Cuba - Centuries of experience and skill

In each issue we will look in-depth at a leading cigar market. In this issue Simon Chase looks at Cuba, arguably the greatest cigar nation of them all

These are exciting times for the Cuban cigar industry.

Thinking back over my 27 years in the trade, I cannot recall a period when so much has happened - new sizes, new packs, new limited editions, and plentiful supplies of tobacco.

During this year’s Festival del Habano in February, I was taken with our group of United Kingdom buyers and cigar enthusiasts, to a secret address in Havana. We weren’t exactly blindfolded on the way, but the bus took a circuitous route.

Pulling up in front of a newly renovated 1920s warehouse, we were told we’d arrived at La Unidad Comercializadora de Tabaco en Rama Comercial La Vega. The staff handed us a flower and a cigar.

Upstairs we were ushered into one of about 10 galeras de añejamiento (aging rooms). Here, there were countless bales of tobacco - tercios for wrappers and pacas for fillers and binders. Placed amongst the bales were signs saying things such as ‘2001 crop, not to be used until 2006.’

It might not strike you that the sight of tobacco bales aging is the most exciting thing to witness during a visit to Havana, but for me it was just that. Since 1999, the bigwigs at Habanos had been saying that they had decided to build up a stock of aged tobaccos.

Far be it for me to doubt anything that I am told by the industry in Havana, but back then tobacco was in short supply; such a decision sounded more like a dream than a reality. But here, in February 2004, was proof.

What is all this tobacco for? Well, first and foremost, it is .....

To read the rest of this article you can buy this issue or subscribe to Cigar Buyer to have every issue delivered direct to your door.

By Simon Chase

Section : Market Watch

Page number : 22

Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 2 on 01/11/2004.

This article is 54 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements.



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	Cuba - Centuries of experience and skill In each issue we will look in-depth at a leading cigar market. In this issue Simon Chase looks at Cuba, arguably the greatest cigar nation of them all These are exciting times for the Cuban cigar industry. Thinking back over my 27 years in the trade, I cannot recall a period when so much has happened - new sizes, new packs, new limited editions, and plentiful supplies of tobacco. During this year’s Festival del Habano in February, I was taken with our group of United Kingdom buyers and cigar enthusiasts, to a secret address in Havana. We weren’t exactly blindfolded on the way, but the bus took a circuitous route. Pulling up in front of a newly renovated 1920s warehouse, we were told we’d arrived at La Unidad Comercializadora de Tabaco en Rama Comercial La Vega. The staff handed us a flower and a cigar. Upstairs we were ushered into one of about 10 galeras de añejamiento (aging rooms). Here, there were countless bales of tobacco - tercios for wrappers and pacas for fillers and binders. Placed amongst the bales were signs saying things such as ‘2001 crop, not to be used until 2006.’ It might not strike you that the sight of tobacco bales aging is the most exciting thing to witness during a visit to Havana, but for me it was just that. Since 1999, the bigwigs at Habanos had been saying that they had decided to build up a stock of aged tobaccos. Far be it for me to doubt anything that I am told by the industry in Havana, but back then tobacco was in short supply; such a decision sounded more like a dream than a reality. But here, in February 2004, was proof. What is all this tobacco for? Well, first and foremost, it is ..... To read the rest of this article you can buy this issue or subscribe to Cigar Buyer to have every issue delivered direct to your door. By Simon Chase Section : Market Watch Page number : 22 Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 2 on 01/11/2004. Subscribe Buy this issue More from this issue Preview other issues This article is 54 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements. Copyright Cigar Buyer © 1999-2009. All rights reserved. To use or reproduce part or all of this article please contact us for details of how you can do so legally.