Cuban Cigars

[Flyboy]

As those of us who enjoy a good cigar all know that they are illegal in the states, but not Mexico.

Can anyone recommend a good reputable cigar shop that I can buy some good Cubans? I don't plan on bringing them back to the states, but I do plan on smoking them while I'm there.

[Tinder]

You can get some on the beach at a reasonable price. Just look for the guys selling stuff as they walk by. Was there a couple of weeks ago and bought some Cohiba's, still in the box and sealed, 5 for $25. Had to negotiate on price but a lot cheaper than in the stores, where it is $10 for just one.

P.S. I did bring some back with me, didn't have any problem.

[Bethy]

Originally Posted by Tinder

You can get some on the beach at a reasonable price. Just look for the guys selling stuff as they walk by. Was there a couple of weeks ago and bought some Cohiba's, still in the box and sealed, 5 for $25. Had to negotiate on price but a lot cheaper than in the stores, where it is $10 for just one.

P.S. I did bring some back with me, didn't have any problem.

Did you take off the bands? Just wondering how you brought them back to the US.
Did you fly in and out of St. Louis?

[RoynSandy]

We bought some for friends last trip,packed them in our checked luggage had no problems at all.We purchased them at the market,price was pretty good.

[Y & K]

When I vacationed in Cuba it was thought that 75% of the cigars offered on the street were counterfeit. I would expect the ones on the street in Mexico would be an even higher percentage of fakes. I guess it is worth putting a fake band on a 50 cent cigar if it can be sold for 5 bucks.

Moral: If you want real cubans, buy them from a tobacco shop but even then who knows for sure. Best to go vacation in Cuba and buy them right from the factory. Maybe get a Canadian to go for you!

[Tempt me]

They don't stop you at the airport when your caught with cigars anymore. After 9/11 and with these new passports with the computer chips they place a tracking device/chip in the luggage and then monitor the offender to see who his associates are. St. Louis is one of the worst airports to smuggle cigars through because they view it as a precersur to smuggling dope etc in Chicago, Detroit, Indy and Memphis. Wait until you try and leave the county the next time. You will be detained outside of the US for possible days. Very bad move!

[W&K]

The mall (can't rememember name right now...not la isla)...has a reputable cigar shop as does wal mart....cigars sold on the beach are usually counterfeit... and very dry....I was told that Cohiba does not package cigars in the small wooden box with the 3 or 5 cigars and that these are fakes. The cigar shop at the mall has a large walk-in humidor and has a very large selection. As a Canadian we can purchase cubans here and we can also legally bring them back in the country....up to 50 cigars if I remember my duty free allowances...

[Bethy]

I just remember seeing someone in the mall wanting to know how soon the cigar shop would open because she needed to have the bands changed on her cigars so she could fly home with them that day.
I didn't know they did that.
I personally don't smoke cigars, but I thought Ryan might like to get a few and they'd be a neat gift to bring home.
Certainly not worth a big hassle or any sort of risk. :shock:

[Tinder]

Originally Posted by Bethy

Did you take off the bands? Just wondering how you brought them back to the US.
Did you fly in and out of St. Louis?

Nope, left the bands on. And yes, flew in and out of St. Louis.

[lambert13]

Go to the Cigar Aficionado website. They have a section there that lists reputable dealers throughout the world. I bought some Cohibas from their recommended shop in Playa and was very satisfied.

Keep in mind though that if you are buying real Cuban cigars down there, you will be paying a premium price. Well worth it in my opinion though.

Basically, 99% of the 'Cuban' cigars sold there are fake. Do the research and you can end up with the real deal.

[lambert13]

Originally Posted by W&K

I was told that Cohiba does not package cigars in the small wooden box with the 3 or 5 cigars and that these are fakes.

That is absolutely true.

Once you learn a little bit about tell-tale signs of fakes, they are easy to spot.

The design on the band is usually an easy way to tell. Once you know what it is supposed to look like, the fake ones are too easy to spot.

[Tempt me]

Hey Derek,

Forgot to tell you APRIL FOOLS on the the customs deal. Nearly got'em to close Poorboys last b/c I told them that after the city council meeting FEMA gave the city authority to suspend any licenses once they were declared a disaster area from the flooding and that the city suspended there liquor licenses b/c they were still allowing people to smoke in the bar. Nice pics by the way.

Me :evil:

[Flyboy]

Originally Posted by lambert13

Go to the Cigar Aficionado website. They have a section there that lists reputable dealers throughout the world. I bought some Cohibas from their recommended shop in Playa and was very satisfied.

Keep in mind though that if you are buying real Cuban cigars down there, you will be paying a premium price. Well worth it in my opinion though.

Basically, 99% of the 'Cuban' cigars sold there are fake. Do the research and you can end up with the real deal.

Jason,

Thanks for the info and I'll checkout the website.

Kenny

[Flyboy]

Originally Posted by Tinder

You can get some on the beach at a reasonable price. Just look for the guys selling stuff as they walk by. Was there a couple of weeks ago and bought some Cohiba's, still in the box and sealed, 5 for $25. Had to negotiate on price but a lot cheaper than in the stores, where it is $10 for just one.

P.S. I did bring some back with me, didn't have any problem.

I was warned about the steet venders selling fakes, not to mention that the cigars they are selling aren't stored in a humidor. Yea, it's pretty easy getting a small amount through the airport and for that matter they can be mail ordered, but you take a chance at lossing your investment.


Thanks for the input.

Kenny

[Flyboy]

Originally Posted by W&K

The mall (can't rememember name right now...not la isla)...has a reputable cigar shop as does wal mart....cigars sold on the beach are usually counterfeit... and very dry....I was told that Cohiba does not package cigars in the small wooden box with the 3 or 5 cigars and that these are fakes. The cigar shop at the mall has a large walk-in humidor and has a very large selection. As a Canadian we can purchase cubans here and we can also legally bring them back in the country....up to 50 cigars if I remember my duty free allowances...

Walmart selling cigars...wow...thanks for the tip.

Kenny

[Flyboy]

Originally Posted by Bethy

I just remember seeing someone in the mall wanting to know how soon the cigar shop would open because she needed to have the bands changed on her cigars :shock:

Yea, I heard they do that also and they can sell you a whole box worth of bands and change the box out, but cubans are not cheap cigars and there are so many legal brands in the U.S. that are grown from cuban seeds in different countries so I don't know if it's worth the risk. I really just want to try a really good cuban so I can say that I have tried a real cuban cigar.

Thanks.

Kenny

[Tinder]

Originally Posted by Tempt me

Hey Derek,

Forgot to tell you APRIL FOOLS on the the customs deal. Nearly got'em to close Poorboys last b/c I told them that after the city council meeting FEMA gave the city authority to suspend any licenses once they were declared a disaster area from the flooding and that the city suspended there liquor licenses b/c they were still allowing people to smoke in the bar. Nice pics by the way.

Me :evil:

LOL, I wondered who the butthead was talking about the customs.

Funny about Poorboy's also. Have to get there sometime soon. Drinks on you for the April Fools.

Derek

[Tinder]

Fakes or not, they are MUCH better than anything that is here in the states. And shame on you for ruining what I "thought" was a great cigar.

By the way, have checked my bands against those on the Cigar Aficionado web site and if they are fakes, they are real good fakes. They look as real as those on the site.

[Bethy]

Originally Posted by Tempt me

Hey Derek,

Forgot to tell you APRIL FOOLS on the the customs deal. Nearly got'em to close Poorboys last b/c I told them that after the city council meeting FEMA gave the city authority to suspend any licenses once they were declared a disaster area from the flooding and that the city suspended there liquor licenses b/c they were still allowing people to smoke in the bar. Nice pics by the way.

Me :evil:

Well, you git me! ops:
I was thinking "wow it's not worth all the hassle"

[cecilia]

Hey Fly boy, they sell cigars at Temptation ...
and very good ones by the way ...
there even is a Cigar Lounge , where they give you everything u need , to have a great time and enjoy your cigars ....

on the entrance of the lounge there is a big selection ,and very good prices ...
so you wont have to go anywere ...

[xoie's omah]

Originally Posted by cecilia

Hey Fly boy, they sell cigars at Temptation ...
and very good ones by the way ...
there even is a Cigar Lounge , where they give you everything u need , to have a great time and enjoy your cigars ....

on the entrance of the lounge there is a big selection ,and very good prices ...
so you wont have to go anywere ...

So they did finally get this open!!

[xoie's omah]

Originally Posted by cecilia

Hey Fly boy, they sell cigars at Temptation ...
and very good ones by the way ...
there even is a Cigar Lounge , where they give you everything u need , to have a great time and enjoy your cigars ....

on the entrance of the lounge there is a big selection ,and very good prices ...
so you wont have to go anywere ...

So they did finally get this open!!

[lambert13]

Originally Posted by Tinder

Fakes or not, they are MUCH better than anything that is here in the states. And shame on you for ruining what I "thought" was a great cigar.

By the way, have checked my bands against those on the Cigar Aficionado web site and if they are fakes, they are real good fakes. They look as real as those on the site.

You very well might have gotten the real deal. Just because most of the cigars down there are fakes does not mean that there are real ones too.

Either way, fake or not, it's if you enjoyed it that matters the most.

Hell, I would take a fake Cuban on the beach in Mexico over a real one here in Albany any day.

[Flyboy]

Originally Posted by cecilia

Hey Fly boy, they sell cigars at Temptation ...
and very good ones by the way ...
there even is a Cigar Lounge , where they give you everything u need , to have a great time and enjoy your cigars ....

on the entrance of the lounge there is a big selection ,and very good prices ...
so you wont have to go anywere ...

Cecilia,

Sweet! Thanks for the info...what a great concept...all your needs in one place, that must be one of the the reasons I love that place so much and of course channel 8...LOL

Thanks,

[Tinder]

Originally Posted by Flyboy

Cecilia,

Sweet! Thanks for the info...what a great concept...all your needs in one place, that must be one of the the reasons I love that place so much and of course channel 8...LOL

Thanks,

Channel 8? Our TV never left Channel 12.

[Jamie]

You must forgive him Derek.. he hasn't been there since they switch it to Channel 12 from Channel 6. :roll: And we'll forgive him for not remembering the channel since he never changed it the whole time he was there and therefore never had to remember where to go back too...

Jamie

[Flyboy]

Yea you could say I'm more of a visual type of person...LOL Okay to tell ya the truth I never looked at the channel numbers...I just flipped through until I saw what I liked. :shock:

[DavenRose]

Originally Posted by Tinder

You can get some on the beach at a reasonable price. Just look for the guys selling stuff as they walk by. Was there a couple of weeks ago and bought some Cohiba's, still in the box and sealed, 5 for $25. Had to negotiate on price but a lot cheaper than in the stores, where it is $10 for just one.

P.S. I did bring some back with me, didn't have any problem.

lol glad to hear you got it through!!

[funcouple]

Yeah for TV that actually entertains :lol: :lol: ops: ops: :shock: :shock: ops: ops: :lol: :lol: