You might take for granted how simple it is to enjoy a fine cigar from Cuba if you are a cigar enthusiast.
For fans across the pond, where Cuban cigars are actually prohibited, things are a little more difficult.
Cuban cigars in not legal in the US.
Barack Obama loosened the embargo, and Donald Trump tightened it once more. The embargo is still in effect, and it is still forbidden to import Cuban cigars and loose tobacco. However, the Trump administration did not reverse all the measures adopted by his predecessor; one such measure is the authorization to import coffee and coal purchased from “independent” Entrepreneurs from Cuba, such as those who do not work for the government: something that became possible thanks to the liberalization policy promoted by Raul Castro in the 2010s.
For more information, keep reading.
Table of Contents
Is It Legal To Buy Cuban Cigars In The US?
No, despite improved diplomatic ties between the former Cold War adversaries during the Obama Administration, Americans were unable to buy the renowned cigars. However, as long as they were for your personal use and not for resale, it became legal to bring back up to 100 Cuban cigars into the US, or roughly four boxes. To the dismay of cigar enthusiasts, relations with Cuba deteriorated under the Trump administration, and in September 2020 it once more became unlawful to bring your own personal stock of Cuban cigars and alcoholic beverages into the US, regardless of where you were traveling from. You can still purchase Cuban cigars, despite this. Except for the US, you can still purchase them legally almost anywhere else in the world. However, just because you are in a nation where you can buy Cubans and bring them home doesn’t mean you will be able to source them right away.
Why Are Cuban Cigars Illegal In The US?
Cuban cigars are not illegal to possess for personal use in the US. If they were, thousands of cigar smokers, including myself, would be behind bars. One of the responses is very old-fashioned. Right now, it is legal to purchase Cuban cigars in Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, including Cuba, and bring them back to the US for personal use (not for resale) within certain parameters. In Europe and Asia, there are also trustworthy mail-order companies; I’m not sure if they are legal, but I’ve used them without incident.
Returning to your original question, the US imposed a trade embargo on Cuban goods, including cigars, after Castro overthrew the country’s government. Obama somewhat loosened those restrictions (including on cigars), but many trade restrictions remain strict.
As a passionate cigar smoker, I have tried cigars from Cuba, Nicaragua, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and the US. Although there are many wonderful cigars from other countries, Cuban cigars are excellent. To be honest, if I could only smoke cigars made in one nation, I would pick Nicaraguans over Cubans.
Cuban Cigars Is Uncommon In The US
The only cigars that were legal up until recently were those that were manufactured before sanctions started in 1961.
Currently, it is legal to bring them into the US for personal use only; however, it is still prohibited to purchase and sell cigars manufactured after 1961 in the country.
Therefore, the price is high to cover the higher risk of legal action for dealing in them, just like with any product that is restricted.
How To Buy Cuban Cigars In The US?
The only legal method I am aware of is to leave the US and travel to Mexico, Canada, or any other country, where you can purchase them and bring them back into the US. There might be a cap on how many you can bring back, though.
A significant problem is, incidentally, fake Cuban cigars. You can learn more about how difficult it can be to distinguish between genuine and fake by doing an Internet search. Even in Cuba, people sell fake Cubans (which may or may not be made domestically, but not by the company that is listed on the label).
How Many Cigars Am I Allowed To Import From Cuba?
Many of my friends have asked me this. Then I inquire as to how they intend to travel to Cuba. If you’re a US citizen, the majority of travel is severely restricted. The US Treasury Department discourages financial transactions in Cuba. Sure, you could get to Cuba through countries like Mexico, but the answer to the above question is “zero.” No cigars.
Why Do I Think I Can Bring Cuban Cigars To The US?
You probably remember the late 2014 start of President Barack Obama’s opening policy toward Cuba with some glee. A constrained selection of Cuban products, including cigars, were permitted for import in 2015. I’ll say it again: it’s illegal to import Cuban cigars into the US. Period.
What To Buy
Continue to stick with the top brands and only purchase from reliable sources, despite the fact that there are persistent quality control issues with Cuban cigars, which occasionally are rolled too tightly, have plugs, or are under-filled. Here are our suggestions for the best that Cuba currently has to offer, assuming you can find them.
Trinidad
As Fidel Castro’s VIP cigar, the Trinidad brand, with its distinctive pigtailed cap, debuted in 1996 to replace the Cohiba, which started being sold to the general public in 1982. Today the medium-full-flavored Trinidad remains Havana’s top-of-the-line, although their scarcity practically make them a “ghost” cigar. If you do manage to find some, you’ll almost certainly pay more.
Cohiba
Cohibas are still among the cigars that are most frequently imitated, so only get them from reputable vendors. With its 54 and 56 ring gauges, the full-powered, large-ringed Behike is an expensive smoke that is still worth purchasing for the sake of bragging rights, but it is now essentially extinct. The Cohiba Robusto Reserva is another rarity; while we typically don’t quote prices due to the erratic market for Cuban cigars, it’s safe to assume that these typically cost more than $100 per stick. It comes in just one size, a 4 7/8 x 50 Robusto, and is made from the finest three-year-old tobaccos. Only 500 uniquely numbered boxes were made available. Try the Siglo VI if you’re looking for something milder (and noticeably less expensive). And keep an eye out for the eagerly anticipated pig-tailed 5 7/8 x 57 Cohiba 55 Aniversario Edición Limitada, which was supposed to be released in 2021 but is now allegedly going to appear soon. Once more, expect to pay a premium.
Montecristo
Although we’ve had some genuine Montecristo cigars in the past that were too tightly rolled, this one is still one of our all-time favorites because of its rich, medium-strength flavor. We have a propensity to choose No. 2 Pirámide is extremely difficult to counterfeit because of its shape, but the smaller No. 4, a 42 x 5 1/8 petit corona, one of the best selling cigars in the world. The 4 7/8 by 54 Wide Edmundo, a much-anticipated cigar that was supposed to be released in 2021, is one that we haven’t yet seen.
Partagás
Any size of this porterhouse steak is smoked with Napa Cabernet. In addition to the well-liked but now-rare Serie D No.4 Robusto (the slightly shorter Serie D No.5 might be easier to find), another favorite of ours is the 6 ¼ x 47 Presidente figurado, with its simple-to-light pinched foot and simple-to-clip Perfecto cap.
Romeo Y Julieta
Another consistently good cigar, this one is great for when you’re in a rut and don’t know what to light up. It works best with a Gray Whale or Sipsmith Gin Martini (extra dry, with an olive on the side), or a Macallan 15 Years Old Double Cask. We recently switched from the smaller-ringed 5 x 55 Wide Churchill Robusto to the Short Churchill. It not only offers a slightly fuller flavor, but also seems to be more physically appropriate for the namesake of the shapes.
H. Upmann
This mild smoke, which is another excellent medium-strength cigar, has just the right amount of earthiness to be enjoyed in the late afternoon or early evening. You might still be able to find many of the older sizes of H, even though Habanos S.A. had just begun to increase its production and distribution with special releases before the pandemic. Upmann in the Casa del Habano stores.
Hoyo De Monterrey
Don’t believe the common misconception that all Cuban cigars are powerful. However, the strength of this brand will vary depending on the shape. Consider smoking a cigar while enjoying an Irish whiskey. Try a Powers Three Swallow or the slightly more difficult Lost Irish with an Epicure Especial 5 x ½ Robusto.
Cuban Cigars In The UK
Luckily for cigar smokers in the UK residents should find it relatively simple to obtain a Cuban cigarette. Hunters & Frankau import and distribute Cuban cigars to cigar shops in the UK. They also assist in inspecting the received goods to make sure they are of a caliber that is suitable for sale.
Conclusion
Many thanks for reading.
