There is a famous story about President John F. Kennedy buying more than 1,000 Cuban cigars the day before he authorized the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba in 1962.
Knowing full well what he was doing, he did it anyway — insider cigar trading for personal gain.
Now more than 50 years later, Cuban cigars are still beloved, carrying an undeniable reputation and mystique, which is why there are Cuban cigar shops in the U.S. even though they don't sell Cuban cigars.
In a strange, accepted form of advertising, we don't seem to mind.
"No other Communist country is promoted as a business in the U.S. like Cuba," said Douglas Kang, co-owner of Cubana Cigars in Laguna Beach.
Admitting it's a unique situation, Kang said that perhaps the reason rests in the quality of the cigars.
"Cuban cigars are unmatched," he said. "Cheap cigars get bitter as they get shorter."