'Weird' UK only Non-cubans?

[misterbulgarin]

Why is it that there are certain brands which simply aren't available in the US? UK Retailers all have the same pool of non-cuban brands, while US have much more, but not the ones in the uk, the one's im talking about:

Charatan
La Rica
La Invicta
Don Ramos
Davila
Don Ramos
Don Tomas (The UK has a certain brand of Don Tomas)


Anyone know the reasonings behind this? UK Liscences or something?

[tippexx]

Why is it that there are certain brands which simply aren't available in the US? UK Retailers all have the same pool of non-cuban brands, while US have much more, but not the ones in the uk, the one's im talking about:

Charatan
La Rica
La Invicta
Don Ramos
Davila
Don Ramos
Don Tomas (The UK has a certain brand of Don Tomas)


Anyone know the reasonings behind this? UK Liscences or something?

I think it's just marketing .... plus a wee bit of 'passing-off' as those brand names are suspiciously close to some better known counterparts.

[Robert747]

Most of the cigars available in the US could, in theory, be imported into the UK (apart from where there are license issues). The problems are demand and price. The UK demand is for Havana's, although non-Cuban (New World) brands have a loyal following and show a real year on year growth. UK Duty on the weight of a cigar make price comparisons with the same cigar sold in the US and UK (for example Fuente) very uncomfortable!

Many of the brands in the UK will be exclusive to (or created by) the particular importer - allowing lower price chains and no comparisons with other markets.

I would like to see Gurkha cigars in the UK - but there does need to be some awareness and demand.

[jdawg]

Most of the cigars available in the US could, in theory, be imported into the UK (apart from where there are license issues). The problems are demand and price. The UK demand is for Havana's, although non-Cuban (New World) brands have a loyal following and show a real year on year growth. UK Duty on the weight of a cigar make price comparisons with the same cigar sold in the US and UK (for example Fuente) very uncomfortable!

Many of the brands in the UK will be exclusive to (or created by) the particular importer - allowing lower price chains and no comparisons with other markets.

I would like to see Gurkha cigars in the UK - but there does need to be some awareness and demand.

I think you hit the nail on the head, Robert!

[EugeneSax]

I'm sure there would be problems if anyone tried to sell NC versions of the famous CC brands over here & I've never seen (or at least noticed) them available. I wonder if these are the "licence issues" that Robert was referring to?

[Robert747]

I'm sure there would be problems if anyone tried to sell NC versions of the famous CC brands over here & I've never seen (or at least noticed) them available. I wonder if these are the "licence issues" that Robert was referring to?

Yes - that is the point. While we all enjoy Havana cigars there are so many New World cigars out there that deserve to be discovered. About 40% of the hand made cigars I smoke each year are not from Cuba, Santa Damiana was always a big favourite of mine but today Oliva is right near the top - but there are so many.