Last weekend, on Saturday September 10, we threw our official release party for Tosa Cigars. We had a little under 60 RSVPs, and almost 100 people showed up! It was beyond amazing, and I promise pictures and interviews from the event are to come. But the event told me something that I had always assumed, but never really 100% knew, and that is that enjoying cigars is something that more people thank you would expect appreciate.
Part of the excitement was the arrival of Bruce Lewis, of Torano Family Cigar Company, to Cleveland to specifically attend the event and to talk with me about the future of Tosa Cigars. Bruce has always been extremely kind through emails and on phone calls, but he is even better in person. And his tobacco knowledge and palate are unbelievable. We smoked so many different cigars, with him pointing out different things I was tasting and feeling that I had never been able to pick out during a cigar before.
But above all that, the real enjoyment was seeing all these different people smoking something that I spent almost a year blending and really enjoying it. There was great food, great drinks, but most of all great cigars. And it was a preview of things to come for the future of Tosa Cigars, in respects to where the brand is moving, and even in terms of future events we will be hosting at shops. So if you couldn't make it to the release party, be sure to look out for an event at a local store near you!
Friday, September 16, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
Up and Coming Cigar Leadership in Ohio
When people ask me what state our company is based out of, they are extremely surprised to hear "Ohio." And then when they remember that there is a pretty die-hard cigar community in Cincinnati, they are even more surprised to hear that we aren't out of Cincinnati, but in fact Cleveland. But I think things are about to change in terms of people hearing more about the Ohio cigar scene now than before. Take for example our start: Many people consider us the first cigar manufacturers to come from Ohio. Now, this could be up for debate but there is no doubt we are the first to be getting to the scale that we are aiming for, and that we have achieved. The national recognition we are garnering has not been seen by any other cigar company in Ohio, and that is something we are very proud of.
Next, you have Cigar Explorer, which is a Columbus based cigar production company that reviews cigars, covers events, covers cigar news, from companies and shops all over the country. But their base is in Columbus and they have come a very long way in their year of operation. And they are only growing in size of and coverage, and it seems everyone you talk to knows about Dan Reeve and Mario Takeyama.
Next, you have New Havana Cigars, with Dan Welsh being the forefront of that one. Also based out of Columbus, this is a shop that boasts one of the most sought-after collections of cigars, often getting sticks that are considered nearly impossible to obtain. But Dan has secured himself as an extremely respected nationwide cigar enthusiast, but his base is again in Columbus.
And lastly, you have Cigars In Review Magazine, based in Northeast Ohio. This magazine, run by Joe Baker, Tony Bellatto, and a host of others in Ohio is a free magazine given to shop owners all around the country with pieces ranging from interviews with Charlie Torano, to articles by Glynn Loope. And recently at the IPCPR Trade Show, they had every bag contain an issue of Cigars In Review. So to say that this year-old magazine has come a long way in recent months is a gross understatement.
But you can't just leave it at that. There are a whole host of shop owners and managers that have had considerable clout in the cigar industry, one in particular whose name I would normally mention, but he might kill me if I did that :). I am not saying we are the official Mecca of the cigar industry, and I am not saying we sport the most brilliant cigar aficionados around, but we are creating a name for ourselves here and all around the country. Stay tuned in the coming days, weeks, months, and years and you will see Ohio as one of the focal points of the cigar industry.
Mike
Next, you have Cigar Explorer, which is a Columbus based cigar production company that reviews cigars, covers events, covers cigar news, from companies and shops all over the country. But their base is in Columbus and they have come a very long way in their year of operation. And they are only growing in size of and coverage, and it seems everyone you talk to knows about Dan Reeve and Mario Takeyama.
Next, you have New Havana Cigars, with Dan Welsh being the forefront of that one. Also based out of Columbus, this is a shop that boasts one of the most sought-after collections of cigars, often getting sticks that are considered nearly impossible to obtain. But Dan has secured himself as an extremely respected nationwide cigar enthusiast, but his base is again in Columbus.
And lastly, you have Cigars In Review Magazine, based in Northeast Ohio. This magazine, run by Joe Baker, Tony Bellatto, and a host of others in Ohio is a free magazine given to shop owners all around the country with pieces ranging from interviews with Charlie Torano, to articles by Glynn Loope. And recently at the IPCPR Trade Show, they had every bag contain an issue of Cigars In Review. So to say that this year-old magazine has come a long way in recent months is a gross understatement.
But you can't just leave it at that. There are a whole host of shop owners and managers that have had considerable clout in the cigar industry, one in particular whose name I would normally mention, but he might kill me if I did that :). I am not saying we are the official Mecca of the cigar industry, and I am not saying we sport the most brilliant cigar aficionados around, but we are creating a name for ourselves here and all around the country. Stay tuned in the coming days, weeks, months, and years and you will see Ohio as one of the focal points of the cigar industry.
Mike
Friday, August 19, 2011
Independence Smoke Club
Wednesday, August 17, we had an event with the Independence Smoke Club at a bar/restaurant in Parma, OH called the Tradesman. First thing's first, the front was a massive patio with beautiful brick layouts and large 10 foot gates guarding the entrances. When you walk into the patio, there is a covered area with the bar and TVs, where patrons would sit around, grab a drink, and watch the Indians game, while the rest is an open area with seating all over the place and a cornhole set for those wanting to enjoy a nice toss.
But enough of the scenery, let's talk about how the event went: Amazing. We had a great time, with about 30-40 people showing up, trying some samples, and then buying a few sticks to enjoy later on! Everyone was wonderful too, they all wanted to sit and talk to me about the whole process behind starting the brand with the blending to figuring out what would possibly get a 22 year old into the cigar industry. But that was an easy answer, with me just asking them right back "Why are you here right now? Clearly it is not because you hate cigars. The same answer just led me to try and make it my life."
The early reception of our brand has been incredible to say the least. I am very proud of the blend we have and I am looking forward to working on the next one with hopes of having two blends at our booth at next year's trade show. But there is still plenty of work to be done and the hard part is not even close to being done yet. These events are an incredible help though. We got picked up in two more Cleveland shops just because the owner/manager was at the event and liked what they saw!
Things are going great, and we couldn't ask for much more.
But enough of the scenery, let's talk about how the event went: Amazing. We had a great time, with about 30-40 people showing up, trying some samples, and then buying a few sticks to enjoy later on! Everyone was wonderful too, they all wanted to sit and talk to me about the whole process behind starting the brand with the blending to figuring out what would possibly get a 22 year old into the cigar industry. But that was an easy answer, with me just asking them right back "Why are you here right now? Clearly it is not because you hate cigars. The same answer just led me to try and make it my life."
The early reception of our brand has been incredible to say the least. I am very proud of the blend we have and I am looking forward to working on the next one with hopes of having two blends at our booth at next year's trade show. But there is still plenty of work to be done and the hard part is not even close to being done yet. These events are an incredible help though. We got picked up in two more Cleveland shops just because the owner/manager was at the event and liked what they saw!
Things are going great, and we couldn't ask for much more.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Early Shop Visits
Going to new shops is a LOT of fun. You meet the owners, you meet the usual customers, you meet the random customers that no one knows. You walk in, completely intimidated at first because people know you're not a regular, or they know you're there to sell something. But you get through it and you get comfortable and one way or another, you're either going to walk out of there with an order or you're not. And that kind of takes the stress off of it, because what is the worst they say? No?
The first few shops I visited this week since the cigars arrived, I was pretty nervous. But I got over it after the third or fourth one. Some of them want to sit there and chat with you about life, business, the direction of the cigar industry and the different things the states and feds are doing to help or hinder it. Others just want you to drop the cigars off and basically get the Hell out and call back when they've had a chance to smoke them.
I have no doubt that there are going to be shops that welcome us with open arms. I also have no doubt, and have already experienced, a shop wanting absolutely NOTHING to do with you. But it's all a numbers game. So many shops out of so many shop calls and visits will take the cigar. And so many customers out of so many that try the cigar will like it. We're in this for the long haul, so I have no reason to doubt that I will grow a following and be in this business for many years to come.
Mike
The first few shops I visited this week since the cigars arrived, I was pretty nervous. But I got over it after the third or fourth one. Some of them want to sit there and chat with you about life, business, the direction of the cigar industry and the different things the states and feds are doing to help or hinder it. Others just want you to drop the cigars off and basically get the Hell out and call back when they've had a chance to smoke them.
I have no doubt that there are going to be shops that welcome us with open arms. I also have no doubt, and have already experienced, a shop wanting absolutely NOTHING to do with you. But it's all a numbers game. So many shops out of so many shop calls and visits will take the cigar. And so many customers out of so many that try the cigar will like it. We're in this for the long haul, so I have no reason to doubt that I will grow a following and be in this business for many years to come.
Mike
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Keep Fighting, New York Tobacconists!
Last week was a wild week when it came to cigar legislation. One of the worst states in the country, if not the worst state in the country (in terms of smoking and tobacco laws) almost managed to pass a cap on their cigar tax at $1.00. Early in the week, it made it through the New York State Senate and the rest of the country held their breaths and though "Is this actually going to happen?" And then it went to the General Assembly, with all the momentum in the world... And the General Assembly went on recess. The General Assembly ignored all their responsibilities, all of their duties, all of their constituents and the potential fatal future of many cigar shops and decided, instead, to go on recess.
The good news is, the fight isn't over yet. The bill can still be debated and set up for a vote when they come back from the recess, but cigar retailers are now forced to sit and wait longer. To sit there and question whether they should just give up and close shop, or hope that some sense is knocked into that state's legislatures when they come back from their recess. The good news it, we are more organized than ever right now throughout the country, and the whole country wants to see New York succeed in passing this cap because the rest of the states need hope that they will not be in the same position as New York is in. But with the ever expanding reach and influence of Glynn Loope and Cigar Rights of America, the cigar industry's organization is better than ever. And it is made up of people who refuse to lose this fight for traditional liberties.
It's funny, yesterday was July 4th and I was watching the John Adams miniseries on HBO, and Paul Giamatti (who played John Adams) was constantly with a cigar in hand. It made me wonder, what would John Adams and the other Founding Fathers say today if they could see the direction our country has taken in terms of standard rights such as smoking? What would he say if while traveling through New York City right after the revolution, a soldier came up to him and told him he had to put his cigar out? And what if he were warned of the health risks of cigar smoking every single day he lit one up by those around him? Maybe he would point to his 91 years of life and ask them to explain that one to him. This July 4th season, let's remember some of our basic liberties, ones that many people don't even pay attention to, and just think about what we can do to bring these back, in all ways big or small.
Mike
The good news is, the fight isn't over yet. The bill can still be debated and set up for a vote when they come back from the recess, but cigar retailers are now forced to sit and wait longer. To sit there and question whether they should just give up and close shop, or hope that some sense is knocked into that state's legislatures when they come back from their recess. The good news it, we are more organized than ever right now throughout the country, and the whole country wants to see New York succeed in passing this cap because the rest of the states need hope that they will not be in the same position as New York is in. But with the ever expanding reach and influence of Glynn Loope and Cigar Rights of America, the cigar industry's organization is better than ever. And it is made up of people who refuse to lose this fight for traditional liberties.
It's funny, yesterday was July 4th and I was watching the John Adams miniseries on HBO, and Paul Giamatti (who played John Adams) was constantly with a cigar in hand. It made me wonder, what would John Adams and the other Founding Fathers say today if they could see the direction our country has taken in terms of standard rights such as smoking? What would he say if while traveling through New York City right after the revolution, a soldier came up to him and told him he had to put his cigar out? And what if he were warned of the health risks of cigar smoking every single day he lit one up by those around him? Maybe he would point to his 91 years of life and ask them to explain that one to him. This July 4th season, let's remember some of our basic liberties, ones that many people don't even pay attention to, and just think about what we can do to bring these back, in all ways big or small.
Mike
Monday, June 20, 2011
Some hopeful news out of Columbus
So the other day, I read about the New York legislature's move toward a cigar tax cap. Now, if you keep up with cigar politics at all, you would know that New York's cigar tax is not only egregious, it is irresponsible on the part of the legislature. At 75%, the tax helps to more than double the price of a cigar, once other taxes and profits and factored in. But finally, someone in that state has stood up and basically said "Enough is enough," and that person deserves to be recognized as a Freedom Fighter for cigar rights.
Anyways, once I read about this, I began to think about my own state's OTP tax, and although it may not be too high right now (Ohio has a 17% OTP tax), the risk of it rising is not something that I wanted to sit and wait around for. So I contacted some people in Columbus to see if we could talk about introducing our own cigar tax cap legislation for the State of Ohio, and the behind-the-scenes response has been incredible to say the least. People really understand where I am coming from and they really want to help to save small retailers in Ohio.
Obviously it is extremely early in the game to get too excited about the potential outcome of these preliminary discussions. But with a little effort, the correct timing of the political landscape of the state, and some luck as well, I think this can be something that we pull off in Ohio, and something that other states begin to copy and pull off themselves! After all, it wasn't until I read about New York's early successes (And that fight is far from over) that I thought to maybe try and do something like that in my own state. This is how these things get done, all it takes is a sound argument and persistence and you can convince anybody to do anything!
Mike
Anyways, once I read about this, I began to think about my own state's OTP tax, and although it may not be too high right now (Ohio has a 17% OTP tax), the risk of it rising is not something that I wanted to sit and wait around for. So I contacted some people in Columbus to see if we could talk about introducing our own cigar tax cap legislation for the State of Ohio, and the behind-the-scenes response has been incredible to say the least. People really understand where I am coming from and they really want to help to save small retailers in Ohio.
Obviously it is extremely early in the game to get too excited about the potential outcome of these preliminary discussions. But with a little effort, the correct timing of the political landscape of the state, and some luck as well, I think this can be something that we pull off in Ohio, and something that other states begin to copy and pull off themselves! After all, it wasn't until I read about New York's early successes (And that fight is far from over) that I thought to maybe try and do something like that in my own state. This is how these things get done, all it takes is a sound argument and persistence and you can convince anybody to do anything!
Mike
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Cigars Are In!
Last night, I received one of the greatest packages of my life, and that was a small bundle of our cigars a couple weeks early. They are not packaged, nor do they have bands on them, but that doesn't make a difference in the way they are smoked! And I must say, and this may be me being biased but I'd like to think I am being completely forthcoming, they are extremely good and better than I remember.
We had a bit of a push back on the arrival because of some moisture issues. Apparently, the humidity in the Dominican Republic was at extremes the past few weeks, so the moisture during the aging process was taking a little slower to leave the cigars. But now they are fine and ready for consumption! I just had one about an hour ago, and it burned so evenly and I had no troubles keeping it lit, that you wouldn't think there was ever a moisture issue!
Look for the official release to be within the next week or two. They are being packaged next week and then shipped out, going through customs then making their way up to Cleveland. Plenty of shops in Northeast Ohio have already put in their orders, and we are accepting orders from all shops all over the country now! So if you are interested in carrying the brand, be sure to contact us via Twitter, Facebook, or even my email, which is below. Thanks for all the support and we look forward to officially entering an amazing industry!
Mike
mike@crossroads-group.com (It is not the cigar email, but this is the best one to reach me at.)
We had a bit of a push back on the arrival because of some moisture issues. Apparently, the humidity in the Dominican Republic was at extremes the past few weeks, so the moisture during the aging process was taking a little slower to leave the cigars. But now they are fine and ready for consumption! I just had one about an hour ago, and it burned so evenly and I had no troubles keeping it lit, that you wouldn't think there was ever a moisture issue!
Look for the official release to be within the next week or two. They are being packaged next week and then shipped out, going through customs then making their way up to Cleveland. Plenty of shops in Northeast Ohio have already put in their orders, and we are accepting orders from all shops all over the country now! So if you are interested in carrying the brand, be sure to contact us via Twitter, Facebook, or even my email, which is below. Thanks for all the support and we look forward to officially entering an amazing industry!
Mike
mike@crossroads-group.com (It is not the cigar email, but this is the best one to reach me at.)
Friday, June 3, 2011
Cigar Caucus of Ohio
Recently, I went to my state's capital of Columbus to meet with some lobbyists fronting a movement for better cigar rights in Ohio, as well as going to the official cocktail mixer for the beginning of the Cigar Caucus. I did not go as a representative from Tosa Cigars so much as I went as a CRA Ambassador trying to see what all I can do to help, and to be honest it seems that things are well on their way to running smoothly over there.
The reason this is so important is because it is a groundwork and a base for something that may not be completely necessary now, given the political climate in Columbus, but if we wait until it is needed, it may be too late. Right now, pretty much the entire make-up of Columbus politics is fairly conservative, pretty much across the board. When it comes to issues that these legislature and executives pass and sign-off on, the only real concern is taxes, which conservatives are extremely hesitant to ever raise. So for now, the issue of the OTP tax going up is not of major concern right now, but who knows what the climate will be like in 4 years?
That is why it is important to get involved now. If we have a grassroots effort and a base in the legislature of every state when the climate is friendly, it gives us an opportunity to get organized and test the waters with different ideas first, where a misstep would be less catastrophic. If we wait for a more liberal interpretation of research and laws from people who are less friendly to the smokers' rights movement, then we run the risk of making some inevitable early mistakes that could prove to be detrimental. That is why every state and every cigar smoker in those states needs to organize now, especially if the climate is friendly, because this is the time to make friends in high places to challenge any bill or state constitutional amendment up on ballot.
I know most people will read this and talk about how right I am and how much they agree, but won't actually do anything. I will give up all my dignity and actually beg this not be the normal course of action for everyone. We can only say so much and support others so much with words, it's what we actually do to help people and causes that make some sort of difference. We are in an industry that is likened to the deepest circles of Hell, and we have very few friends that are willing to actually stand up for us. We need all the help we can get.
Mike
The reason this is so important is because it is a groundwork and a base for something that may not be completely necessary now, given the political climate in Columbus, but if we wait until it is needed, it may be too late. Right now, pretty much the entire make-up of Columbus politics is fairly conservative, pretty much across the board. When it comes to issues that these legislature and executives pass and sign-off on, the only real concern is taxes, which conservatives are extremely hesitant to ever raise. So for now, the issue of the OTP tax going up is not of major concern right now, but who knows what the climate will be like in 4 years?
That is why it is important to get involved now. If we have a grassroots effort and a base in the legislature of every state when the climate is friendly, it gives us an opportunity to get organized and test the waters with different ideas first, where a misstep would be less catastrophic. If we wait for a more liberal interpretation of research and laws from people who are less friendly to the smokers' rights movement, then we run the risk of making some inevitable early mistakes that could prove to be detrimental. That is why every state and every cigar smoker in those states needs to organize now, especially if the climate is friendly, because this is the time to make friends in high places to challenge any bill or state constitutional amendment up on ballot.
I know most people will read this and talk about how right I am and how much they agree, but won't actually do anything. I will give up all my dignity and actually beg this not be the normal course of action for everyone. We can only say so much and support others so much with words, it's what we actually do to help people and causes that make some sort of difference. We are in an industry that is likened to the deepest circles of Hell, and we have very few friends that are willing to actually stand up for us. We need all the help we can get.
Mike
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
God Bless New York City Smokers
Recently, as many of us know, the outdoor smoking ban passed by the City of New York awhile back finally took effect. And the response by many cigar companies, cigar rights advocates, and cigar consumers could not have been better. Just yesterday, Cigar Rights of America teamed up with La Palina Cigars to host an event at a private park to protest the institution of the law. Many consumers and cigar rights advocates took time out of their work days to go and show their support for the everyday smoker and to show their disapproval of Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
I think the most important question is, what is honestly next? We are banning a substance that is legal under state and US laws each and every year more and more with the passage of extreme bills. Is there a risk when it comes to smoking? Absolutely. Is there some secondhand smoking risk? In extreme cases, sure. Are there more pressing issues and dangerous problems facing our politicians right now? I think the answer to that question is clearly yes. Every year, we hear about how certain aspects of secondhand smoke studies were flawed in some way, shape, or form. But elected officials continue to pass bills banning a substance that is legal and that is being attacked by flawed research. Who is to be held accountable?
Honestly, I think my biggest issue with this is the fact that cigars are lumped together with other forms of tobacco use. The cigar is more than just a tobacco product, to many it is an art form, a one-to-two hour escape from everyday life, a specific taste they appreciate, an aroma that you want to smell all the time, all of which are very different from other tobacco products. These smoking bans extend to all the different forms of smokeable tobacco, and that is only fair, but at least understand the differences between all of them. At least understand why people smoke cigars versus cigarettes, or pipes versus cigarettes, before you go lumping them all in as "Big Tobacco." This is stereotyping at its finest.
If we do not do something right now, we will see our right to smoke in any place, even our homes, completely taken away from us. The US and individual states around the country will successfully ban a legal substance as more and more of these smoking bans come around. Join Cigar Rights of America, talk to your local representatives, do something to show that there is more to cigar smoking than a bunch men sitting in a smoky back room plotting the takeover of the world. Show that the cigar smoker extends to all races, genders, religions, and even ages.
Mike
I think the most important question is, what is honestly next? We are banning a substance that is legal under state and US laws each and every year more and more with the passage of extreme bills. Is there a risk when it comes to smoking? Absolutely. Is there some secondhand smoking risk? In extreme cases, sure. Are there more pressing issues and dangerous problems facing our politicians right now? I think the answer to that question is clearly yes. Every year, we hear about how certain aspects of secondhand smoke studies were flawed in some way, shape, or form. But elected officials continue to pass bills banning a substance that is legal and that is being attacked by flawed research. Who is to be held accountable?
Honestly, I think my biggest issue with this is the fact that cigars are lumped together with other forms of tobacco use. The cigar is more than just a tobacco product, to many it is an art form, a one-to-two hour escape from everyday life, a specific taste they appreciate, an aroma that you want to smell all the time, all of which are very different from other tobacco products. These smoking bans extend to all the different forms of smokeable tobacco, and that is only fair, but at least understand the differences between all of them. At least understand why people smoke cigars versus cigarettes, or pipes versus cigarettes, before you go lumping them all in as "Big Tobacco." This is stereotyping at its finest.
If we do not do something right now, we will see our right to smoke in any place, even our homes, completely taken away from us. The US and individual states around the country will successfully ban a legal substance as more and more of these smoking bans come around. Join Cigar Rights of America, talk to your local representatives, do something to show that there is more to cigar smoking than a bunch men sitting in a smoky back room plotting the takeover of the world. Show that the cigar smoker extends to all races, genders, religions, and even ages.
Mike
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
The Peak of the 90s
A lot of people remember the days of the Cigar Boom back in the 1990s. A lot of people also take credit for the cigar boom, whether it be cigar companies, celebrities, or even cigar magazines. But a lot of people also often forget the lessons that came with the Cigar Boom and the bubble burst that destroyed so many boutique cigar companies. And this has begun to lead many people familiar with today's events and the events of the 90s to question whether or not we are heading in the same direction. But to me, it seems that although we may be heading in that direction, the same mistakes will not be made. After all, we're not the US government, we actually learn from our mistakes, right?
What killed the cigar industry in the 90s? I am sure there were plenty of things, but the main point was the high demand for quality product with such a limited supply. And with this, these new boutiques (and even larger companies) were paying obscene premiums for tobacco they used to get so cheaply. So when there was a shortage and prices were sky high, everyone was charging the same high price. However, once tobacco had aged enough and the supply of quality leaves came back, these prices plummeted and a lot of these companies that couldn't cut prices died in the process, killing a lot of the industry. But, although we saw many promising companies fail, we also saw a lot of better ones make it through and with them they brought many lessons.
The best lesson these owners and managers brought out of their experience during the Boom was that you must have supply and inventory, and lots of it. Now, you hear about fires burning hundreds of barrels of tobacco at a company's factory, only to think that they will suffer as a consequence. But through their experience from the 90s, they have enough tobacco to last them five or six years, and they have barrels scattered throughout many locations.
So are we seeing another Boom? Perhaps, but those in a position to avoid a bubble burst are taking great strides to ensure that we won't see another demise, and in my opinion, they are doing a wonderful job of preventing it.
Mike
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Cigar Aficionado Goes to Cuba
Last week, Gordon Mott and David Savona travelled to Cuba for the third time in the past year to take a look at the up-and-coming in Cuba, as well as to travel shop-to-shop and to explore factories. Both of these men are brilliant writers and I love reading their work, especially their blogs on CigarAficionado.com. And both men are extremely in favor of ending the Cuban embargo, saying that its use has been outdated for quite some years now. As there is no doubt that this is the case, I still believe that the embargo should remain in place until one key provision can be hammered out: Allow American based companies to go to Cuba, buy farms and factories, and begin creating their own Cuban cigars.
To lift the embargo now would most likely do nothing but allow a flood of Cuban cigars into the United States. The key issue, in my mind, is the future of non-Cuban cigar companies if the embargo were to be lifted without consideration on this matter. For example, right now all real Cuban cigars are created by the state, in state-owned factories. Granted, a lot of the tobacco used in these factories for your favorites like Montecristo, Partagas, or Punch, come from private tobacco farm owners in Cuba, but the actual end product is purely a Cuban government owned venture. In order to make the lifting of the embargo worth it for Americans consumers, as well as non-Cuban cigar producers, the same opportunity to create Cuban cigars would have to be given to non-government affiliated entities. Each day, as Raul Castro relaxes more and more, he is allowing more industries to go private, but that is for Cubans. A key part of any agreement to lift the embargo must be the Cuban government's lax attitude toward foreign investors. Only then will American consumers truly get the best Cuban cigars because of the extreme competition this would allow.
I am clearly no foreign policy expert, nor am I some sort of economist who knows the ways of "supply and demand," but I do know common sense, and common sense tells me that without this sort of provision, quality will go down, and non-Cuban cigar companies will suffer and fold. Cuban tobacco is arguably the best tobacco in the world, and for us Americans, it is extremely rare to come across, if we are ever able to at all. To lift this ban, you have to level the playing field so that private companies have the same opportunities to present Cuban tobacco to America as the Cuban government does. Only then will it truly be justified.
Mike
To lift the embargo now would most likely do nothing but allow a flood of Cuban cigars into the United States. The key issue, in my mind, is the future of non-Cuban cigar companies if the embargo were to be lifted without consideration on this matter. For example, right now all real Cuban cigars are created by the state, in state-owned factories. Granted, a lot of the tobacco used in these factories for your favorites like Montecristo, Partagas, or Punch, come from private tobacco farm owners in Cuba, but the actual end product is purely a Cuban government owned venture. In order to make the lifting of the embargo worth it for Americans consumers, as well as non-Cuban cigar producers, the same opportunity to create Cuban cigars would have to be given to non-government affiliated entities. Each day, as Raul Castro relaxes more and more, he is allowing more industries to go private, but that is for Cubans. A key part of any agreement to lift the embargo must be the Cuban government's lax attitude toward foreign investors. Only then will American consumers truly get the best Cuban cigars because of the extreme competition this would allow.
I am clearly no foreign policy expert, nor am I some sort of economist who knows the ways of "supply and demand," but I do know common sense, and common sense tells me that without this sort of provision, quality will go down, and non-Cuban cigar companies will suffer and fold. Cuban tobacco is arguably the best tobacco in the world, and for us Americans, it is extremely rare to come across, if we are ever able to at all. To lift this ban, you have to level the playing field so that private companies have the same opportunities to present Cuban tobacco to America as the Cuban government does. Only then will it truly be justified.
Mike
The Beginning
This is the beginning of the Tosa Cigars blogspot. And we would love to thank everyone for coming in and reading, commenting, thinking about what we say, and more importantly smoking cigars as often as you can. We are dedicated to a number of things in the cigar community. For one, we want to put out solid cigars, with great tobacco, and solid and affordable prices. And at the same time, we want to protect not just your right, but our right as well to smoke pretty much wherever we may want. We want to win the War on Tobacco that is being waged by politicians and others who think they know what is best for us.
Cigars are something that people often like to compare to other tobacco products, such as cigarettes. Now, I have never been one for the arts, but my appreciation has begun to build, and all I can say is that the major difference is the art of the cigar. The art in its creation, in its blending process, in how the individual wants to cut the tip of the cigars, or how the individual wants to light it. It is all purely an art. As the ash burns down to a third of the way, or sometimes to the halfway point of a cigar, it's a beautiful image to see that half smoked side versus the side that hasn't been smoked quite yet. But where is the art in a cigarette? Where is the admiration and the savor that comes with smoking a cigarette? A quick high, perhaps, but how do you compare the two?
There are plenty of health concerns to go around concerning the use of cigars and other tobacco products, but rest assured some of the biggest critics do not have the slightest credentials to be making the claims they do. Are there health risks with smoking too many cigars? Of course, just as I am sure there are health risks with eating only carrots your whole life. People need to do the research on their own and come to their own conclusions, and stop letting others decide for them.
Again, thank you for coming and reading our blog! We hope to write on tobacco, as well as the fight to save cigars, and anything else tobacco and cigar related we feel people would like to hear about. Take care, and be sure to try Tosa Cigars, a fresh take on classic!
Mike
Cigars are something that people often like to compare to other tobacco products, such as cigarettes. Now, I have never been one for the arts, but my appreciation has begun to build, and all I can say is that the major difference is the art of the cigar. The art in its creation, in its blending process, in how the individual wants to cut the tip of the cigars, or how the individual wants to light it. It is all purely an art. As the ash burns down to a third of the way, or sometimes to the halfway point of a cigar, it's a beautiful image to see that half smoked side versus the side that hasn't been smoked quite yet. But where is the art in a cigarette? Where is the admiration and the savor that comes with smoking a cigarette? A quick high, perhaps, but how do you compare the two?
There are plenty of health concerns to go around concerning the use of cigars and other tobacco products, but rest assured some of the biggest critics do not have the slightest credentials to be making the claims they do. Are there health risks with smoking too many cigars? Of course, just as I am sure there are health risks with eating only carrots your whole life. People need to do the research on their own and come to their own conclusions, and stop letting others decide for them.
Again, thank you for coming and reading our blog! We hope to write on tobacco, as well as the fight to save cigars, and anything else tobacco and cigar related we feel people would like to hear about. Take care, and be sure to try Tosa Cigars, a fresh take on classic!
Mike
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)