Once Cuban cigars are allowed back on the market, I think quality control standards will go down, as they will flood the market with these smokes. What will be interesting to see is how the NC companies take Cuban tobacco and blend it with other tobaccos from Nicaragua, DR, etc...
I'm afraid it's a looooong time off. I think the gaming industry lobbyists (among others) have very selfish financial reasons to keep the embargo in place. Good humanitarian moves unfortunately won't have much to do with it.
When it happens, I think Israel has hit it on the nose:
- Demand for the "forbidden fruit" will skyrocket and in an attempt to keep up, Cuban cigar quality control goes to hell. Plans or not, they simply wont' be able to keep up with the short term demand.
- Even though the quality will likely go seriously down, the price will not due to unprecedented demand by the "I've always wanted to try a Cuban cigar" crowd.
- Once that CC's are legal, expect a flood of fakes to hit the shores.
....so for at least the short term, we'll be hit with crappy overpriced cigars, with a ton of very well done fakes infiltrating the vendors and dealers all over the country. Of course the situation will correct itself, but it will take time and the problem of fakes won't go away nearly as quickly, if ever.
....Makes a Padron look better and better all the time....
Regards - B.B.S.
