one hundred dollars worth. You need to know that buying, selling, and trading Cuban cigars in the United States is against the law and you can be fined over $50,000 for doing so.

If you are considering buying a complete box of Cubans you can expect to pay heavily for them, they aren’t cheap at all and a box can set you back as much as $500. If you are shopping for these classic stogies and you are offered a box for less than a couple hundred dollars they are probably not authentic. This is largely the case with many internet sites so be careful when buying them on the internet.

So, with all that said, how in the world are you supposed to be able to find the real thing? One of the simplest ways to get them is to go to the Great White North, Canada. They aren’t illegal there so you can buy them there, but you must camouflage them to bring them back here because it is still illegal to bring them into the U.S. Remove them from their original packaging, remove the rings, and put them in another box. With all the other things customs agents are looking for these days they generally don’t check cigars that closely and it isn’t really considered a huge offense to bring them in anyway.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as a executive gifts at http://www.expresscorporategifts.com

Author: Gregg Hall
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The record breaking 2005 Tropical Hurricane Season has taken its toll on Cuba’s main exporting cash crop and it is now in critical crisis from catastrophic calamity. Many specialists in the Cigar Trade say it is crucial that Cuba fix the problem. Hurricane Wilma caused the evacuation of 367,000 Western Cubans and caused crops to flood. There were mudslides and deaths. Now Cuba is once again faced with similar torrential rain and flooding causing things to worsen.

Some say that if we re-open trade with Cuba some day, that all these issues will go away and that there will be plenty of Cuba Smokes for everyone, and yet, that is not really true, because Cuba must deal not only with Hurricanes and floods, but also droughts as well, and depending on the year, this is quite prevelent and causes disastrous results for that year’s crop.

Economic crisis is a serious issue as well as Cuban currency, as agricultural exports are of concern. Can Castro’s Cuba recover and what about your Cuban Smokes online in time for Christmas, as they could also be curtailed due to the critical calamity causing catastrophic crop concerns. Think on this.

“Lance Winslow” – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is an online writer in retirement.

Author: Lance Winslow
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Will the Tobacco Crop in Cuba survive? Does this mean that Cuban Cigar prices for the Holidays will sky rocket? Does this mean you should buy your Cuban Cigars early for Christmas Gifts? Well, many believe that Cuba cannot handle anymore torrential rains without a huge hit on all of its crops, Tobacco among them.

Is this an economic blockade in the form of a wall of water? Is this Mother Nature’s revenge against the aging Castro? Is this Castro’s last stand; are his days numbered? What will happen to Cuba’s economic agricultural output, will this cause a further decline in Cuba’s ability to export, feed its people and recovery from its economic woes? Think on this.

“Lance Winslow” – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is an online writer in retirement.

Author: Lance Winslow
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Many people assume that the distribution of Cuban cigars on U.S. soil is illegal. The truth of the matter is, although there are certain restrictions placed on the importing of cigars from Cuba, there is no outright law forbidding their presence. Recently the Department of Justice altered the original embargo on Cuban products, allowing limited amounts of cigars to be brought back from licensed trips to Cuba. That law has since been expanded to include personal quantities, up to two boxes, for personal use.

Although there is actually no law governing the importation of Cuban cigars for personal use, large business have been fined, at times, for the selling or distributing of large volumes of Cuban cigars to the pubic. Fines are a rare occurrence, however. Many private settings that sell Cuban cigars, such as hotels or casinos, have experienced little or no problems over the years.

In recent years there has been a growing black market for fake Cuban cigars. Most of the time, they are easy to spot because of their poor quality and appearance, but occasionally there have been Cuban imitations that are more difficult to regulate. The only way to ensure the quality and authenticity of a purchase is to take proper care to go to a reputable, reliable dealer of Cuban cigar products.

For any concerned individuals who hope to purchase Cuban cigars, but are worried about legal ramifications, there is little cause for concern. Purchasing Cuban cigars for private, non-commercial use has been going on for years among the most high-profile cigar aficionados, including politicians and movie stars.

Cigars Info provides comprehensive information on cigar smoking, Cuban cigars, discount cigars, humidors, lighters, boxes, and more. Cigars Info is the sister site of Humidors Web.

Author: Eddie Tobey
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The Dominican Republic, fittingly discovered by Mr. Cigar himself, Christopher Columbus, is the largest producer of cigars in the entire world, making it known as “Cigar Country” and leaving stogie lovers everywhere to search for their passports, book their flights, and come to a place that captures the true culture and essence of tobacco.

Bent on a history of instable organization, ruled by military government and dictators, the Dominican Republic is a nation possessing the burdens of economic hardships. From recessions, to inflation, from trade deficits to fraud, the citizens of the Dominican Republic have seen more economic turmoil than most. Nonetheless, their tobacco industry has helped to keep them afloat, with cigars from the Dominican Republic rivaling Cubans for procurement of the title of “Best Cigar.”

Cuban Cigars may get all the mention, as if they are lit with a spotlight rather than a match. But, as cigars from the Dominican Republic stand in the corner, quietly ashing and giving Cuban Cigars a look of intellectual composure, the question about whether the elusiveness of the Cuban Cigar plays into some of its greatness must be posed. Does the difficulty of procuring Cuban Cigars make them a sweeter smoke, as if a reward for an accomplished challenge? But, even with this question and the mysterious mystique that Cuban Cigars possess, some cigar connoisseurs still believe that in the fight of Dominican Cigar versus Cuban Cigar, it is the Cubans that get burned.

However, because many Cubans fled their country during Castro’s rise to power, taking with them their knowledge and their tobacco seeds, many of the cigars produced in the Dominican Republic literally do have Cuban roots. This, undoubtedly, gives the cigars some commonalities, but, because they are grown in different soils and on different lands, the cigars also maintain some differences.

While Cuban Cigars may be more recognizable, overall, cigars from the Dominican Republic include a greater variety of flavors, aromas, and colors. This is largely due to the ideal growing environment the country possesses, giving cultivators the ability to be versatile in their creations. With more than 600,000 acres of tobacco plants nationwide, the Dominican Republic is able to produce a cigar that will fit just about anybody’s taste.

The majority of the tobacco grown in the Dominican Republic is cultivated in the northern part of the country, in close proximity to Santiago. Because of this, Santiago is known to many as the “Capitol of the Tobacco and Cigar Industry.” With climate full of warm weather, and the occasional tropical wind, it’s an ideal place for tobacco growers and cigar makers to establish roots.

Over the past two decades, the people of the Dominican Republic have spent a great deal of time improving the quality of their cigar tobacco. The tobacco plants are carefully managed and cared for, leaving no leaf unturned in the quest to produce cigars of the highest quality. The entire process is highly involved and highly evolved – a process that can take up to three years from beginning to end.

In keeping with its reputation as the “Cigar Country,” the Dominican Republic is the birthplace of cigars from some of the world’s most popular brands. Among these are Arturo Fuente, La Aurora, Leon Jimenes, Cojimar, and Montecristo. But, the Dominican Republic, relying heavily on tourism for economical increases, doesn’t simply produce cigars and send them on their way. Instead, they have a whole cigar world in their cigar country.

From gift shops specializing in souvenir cigars to famous cigar factory tours, from cigar shops to cigar museums, the Dominican Republic offers the cigar loving visitor an experience they won’t soon forget. With all the cigar-related activities, this country assures that the excitement and enjoyment won’t be extinguished.

For the true cigar lover, the Dominican Republic must be on the list of places to visit. A country that not only values the intricate details involved with cigar making, but also shares those details and experiences with the visiting public, this country is sure to add a flavorful experience to all that cross into it, carrying humidors and leaving cigarettes at the border.

Jennifer Jordan is an editor and staff writer for http://www.whatsknottolove.com. At home in a design firm in Denver, Colorado, she writes articles specific to the finer things in life.

Author: Jennifer Jordan
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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We figured he was just excited: the watch on his wrist was worth more than an arm and a leg. But, upon his death, when his watch was handed down to one of my cousins, we came to find that his Rolex was fake….and he knew it all along.

Our society is full of these kinds of things, things that are fake. There are fake watches, fake breasts, and, unbeknownst to the male gender, fake orgasms. Not immune to this counterfeiting are cigars, particularly Cuban cigars.

Though Cuban cigars have been illegal in the US since a trade embargo was signed by JFK in the 1960′s, they still seem to surface every now and then. In the grand tradition of America, making something illegal makes people want it even more (Prohibition….anyone?), and cigar smokers everywhere have some kind of interest in what they are missing.

While smokers probably aren’t bootlegging Cuban cigars, selling them in underground tunnels and publicly defying the law in Al Capone style, many people sell them, swearing up and down that they are the real thing. While some of these cigars may in fact be “the real thing,” others are counterfeits and more likely “Made in Taiwan” than “Made in Cuba.” In fact, it is estimated that 95 percent of Cuban cigars sold in the US are not real; they are simply masquerading as such, using fake Cuban accents and adopting Communistic views.

How to Tell

The quickest and most effective way to tell the authenticity of a Cuban cigar is simple: go smoke it in front of the Office of Foreign Assets Control. If you get arrested, then it’s probably real.

But, for those not willing to risk possible incarceration, keep in mind that there are other ways to tell if a Cuban cigar is real or not.

A lot of these ways involve inspecting the box in which the cigars are packaged. For instance, all boxes of Cuban cigars have a green and white warranty seal applied to them. But, for those who are handed a single cigar (without any packaging), and told it’s legit, its authenticity might be a bit harder to prove. Still, by keeping a few things in mind, you should be able to separate the Cubans from the counterfeits.

It Should Be the Right Length

Cuban cigars should be the exact length specified in the vitola (the Cuban name that defines the size of the cigar in terms of length and thickness). Almost always, there will never be more than 1/16th inch difference from the published lengths of Cuban cigars and the actual cigars themselves.

It Should Have a Nice Ring to it

The ringed Cuban cigars should all possess clean bands that are tight, of good color, and, for lack of a better word, pretty. When applicable, the rings should contain the word “Habana.” If “Habana” is misspelled, marred, or written in crayon, chances are the cigar is fake. Along these lines, glue stains and creases are typical hints that the cigars have been rebanded; if the cigar contains enough glue for you to make a rubber cement ball, it’s not something you want to buy.

However, keep in mind that the banding of Cubans isn’t always perfect. Authentic Cuban cigars may still contain some discrepancies: be cautious, but not overly critical.

Clean Shaving

The foot of the cigar should be cut cleanly, with no rips or chipping. Anything that isn’t well cut is probably not the real deal. The caps of the Cubans should always be finely finished and appear different from other cigars. Cuban caps have a three to four-layer circular appearance, which distinguishes them from counterfeits.

Miscellaneous

There are a few extra hints to keep in mind when purchasing Cuban cigars. First of all, be aware of any alleged “bargains” that may be attached to your cigar purchase. The terms “clearance sale” and “Cuban cigars” do not go together. Period. If someone is peddling Cubans at an extremely low price, it’s because they aren’t selling actual Cubans. Learn what Cubans should really cost and reject those who try to sell them much less.

It’s also good to keep in mind that Cuban cigars don’t need to solicit buyers; they don’t need to go door to door begging for people to give them a try. They are in low supply and high demand, which basically means they sell themselves. Any seller who comes across as pushy, or with a semblance of a used car salesman, dressing up his cigars in plaid jackets and gold teeth and telling you that they are “hot, hot, hot,” is more than likely desperate to unload counterfeits. Likewise, any seller who becomes agitated at any questions you may ask, grows inpatient as you inspect the cigar, or refuses to let you see the package in which they arrived, is also selling fakes.

Many counterfeiters sell cigars that they say are “Special Edition Cubans.” In actuality, special editions are very rare, very expensive, and only distributed between reputable dealers and cigar connoisseurs. If a seller tries to pass off a Cuban cigar as “Special Edition,” it’s only because he’s trying to explain why that Cuban may look different than other Cubans.

While some sold in the US are real, most of the Cuban cigars on the black market aren’t any more Cuban than someone born in Oklahoma. Still, if you know your stuff, you should be able to tell when someone is handing you a real Cuban, or when someone is just blowing smoke up your ash tray.

Jennifer Jordan is an editor and staff writer for http://www.whatsknottolove.com. At home in a design firm in Denver, Colorado, she writes articles specific to the finer things in life.

Author: Jennifer Jordan
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Some of the famous cigars that top the list when people are asked about what cigar they prefer are by far disturbing to some:

Trinidad

Romeo Y Julieta

Bolivar

Cohiba

H. Upman

Montecristo

Ramon Allones

Cuban cigars are famous cigars and still make their way into the country, but they are contraband. The only reason they are famous is because of the controversy. Because it was banned, everyone labels them as famous cigars and ignore the rest. Because of the embargo against the Habanas, the United States have made the cigar more popular than before. Most new smokers do not have the opportunity to smoke famous cigars like the Cuban cigar, but that does not detour them from coming connoisseurs of cigars.

Cuban cigars many feel need to be enjoyed and have a slow burn to last for the full advantage of tasting the cigar. The older cigar smokers realize that two things make cigars truly famous cigars, the quality of the filler and the brand name. Because Cuba has the reputation of excellence in cigars because of the training that goes into producing these cigars, the reputation surpasses them. Cuban cigars are also made by hand as some other famous cigars are made by machine.

Many people display these famous cigars as a way of showing what kind of taste they have in excellence. It is not uncommon for top executives to hand these out after a finalized business deal or at an after dinner party. Although when asked the first thing that people say when asked what famous cigars do you know, they repeat the same thing every time. The Cuban Cigars are the famous cigars.

Now that you do not have a Cuban cigar, try these famous cigars listed here and you will have just as much taste and flavor needed without the uppity Cuban cigars. Some believe smoking famous cigars bring prestige; they need to smoke famous cigars for taste not prestige, even at men’s clubs, you find other cigars than the Cuban Habanas.

You can also find more info on Buying Cigars Online and Cuban Cigars. Onlinecigarsource.com is a comprehensive resource to know more about Cigars.

Author: Dave Faulkner
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Knowing that these cigars are considered contraband, many people or cigar smokers do not care. They look for the cigars everywhere and some probably have their own connections to the popular cigar. Although we try to find the Cuban cigars because they are premium cigars, we forget that some people are out to defraud the connoisseur with fakes. You may pay a pretty penny for these cigars, but imagine lighting up something that tastes less than perfect.

How do you tell premium cigars from the fraudulent ones? The packaging, the colors and the labels. The knockoffs will not have the same fine quality packaging that the originals have. You might look at the wrap, the paper wraps and the tips. Premium cigars are perfect with perfect packaging. If you have a doubt about the cigar, you are probably right about it being a fake. You have to use your knowledge and take into consideration the overall look. Different premium cigars have a distinctive color wrapper, whether it is darker or lighter, this is one sure way to see if you have a fake or the real thing.

Many tobacco shops offer samples and this either breaks the deal or seals the deal when looking for premium cigars. If you have a Cuban cigar in your hand, check the seal. The Cuban seals are distinctive and flawless. No other company can reproduce the seal and placement as the original Cuban company. If you find true premium cigars such as the Cuban cigars, you will be one lucky connoisseur. If you find a knockoff, you might have a less than perfect experience with cigar smoking as some are very bitter. Look for a seal and the right packaging before buying and lighting up that supposed premium cigar.

You can also find more info on Fine Cigars and Handmade Cigars. Onlinecigarsource.com is a comprehensive resource to know more about Cigars.

Author: David Faulkner
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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