It is just forbidden fruit...I agree with others that they make good cigars, but quality control is so-so. Prices are are high due to demand and the myth that cubans are the best in the world. Are they great cigars, yes some are. Not all. Just because it comes from ISOM, doesnt make it automatically better.
The amazing supply of cigars from all sources we have now is truly a golden age of cigars. The cigar consumption stats are astounding, surpassing the high in 1998 of 330million(for the US alone in 2017).
I just hope that the laws dont change to the point where we have to smuggle our cigars in from all sources. Some states have already banned cigar sales to be shipped in(crazy). Makes me want to hoard more cigars....
**stepping off soap box**
p.s. I actually prefer domestic(nic,hon, dom) cigars to cubans, especially at the price points. Even if the price points were equal(which they wont be) there is more flavor diversity and complexity in most domestic sticks. With AJ, AB, Steve Saka, and many other new blenders, we have some amazing sticks at amazing prices these days.