Pre Embargo Cigars

The term "Pre-Embargo Cigars" refers to cigars produced in Cuba, using exclusively Cuban tobacco, before February 3, 1962. This date marks when President John F. Kennedy signed Proclamation 3447, which banned all U.S. trade with Cuba.

A Glimpse into History

Pre-embargo cigars are the only Cuban cigars that U.S. citizens have been legally allowed to possess since the embargo. These cigars are incredibly rare and collectible, with a finite number left in existence, making them highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors.

Only a month after Kennedy's inauguration in February 1961, he sought recommendations for a “full embargo” against Cuba to undermine Fidel Castro’s regime. By then, the U.S. had already terminated exports to Cuba and cut imports of Cuban sugar under President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Secretary of State Dean Rusk noted that Cuban cigars would be significantly impacted by such an embargo, affecting U.S. consumers due to their unmatched quality.

The Presidential Stash

Kennedy, a well-known cigar aficionado, ensured he had a personal stash before signing the embargo. He dispatched his press secretary, Pierre Salinger, to acquire 1,200 of his favorite Cuban cigars, H. Upmann Petit Upmann, just before signing the directive banning all Cuban products.

The Trade Embargo

Kennedy’s full embargo on Cuba came as part of a broader strategy initially adopted by the Eisenhower administration. The aim was to bring about economic hardship to weaken Castro’s support among Cubans. The embargo included all Cuban goods, leading to significant changes in the U.S. cigar industry.

Impact on the Cigar Industry

While Cuban cigars became illegal in the U.S., cigars made from Cuban tobacco but rolled in other countries continued to be imported, causing frustration among U.S. manufacturers. Companies like Menendez, Garcia y Cia., which owned the H. Upmann and Montecristo brands, continued to roll cigars with Cuban tobacco in places like Spain’s Canary Islands.

Despite their efforts, the U.S. Treasury Department denied import licenses for these cigars. The rationale was that allowing such imports wouldn’t align with the embargo’s goal of depriving the Castro regime of foreign exchange.

The Legacy of Pre-Embargo Cigars

Sixty years later, the restrictions remain. The embargo continues to block the importation of cigars rolled in Cuba into the United States, as well as cigars made with Cuban tobacco elsewhere. These sanctions have been adjusted over time based on political shifts, but the ban on Cuban tobacco persists, causing "considerable inconvenience to United States consumers," as predicted by Dean Rusk.

Collectible Gems

Examples of pre-embargo cigars include Troya Siglo XX, Ramon Allones Trumps, and H. Upmann Coronas Inmensas. These cigars are not just smoking experiences but pieces of history, embodying a bygone era of cigar craftsmanship.