fakes?

[CigarDoc]

Personally, I wouldn't buy any cigar rolled in Cuba. I'm a bit of a girlie-man when it comes to violating some laws.

Cuban Assets Control Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 515, are administered and enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. Criminal penalties for violation of the Regulations can go as high as $1 million for corporations, and $250,000 for individuals plus up to 10 years in prison. In addition, civil penalties of up to $65,000 per violation can be imposed by OFAC.

It is illegal for a US citizen to buy Cuban products anywhere in the world. So even though you are out of country you still can not taste the forbidden fruit.

Here's a link to the US Treasury Department for more information.

http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforce...uba/cuba.shtml

There was an article in Cigar Aficionado over the summer regarding the Treasury Dept. stepping up enforcement in recent years. I avoid buying them because of the few Cuban's I've had given to me, I haven't found one worth up to $250,000.

HEHEHE. That's funny cuz they let the local national sell em right on our base. All in all, I have smoked a few, and I can't tell what the big deal is... I'd rather have a Fuente any day.

[dauker]

HEHEHE. That's funny cuz they let the local national sell em right on our base. All in all, I have smoked a few, and I can't tell what the big deal is... I'd rather have a Fuente any day.

I remember how big of a deal it was to get drunk when I was a teenager. Now that I'm in my 20's and can drink whenever I like it's not so exciting. Although I do have a bottle of absynth just because I'm not supposed to. I feel Cuban's are sought after because you're not supposed to have them. Some people have told me I haven't had a good Cuban, which could be true. The Cuban's I have had were given to me by people who I wouldn't really consider intelligent about cigars, so they may have been fakes or not cared for properly. But I still hold that it's not worth the potential fines, as dumb as the embargo is.

[drew_goring]

I remember how big of a deal it was to get drunk when I was a teenager. Now that I'm in my 20's and can drink whenever I like it's not so exciting. Although I do have a bottle of absynth just because I'm not supposed to. I feel Cuban's are sought after because you're not supposed to have them. Some people have told me I haven't had a good Cuban, which could be true. The Cuban's I have had were given to me by people who I wouldn't really consider intelligent about cigars, so they may have been fakes or not cared for properly. But I still hold that it's not worth the potential fines, as dumb as the embargo is.

I can walk down to my local tobacconist and all they sell is Cuban cigars. IMO, they ARE a big deal.

Give me a $6 Cuban over a 6$ non-Cuban any day.

[dauker]

I can walk down to my local tobacconist and all they sell is Cuban cigars. IMO, they ARE a big deal.

Give me a $6 Cuban over a 6$ non-Cuban any day.

Yeah, but you also drive a Neon....

[chefchris]

Yeah, but you also drive a Neon....

which is why he walks to the store.

[CigarDoc]

I'd rather push a Chevy than drive a Dodge... HEHEHE

[drew_goring]

which is why he walks to the store.

Ouch.

[chefchris]

I remember how big of a deal it was to get drunk when I was a teenager. Now that I'm in my 20's and can drink whenever I like it's not so exciting. Although I do have a bottle of absynth just because I'm not supposed to. I feel Cuban's are sought after because you're not supposed to have them. Some people have told me I haven't had a good Cuban, which could be true. The Cuban's I have had were given to me by people who I wouldn't really consider intelligent about cigars, so they may have been fakes or not cared for properly. But I still hold that it's not worth the potential fines, as dumb as the embargo is.

I've had my fair share of cuban cigars, and I have to say there is a considerable difference. Quality, flavor, aroma - just all around different experience. I'm not saying cubans are the only thing worth smoking because that's obviously not true. But for the most part, in my opinion, you can't beat a good quality cuban. But I also agree that a lot of the hype is the forbidden fruit syndrome here in America ... that and the weed that's in there.

[FunkyCold5]

HEHEHE. That's funny cuz they let the local national sell em right on our base. All in all, I have smoked a few, and I can't tell what the big deal is... I'd rather have a Fuente any day.

The few "cubans" you've smoked were either fake or wasn't maintained in a proper environment. I enjoy my Fuentes as much as the other guy, but cuban cigars are in a whole different league. There are suttle nuances, aromas, and flavor that you can't replicate from Dominicans, Nicaraguans, and other cigars rolled from different countries. So far, Tatuaje cigars have been the ones to come close to replicating a cuban cigar for me. If you have not tried one, I highly recommend you try one. And if you find it as one of the most flavorful and aromatic cigar you've ever tried, then just know, cubans are just a few notches up from these.

Andrew