buying from non-cuban airports

[chinamike233]

just curious to know if people here have bought duty-free from airports and what their experiences have been.

if anyone could comment specifically on the HK int'l airport that would be helpful as well.

thanks!

[jacksfull]

It's been awhile, but I have made last minute CC purchases in the Duty Free store(s) at HK airport a few times with favorable results.

If you have time to shop while in the city there are certainly better bets, though.

[Habanos2000]

I've never been to the HK airport, but remember buying a 5 pack of Trini's at an airport in Mexico about 5 years ago, can't remember which city it was. I figured I'd be smart and pick a pack from the back of the display only to find out, when I got home, there were only 4 cigars and not 5! oh well, lesson learned.

[bassman]

The Buenos Aires airport has a fantastic LCDH in the duty free area. Well stocked, comfy smoking lounge & free brandy too. Most relaxing place I've ever killed time waiting for a flight.

[ZinZan]

For non-CC, I've bought padron from Kuala Lumpur Airport, although the prices were high comparative to the online retailers but it's still reasonable. But i've just found out, i bought Sellecion Pyramides from Changi airport and i got ripped off.

[bob25]

I bought a box of RyJ#1 from the Israeli airport,all of them were plugged and un smokable.

I called them and ask to replace at least half of them after trying 8. they tell me ,"it happens and we cannot help you with that".

Bastards.

[El Presidente]

It really is hit and miss.

To minimise the "miss" (most won't open boxes).

* If it is aged, be careful.

* If the box is damaged in any way, be careful.

* if the box has been opened and re-sealed (check that the habanos sticker top right corner has not been cut) be careful.

* Skinnies from 98-01 be careful

* Concentrate where possible on 08 and younger turnover boxes such as M2/D4/RASS/Epi 2 etc.

* Check the humidity and temp. Some are way too high in either or both departments.

[DrunkenMonkey]

Just went thru Hong Kong airport last week. Can't comment on the quality, because prices seemed outrageous. Many nearly double the Czar prices. If you have time, better to order before you travel, IMO.

[El Presidente]

...i should point out it doesn't improve any at Jose Marti Airport in Havana in terms of quality or range.

[chinamike233]

It really is hit and miss.

To minimise the "miss" (most won't open boxes).

* If it is aged, be careful.

* If the box is damaged in any way, be careful.

* if the box has been opened and re-sealed (check that the habanos sticker top right corner has not been cut) be careful.

* Skinnies from 98-01 be careful

* Concentrate where possible on 08 and younger turnover boxes such as M2/D4/RASS/Epi 2 etc.

* Check the humidity and temp. Some are way too high in either or both departments.

thanks prez, EXACTLY the information I was looking for...

[toto]

It really is hit and miss.

To minimise the "miss" (most won't open boxes).

* If it is aged, be careful.

* If the box is damaged in any way, be careful.

* if the box has been opened and re-sealed (check that the habanos sticker top right corner has not been cut) be careful.

* Skinnies from 98-01 be careful

* Concentrate where possible on 08 and younger turnover boxes such as M2/D4/RASS/Epi 2 etc.

* Check the humidity and temp. Some are way too high in either or both departments.

I go through HKG about 6 to 7 times a year. It's been a while since I have checked in any of their stock. There are better deals inside HKG and the selection inside DF is rather limited. A smallish cabinet with humidity being way too high is what I recall. Pres' advice is bang on. They have never opened a box for me for inspection when asked, and to be honest the sales person(s) leaves much to be desired in both habanos and wine knowledge. They do try to be helpful.

[Chaki]

Best DF for cigars: Beirut, hands down, with the largest humidor of any DF and free rum, you can't beat that!

Second: Dubai Airport, good prices as well

Hong Kong airport DF is a waste of time

[jsd]

For non-CC, I've bought padron from Kuala Lumpur Airport, although the prices were high comparative to the online retailers but it's still reasonable. But i've just found out, i bought Sellecion Pyramides from Changi airport and i got ripped off.

wow you guys do some traveling.

ZinZan...love the Jamiroquai profile pic.

[El Presidente]

thanks prez, EXACTLY the information I was looking for...

They are recommendations only. Some DF is brilliant (Middle East in particular). Most DF in the world operates at the same level of competence, variety and interest as a employee run kebab cart.

[MIKA27]

The Buenos Aires airport has a fantastic LCDH in the duty free area. Well stocked, comfy smoking lounge & free brandy too. Most relaxing place I've ever killed time waiting for a flight.

I second that!

[MIKA27]

Most DF in the world operates at the same level of competence, variety and interest as a employee run kebab cart.

Australias very own duty free is one of those kebab carts....

[sje]

ok here goes,

based on my experiences,

Singapore - expensive (extreme)

HKG - average stock (regulars such as motes etc) expensive

KUL - 2 outlets both expensive, 1 sells real cubans and the other has had fake stock

India - all international airports (very poorly kept, only average stock, average prices) only buy new stock due to storage conditions

athens - dont bother with limited range but ok prices

LHR - good selection, great stock with some aged but not the cheapest sand at the beach

larnaca cyprus - good range and Stock, well priced and stored well,

Beirut - best in the world with stock availability (limiteds, regionals etc etc) best prices in the world as well

Abu Dhabi - excellent with a mixture of cubans and non cubans, sell very inexpensive bundles of Nicaraguans at 4 AUD per stick that are great

Dubai - fantastic stock, and prices but only the big LCDH has staff that half know the product, (duncan melville etc) and at times have late 90s stock at hand

China (i was there a few years ago with a very small cigar culture backt then so dont waste your time (maybe its changed recently)

if i think of a few more ill add

Spiro

[Leopolis Semper Fidelis]

I would advise against buying at airports. A few years ago, at a Latin American international airport's Duty Free (which I won't identify), I made the mistake of shelling out on what I thought were Cohiba Espléndidos. Unfortunately - and I should've known better - they were undoubtedly fakes. Absolutely foul, putrid, vile. Lesson learned the hard way - never again!!

P.S. It looks like LCDH at Buenos Aires is (was?) a glorious exception.

[Mr. Japan]

Been around several airports in the world never found a good place ;-) or good prices . Always not proper workers (they no "zero" about cigars) and sometimes also not well kepts.

But never been Dubai or Abudabi where some friends said me that are fantastic, Smithy have you seen these on your way back?

[matt14]

Jo`berg is worth a mention, i used to fly through on my way to Angola. Couple years now since I worked there and cant remember the lady`s name but, as well as DF prices I got a 15% discount ( I was buying around 8-10 boxes ) Good solid stock and also a selection of singles available, although RH was a little high.

[toto]

Frankfurt is not bad, conditions are kept properly, but prices are high. Buy pipe tobacco instead.

[ZinZan]

wow you guys do some traveling.

ZinZan...love the Jamiroquai profile pic.

Thanks JSD, I'm big fan of Jay Kay at last managed to see him live in KL.

My company sends me to some really weird funky places ie PNG, Kazakhstan and Myanmar. Hey I cant complain at least i get to places i wont normally go on my own. On the 12th i'm gonna be in Sydney and Melbourne, hope there's a herf around the time. If schedule permits would love join in.

[ChanceSchmerr]

Will elaborate on trip in another thread, but here is my experiences with Airport duty frees -

Canadian Airports - Don't bother, same old overprices Montes and Cohibas, even if they have them!

LHR/Hong Kong/Singapore/Tokyo Airports - Boy Was I retarded to not check out these airport DFs when I flew through a couple of years ago......although I wasn't the cigar fan then that I am now, and it sounds like I'm not missing much.

Madrid Airport - Multiple Cava Del Cigarros in this airport. I was told that the Terminal 1 store is the best, but could not enter that section because I only had an in-Europe boarding pass. Bastards. I consoled myself with the Terminal 2 Cava - a full walk-in Humi. The RH is a little high, but storage appears good. The cigar choices......interesting. If you want Discontinued Cigars, you may find some of them here, but from the Red Flag years of 2000 and a few from 2001. SLR Churchill, SP Sanchos, Punch Super Selection #1 (a single cab), and a few others.....they are here, and they are plugged as hell. I probably pissed the crap out of the proprietor because I was opening boxes left right and center to inspect the cigars - NEVER Being disrespectful or rushed with the cigars of course, but i couldn't buy from these years without seeing first, and I'm glad that I did - terrible construction. No one said anything to me, although onetraveller was watching me through the window in the terminal like I was committing heresy. Anyway, there is some nice finds here - I bought a ridiculously good 2003 box of H Upmann Sir Winstons, with oily dark wrappers and old bands, and a box of the Punch Super Robusto REs for Spain 2009. Those are the only REs available there at present. Recent production of ERDM CX Supreme, Monte, Cohiba, RASS and other staples, and really old Monte Especials that did not look or smell great - 2000's again. In all, you can probably find something here that you'd like. I did. Prices are par for Spain, but higher if you're not leaving the EU on your flight.

Lisbon Airport - A pretty good walk in humidor with a good selection of recent production cigars at proper Hum/Temp. No aged smokes to be found, but a great set up overall. Prices are same as Spain. Worth having a look in. I had all the cigars I could take, bought some Balvenie Portwood 21 Yr and some Glefiddych Liquour instead.

Porto Airport - Never really got a chance to look. Probably similar to Lisbon, but the focus in this airport is Port Wine. A number of 1963 Vintage bottles for sale, if you can stomach 500 EUR for a price tag per bottle!

I have Cigars from Dubai DF, but I wasn't there myself, can't comment on the store.