Cuban Cigars.

Ah, fine cuban cigars.. one of my favourite things as well.

There was a nice discussion prior to the Great Crash.

I don't know of any specific "cheap outlets" but there are a number of Canadian shops that will mail overseas. Just google for it. You may be hit with duties and taxes anyways so it may not be cheaper.

What are your favourites?

While on holiday in Cuba my brother picked up a box of Cohiba Esplendido's for $50. They have been verified authentic. Cost of box normally, over $1400. If one were to buy two boxes and sell one you could pay for your whole vacation.

I've, um, heard that a lot of Americans order Cubans through NZ. It shouldn't be hard to find an online supplier there.

Sorry -- not authentic. These sell on the Island for about $500 a box (this is the price at all Habanos S.A. authorized retail outlets). They sell elsewhere for more, although Habanos S.A. has been raising prices in Cuba over the past few years to match the most competitive international market prices (cigars used to be substantially less expensive in Cuba proper). It is possible to periodically find cigars for less than "Island" prices, but these are often via "gray market" (resellers), the margins below Island prices are minimal.

Fact: Cuban cigars are not cheep -- even in Cuba. Only "peso" cigars are. Price is often the easiest way to identify fakes. As is "short filler," a non-tripple cap, incorrect box codes, and a number of other tell-tale signs.

These "Cohibas" purchased on the Island may be made with Cuban tobacco -- but they are not Cohibas. And there is a world of difference between where the tobacco comes from (even within Cuba) and cigar blends, so a Cuban fake Cohiba will be nothing like an authentic one (just smoke a machine made Jose Piedras).

That said, if he's happy with the cigars, he got a box for $50 so enjoy. But enjoy them for what they are, not what they aren't. Additionally, it would be unethical to pass them off as authentic or to sell them to someone else for "authentic" Cohiba prices.

In case I've ruffled any feathers here, let me state at the outset that I will not argue about this one. Believe what you want, but to believe these are "authentic" is to pull the wool over your own eyes. Sadly, the "Cuban" cigars many Americans buy in Mexico are anything but.

Re: the inquiry in this post -- I'd leave discussion of vendors to non-US members and to private message.

I do too. Having been to Havana, I can attest to the huge number of fake cigars there. I do not know if they still try to pass them off, but the Cohiba Cristals were the fake of choice several years ago.

KC, if you want a trustworthy mail order supplier in Europe, pm me.

I usually go to Cuba yearly on vacation, and I only buy from the official government stores. The prices are set by the government and really don't vary much. You can, however, get some fine cigars cheap directly from the factory if you're on a tour or something. This is done under the table by some of the workers.

The cheap cigars the locals smoke are actually something one should try if you can get hold of them. They are sold in the government rations stores. You need an official rations book and use local pesos to buy them. They are really strong and, well, interesting.

BTW, one of my newer favourites is Vegas Robaina Familiars. It's a very nice well-rounded cigar.