Why do people like Cuban cigars so much?

Why do people like Cuban cigars so much? Cuban cigars, what goes through your mind when you think about them? Ever wondered why they are believed to be the best around the world? So, why do people love Cuban cigars so much? They are said to be very expensive, but why do people enjoy these cigars despite their rarity?

Some may argue that it is because Tobacco has grown in Cuba for centuries. Alternatively, the mystery surrounding the Cuban cigar due to the government restrictions makes it more accessible, talking of the ‘forbidden fruit’ mentality. Let us find out.

So, why would people prefer the Cuban cigar to other cigars?

It is quite interesting to unpack the mystery that surrounds the Cuban cigar, isn’t it? The class, mystique, and finesse accorded to the Cuban cigar can be attributed to several reasons.

History and Experience

Cuba is known to grow Tobacco for many years, hundreds even. It is estimated that the manufacturers have been producing cigars since the era of King Phillip II of Spain, which was around 1527-1598. Therefore, this means that they have perfected the art of cigar production, from the right timing of harvesting, picking, and rolling of the leaves.

This experience has provided them with unique techniques for producing cigars to perfection. The methods have not changed much over the years, giving the assurance of finesse.

Environmental factors

It is well known that plants need favorable conditions for growth and maturity. This is quite the same case as Tobacco. So, why Cuba? The soil where the Cuban Tobacco is grown has wealthy nutrients that give the cigar its unique flavor.

Another natural factor that plays a big part in the production of this fine Tobacco is the Cuban weather, which is humid and warm enough for the plant’s growth and drying.

Quality production

Aside from this, the raw materials used to make the cigars are top quality. The manufacturers of these premium cigars take a lot of time and precautions to make it a refined product.

They say it takes about one hundred steps to produce one Cuban cigar. This is quite fascinating and shows the detail with which the manufacturers decide to ensure a quality cigar. Imagine putting that much time and effort into something!

There are folk tales also surrounding the production of Cuban cigars. One even suggests that the high quality of Cuban cigars was because they were rolled ‘in the laps of biracial Cuban women.’ Of course, this is not a reason for the taste of the cigars, but sometimes, people come up with tales that help market the product.

Flavor and taste

For any cigar aficionado, flavor and taste are very important. Cuban cigars have that high aroma that only comes from high-quality Tobacco and has been harvested, dried, cut, and wrapped properly.

These are the characteristics that the Cuban cigar boasts in tobacco products. The smoker gets to experience earthy, spicy, and woody tones that they will more likely enjoy. The thrill of a good Cuban cigar comes from the fact that it is made purely out of Cuban Tobacco from the filler, binder, and wrapper.

Cigar aficionados can single out the best Cuban cigar in blind tastings. This is unique and interesting and shows that there is a unique, preferably one of a kind Cuban flavor  It was even described as “a sophisticated flavor bomb of smoke with an array of rich character, including touches of chocolate, coffee, and leather.” This was said when the Cuban won the ‘cigar of the year’ award in 2006.

How the Cuban cigar retains its flavor and taste that is distinct

As mentioned earlier, the Cuban cigar industry has retained the same ritual in the production of its cigars for over a century. This assures the quality remains the same over the years. There are, however, some secrets that make the cigars retain their taste and flavor.

They are;

Ligero

Ligero, in this case, are the top leaves of the tobacco plant. Most notably, the ‘medio tiempo’ leaves, which are smaller, come up later in the plant and are rare to find in tobacco plants. Some Cuban cigars like the ‘Cohibas Behike’ use the ‘medio tiempo’ leaves.

Terroir

This French word refers to the number of factors that are considered for an agricultural cuban product to be of good quality. Just as in the example of how grapes depend on their quality, tobacco leaves, and the product, which is the Cuban cigar, are dependent on several aspects for their quality.

These factors include the temperature range, climate, the wind, the soil, rain, and human hand or skill.

These are mainly the secrets found in the Cuban tobacco industry; Cuba is the best place to grow Tobacco because of the consistency in good quality leaves.

Government restrictions

The Cuban cigar is under strict government control. In the U.S as well, there are restrictions on the importation of the Cuban types of tobacco. This kind of gives the analogy of the ‘forbidden fruit’, doesn’t it?

The more restrictions and control are put on the product, the more alluring and mysterious it becomes, and people tend to go to lengths to get it.

More like restricting a child from anything! The child’s curiosity is pricked, and they end up doing the exact thing they were told not to!

The mystique surrounding the Cuban cigar, mainly due to the strict regulations imposed on its sale, has made it rare and quite expensive. People do not seem to mind the cost as long they can get a pleasant drawl out of a genuine Cuban cigar.

Has the allure of getting a Cuban cigar hit you yet? All the praises that go into the Cuban cigar production are enough to make me want to get a good draw. How about for cigar aficionados?

While it is essential to look at the right side of something, it is also essential to look at its cons. Here are some of the disadvantages of the Cuban cigar.

  • Cuban cigars are also highly counterfeited. Although the experts have many checkpoints to differentiate the genuine from the fake, it is still sometimes impossible for a regular cigar lover to know the difference. I think this is the major con when it comes to Cuban cigars. The good news is that you can identify a fake Cuban cigar by merely looking at the packaging. Manufacturers have realized that placing a unique code on the packaging will help the smoker differentiate it from a counterfeit.
  • In any business, there is bound to be competition, and that is not different in the cigar industry. The Cuban cigar faces competition from other cigars made in the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Honduras. The hype and praise of the Cuban cigar have made these other countries improve on their cigar-making.

These cons are nothing to Cuban cigar lovers who know the cigar’s value and understand the origin, detail in production, and everything that goes into its creation.

Having looked in detail into what goes into producing a good Cuban cigar, I feel it is essential to summarize the things that people like so much about these cigars. 

  • People tend to trust products that have been produced skillfully and for several years. Cubans have been in the production of their cigars for years and have made them the same way.
  • They say, “Only Cuban tobacco will taste like Cuban tobacco” this is simply because it is grown and produced in Cuba with everything Cuban.
  • The Cuban government supervises the production, ensuring that the cigars are of good quality. This kind of quality control makes people sure that a Cuban cigar is best.
  • Cuban cigars are ‘hard to find,’ making them a very much sought-after commodity. Did you know that a cigar would simply go up in ratings for merely being said to be a Cuban cigar? Cuban cigars have been hailed, “The Holy Grail of cigars’ 

In this case, let us talk a bit about the costing of the Cuban cigar. For most people, a costly product exudes class and sets them apart from others. In the early times, smoking a Cuban cigar was regarded as a very prestigious habit.

Currently, a box of Cuban cigars can cost up to three times the cigars’ cost, but people do not mind adding the extra couple of bucks for the experience of a Cuban cigar. Even in Cuba, where the cigar is produced, the price is quite high.

Finally,

Some may argue that a cigar is just a cigar, but with the reasons stated above, don’t you agree that a Cuban cigar is just superior? People around the world like the Cuban cigar and we now understand why they do!

It is no wonder that the Cuban cigar earned the Cigar Aficionado ‘cigar of the year’ award in 2006 and even had 2010 named the ‘year of the Cuban cigar.’ This gives us a pretty clear picture of how much the Cuban cigar is not just liked, but loved by many people.

Some of the best Cuban premium cigars you can enjoy include Vuelta Abajo, Fidel Castro’s, and H. Upmann. 

By now, do you care for a Cuban cigar draw? I hope you get to taste and experience the Cuban finished cigar. Would you want to share your experience of an expensive cigar?

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