Europe is a misunderstood cigar market. When I talk to people about Europe and the Inter-tabac trade show that takes place every September, I hear constantly about how it’s a market for coronas and panatelas; milder cigars; and Cubans; and Davidoffs. There is no question that Cubans cigars, Davidoffs and small ring gauge cigars sell well in Europe—probably in at least one comparison, each better than they sell in the U.S. But make no mistake, full-bodied large ring gauge cigars sell, they sell well. If you need an obvious example, it’s at lunch, day one. Tony Gomez of La Flor Dominicana is sitting across from me, discussing this very subject, telling me how La Flor Dominicana—a company that probably best represents strong cigars in larger ring gauges—doesn’t change its portfolio for Europe. Diggers—and Digger ashtrays—are on display, Capitulo II, the latest strong cigar from the younger Gomez, is available, as are the company’s Ligero, Double Ligero and Air Bender lines. La Flor Dominicana is La Flor Dominicana; it doesn’t matter if it’s the U.S. or the U.K. or the former Yugoslavia. In fact, the European trade show, which took place Sept. 19-21 in Dortmund, Germany, sounds very familiar to the ...
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