Originally Posted by
CptnBlues63
If they weren't purchased in an authorized cigar store in Cuba, they're fakes.
Everybody and their dog in Cuba has a [insert relative here] who works for a cigar factory and can get you a "special" deal on cigars. They're all fake.
A friend of mine was recently there and was offered a fantastic deal on a box of Cohiba Esplendido's. Remembering that I smoke cigars, he bought them for $50 CAD. Even though I knew they were fake, I bought the remaining 20 off of him for $2/each. They're smokable, but they are NOT Esplendido's. I could take a pic and show you what 6 to 10 fake Esplendido's look like but I'm too lazy.
Point in fact, if purchased from a legit cigar store in Cuba you get an official Habanos receipt you have to hang on to and be able to show at the airport if asked. If you can't produce said receipt, any/all cigars you have can, and will be confiscated because they are fake and the Cuban government is doing this in an effort to help curb the counterfeiting.
The friend who brought me back the fakes is going to Cuba in a few weeks for his daughter's wedding (she's getting married there) and may bring me back two boxes of my favorite ISOM's if he has time and a store is close to hand. I've explained in detail to him about buying at an authorized store and the receipt and sent him a couple links worth of info. But I told him point-blank just the other day. If it's too much hassle, don't bother I won't mind.
I'd rather not give him money (again) for fakes.
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