No, I dont think it's the country they come from. America has very little production of it's own, so almost everything we smoke is imported from somewhere. Theres no reason Mexico couldn't cultivate a great tabacco tradition as has been done elswhere. Does anyone love the dominican republic for any reason other then the great smokes they have learned how to turn out there? I had no love for Nicuragua until I started smoking there cigars. If anything I had a negative attitude towords Nic. with there sandinista history and all. No, I hate Te Amo but would be more then happy to smoke them no matter where they were from if only I liked them.
Every where else started from somewhere. Theres no reason why Mexico couldn't build up a great tradition. The longer they squander it though and turn out inferior sticks the longer it will take to turn things around and rebuild a good name. I have a feeling the rebels in the southern most areas are probably blocking any real development of the best tobacco growing regions they have available. No real evidence of any kind on my part, just a hunch.