Cuban Cigar Prices Soar…ECC To The Rescue!
Some popular Cuban cigars now cost upwards of $280 each…but there are alternatives and the team at ECC is here to help you navigate on a budget!
(Cigar Aficionado - "Cuba Increases Prices Of Cohiba Behikes—Again")
Enthusiasts of Cuban cigars are dealing with the biggest price increase EVER. The last 12 months have seen prices of the Cohiba Behike 56 rise from the $30s per cigar to more than $280 (+ 800%). This is one of the most expensive cigars today but most Cohibas and Trinidads saw increases to around the $100 level.
Cigars remain one of the most popular items for visitors to bring home from their travels to Cuba. In the past, a visitor to Cuba could buy a nice selection of famous and well regarded cigars in the $5 to $12 range. Cohibas cost more and some brands like Por Larrañaga cost less.
Today, however, those $5-12 cigars cost something like $12-20. But there are still some Cuban cigars that have not been priced into the double digits. Here, I am going to offer some tips for those who can legally purchase Cuban cigars on your next visit.
TIP 1:
If you enjoy smaller size cigars, you are in luck. The best value Habanos are the small cigars.
One of the best is the mild but flavorful H. Upmann, Half Corona. This cigars has gained cult status since its release last decade.
There are several other small Habanos from the brands Ramon Allones and Bolivar which represent fantastic flavor and value today.
TIP 2:
Another option is custom-rolled cigars. These are generally in two categories; farm rolled and in-store demonstration cigars. Warning: not all custom-rolled cigars are good cigars, but they are special.
Farm rolled cigars are made by cigar rollers on a tobacco farm. In the best cases, these demonstrate the unique flavors of the farm they come from.
In-store demonstration cigars are rolled inside cigar stores. These are made with the same tobaccos that go into Habanos*. If the roller is highly skilled, these can be great cigars.
Custom cigars vary in price between $5 and $12 generally.
* Definition: Habanos - when people say, Habanos, they are referring to either the company Habanos S.A. which is the global marketer and exporter of all official Cuban cigars or they are referring to the branded cigars that come from Cuba (ie Habanos). Most Cuban cigars are Habanos but the home-made or demonstration cigars that are not branded, are not Habanos.
Due to worldwide demand being high, Habanos has decided to raise the prices of these cigars. While painful, the cigars are still selling well. A decrease in tobacco output due to hurricanes and other factors affecting farms has decreased the quantity of cigars that Cuba has been able to produce in recent years. Could this low supply and high demand explain the current pricing of Cohiba Behike? Probably.
(Cigar Aficionado - "Cuba Faces Smallest Tobacco Crop In History")
Going forward, ECC is working on a guide to the best places to shop and which cigars to choose.
For now, the best thing to do is put your boots on the ground and look for the deals that remain. One thing that has remained constant in our 20+ years of visiting Cuba: prices only rise.
Join ECC for a future trip to Cuba and we would be pleased to help you navigate the best cigars for you on your specific budget. Experience Cuban Culture for yourself!