Raúl Castro has resigned as First Secretary of the Communist Party in Cuba. The resignation marks the end of a 62-year era where either Raúl or his brother, Fidel Castro were in control. In 2018, Raúl Castro opted to not seek another term as President of Cuba and was succeeded by Miguel Díaz-Canel, but had […]
The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) amended the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR) to further implement sanctions on Cuba. The changes now ban importing Cuba-origin tobacco and alcohol products including premium cigars and rum from visitors. Other changes include restrictions on lodging at certain properties in Cuba owned by the […]
The Treasury and Commerce Department of the Trump Administration announced further sanctions on Cuba. These sanctions include further travel restrictions with the elimination of some non-family travel including what was one of the most common categories cigar tourists would go to Cuba under – Group People to People Educational Travel. Previously the US Department of Treasury’s […]
National Security Advisor John Bolton gave a speech this past Friday where he announced a series of restrictions and crackdowns against Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, three countries he has referred to as the “the troika of tyranny.” Most prominent are plans to further roll back some of the Obama directives loosened on travel and conducting […]
Simon Chase, known as one of the world’s most foremost experts in Cuban Cigars, has passed away following a long illness. He was 74 years old. Born April 19, 1944, Chase joined Hunters & Frankau in 1977. a United Kingdom-based importer and distribution company where he had a 35-year career as a director. He earned a […]
It’s a reunion as Coop is reunited with his former partner-in-crime Nick Syris for Special Edition #49. Nick will join Coop and Bear to talk about his brand LH Cigars as well as the XXI Festival del Habano that took place in Cuba. There are few outsiders who know the lay of the land when […]
Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermudez is the new President of Cuba. Yesterday Cuba’s National Assembly announced that Díaz-Canel had been approved as the sole candidate for President. Díaz-Canel succeeds Raúl Castro, who was not seeking a second term. It marks the first time since 1976 that a Castro has not held the title of President. While Raúl […]
Editor’s Note: This is the first year we are providing coverage from the annual Festival Del Habano that takes place in Havana, Cuba, This year, we worked with Nick Syris, who was my longtime co-host on the Smooth Draws Radio Show. Nick was on the ground in Havana at the festival and worked with me […]
At the XX Habanos Festival in Havana Cuba, Habanos S.A. launched the San Cristóbal de La Habana Prado. It is an exclusive vitola of the San Cristóbal de La Habana line that will be given to La Casa del Habano and Habanos Specialist retailers. The San Cristóbal de La Habana Prado is a Petit Pirámides […]
At the XX Habanos Festival in Havana Cuba, Habanos SA launched a pair of cigars to be exclusive to its La Casa del Habano retail establishments. One of those cigars is a new offering under the H. Upmann brand known as the Hoyo de Monterrey Escogidos. The Hoyo de Monterrey Escogidos is a 180mm x 49 […]
