April 23, 2007

Caribbean | Cuba

Hecho en Cuba

By Charis Atlas Heelan

You can wait for Cuba to open up, or get a taste of Havana now.

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Strictly law-abiding U.S. citizens, pass by to the next post. For those who are partial to Cuba’s most prolific export, rejoice: Habanos — the state gatekeepers of every cigar brand from Partagas to Romeo y Julieta — have introduced two new lines of specially aged cigars. Make room in the humidor for Cohiba’s latest capa maduro (dark wrapper), the five-year aged Maduro 5; and the Reserva de Montecristo, a new cousin to the signature Montecristo No. 4 (over one billion sold). Sure, Habanas may be the tobacco monopoly that controls every facet of promotion, distribution and franchising of Cuban cigars worldwide (120 countries, excluding the U.S.). But remember, the quality of their products are born from what they call “a mystical union of four elements” — soil, black tobacco, climate and “wisdom.”