Ahhh Cubans

Well first let me introduce myself since ihave not properly done so (wanted to make sure this place was legit) My Name is Jason and i got to school at THE Ohio State University. I was introduced to this forum by one of my best friends (Mikey-OH)
been smoking about a year or so, about one a month, and have a taste for maduro's and CAO.

Anyways back to the present topic; I am going to Mexico in about a week, and obviously while i am down there i would like to seek out some ISOMs to see if they live up to the hype. How do i go about finding them, knowing they are real, any special brands i should look for?


J

First off, it is illegal to smoke cubans for americans anywhere in the world, so of course, you are not going to Mexico seeking cubans to smoke.

That being said, I'm not sure you could find a cuban in Mexico to smoke. Being fairly new to the game, and even if you were fairly seasoned, the ability to tell fakes from authentics is not very common. I would suggest not seeking out cubans for these three reasons: 1) it's illegal, 2) you'll have no way of knowing whether they're real or fake, 3) they'll be overpriced and the shopkeep will certainly endorse their authenticity.

so what your saying is that 1.) ISOMs are legal in mexico, 2.) however, as an american citizen it is illegal for me to purchase/smoke them regardless of where i am? this is news to me as i thought since ISOMs where legal for mexicans, if i were in mexico, i could smoke ISOM cigars. this thought was assumed from the drinking policy thati cannot drink in the U.S. untill i am twenty-one, however that does not apply to me in mexico (i do not drink, and do not plan on drinking in mexico, however i am just using this to clarify). Also i am not trying to be an instigator on here, rather, i just did not know this before. I thought when people talked about smoking cubans, they smoked them in either Canada or Mexico for the most part (assuming they were from the U.S.).

on the other regard that i would not be able to tell reals from fakes, this seems like it is probably true espessically (SP) b/c i don't know much to begin with about cigars. So, i guess a new question, if i am not looking for ISOMs, are there any cigar brands native to Mexico that i should try and get, that i can't get here, or are likely to get at a better quality in mexico?
(i know i have never heard of mexican cigars yet, but its worth a shot.)

thanks,
J

When I was there, I just tried to find a place where a dude was rolling them right there and give them a try. A lot of the all-inclusive hotels or swankier regular hotels have this kind of thing.

I don't know of any official Mexican brands myself.

I believe the difference between the drinking and the cigar thing is that the former is strictly state based, and thus nothing regulatory on a u.s. citizen per se. But the embargo on Cuba is a restriction on the u.s. citizen, wherever they may be.

If you search for the trading with the enemy act you will find the law that says the possession of Cuban products, including cigars, is a violation of said law. Also, the US has personal jurisdiction over its citizens anywhere on the earth. Therefore, citizens cannot possess a Cuban cigar anywhere on the earth.

That being said, do some research or contact these guys

IMPORTADORA Y EXPORTADORA DE PUROS Y TABACOS, S.A. DE C.V. (I.E.P.T.) Distributor for:
Domestic Market and Duty Free in Mexico.
Contact:
President: Mr. Max Gutmann
General Director: Mr. Rodolfo Velasco
Address: Tennyson No.18 e/ Campos Eliseos y Luis G. Urbina, Col. Polanco CD, México D.F., México
Tel: (52 5) 5282 1184
5282 1261
Fax: (52 5) 5281 1512
E-mail: rvelasco@iept.com.mx
ventas@iept.com.mx
hsa.mex@iept.com.mx



They are the certified Habanos S.A importer and distributor for Cuban cigars in Mexico. They should be able to point you to a shop where you can get real one.


Edit - when I say search, I mean on this forum. I discussed this law a while ago.
When I say research, I mean google the habanos S.A shops in Mexico. On the Iept.com.mx site they list a couple of stores, but it's all in spanish, which I don't speak.

I searched Habanos SA, Mexico in google and found this La Casa Del Habano in Tijuana.

here: http://www.lacasadelhabano.com/contact.htm

ok after doing some more reading on the site i realized this topic has been thought and fought out before.

sorry for bringging up again and sorry about the topic in general didn't know we couldn't talk about them here so this will probably get deleted. again sorry, didn't realize what i was doing

J

you don't have to be sorry, we're just trying to protect you and the board.

When in Mexico you should seek out these, "Santa Clara 1830" there is also a nother brand called "Te Amo". Stay away from the Te Amos...They suck. I am sure you will like the Santa Claras- You can find them at any good smoke shop in the area you are staying. Try and stay away from all the places the rest of the folks from the US go. Ask around and see where the locals go to buy their sticks.

I was turned on to these a fews years back when I was in Mexcio City. There is a chain of stores called...Sanbornes. They sell them there and the price is always fair. Buy a few singles and if you like em, pick up a box or two.

Hope this helps...

They have those at my local. I'll have to give them a try sometime.

Well after that bastard MaduroMan tricked me into smoking one of these, I have to say that I enjoyed it.

spiffy

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spiffykyle

Well after that bastard MaduroMan tricked me into smoking one of these, I have to say that I enjoyed it.

spiffy

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I'll have to agree with you spiffy, on both counts:
1. Santa Clara 1830's are pretty tasty
2. MaduroMan is a sneaky bastid who can't count worth a shit when doing trades.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ashauler

I'll have to agree with you spiffy, on both counts:
1. Santa Clara 1830's are pretty tasty
2. MaduroMan is a sneaky bastid who can't count worth a shit when doing trades.

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Remember guys...You dont have to hit to hurt.:smiley19:

:smiley17:

i'll have to look those up while i am there.

i am very intrigued by this idea of fresh rolled cigars available at the hotel to smoke. how do these taste, as i thought one of the things that made a good cigar better was age?

ok so i just got back so ill give the run down.
i did try some 1830's and the were by far the best cigar i smoked while i was down there. i also had a te-amo cabinet selection, and te-amo silver prepackaged, and a a.turrent. the te-amo cabinet was good, it had a nice draw and smooth smoke. the prepackaged silver was not very good, the draw was way to tight. the a.turrent waas decent but kinda plain and boring. overall i would have to say the mexican tobacco is worth looking, the cigars i had would for the most part great.