Proud to be in America

America has the best choice of non-Cuban cigars in the world. And as James Leavey reports, its cigar industry is booming

The great thing about America is that its cigar aficionados can buy the widest range of non-Cuban cigar brands in the world, as well as most of Cuba’s finest Havanas – the latter are usually sold under the counter in most of the country’s major cities, especially New York, Chicago, San Francisco and L.A.

But the list of places where America’s cigar smokers can now actually enjoy an uninterrupted public smoke in the USA is getting shorter by the day. Not that this seems to have done much damage to recent cigar sales in America.

“In 2004, we saw for the first time – since the mid-1990s ‘boom’ – substantial growth in the premium cigar market,” said Cooper Gardiner, General Cigar’s vice president of marketing. “Evidence shows the premium cigar market is up 10 per cent, the first real growth spurt, a miniboom if you will, since 1994.

“We witnessed an influx of younger male consumers, aged 25-35 in 2004. Thus far in 2005, the market continues to be strong, especially in the USA’s Southeast and West where weather is good. We’re also expecting sales to increase in Northeast and Central regions as the weather becomes more favourable.

“In terms of products, across the board, Macanudo continues to perform above prior year, as it did the year before. Limited edition products are taking over in the market. e.g. Punch Rare Corojo, Macanudo Gold Label, Partagas Cifuentes Blend and Excalibur Royal Sterling. The trend toward flavoured cigars continues. In addition tubed cigars (packaged .....

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 James Leavey

Section : Market Watch

Page number : 18

Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 4 on 10/05/2005.

This article is 69 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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	Proud to be in America America has the best choice of non-Cuban cigars in the world. And as James Leavey reports, its cigar industry is booming The great thing about America is that its cigar aficionados can buy the widest range of non-Cuban cigar brands in the world, as well as most of Cuba’s finest Havanas – the latter are usually sold under the counter in most of the country’s major cities, especially New York, Chicago, San Francisco and L.A. But the list of places where America’s cigar smokers can now actually enjoy an uninterrupted public smoke in the USA is getting shorter by the day. Not that this seems to have done much damage to recent cigar sales in America. “In 2004, we saw for the first time – since the mid-1990s ‘boom’ – substantial growth in the premium cigar market,” said Cooper Gardiner, General Cigar’s vice president of marketing. “Evidence shows the premium cigar market is up 10 per cent, the first real growth spurt, a miniboom if you will, since 1994. “We witnessed an influx of younger male consumers, aged 25-35 in 2004. Thus far in 2005, the market continues to be strong, especially in the USA’s Southeast and West where weather is good. We’re also expecting sales to increase in Northeast and Central regions as the weather becomes more favourable. “In terms of products, across the board, Macanudo continues to perform above prior year, as it did the year before. Limited edition products are taking over in the market. e.g. Punch Rare Corojo, Macanudo Gold Label, Partagas Cifuentes Blend and Excalibur Royal Sterling. The trend toward flavoured cigars continues. In addition tubed cigars (packaged ..... 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 James Leavey Section : Market Watch Page number : 18 Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 4 on 10/05/2005. Subscribe Buy this issue More from this issue Preview other issues This article is 69 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 © 1999-2010. 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.