I am considering buying some Cubans

[Atl]

All,
As I know we all like the finer things in life, and I have a weakness for cigars made 90 miles from Key West. Anyone bought from Cuban Lou's??
Am I taking a bigger risk than I should? I admit is is VERY tempting to place an order right now.

David

[diablojota]

You do realize that purchasing Cuban cigars and importing them into the US are illegal. I would highly advise against it.

While I do love a good Cuban, I usually make sure to enjoy them out of the country.

[diablojota]

Besides, I think there are some cigars that are much better than cubans that are made outside of cuba... Cigar Aficionado has some great recommendations!

[AIKO]

The penalties are actually very stiff. With that said I have brought them home from Europe 3 times (took the wrappers off) with zero issue. These days, cigars from other countries are every bit as good or better than Cubans.

[rainman_16]

Cuban Lou's is OK as is 1001 Cuban Cigars. They both get a lot of biz out of the US.

[Dan Pierce]

Muy Bueno.
dP

[Atl]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Muy Bueno.
dP

I'm down to my last Cohiba, a Madoro #5, and i need a fix!!! nice picture!

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Atl

I'm down to my last Cohiba, a Madoro #5, and i need a fix!!! nice picture!

Thanks, David.
dP

[idk01]

I read the title and all I though of was Kramer on Seinfeld Sorry couldn't help myself.

[TimeToGo]

I can sell you some.

I have a mother-in-law that I can let go at a pretty good price!

[idk01]

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

I can sell you some.

I have a mother-in-law that I can let go at a pretty good price!

Thats It, when I'm over next year, GTG at your place

[Atl]

Originally Posted by idk01

Thats It, when I'm over next year, GTG at your place

Only if she can cook, REALLY cook. Then maybe.

[george18]

- According to my view if you have newly found your interest in cigar then getting right taste may be bit tougher task for you. When new cigars arrive, take a good look at them. Two things to look out for at this point: excessive dryness; excessive moistness. Another thing to keep in mind: if you’re keeping your cigars in the humidor over a long period, it makes a lot of sense to rotate them every few months. There is a myth about flavor amongst layman that every Cuban Cigars uses same tobacco and hence has same flavor. However, the reality is perfectly different. There is a broad variety of tobacco and its flavor as well you can gain adequate information about connoisseur of fine cigar from your nearest cigar shop. It does not matter whether the shopkeeper smokes or not.

[Deep Sea]

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

I can sell you some.

I have a mother-in-law that I can let go at a pretty good price!

That's pretty damn funny!

[seedgun]

My motto is " Fuente, always" Robustos and Short stories. Highly reccomended but everyones tastes are different.
I usually get them online from Tampa Sweethearts.
All the best,
Andy

[Mort]

When I was in Mexico, Gerardo took me to a killer cigar store that only sold cubans. It is called La Casa Del Habano. I was told that they do a great job of shipping to the US with no issues. I still had reserves only for the fear if they did get confiscated I would be out the money, more than the fear of breaking the law.

Like someone posted above, there is no way customs can tell that the cigars are cuban without the bands, of course why spend the money on cubans if they are not banded?

[pz93c]

I like a Monte Cristo Maduro, preferably a Rothschilde or Robusto.

[Imtiaz]

Hi David,

I have been smoking cigars for 40 years now. I have found some Cubans great and many sheer rubbish.

The quality varies from cigar to cigar.

In Australia or Japan cubans are freely available but I much prefer to buy a good Dominican cigar.

There were a couple of Cohiba that I could not draw as they were too tightly rolled.

Mind you I have 3 humidors at home all at around 75% Rh. Still these cigars just refused to loosen up. Finally I had to cut them in half and got them to light.

Not worth the risk in the USA. The law is the law.

[rainman_16]

Originally Posted by Imtiaz

Hi David,

There were a couple of Cohiba that I could not draw as they were too tightly rolled.

Mind you I have 3 humidors at home all at around 75% Rh. Still these cigars just refused to loosen up. Finally I had to cut them in half and got them to light.

I've found that if you reduce the humidity to around 65%, you'll experience much fewer issues with draw.

[Imtiaz]

Originally Posted by rainman_16

I've found that if you reduce the humidity to around 65%, you'll experience much fewer issues with draw.

Thanks. Will try that.

Cheers
Imtiaz

[lobo58]

Originally Posted by Imtiaz

Hi David,

I have been smoking cigars for 40 years now. I have found some Cubans great and many sheer rubbish.

The quality varies from cigar to cigar.

In Australia or Japan cubans are freely available but I much prefer to buy a good Dominican cigar.

There were a couple of Cohiba that I could not draw as they were too tightly rolled.

Mind you I have 3 humidors at home all at around 75% Rh. Still these cigars just refused to loosen up. Finally I had to cut them in half and got them to light.

Not worth the risk in the USA. The law is the law.

Exactly right. Cubans were the cigar of choice, long ago, but after the revolution the great manufacturers set up shop in the Dominican and the Honduras. Tough to top a good Arturo Fuente.

[djhiram]

Originally Posted by lobo58

Exactly right. Cubans were the cigar of choice, long ago, but after the revolution the great manufacturers set up shop in the Dominican and the Honduras. Tough to top a good Arturo Fuente.

That's exactly right Mark. Also, a lot of the old Cuban cigar rollers defected and continued working in their trade at their new homes. My favorite Cuban cigars are Montecristo #2 and Hoyo de Monterey #1s. Partagas also makes a great cigar as does Romeo y Julieta.

[ippon20]

Originally Posted by djhiram

That's exactly right Mark. Also, a lot of the old Cuban cigar rollers defected and continued working in their trade at their new homes. My favorite Cuban cigars are Montecristo #2 and Hoyo de Monterey #1s. Partagas also makes a great cigar as does Romeo y Julieta.

This was the case with La Gloria Cubana...moved to Miami then everyone realized what a good smoke they were, went from 1-$2/stick to $8 almost overnight. Fuente IMO are the best bang for the buck...go to Tampa Sweethearts online and you can get a ton of apprentice rolled cigars on the cheap for a great smoke if you always have a cigar in your mouth. I would recommend the naturals for those though as the maduros can get a little rough with the veins. Otherwise, short stories or Hemmingways...but even these have increased a ton over the years.

[Watchdog]

Cubans are not what they used to be. As many have said, there are many cigars that are much better IMHO.

Of course, the major brands everyone knows are fantastic.

However, a brand that still doesn't get as much recognition as it deserves was La Gloria Cubana.

I gave up cigars a few years back. But when I was VERY into it, I enjoyed all cigars, and the value of a maduro La Gloria was hard to beat.

HOWEVER, you had to age them in the humidor for a while.

I assume they are still around and still outstanding . . .

[Lamone]

Originally Posted by lobo58

Exactly right. Cubans were the cigar of choice, long ago, but after the revolution the great manufacturers set up shop in the Dominican and the Honduras. Tough to top a good Arturo Fuente.

Spot on!

[theloxmyth]

Originally Posted by lobo58

Exactly right. Cubans were the cigar of choice, long ago, but after the revolution the great manufacturers set up shop in the Dominican and the Honduras. Tough to top a good Arturo Fuente.

Ah, hand rolled on the golden thighs of young virgins.

These Cubans weren't half as good as a Fuente or even a Macanudo.


I'm a supporter of Bloom's Cigar Camp and I'm his locksmith. I get tipped in cigars!
That's a win-win in my book!

Call, or order via his web site...If you buy something from his extensive selection of fresh cigars, tell him his locksmith sent you.

A Hoyo de Monterrey Rothschild double maduro kicks A$$, too! Marc, the owner, goes through 8-10 a day.

I once asked Marc what I should call the sniffing of the smoke from my lips through my nose.

French inhale?

Waft?

Aroma?

He said, "What, the smell?!"

[Lion]

David, I think you are taking a big chance having illegal cigars shipped to you here in the U.S. There are quite a few very good cigars made outside of Cuba which are just as good.
But if you must, C'est la vie!!!

[ippon20]

IMO Cubans are not what they used to be. Pre Castro Cubans are highly sought after and I do have a box or two in the bank humidor. But after the takeover, Cubans have been marginal at best playing only on the history on the country. For daily smokes, I highly recommend Fuente Hemmingways or Short Stories if you don't have a couple hours to spare. Once a year, I recommend getting the Anejo's which are basically an Opus X re labeled. I also enjoy Maduro cigars, so for those you can't go wrong with La Gloria Cubana Serie R, Ashton Cabinents, or Carlos Torano Exodus. These are just my tastes, but what do I know....I was born in Ybor City! As other's have said, look into other countries...Dominican's are right up there with old school Cubans but I never pass up a chance to purchase some Graycliff's when I travel to the Carribean!

[pz93c]

Originally Posted by ippon20

I was born in Ybor City!

Been a long time since I heard that name.

[ippon20]

Originally Posted by pz93c

Been a long time since I heard that name.

Yup, Ybor City seems to fall off the map every now and then. All my grandfather's tools and about 15 presses reside in my home. Before my wife knew what they were, she always asked why I had all the old farm tools.