Newbie Questions

[F.T. Pulver]

To answer your first question, second part first, there is absolutely no way you can tell the difference between a fake and real Cuban cigar because of your limited experience with them. Bands, seals, chevrons, EVERYTHING else can be faked with exact precisions so the even a long time Habano smoker would be fooled. The only way an “expert” can be sure to tell the difference is in the flavor. Once you get a few years of Cuban cigar smoking under your belt, you’ll know too.

In light of that the ONLY place anyone should be buying Cuban cigars is at an LCDH. There are two in Thailand, one in Bangkok and one in Pattaya City. You can buy with much more assurance there than anywhere else in Asia. There is also one in Tokyo.

For milder cigars I would recommend the Quai D’orsay Corona. A fantastic cigar with lots of flavor. You could also get an El Rey Del Mundo Choix Supreme or anything from the Fonseca line.

There are no drugs in Cuban cigars. But, as Tim said, it is illegal for an American to purchase a Cuban cigar under any conditions.

[cigarsarge]

Phillie Blunts usually have some weed put in em as the tobacco they contain is unsmokable.

[mauied1101]

In light of that the ONLY place anyone should be buying Cuban cigars is at an LCDH. There are two in Thailand, one in Bangkok and one in Pattaya City. You can buy with much more assurance there than anywhere else in Asia. There is also one in Tokyo.

The website is: http://www.lacasadelhabano.cu/mundo_i.asp.

[mauied1101]

But, as Tim said, it is illegal for an American to purchase a Cuban cigar under any conditions.

Just to clarify - it is NOT ILLEGAL for an American to purchase a Cuban cigar under any conditions. You just cannot bring it/import it to the US (AOARoss, I don't know if base counts as "US"). Check out the link http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/al...ban_cigars.xml and make your own determination.

So when you're in Thailand or Japan, buy 'em, enjoy 'em, just don't take 'em back to base. And above all, don't advertise what you're doing.

[F.T. Pulver]

Just to clarify - it is NOT ILLEGAL for an American to purchase a Cuban cigar under any conditions. You just cannot bring it/import it to the US (AOARoss, I don't know if base counts as "US"). Check out the link http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/al...ban_cigars.xml and make your own determination.

So when you're in Thailand or Japan, buy 'em, enjoy 'em, just don't take 'em back to base. And above all, don't advertise what you're doing.

No, that's not true. From the Justice Dept's website.

! TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING PROPERTY IN WHICH CUBA OR A
CUBAN NATIONAL HAS AN INTEREST - In addition to the prohibitions
on exports to and imports from Cuba, the Regulations prohibit any
person subject to U.S. jurisdiction from dealing in any property in which
Cuba or a Cuban national has an interest. Under the Regulations,
“property” includes but is not limited to contracts and services. For
example, unless otherwise authorized, persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction
(including U.S. overseas subsidiaries) may not purchase Cuban
cigars in Mexico; may not sign a contract with a U.K. firm if the contract
terms include Cuba-related provisions(even if those provisions are
contingent upon the lifting of the embargo); and may not provide
accounting, marketing, sales, or insurance services to a Cuban company
or to a foreign company with respect to the foreign company’s Cuba



http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforce.../cuba/cuba.pdf

[mauied1101]

I stand corrected! So back to what I was saying, just don't advertise what you're doing.