If you were asked to name the country that makes the best cigars, your answer would probably be “Cuba,” even if you’ve never smoked a cigar in your life. For centuries, Cuba has enjoyed a legendary reputation as the world’s premier cigar maker: a reputation that still persists today in spite of the many changes that the cigar industry has undergone in recent decades. But how exactly did Cuban cigars acquire such a glowing reputation in the first place? Read on for a look at some of the things that make Cuban cigars special and some handy tips to know if you’re thinking about buying one of these premium cigars for yourself.
What’s so great about Cuban cigars?
The worldwide reputation for excellence that Cuban cigars enjoy is based on four main points:
History—One of the biggest reasons why Cuban cigars are so famous is simply that Cuba has been in the cigar-making game much longer than anyone else. Tobacco has been grown in Cuba for centuries, and the country’s first cigar factory dates all the way back to 1542. Furthermore, until later in the 20th century, Cuba was essentially the only producer of premium cigars: no other country was making anything comparable to the puro Cuban cigars made entirely of tobacco from a single place. So naturally enough, when you’ve been doing something for centuries, you’re bound to be pretty good at it.
Craftsmanship—When it comes to Cuban cigars, history goes hand in hand with expert craftsmanship. Because of their centuries’ worth of experience, Cuban cigar makers have had plenty of opportunities to develop and refine the production techniques that make a great cigar. Indeed, many of the best practices still used in modern cigar-making were invented in Cuba, such as experimenting with the tobacco fermentation process to produce different flavors, and making a cigar’s wrapper, binder, and filling from different parts of the tobacco plant.
Terroir—The term “terroir” is used often in the winemaking industry to refer to the ways in which the unique climate, geology, and soil qualities of a place where grapes are grown affect the final taste and properties of the wine made from those grapes. But wine isn’t the only agricultural product influenced by terroir: tobacco, and consequently cigars, are affected by terroir, too. In other words, one of the reasons why Cuban cigars are special is that the tobacco grown in Cuba is unlike tobacco grown anywhere else in the world. The terroir of the island, especially the westernmost part, where much of the cigar industry’s tobacco comes from, was traditionally rich in magnesium, calcium, iron, and other critical nutrients. As a result, the tobacco grown in this area is relatively sweet, producing cigars with a distinctive flavor and a light- to medium-gray ash (rather than the white ash found in many non-Cuban cigars).
(In)Accessibility—Let’s face it: many of us are more attracted to things we can’t have than to things that are readily available, and Cuban cigars are a perfect example of this phenomenon. According to many cigar aficionados, one of the more recent reasons for Cuban cigars’ global fame was the United States’ embargo on Cuban goods that was introduced in 1962. Given that the sale and purchase of Cuban products was prohibited in the US during this time, Cuban cigars acquired an extra allure simply because of their “forbidden fruit” status. Even now that restrictions have eased somewhat, many people still find that the hard-to-get reputation of Cuban cigars makes them even more tantalizing.
Ready to try a Cuban cigar for yourself?
If you’re curious about buying a Cuban cigar to find out for yourself what all the fuss is about, here are a couple of tips to keep in mind:
Unfortunately, fakes abound. When it comes to Cuban cigars, it’s unfortunately all too common to find unscrupulous people and companies selling inauthentic examples in an attempt to profit from Cuba’s good reputation. To make sure you’re buying the real thing rather than a knockoff, it’s best to source your cigars from a reliable dealer with an industry reputation for trustworthiness. When possible, examine the cigar or box of cigars for imperfections, as genuine Cuban cigars are unlikely to have flaws.
A high price doesn’t necessarily mean good quality (and vice versa). Many premium or luxury products often sport a high price tag simply because of their “brand name,” and Cuban cigars are no exception. But remember that just because something is expensive, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good. Furthermore, even in Cuba, all cigars are not created equal. In other words, don’t buy a pricey Cuban cigar assuming that, because of its cost, it will taste good. Instead, do your research into some of the different brands you’re interested in, read the many reviews that are easily found online, and make your choice based on solid information rather than on the price tag alone.