Golden Age of cigar production

[junkman_56]

This is a question for all the guys that have been smoking cigars for 10 + years:
Are we in a “Golden Age” of cigar production?

Producers like Arturo Fuente and Padrón are creating some incredible cigars.
I have read a bunch of articles that say the number of different blends being produced today is unprecedented in the history of cigars. They state that we are seeing more “high end” cigars being produded that ever before. We are seeing new blends that combine tobaccos from various growing regions around the world, not just from the region that the cigars are being rolled in. The different combination of wrappers, binders and filler tobaccos is just amazing.
It also seems to me that tobacco growers and producers are taking greater care of the leaf during the growing and fermenting phases of cigar production then ever before. The ageing of tobaccos (both wrapper and filler) has also improved the quality of cigars over the last decade.
Certainly the state of cigar rolling has taken some exotic turns in the last few years.

I know that the Cuban blends have been relatively unchanged in the last 20 years or so.
The observations above primarily pertain to cigars not produced in Cuba.

During the cigar boom in the late 90’s we had a blizzard of new brands, but the quality sucked. I feel that today we are seeing some of the best quality cigars ever produced. Blends like the Padrón Anne 1964 & 1926 and AF’s Opus & Anejo are just incredible. Other producers like Gurkha, Rocky Patel, etc are also producing some fantastic cigars.

I want to get a sense of the state of cigar blending and production from the more experienced (much more experienced than myself) cigar smokers out there.

Are we in a Golden Age of cigar production or not?

 

[rangerdoug]

In the 90's productin was more important than quality. Except for a few makers in that time period most of the cigar makers could not keep up with demand and just made the decision to keep up with demand over quality. Now it is reverse for the most part exept some will slip up and rush the product. Cigar smokers today are more educated and expect the best out of cigar since now a great cigar will cost the $10 and up range and a good cigar will cost in the $5 and up range. Compared to what cigars would cost you in the 80's and early 90's the cost now still is over triple the cost. Now with the growing methods available and the technology in use a better cigar can be grown.

 

[junkman_56]

I guess my real question is; "from an historical perspective" how does today’s cigar production/blending compare with that of 20/30/40 years ago?

 

[LilBastage]

I would find it difficult to believe that there was a time in history that produced as many really good cigars as the present. There may have been better cigars, but I wouldn't think there were as many different varieties that are really good than there are today.

I'm more than willing to be wrong on this, however.

I think it is safe to say that in spite of all of the laws and BS propaganda facing us, it is a Wonderful time to be a cigar smoker!

 

[fetterjohn]

To add anything to this at all...I can say that Cuban cigar production / quality was at an all time low...it's getting better...but not as good as it was 5-10 years ago. NC cigars are fantastic...are we another cigar boom? I think so...there are a lot of great new smaller cigar brands with great quality.

-Fetter

 

[The Master]

The non Cuban cigars that are being made today are the best in the history of the business. The sheer volume of great blends and great cigars has never been higher. The technological advances that have been made in the industry is one of the leading causes of this renaissance.

We as smokers today have more choices than ever before. The boom cigars that were all shit have gone by the wayside. The mfgs who rushed product to the market no longer do it for fear of ruining their brand. During the boom La Gloria Cuban mover their operation to the DR so they could produce more cigars. The first batches that came out were UN smoke able. They were made from raw improperly fermented tobacco and they almost caused the ruin of the brand. They were lucky to survive.

With so much competition today’s mfgs understand the need to have a consistent product year after year. There are small operations that came out with some great smokes their first batches, but could not duplicate it on future releases and therefore have lost most of their customer base. Bahia is one such brand that comes to mind.

 

[jjdeadhead]

I have to say the cigars made before the boom were IMHO better than they are now. In fact I believe that the LGC made in Miami before there was a second location were second to none, as good and better than most cubans today. The SLR series A from the same era was a killer smoke. I stock piled these and am still smoking Miami LGC maddies from '97. The SLR have mellowed out and have not aged as well as the LGCs.

 

[Devil Doc]

There's no question, IMHO, That cigars are better now than they have been in the 35 yrs I've been smoking them. More choices, better quality etc.

Doc.