Sister is going to CUBA, where should she go to get me cigars?

[sillywilly]

how do you get them for cheap from the factory? I hear they sell boxes for $150, i want the $25, $35 ect boxes on the street. where should she go to get those thanks

[mpare]

Be careful of the cigars that you buy on the street. You may end up with second-rate stogies. The last time I was there I brought back cigars for friends. They were purchased at a reputable store, and were perfect - so I'm told.

how do you get them for cheap from the factory? I hear they sell boxes for $150, i want the $25, $35 ect boxes on the street. where should she go to get those thanks

[wboudrea]

When my aunt went down I got some good info off this website. Even if you pay full price there you will still get them for 1/3 the price of here. I have heard many buyer beware stories w.r.t. cigars on the beech/street etc.

[Golfer_Gofer]

tell her to talk up employees at the cigar factory. Friends bought cigars from an employee who pulls the old "1 for you, 1 for me" while he makes the cigars, im pretty sure they got a box for $50, only difference was they didnt have any of the rings or wrapping.

[sillywilly]

they are for me and a few friends so i don't care if they have the ring. Also, someone told me if you take childrens clothing with you and "give" then to the workers they they will hook you up large!!

[Golfer_Gofer]

true, or any sort of drug store items that we take for granted they have a hard time getting in cuba such as advil.

[LobWedge]

Baseballs and/or gloves make great bargaining chips.

[jeffc]

school supplies are great for the kids, pencils, pencil crayons, erasers, etc.

[Gary Madore]

If you're interested in avoiding fakes, there is lots of Google-able (is that even a word?) info available.

Trust me: Fake high-end cigars are big business down that way. One rule of thumb is that if you can buy a whole box of Cohibas Esplenditos for $40, they ain't Cohibas

Anyways, there are a few easy things to look out for - using the Cohibas example, if they come in a box with a glass (plastic) top, they're fake.

Something I usually did was to buy brands that aren't well-known and this less likely to be fakes. Everybody knows Monte Cristo and Cohibas but there are lots of other premium brands that crooks don't bother to knock off.

Of course, even crappy fake stuff from down there beats the crappe out of White Owl, et. al., right?

And here is my biggest piece of advice: Get a bunch of your favourites for yourself and get a couple of boxes of the $40 Esplenditos... Hide the premiums in a safe in the wall behind a picture, and keep the knock-offs in a humidor in plain sight: This will keep the moochers out of your good stogies, while still impressing them

Cheers!

Gary (ironically, my favourite stogies are Dominican...)

[Hacker]

they are for me and a few friends so i don't care if they have the ring. Also, someone told me if you take childrens clothing with you and "give" then to the workers they they will hook you up large!!

Mine had better have rings on them and the better not be fakes either!!!

[Fallys0820]

true, or any sort of drug store items that we take for granted they have a hard time getting in cuba such as advil.

This is the exact thing that will get you far in Cuba...become a drug peddler!

If you want to buy Cuban cigars, go to Mexico!

[Baxter]

If they don't have the Holofoil on the Box they will be taken away at the Airport from Customs. My buddy was down there and saw it 1st hand. He also said the Airport was cheaper than the Hotel.

I can use some Cohiba Clubs....My bestest Friend....

Cheers

[Hoss29]

yes the airport is the cheapest place to purchase "Authentic" Cigars !!!

[Eldred]

You might want to check with the resort too. The place we stayed at had cigar maker on site. I remembered you could ask him to make the type you want..Based on the types, he'll rolled using different combination of tobacco leaves. It was more of novolties for guests and you could see the process. Just like custom clubs, they were made similar to certain brands though. At least you know they were made from real tabacco leaves..

[Gary Madore]

Just like custom clubs, they were made similar to certain brands though. At least you know they were made from real tabacco leaves..

That's what my Dad does when he heads down there for some sunshine - he likes to watch 'em being rolled and invariably comes home with bundles of "no-name" stogies tied up with twine

Cheers!

Gary

[sillywilly]

You might want to check with the resort too. The place we stayed at had cigar maker on site. I remembered you could ask him to make the type you want..Based on the types, he'll rolled using different combination of tobacco leaves. It was more of novolties for guests and you could see the process. Just like custom clubs, they were made similar to certain brands though. At least you know they were made from real tabacco leaves..

custom clubs (I think you mean component) aren't make similar to certain brands, most of the time they come up with something first and then the big names steal it

as you can see I'm all about the components

[Eldred]

[QUOTE= as you can see I'm all about the components [/QUOTE]

Here you go bro.. bring back some "components" and ask the Saint or Chief to roll them for you.

[sillywilly]

reminds me of the sienfeld episode with the cubans

[Bravesox]

goto the shop in Varadero near 62 street Street Bar. only authentic place that i found sells them cheaper then the hotels and even the airport if your buying a sealed box. IF your buying singles in the metal holder...airport is the best bet. DONT buy them off the "guy on the beach". Pretty sure IF you goto where they are made in Havana you can buy them a bit cheaper but they wont be packaged...good if you plan to have them while your down there.