I am considering buying some Cubans

[ippon20]

each on of those stacks runs roughly between $50-$150 US depending on what kind of leaf you choose. Obviously the richer, fuller flavored tobacco runs more money...but $150 bucks still isn't bad for 50 sticks.

[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!

[Lion]

All this talk about Cuban cigars and now I'm go to have to pick one up from my friend who has a stash of them!!!

[TheDude]

[roach13]

Originally Posted by TheDude

How did you get those to stay on your head?

[TheDude]

Hahahaha. Man, I wish brother...


Big Pharma needs to hurry up and cure baldness already... :)

[rainman_16]

Cuaba is an excellent marca! I particularly enjoy the Salamones.

I highly recommend trying the Montecristo Sublime that was released recently as an EL - fresh out of the box it is superb, ranking as a top 5 of all time cigars for me. Unfortunately I can't say the same for the Cuaba Piramide EL. Perhaps it is in need of a lot more age before trying another.

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by rainman_16

Cuaba is an excellent marca! I particularly enjoy the Salamones.

I highly recommend trying the Montecristo Sublime that was released recently as an EL - fresh out of the box it is superb, ranking as a top 5 of all time cigars for me. Unfortunately I can't say the same for the Cuaba Piramide EL. Perhaps it is in need of a lot more age before trying another.

Me too - that one is a Salamones. I love the Cuaba story - it was started in 1996, and I think it had been ~50 years since a new cigar company had been launched in Cuba. I spoke to an old Cuban roller who told me the word "cuaba" is the indiginous indian word for "tobacco" in Cuba.



I haven't had luck recently with the Cuabas, I'm sorry to hear that their EL isn't measuring up.

I recently had a Partagas Serie D No.5 Limited Edition (2008 EL). Very very very nice smoke.






I have had the Cohiba Sublimes from the EL run in 2004. Those were phenomenal.

[TheDude]

Regarding the penalties...


I don't think we fully know how the new administration is going to pursue infractions. During the Clinton administration, not a single fine was issued for travel infractions related to Cuba.

While Bush opened up more interests in Cuba (I was there on official business), he simultaneously clamped down on leisure travel and consumption of embargoed goods. Fines were assessed.


It's probably a safe assumption that the Obama administration won't chase fines in the same manner, but the only safe advice is not to run the risk.


I'd advise anyone who is interested in visiting Cuba for the first time to do so soon. While the island is always "changing", a lift of the US embargo would radically alter it forever.



...and if you think Cuban cigars are good, just wait until you try Cuban coffee beans. The soil makes anything you grow there unfathomably good.

[galen]

Cuban cigars are a lot of hype. Some are good but many Dominican cigars are VERY good. Had both, perfer Dom's. Do not risk shipping in a Cuban. Most are fakes anyway. In Mexico, it's very easy to find fake Cuban cigars. How come we like the finer things in life? Rolex's, Cigar's, My Margarita. LOL

[Jocke]

Is a Cuban Cigar the same as a Lewinsky Cigar?



And wich one taste best?



Jocke

[Welshwatchman]

We holidayed in Cuba in 2005 and purchased a bunch of these Cohibas for relatives and friends who were partial to a decent cigar.

They were very expensive, since we bought them from an official outlet and had the proper receipt to get you past Cuba customs.

An acquaintance there obtained the same cigars out in one of the villages at less than a third of the price but didn't manage to get them past customs at the Cuba end. These guys were not friendly to him.

[Lamone]

My favorite cigars

[KJacques]

Originally Posted by Atl

All,
Anyone bought from Cuban Lou's??

I remember my first Cuban, but her name wasn't Lou.

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by galen

Cuban cigars are a lot of hype. Some are good but many Dominican cigars are VERY good. Had both, perfer Dom's. Do not risk shipping in a Cuban. Most are fakes anyway. In Mexico, it's very easy to find fake Cuban cigars. How come we like the finer things in life? Rolex's, Cigar's, My Margarita. LOL

There are many reputable 100% real web vendors. The shared opinion of many serious cigar smokers is this:

Sure you can find lots of great Dom and Honduran cigars. Thing is, the Cubans are actually far cheaper - you can smoke some of the best in the world for $5 to $8 a stick. The uber-premium for no more than $12 - $15.

Contrast that against uber-premium Dom and Hondurans that sell for $20, $40, and even $100 per stick and I think you'll agree that there is a reason to smoke Cuban.

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

We holidayed in Cuba in 2005 and purchased a bunch of these Cohibas for relatives and friends who were partial to a decent cigar.

They were very expensive, since we bought them from an official outlet and had the proper receipt to get you past Cuba customs.

An acquaintance there obtained the same cigars out in one of the villages at less than a third of the price but didn't manage to get them past customs at the Cuba end. These guys were not friendly to him.

Yeah, it's hit or miss. Actually, the official Cuba govt prices are pretty fair. I think a box of 25 Monte #2s is ~$150 or so. Contrast that to what you'd pay on the black market, (about $20-$30 per box) and it seems like a ton. However, those black market cigars are never quite right - they're made in Cuba, but they're generally stolen low-grade crap with stolen labels on them.

I remember one trip I bought some Lusitanias from the factory, and a buddy tried to prove what a fool I was by procuring some from a black market street vendor. All appeared fine... except his were missing about 2 inches of the cigar!!! I think they gave him double coronas and tried to pass them off as Lusitanias.

[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?!"

[theloxmyth]

Originally Posted by 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

The first time they catch you they confiscate the package, but the second time you attempt to get over on the law, they confiscate you!

Edit: So have a couple of buddies to switch off with!

[TheDude]

These are the only Fuentes I'll smoke... I have a nice stash in the humidor.


FYI, you might be able to find some in June. They're only available at X-mas and in June for Father's day.


This is the "history" of the cigar's origins.


"In September 1998 Hurricane Georges ripped through the Carribbean and caused widespread destruction, including crop damage in the Dominican Republic. Among the beseiged plantations was the now famous Chateau de la Fuente, where wrapper leaf for Fuente’s Opus X is grown and harvested.

Two years later the legacy of the storm was borne out in a shortage of Opus X wrapper, but instead of halting production altogether, Carlos Fuente Jr. directed the use of a different wrapper — a hearty maduro broadleaf. In this way improvisation triumphed over adversity and the Arturo Fuente Añejo was created."

[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.