John F. Kennedy's Cigar: The Embargo and JFK's Last Purchase

John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, is often associated with many historic decisions. Among them, the signing of the Cuba embargo in 1962 is one of the most famous. This embargo banned the importation of all Cuban products, including the famous Cuban cigars, highly prized by cigar lovers around the world. What many don’t know is that Kennedy orchestrated a strategic purchase of Cuban cigars just before signing the embargo. This article tells the fascinating story of this event and its lasting impact on the cigar industry.

1. Political and Economic Context In 1962, tensions between the United States and Cuba were at their peak. The Cuban Revolution, led by Fidel Castro, had transformed Cuba into a communist state, aligned with the Soviet Union. Faced with this growing threat just 150 kilometers off the American coast, Kennedy had to take steps to weaken the Castro regime and protect U.S. interests.

The embargo on Cuban products was part of this strategy. By banning Cuban imports, Kennedy hoped to suffocate the Cuban economy and reduce the popularity of the Castro regime. However, Kennedy, himself a Cuban cigar enthusiast, knew that the ban would also affect his own habits.

2. The Strategic Cigar Purchase Shortly before signing the embargo, Kennedy gave a discreet instruction to his press secretary, Pierre Salinger: he was to acquire as many Cuban cigars as possible before the embargo went into effect. Salinger, who shared Kennedy's love of cigars, understood the urgency of the situation. In one night, he managed to purchase 1,200 Cuban cigars of the H. Upmann brand, one of Kennedy's favorites.

This gesture was both pragmatic and symbolic. Pragmatic, because Kennedy was ensuring that he had a personal supply of Cuban cigars before they were no longer available in the United States. Symbolic, because it showed the importance Kennedy placed on personal pleasures, even in the midst of crucial political decisions.

3. The Impact of the Cuban Cigar Embargo The embargo had profound and lasting consequences on the cigar industry. Before the embargo, Cuban cigars were considered the best in the world, and the United States was their largest market. The ban on imports of Cuban cigars created a scarcity, increasing their value and status as a symbol of luxury and quality.

The embargo also forced cigar lovers to look for alternatives, which spurred cigar production in other countries, including the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Honduras. These countries quickly developed their own cigar industries, using Cuban tobacco seeds to recreate the flavors of Cuban cigars while adding their own unique twist.

4. Kennedy's Cigar Legacy The story of Kennedy's cigar purchase has become legendary among cigar aficionados and historians. It symbolizes the complexity of international politics, where even the personal pleasures of leaders can play a role in major decisions. The cigar thus became an indelible part of Kennedy's image, representing both his personal sophistication and the seriousness of his political decisions.

Today, Cuban cigars continue to be sought after and enjoyed by enthusiasts around the world, thanks in part to the aura of mystery and desire created by the embargo. Many cigar enthusiasts still view a good Cuban cigar as a distinct experience, partly because of its history and association with iconic figures like John F. Kennedy.

5. Cuban Cigars Today Since the Kennedy era, the embargo on Cuban products remains in effect, although changes have been made over the years. Cuban cigar enthusiasts in the United States still have to resort to backdoor means to acquire these treasures, which adds to their mystique and perceived value.

However, as diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba evolved, some hoped that the embargo could be lifted, making Cuban cigars legally available in the United States again. Until that happens, the story of Kennedy and his cigars will remain a fascinating anecdote about the connection between politics, culture, and personal pleasure.

The story of John F. Kennedy’s strategic cigar purchase just before the Cuba embargo was signed is a compelling reminder of the small decisions that can have a lasting impact on culture and industry. Kennedy, as a cigar enthusiast, was able to preserve his personal enjoyment while taking a bold policy step that transformed the cigar industry for decades to come. Today, Cuban cigars continue to be synonymous with luxury and quality, a legacy in part due to this historic decision.