Cigars

[boykinlp]

Looking for some advice. I have a friend that is a cigar smoker. I also have a sister that is going on a trip to Cuba (why, I do not know) in a few weeks. I thought I might ask her to bring me back a box of cigars for my friend. I suppose that is legal to do now.

What brand should I have her look to buy, and approximately what might something like this cost me? I hope buying them there is much less expensive.

 

[Andy Lowry]

Cohiba is the instantly recognizable classic when it comes to Cuba. As to cost, I don't know. I'm not so sure that you can bring Cuban cigars back in with you, though. None of the cigar stores carry them, so importing them must still be a no-no.

 

[Marshwheeling]

To keep it simple, ask her to bring back Cohibas. There are lots of others, but Cohiba is probably the best-recognized. They are good cigars, and your friend will be glad to get them. You would have a hard time doing better in a third-hand transaction.

Somebody really knowledgeable might suggest something else. If I were going, I would be smoking a lot of different ones to see what I wanted to bring back.

Edit: plus, what Andy says may well be true. The Cuban Cohibas I have smoked all came through Mexico, and probably sneaked by Customs.

 

[Old_Cop]

Unfortunately Cohiba is the most counterfeited cigar from Cuba. I would suggest that you consider Bolivar, an excellent brand.. No glass top cigar boxes, buy only in a in a government shop. It will cost, but they will be real.

 

[ldausmc1369]

Montecristo, LaGloria Cubana are a couple more.

 

[ditrina]

First it is perfectly legal to bring back Cuban cigars into the US for personal use from Cuba or any other country over seas or Canada/Mexico. ( No mail order ) YOU must hand carry them back. Up to 100 cigars per person ( Four Boxes ) without being questioned.

There as many counterfeit cigars in cuba Pssst hey gringo wanna buy a box of Cohibas for $25.00??

Where to buy..
La Casa del Habano any location in any country

Real Fabrica de Tabacos Partagás

Now that said they are NOT cheap even in Cuba, with the Cohebia's hitting $600.00 and up a box.

Myself I would recommend two or three of the 3 or 5 packs, for a variety.

Partagas Serie D # 4 in the tubes.

Romeo Y Julieta Wide Chirchills

H. Upmann # 2

A perennial favorite
Montechristo # 2

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure # 2

Montechristo # 4

As Mr Jinks would say
" I hope this helps "

PM me with any other questions.

 

[Speedo2]

Montecristo Open Masters; nothing finer.

 

[03hemi]

Unless it's changed, you're allowed up to $200 worth of cigars to bring back, that could be a handful of Cohibas or a few of boxes of others.

 

[ditrina]

The New Rules on Cuban Cigars | Cigar Aficionado

Up to 4 boxes ( 100 cigars duty free $ 800.00 worth ) anything over that you would pay duty.

 

[Squarebutt]

A relative brought me a couple of cigars from Cuba recently. They are only sold in state stores. When she got back to the USA customs grabbed them and she thinks they x-rayed them. Whatever they did took a long time. I haven't tried one yet. Waiting for a special occasion.

 

[gregintenn]

I brought back 5 Cohibas from a recent cruise to the Bahamas. On the way back, I was greatly saddened to hear that I could have brought back 100. I was just going to take a chance with the 5.

 

[Absalom]

...
Up to 4 boxes ( 100 cigars duty free $ 800.00 worth ) anything over that you would pay duty.

An important point which a lot of people don't seem to be aware of:

The limits relate to customs duty; many people think they are absolute limits. In most cases you can bring in considerably more if you declare it and pay for the part over the exemption. The rates are somewhere around 3 or 4% for alcohol and tobacco. So the worst that can happen is that you pay an extra 4 bucks for that 100-dollar box of cigars or bottle of premium booze.

Of course, not declaring it is smuggling, and can get you in a different kind of trouble.

 

[Bill Bates]

As other have stated, the only place to buy legit cigars in Cuba is a La Casa del Habano or in some of the factory stores. To me Cohibas are way over rated but that just be because their flavor profile tends to match my palette.

Partagas Series D #4 are a great smoke that won't break the bank.

The H. Upmann #2 are smoking good. (avoid the classic Montecristo #2 they are great when on but often they aren't)

The Juan Lopez #2 have been very constant lately and they also won't break the bank. This might be my first choice with the Upmannn #2 a close second.

If your budget is on the frugal side the Partagas Short is a great cigar and the box price is very affordable. It is my winter time go to smoke when the weather gets cold.

I think any of those can be had for $200 or less per box of 25.

I avoid the tubos (cigars in little tubes) they tend to often be moldy.

I do go through a lot of these Partagas Shorts. I would be tickled if somebody bought me a box of these cheap cigars.

 

[rwsmith]

Anybody know....

The New Rules on Cuban Cigars | Cigar Aficionado

Up to 4 boxes ( 100 cigars duty free $ 800.00 worth ) anything over that you would pay duty.

Anybody know what the doody is? You hear about it all the time, but I have no idea at all if it's 10 dollars, 20 dollars or 100 dollars on 400 bucks worth of cigars. How do you pay? Do they have a coffee can there?

PS: I found this. It seems that limits have gone up to 800 dollars and duty is 4% and you have to pay Federal excise taxes. That comes out to $32 for the duty: Big whoop. Is somebody going to cry over 32 bucks for 800 dollars worth of Cubans?

 

[STCM(SW)]

Personalty Cuban cigars are over rated.
Had some from the late 1950's and many in the past 35-40 years.
A.F. Don Carlos is what I spend my money on for a great cigar.

 

[soFlaNative]

If I had a couple 3 or 4 cigars stashed for weekend travel or to share in the field how would I keep them in good shape for more than a couple days?

 

[The Big D]

Easy.

If still in wrappers, just keep them cool and in a fitted cigar case or a simple wood box to keep them from being crushed. If unwrapped (not in cellophane) a small box with a little sponge soaked with water (preferably distilled) will keep them fresh.
Be careful they don't get too wet/soggy hence the recommendation for wood over a box that is airtight.

NEVER FREEZE THEM!

Best thing is to smoke 'em regularly...

Be safe.

If I had a couple 3 or 4 cigars stashed for weekend travel or to share in the field how would I keep them in good shape for more than a couple days?

 

[Bill Bates]

If I had a couple 3 or 4 cigars stashed for weekend travel or to share in the field how would I keep them in good shape for more than a couple days?

I put my cigars in a ziplock bag with Boveda humidity pack of my preferred relative humidity which is 62%rh for the cigars I smoke most. Then I toss that in a small plastic snap lid container so they don't get crushed,

You can buy small travel humidors that also do an excellent job.

NEVER EVER put your cigars in a container with a sponge with just distilled water. The humidity will go through the roof causing at best wet cigars and at worst moldy ruined cigars. You want nice stable humidity between 60-70%rh. Boveda packs do that great.