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BY JENNIFER GELFAND
If you’ve ever hoped
to see authentic Old
World cigar-making
up close, now is the
time. The window for
truly experiencing
the country known
for producing
legendary cigars
may be closing—in
more ways than one.
AS ANYONE WITH MORE
than a passing
interest in cigars knows, the pendulum has been swinging
back and forth for U.S.-Cuban relations in recent years.
The diplomatic relations restored with much fanfare
in 2014 were “canceled” earlier this year by President
Donald J. Trump, who dubbed the previous administra-
tion’s
policy a “completely one-sided deal with Cuba”
that had to go. Fortunately, that doesn’t mean the door
has shut for Americans looking to experience the coun-
try best known for its cigar-making tradition—or that it
ever really will. However, travel to the biggest island in
the Caribbean may become a lot more complicated.
The good news? First, while U.S. policy about trav-
el to Cuba has changed, those changes have yet to take
effect and will likely take many more months, if not lon-
ger, to be put into action. Second, rather than banning
travel to Cuba outright, the new policy tightens already-
existing conditions regarding who can travel and for
what purpose—which means Americans determined to
make their way to Cuba will probably still be able to find
a way to visit legally (See sidebar: “Know Before You
Go,” p. 50) long after they do come to pass.
Steeped in Cigar History
Still, if you’ve yearned to experience the island’s legend-
ary cigar-making culture up close and personal, now is
the time to make your travel plans, say veteran visitors.
“I’ve gone every year for four years now,” says David
Garofalo, founder and owner of Two Guys Cigars,
who says tourism is making an impact on both Havana
and cigar-making in Cuba. “It’s changed dramatically
during that time; every year you see more and more of
an American influence. If you really want to experience
Cuban cigar-making history and culture, the sooner you
can go, the better.”
For decades, Cuba stood still while time marched on.
That may be changing now, but recent travelers still
describe time capsule-style scenery: crumbling baroque