There is legislation in Congress right now to relax trade restrictions on Cuba. We may be getting Cuban cigars again. Castro has made friends in the government with his help with the antiterrorism effort.
I will keep you posted. This is not a joke.

Do you think there has ever been a time when your congressmen did not have all the Cuban cigars they wanted?

wait until you find out a box of 25 monte a costs about $700.00 and the rest of the cuban cigars are in line with that overpricing. $15. to $30 for a cigar not any better than a hemmingway.

Well, I really hate to say this, but, I've smoked fake cuban cigars that were both made and tasted better than the real ones. One of the best cubans I had only cost me $2.00 while overseas ... no label, bulk packaging, full flavored, slim, and a very nice ash to boot.

Many counterfiet Cuban cigars are still made in Cuba, from Cuban tobacco ...

... they're just from a different 'farm'(maybe the one down the road), and not the one you thought you were buying from the band.

Farm cigars can be a very decent Cuban cigar ... just not the one you paid high $$$ for and was expecting to get.

Let us hope that they are not coming. Anybody that really wants them can get them now. Relaxing the embargo and allowing entry into the U.S. will do nothing but raise prices on an already overpriced cigar and also lower quality. Cuba is just now recuperating from tobacco losses and the substandard product of the last couple of years. Providing a bigger market for cigars that already dont meet demand quotas will further reduce quality. Also, you can buy fake Cohibas just as easily in Havana as you can in Cabo San Lucas. Some of the cigars bought on the streets in Cuba are worse fakes than those coming out of Miami. Thats my story and I'm sticking to it.

I don't think that there would be any great numbers of cuban cigars coming into the US if the embargo is lifted. It is my understanding that some brands, like Punch, Cohiba, Montecristo etc cannot be sold here because cigar manufacturers from other countries have those names trademarked in the US and thus have sole rights for their production and sales. Only some of the newer brands could be sold here (some of which have been brought into being most likely for the sole reason of introduction into the US market as soon as that becomes an option). As far as I am concerned, if the embargo were lifted it would be great. I would still buy my cubans at the same place, I would just not have to worry about whether or not they were going to make it across the border okay.

Jeez, rickamaven, what kind of Cuban's are you smokin'? Are you actually comparing Hemi's to authentic Cubans? Hemi's are mild to medium cigars at best. Don't get me wrong, I like a Hemi now and then, and the construction is flawless and beautiful but they do NOT compare to a "the heart stopping, throat lumping, complexity of a Bolivar, Partagas, or even the overpriced, overhyped Cohiba line. JMO
Neal

I'll have to smoke a Cuban cigar before I can voice an opinion.

It is tough to compare the complex and robust taste of a Bolivar or Montecristo to any cigar produced in Islands; however, the price and complexity of getting the damn things make it an experience that I do not care to go through! If available and price is "in line" then great, otherwise, I will continue to get them as I have in the past! Charlie

samclemmons : monte #5 and A. hemmingway masterpiece @ $160. box of ten. monte A @ $750 box of 25.

Monte A's 25@475. a box.
NA

Monte #5's [email protected]. I'd take a Monte(any Monte)over a Hemi(any Hemi) every day of the week and twice on Sunday. No offense intended, there just is no comparison.
Neal

samclemmons; i would never be offended by a gentleman of you taste. i would appreciate your info re your quotes for the monte's and will remain your humble servant. [email protected]

I'd rather have Havana Club rum than any cigars coming out of Cuba once the embargo is lifted.

Okay, it's me about money again...you probably think I'm cheap...but would prices necessarily come down when cigars are easier to get? Cuba has been pretty successful in marketing them so far, slowing down only during years when the crop was poor.

mhollowa: email your mailing address. [email protected]

Actually, most of the trademarks are owned by the same company after all the recent mergers. Remember, Altadis was brought in to help Cuban productions so they own part of the brands, and they own some of the other trade marks you mentioned.