I believe most of the so called "Cuban" cigars sold around the US are actually fake.

The real irony is that the closer you get to Cuba; ie Miami, the higher propensity of running into fakes.

The counterfeiters have become so good, that it is almost impossible to tell the difference unless you are a highly trained expert...until you smoke it.

Prices for Cuban cigars are high, even where they are legally sold. This gives the counterfeiters incentive to invest in high quality duplication of bands, box art, size, shape and color to look like the real thing.

Even with going over the top to make the fakes look real, they can turn a 1000% profit. (I'll have to see if the article says anything about this.)

Most smokers of premium cigars pay an average of $5-$9 for a high quality stick.

Some of the excellent quality legal cigars such as Padron 1964 Anniversay can sell for up to $25 a stick and they are worth it.

If I were to go to Canada and buy real Cubans there, most of them would cost US$20-30.

Unsuspecting US consumers eager to get their hands on the "forbidden fruit" pay $30 for a fake Cuban cigar that cost the counterfeiter $3.00 to produce.