[Joekerr]

Just got my grandparents to bring a box of these back for me from Cuba. Anyone here had them?

I'm new to the cigar world, but I've found I generally like Cohiba's, Montecristo, and H.Uppman (no idea why, I just think its a good one).

I'm excited to try them, should be good! Cost a fortune though...think they told me $185, but maybe its $285 looking at the receipt as the reciept was something like $270. But then, to buy 25 of these cigars individually would have cost me $950, so I think I got a pretty good deal!

[Neurorad]

Dude, you can buy them in Toronto at any cigar shop.

But I gotta say, the price is right.

Go buy a Siglo IV from a cigar shop in Toronto, and compare labels. Compare boxes, too. Could be counterfeit. Check the Cigar Aficianado website for 'how to spot a counterfeit' and look for details.

Especially in Cuba.

[radix]

Originally Posted by Neurorad

Dude, you can buy them in Toronto at any cigar shop.

But I gotta say, the price is right.

Go buy a Siglo IV from a cigar shop in Toronto, and compare labels. Compare boxes, too. Could be counterfeit. Check the Cigar Aficianado website for 'how to spot a counterfeit' and look for details.

Especially in Cuba.

Agreed, and good advice, but Canada isn't much better than Cuba when it comes to fakes. Best thing to do is check the authorized dealers list on Habanos SA's website, or give them a call. Big things to check for (from memory):


1. The correct type and placement of the Habanos sticker.
2. The correct watermark on, and placement of, the "Republica de Cuba" sticker.
3. The factory codes (formerly nivel acuso) stamped on the back of the box in ink.
4. The Habanos stamp on the bottom of the box should be heat stamped, and not in ink.
5. Triple ring caps.
6. Consistency of color and wrapper texture WITHIN A BOX. Consistency and color can vary from box to box.
7. The smell, granted this takes experience with authentic Habanos.
8. The bands should be all be consistent within the box.
9. The box should present an overall neat appearance and should not be damaged, warped, frayed, etc.


There are probably many more I've failed to list. These are just the ones I've committed to memory.

EDIT: BTW... You need a blacklight for the watermark.

EDIT: I forgot a big one:

10. The cigars themselves should be free of defects, particularly tobacco beetles. Cuba now freezes all of their cigars prior to shipment to kill off all tobacco beetle larvae. If your sticks have holes in them from bugs, they are almost certainly fake.

Not that I have any reason at all for knowing this stuff.

[oct1285]

i've always wanted to try cigar smoking, where should I start? Am i suppose to just sit around a smoke a cigar or am I suppose to do something else to accompany the smoking?

[radix]

Originally Posted by oct1285

i've always wanted to try cigar smoking, where should I start? Am i suppose to just sit around a smoke a cigar or am I suppose to do something else to accompany the smoking?

Do whatever you like best. Some people enjoy a drink with a smoke. Those who do usually prefer cognac or a single malt scotch. Others enjoy expresso or a cup of coffee. Whatever you do, just sit, relax, and enjoy. One more thing... The best cigar is one you enjoy with a friend, so grab a buddy, a couple of smokes, and take it easy.

[!Xoible]

can someone send me some?? idk how i can get some

[radix]

Originally Posted by ///Mantis

can someone send me some?? idk how i can get some

I've heard there are sources for those of us that live in the US, some pricey and some not, but it is a good idea not to discuss them in a public forum. Generally, if you want guaranteed authenticity (meaning manufacturer sealed boxes with banded cigars), you'll pay more. However, I personally don't know anything about the subject... PM me and I'll tell you what I don't know.

[!Xoible]

i have coworkers that come from canada every single week. i just dont trust them to know where/how to get them and package them for me without ruining the cigars

[radix]

Originally Posted by ///Mantis

i have coworkers that come from canada every single week. i just dont trust them to know where/how to get them and package them for me without ruining the cigars

Well then start with something cheap, but decent, like a Monte No. 4. Then you could, hypothetically speaking of course, have them bring you a box, then check the box yourself using the criteria I posted above and whatever other criteria you find for yourself. There are plenty of sites out there dedicated to spotting fake cubans. Your hypothetical coworkers should be aware that if they are caught with these, they could be seized by customs.

[!Xoible]

i guess i'll just go there one day haahahah

oh well, i was trying to quit cigars anyway, i should have never clicked on the thread

[radix]

Originally Posted by ///Mantis

i guess i'll just go there one day haahahah

oh well, i was trying to quit cigars anyway, i should have never clicked on the thread

But then your post count would suffer.

[Year's_End]

So how many years of smokin do you have under your belt anmcguire? You seem to know your stuff haha.

[mpimping]

yeah just leave the labels on and if they get seized, you are out a few hundred.

[!Xoible]

Originally Posted by mpimping

yeah just leave the labels on and if they get seized, you are out a few hundred.

i hear people just remove the labels and sneak them in... i dont need to do anything illegal... better not smoke anyway

[Neurorad]

Easy, but expensive way to get legitimate Cuban cigars:

Pick up the phone and call any reputable Canadian cigar shop, e.g. Thomas Hinds. You could try online, too.

Any store in Canada will be more than happy to sell and ship to you, via FedEx.

You risk losing your $$$ for a confiscated box (or a few singles), but I've never heard of cigars being nabbed that way. Marijuana, yes (Bob Denver, anyone?), but not cigars.

Cuban cigars sold in Canada are just too expensive (for me). I only smoke $15 cigars occasionally (favorite splurges: Ashton VSG, Avo XO/Signature, Opus X). It's hard to justify spending more than that (but I do on the rare occasion, like traveling in Canada).

[radix]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

So how many years of smokin do you have under your belt anmcguire? You seem to know your stuff haha.

I've smoked 2-3 years. I don't even smoke all that much, maybe one or two sticks a month at most, although I used to smoke more. That said, I've got got several friends that are *big* smokers/collectors. One converted his walk-in closet into a walk in humidor because he didn't have space in all his humidors for his collection. Let's just say although I am not the worlds biggest smoker, I've been schooled by some black belts and have a good enough knowledge level on the subject.

[Joekerr]

Yeah, I know that I can get them here in Canada, the whole point of me getting my grandparents to get them while in Cuba was the price differential!

I'll check them more thoroughly tonight, using anmcguire's advice, but the box was heatstamped, everything looked kosher, and the cigars looked mint when I took them out of the box and placed them in my humidor. No beetles, consistent colour and bands, etc. I don't know where the stickers are supposed to be placed, so I'll have to look that one up, but it looked very authentic!

[!Xoible]

OT: yesterday in socal at one of the malls i saw a stand, outside, under the sun where it was 106 degrees selling fancy cigars! no cover or protection whatsoever

[radix]

Originally Posted by ///Mantis

OT: yesterday in socal at one of the malls i saw a stand, outside, under the sun where it was 106 degrees selling fancy cigars! no cover or protection whatsoever

Only a fool or a complete cigar neophyte would buy cigars from any place that doesn't have a properly maintained humidor. The guy could have at least used a coolerdor.

[radix]

Originally Posted by Joekerr

Yeah, I know that I can get them here in Canada, the whole point of me getting my grandparents to get them while in Cuba was the price differential!

I'll check them more thoroughly tonight, using anmcguire's advice, but the box was heatstamped, everything looked kosher, and the cigars looked mint when I took them out of the box and placed them in my humidor. No beetles, consistent colour and bands, etc. I don't know where the stickers are supposed to be placed, so I'll have to look that one up, but it looked very authentic!

Sorry, I should have been more specific about the sticker placement. The habanos sticker is usually placed diagonally on the upper right for dress boxes, and on the lower left for cabs. Both are placed on the top (face) of the box.

The warranty sticker is more difficult to describe but it located on the front left of dress boxes, placed vertically. On cabs, it's in the upper right, placed over the sliding cover. I wouldn't worry too much, from what I've heard so far it sounds like you got the real deal.

BTW... If ever you see a warranty sticker (Republica de Cuba) that has been broken with another one placed over it it's nothing to worry too much about. It just means that QC at the warehouse has opened and inspected the box.