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Future Smoky For Cuban Cigars
By Ian Gordon
 Bermuda offers a discrete pleasure to both the aficionado and the curious: an opportunity to indulge in a handmade Cuban cigar, un habano. Forbidden fruit for U.S. residents, Cuban cigars have been produced for more than 400 years, regarded as the world's best because of the island's unique combination of soil, climate, culture, tradition and quality control.
In Cuba, cigars are both an art form and a finite commodity. The tobacco leaf is grown only in Cuba, whereas other jurisdictions typically use a blend of tobaccos, some from as far as Africa.
Prior to the 1959 Cuban revolution, the island's tobacco went to Ybor City in Florida to be rolled into cigars for the U.S. market. Today Ybor City retains its Cuban heritage but has lost its Cuban tobacco, frozen out by 50 years of trade embargo.
Recent changes hint at a thaw between Washington and Havana. First, Raśl Castro has assumed the leadership of Cuba and allowed such liberalizations as access to the Internet, cell phones and hotels. Second, new U.S. President Barack Obama has entered the White House, allowing for the possibility of dialogue. So what would be the impact if the U.S. market were to open up?
The island has finite capacity. The many vicissitudes of hurricanes, floods and droughts already create fluctuations in the quality of premium cigars. Add the pressure of a voracious U.S. market, and:
- Prices would increase if existing quality and production levels were maintained;
- Quality would suffer if production levels increased, and prices would still rise.
Cubans are proud of their tobacco industry. No doubt they would continue to craft premium, hand-rolled habanos. But would economic pressures take precedence over 400 years of peerless quality?
Meanwhile, everyone can enjoy a Cuban cigar at Cuarenta Bucaneros, on Church Street in Hamilton. (295-4523, www.cigarbox.bm)
Ian Gordon is president of Cuarenta Bucaneros, 25 Church Street, Hamilton. Tel: 295-4523 or 336-2446. Fax: 292-5116. cigarbox.bm
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