You are here:

Cigars/Vintage cuban cigars

Advertisement

Expert: - 1/21/2009


Question
Hello...

Why is it that most vintage cuban cigars that are for sale come from the years 2000 and 2001?  I've heard that some people prefer to not purchase cigars from 1999 and 2000, but I've always wondered why.

Thanks.

--Mike

Answer
Hi Mike,

It's really a matter of opinion.  Some people do prefer not to purchase cigars from a certain year but other people will purchase vintage cigars regardless of year.  As for why they prefer not to buy cigars from a certain year, there could be one or several different reasons.  The most common reason could be that the tobacco used in that year was from a poor or bad crop.  It's also possible that the quality of the cigars from a certain year were low-quality in construction and/or appearance which makes them less desirable to collectors.  From a collector standpoint, cigars that were in limited production in a certain year may be highly collectible compared to other cigars.  Word of mouth is also an important factor.  For example, if a reputable cigar magazine or website states that a certain cigar from a certain year is the best cigar ever made and has high review points, many collectors and smokers will buy that cigar from that year.  This creates a supply and demand effect which could explain why some people prefer to only buy cigars from certain years.

Hope this answers your question. If you have any more questions, please feel to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James

Cigars

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

James Yee

Expertise

My main area of expertise is Cuban cigars but I can also assist you with cigar etiquette, humidor maintenance and troubleshooting. Unsure of a certain cigar brand? Wondering what a certain cigar tastes like? Have any questions about Cuban cigars? Just let me know! I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. (NOTE: My main focus is on premium, hand-rolled cigars and not cheap, machine made, convenience store cigars.) IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE CIGAR OR CIGAR-RELATED APPRAISALS. If you have a vintage cigar item and you want to know if it's worth something, please contact an antique dealer that specializes in "TOBACCIANA".

Experience

I currently have 19 dedicated years of cigar smoking and counting. I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. For 5 years, I studied with Cuban torcedores (rollers), catadores (taste testers) and revisadores (inspectors) on every aspect involving the production of the Cuban cigar and I am currently writing a book that will help beginners understand everything they need to know about cigars and cigar smoking.

Publications
Maple Leaf Gardens: Memories & Dreams 1931-1999 (1999; ISBN: 0920445616)
50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do (2006; ISBN: 0452286654)
The [London] Times (October 8, 2009)


Education/Credentials
B.A. University of Toronto

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.