UK Cigar taxes

[Wigan]

I laughed far too hard at that

[PeeJay]

Originally EMS denoted the wrapper colour we preferred in England not the quality. Similarly American Market Selection (AMS) referred to candela wrappers.

[PeeJay]

I laughed far too hard at that

Little drop of wee hard?

[ha_banos]

Originally EMS denoted the wrapper colour we preferred in England not the quality. Similarly American Market Selection (AMS) referred to candela wrappers.

I think this happens anyway on packing. That boxes try to contain similar colour cigars, veiny, etc. - basically as uniform as possible.

They probably then just bung the nicest looking ones to the UK

I'm not sure when draw testing was introduced in Cuba.

[Horsebox]

In the early 20th century its estimated that 90% of American men smoked cigars according to a book I read

That's quite something!

[akyprianou]

EMS is just a stamp........it doesn't mean the cigars are any different believe me they 110% the same product, just a nice little story to convince us that they are of superior quality for higher mark ups................what a load of BS (wheres that laughing icon gone)

[Moley]

I suppose if H&F where targeting the masses more than the top echelon of the market would they be able to sell the more expensive brands? Maybe Cuba sees this the best market for top end cigars and also have a say it that. Could be the reason why H&F are the sole importers.

[groundhog]

EMS is no guarantee of quality imho.
The only thing it confirms is that the cigars were UK sourced and UK duty paid. Anything else is pure marketing.
As PJ mentioned, it originated because the Brits preferred lighter wrappers. The thing to bear in mind with this is that the volume was a great deal lower, so much easier to manage in that manner.
I've had boxes from all over and can confirm that I have had awesome EMS boxes and shocking EMS boxes - just as the same from holiday sources.
Tbf, it's just one more reason to buy very carefully.