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Hi All,
A colleague of mine is off to Cuba for the holidays. He will happily bring me back some cigars, but knows nothing about them really. I need help with what I should tell him to look out for, where to buy, and other such things to ensure that the sticks I get back are legit. anything and everything you can tell me would be great.
-Will
Only buy from official stores, not from the barman, concierge, guy on street. Beware of major discounts.
Yup, that about says it.Quote:
Originally Posted by stjohnroe
He'll hear all the stories about "My sister works................." and "My brother's wife's step'sister'in-law has a second cousin ................. " and all that shit.
If it doesn't have an official receipt, it's probably fake.
One way to make sure, if you are traveling abroad, especially in Central America, the Caribben or S. America, always visit a La Casa de Habana store. They are the official-run Cuban stores that you can trust, they sell only the real thing, but you will pay full prices for them.
As for online purchaeses, we're not allowed to discuss how to illegally import Cubans into the US on this board, so I can't answer that.
Hey guys, cool thanks... I figured that much at least :smiley2:
How about "what consists of an official store"? is there any chances he could go into a place and it be selling fakes, how should he tell what an official reciept, etc.?
-W.
I wish I had kept my cigar receipts from Cuba. I'd scan one and post it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Monk
Basically, it's a triplicate form about 5" X maybe 7 or 8". They'll need a passport # to put on it as ID that you purchased the smokes. They'll fill in what was purchased in a very detailed way, usually with description and SKU #. If the form isn't filled in completely (all line items, that is) they'll put diagonal lines through the empty spaces to make sure you don't fill in the rest with "illegal" cigars.
Personally, I've been to Cuba twise, been in only 4 stores, plus gift shops on resorts. They all seem to hace access to these receipts in a legal way.
Now, I'm not saying there's no crooks work in any of these shops. I'm just saying there's a much (much, much, much, much) better chance of getting the real thing there than it is on the street.
Another way to tell is to ask for an empty box as a souvenir. I bought 9 Monte Cristo Edmundos in one shop, and that was all they had. I asked if I could take the box, and she said "No Senor!!" I've been told they aren't permitted to give them out unless they're completely sealed. Because of what happened when I asked, I believe that.
Interesting... also found this reference: looks good, any comments?
http://www.cigarnexus.com/counsel/counterfeit/
-Will
I have been told that you can buy cigars right out of the cigar factories in Cuba. Is this true.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Monk
Cigar Nexus is a good to referance the subject. Be sure the cigars you buy never leave your sight during the purchase. I've heard some people scam you by switching the real thing they have on display with fakes at checkout.
I personally haven't been but I know of people who did. Just rent a bike and spend 1-2 hrs riding it to get there...they aren't in big towns. You can be assurred they are real if its a store they are in and it costs you a two nights at a resort to buy a box. Generally ask your tour guide if you are on a package and they'll point you to the legit places...usually. I actually found airport prices not to be that bad in Cuba. Price variations are very small between the local B&W there and the airport.Quote:
Originally Posted by hoodere
Quote:
Originally Posted by cigar no baka
I'm Canadian so it doesn't matter to me we can do it legally :smiley2:
is it La Casa de Habana or La Casa del Habana?
-W.
And yes, you can buy cigars at the factories. And yes, they will have the above mentioned receipts there. This time I didn't go on a tour of Camaguey (closest city) that included a "shopping tour" of a cigar factory. I had planned to and it was one of my goals for that trip. But I came down with a stomach flu for 2 days and couldn't be 5 minutes from a toilet!!:smiley29: :smiley19:Quote:
Originally Posted by Monk
Ya man, buy them from the store in the hotel or an actual cigar store in havana or varadero. no junk off the bartenders, pool boys, lifeguards etc. they are all fakes, and poor ones at that.:smiley41: :smiley37:
Lol! Good luck with that.Quote:
Originally Posted by 420seth
uh... don't buy anything that comes in a glass top box...
Damn! I was just looking at a nice glass top Cohiba box! :smiley2:Quote:
Originally Posted by mauied1101
-W.
ok... except 420seth - you can buy the glass top boxes - their very special limited edition. and make sure you put them right in with your other sticks to permeate the beetles... I mean the aroma...Quote:
Originally Posted by 420seth
Hey dude, what is so funny? Have you even been to cuba? And no you cannot drive a neon there. LOL:smiley41:Quote:
Originally Posted by drew_goring
Glass top box of cigars? What you numbskulls talking about? Cigars do not come in glass top boxes?:smiley41:
Hey dipshit. It is well known that the only place to reliably get authentic Cuban cigars are the Official Cuban Government stores. A lot of hotel shops sell fakes. Just like a lot of B&Ms up here in Canada sell fakes...(betcha didn't know that:smiley17: )Quote:
Originally Posted by 420seth
So where in BC are you from anyways? Feel free to post a proper intro.:smiley20:
well if you want to get technical, we're both wrongQuote:
Originally Posted by Monk
http://www.lacasadelhabano.cu/mundo_i.asp
It's La Casa Del Habano
Gotta love it when you can correct the spelling teacher.
Thats not quite true most restorts and hotels are government owned in Cuba looking at the hotel envelope hanging on my board right now... thus they do sell legit Cubans, they however, do it at the same price as stores. And there is a certain amount of bargaining you can do with the sales people. They like western stuff and corruption is pretty darn rampant... I managed to trade the shirt off my back for three Montecristo #4's in a Habanos store, but first I had to find the clerk who was drinking and playign cards elsewhere, drinking rum clearly pilfered from our hotel's open bar may I add.Quote:
Originally Posted by drew_goring
Let's see... I bet you, 420seth, a box of Padron 64s that cigars can indeed com in glass top boxes. Ready to put your money where your mouth is? Tell me why I'm wrong. Hell, I'll even let you pick the size of the 64 to send me.Quote:
Originally Posted by 420seth
C'mon - I'm waiting...
What he said. Plus, read the recent threads. You still need to post an intro, Cheech.Quote:
Originally Posted by mauied1101
Dude, have you even been to Cuba? Doesn't sound like it by the way you talk. Anyways I did not come in here to fight with Neon drivers. Much below my level. Anyhow, I just did not like getting attached to the glass top box crap. I don't really care if they actually do come in a glass top box or not. I personally have never seen one, but like I say, who cares. Not me.:smiley41:Quote:
Originally Posted by drew_goring
No correcting in my original post. Mine was just a question. I wasn't sure and wanted to go to the write place in an online search (to see where they are in Mexico City). :smiley1:Quote:
Originally Posted by cigar no baka
-W.
If you have never seen a glass top, you have obviously never been to Cuba yourself.:smiley41:Quote:
Originally Posted by 420seth
I have been there six times. my goal in life is not to find a glass box. I am going there on february 3rd though and I will keep my eyes open for one. If I find one which I believe you that they exist, I will take a picture of it and post it. are we kewl?:smiley41:Quote:
Originally Posted by drew_goring
Hey CNB - He's got a point. I guess the correct answer to his original post would have been "no." But me thinks you got a second chance here! :smiley2:Quote:
Originally Posted by Monk
No need to... here ya go.Quote:
Originally Posted by 420seth
Wait a minute, who let the 13 year old cheerleader in here?Quote:
Originally Posted by 420seth
Here we go. I have just the thing. LinkyQuote:
Originally Posted by heftysmokes
Quote:
Originally Posted by translation for our young friend
OK, well they have several shops in Mexico City. Smoke 'em up!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Monk
Quote:
Originally Posted by cigar no baka
Thanks! I hope to, mind you Desert Rat was mentioning that the prices may be "inflated" so I'll have to keep a watch out for that. Still, probably cheaper than up here. I might be stuck getting some singles, but at least I'll enjoy them with some colleagues and not worry too much.
Cheers,
-Will
you're a :smiley35: idiot. we have pics of it on our board and they're all over the internet. Just because you haven't seen it with your own eyes doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Do you think the space shuttle is real or the pyramids of egypt are real, etc. etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by 420seth
You called us "numbskull" because you don't think they exist. I called your ass on it. Now drop a pair and take the bet (plus SLC's double) or STFU.
:smiley44:
Well I think taxes in Canada are high enough that you may actually find that buying your Cubans in Mexico is cheaper, but I dunno, I'm just guessing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Monk
Depressingly, I would agree with you on that likelihood. :smiley19: (Depressing about the tax, not the agreement on the subject :smiley2: )Quote:
Originally Posted by cigar no baka
-W.