Cuba trip

[Cooolish]

Hi all,

A friend is going to Cuba and I was wondering if I should ask him to bring me cigars??

Is it cheaper there??

Which cigar would you ask for?? ( I know what I like but I was wondering if there is something that is special and found in Cuba specifically?? )

Where would you buy it??

Is there any warning or big DON'T??

Regards.

[adic88]

Get a few boxes of Cohiba Behikes from and ONLY from La Casa del Habanos outlets, or directly from the factories.

Behikes on the island are about $200-280 per box, WAY WAY cheaper than elsewhere.

[CanuckSARTech]

Well, if you're asking these questions about buying cigars in Cuba, and if it's not even you buying but a friend buying instead....I would DEFINITELY not be asking them to buy Cohiba Behikes for me (sorry, Aiz). It would be too easy for a mistake or problem.

I agree with the other part of what Aiz said - only have him buy from a LCDH store or at a factory store (not from any other "shop" unless he knows what he's doing, and definitely not from anyone selling on the street).

If he's going to either Havana or Varadero, just have him buy at the LCDH store. Have him get something simple but classic - Partagas Shorts, Diplomaticos No. 4's, R&J Short Churchills, something like that.

[Baldy]

Well, if you're asking these questions about buying cigars in Cuba, and if it's not even you buying but a friend buying instead....I would DEFINITELY not be asking them to buy Cohiba Behikes for me (sorry, Aiz). It would be too easy for a mistake or problem.

I agree with the other part of what Aiz said - only have him buy from a LCDH store or at a factory store (not from any other "shop" unless he knows what he's doing, and definitely not from anyone selling on the street).

If he's going to either Havana or Varadero, just have him buy at the LCDH store. Have him get something simple but classic - Partagas Shorts, Diplomaticos No. 4's, R&J Short Churchills, something like that.

X2

Keep it simple and give him/her a list with a few options. Not all LCDH there have the same stock all the time. I'm very explicit with my instructions and very firm in what I want and where I want it purchase. I want receipts. In turn I keep it simple, include address and pictures of a particular LCDH. Many a mules have strayed from the path and got taken by someone on the street who knows a dog, who got this pet gold fish, who has a sister, with an ex-boyfriend, who has a brother that works at the factory. Mules comes back and said "I found a deal for you!" and present a box of Esplendidos that they got for $80 CUC.

[rckymtn22]

X3

You can use Marty Mix's retail prices as a guide for the costs in Cuba. Was there this summer and the prices are still close to spot on. Just google the above.

[bassman]

X2

Keep it simple and give him/her a list with a few options. Not all LCDH there have the same stock all the time. I'm very explicit with my instructions and very firm in what I want and where I want it purchase. I want receipts. In turn I keep it simple, include address and pictures of a particular LCDH. Many a mules have strayed from the path and got taken by someone on the street who knows a dog, who got this pet gold fish, who has a sister, with an ex-boyfriend, who has a brother that works at the factory. Mules comes back and said "I found a deal for you!" and present a box of Esplendidos that they got for $80 CUC.

Inflation hits Cuba! Street Espies were $50 in 2003.

[bigfunkyg]

I usually send friends, family, co-workers who are going to Cuba a specific list and clear do's and dont's.

Only buy from an actual store, not the guy on the beach no matter how good of a deal they propose or who they know who works at the factory. I will second what CanuckSARTech said in that keep it simple. Ask for standards or staples and stay away from the obscure. Stick to the LCDH's or factory shops and suggest the shop in the Varadero airport as a last resort.

Tell them to be careful no matter where they buy and pay close attention to the boxes. I have had guys get pulled the bait and switch where my friend thought he was getting Monte No. 2 and was charged for Monte No. 2 prices but gave him Monte Tubos telling him they are the same thing.

Dont assume they know anything. What is obvious to the seasoned cigar smoker and shopper isn't to your Uncle or Co-worker who doesn't know a Cohiba from manure rolled in a bananna leaf.

Good luck!

G

[Cooolish]

i was gonna ask for Monte or Cohiba sublime BUT i was told NOT to.

Then the Behike came into play.. BUT according to the replies ??!!!!!!!!!

I have loads of the regular smoke.... BOXES dated back up to 2002 or even 2000... Am not that interested in the usual production as i have more than enough.

Now i am considering just not to bother ;p

Is there a place that have websites or phone numbers of LCDH shops in Cuba??

[El Presidente]

i was gonna ask for Monte or Cohiba sublime BUT i was told NOT to.

Then the Behike came into play.. BUT according to the replies ??!!!!!!!!!

I have loads of the regular smoke.... BOXES dated back up to 2002 or even 2000... Am not that interested in the usual production as i have more than enough.

Now i am considering just not to bother ;p

Is there a place that have websites or phone numbers of LCDH shops in Cuba??

The less your mate knows the more he is going to be ripped off particularly if searching for top end without knowing what he is talking about. Don't believe in Havana they are not selling some fakes out of LCDH. I have witnessed first hand fake Sublimes being sold to mates as well as Trini A's (singles). Stunned. I don't think there is a legitimate box of Cohiba Sublimes in the country outside of private lockers.

Go to R&J and ask for Hamlet (if he is back fro the UK). He can select a few boxes of Behikes. Alternatively ask for the LGC Jars.

[CanuckSARTech]

Go to R&J and ask for Hamlet (if he is back fro the UK). He can select a few boxes of Behikes. Alternatively ask for the LGC Jars.

Rob, excuse me for maybe asking a stupid question, but who is Hamlet? I've seen his name pop up in other posts and threads, and saw the thread about him doing some custom rolling in Ireland (?), so I was presuming that he was a roller, but what's the backstory on him then? Is he a Cuban national that primarily works at R&J, but does the travelling roller circuit too? Just curious.

And what was the estimated price on those Deliciosos jars??

[El Presidente]

Rob, excuse me for maybe asking a stupid question, but who is Hamlet? I've seen his name pop up in other posts and threads, and saw the thread about him doing some custom rolling in Ireland (?), so I was presuming that he was a roller, but what's the backstory on him then? Is he a Cuban national that primarily works at R&J, but does the travelling roller circuit too? Just curious.

And what was the estimated price on those Deliciosos jars??

Hamlet Paredes is the featured roller at the R&J Divan. Well, anyone who has been to R&J and seen Hamlet in full flight working the crowd would realise he runs the R&J Divan

Cuban National, One of the top 5 rollers in the country, fluent English Speaker and hence one of the first chosen for 3 monthly overseas field assignments. His personable nature and extraordinary skills make him the most requested roller by distributors. He has got to the point he picks where he goes.

[Cooolish]

The less your mate knows the more he is going to be ripped off particularly if searching for top end without knowing what he is talking about. Don't believe in Havana they are not selling some fakes out of LCDH. I have witnessed first hand fake Sublimes being sold to mates as well as Trini A's (singles). Stunned. I don't think there is a legitimate box of Cohiba Sublimes in the country outside of private lockers.

Go to R&J and ask for Hamlet (if he is back fro the UK). He can select a few boxes of Behikes. Alternatively ask for the LGC Jars.

You nailed it as usual...

LGC Jar is a must.

I think I will ask for a box or two of behike too ..

[Cooolish]

Rob, excuse me for maybe asking a stupid question, but who is Hamlet? I've seen his name pop up in other posts and threads, and saw the thread about him doing some custom rolling in Ireland (?), so I was presuming that he was a roller, but what's the backstory on him then? Is he a Cuban national that primarily works at R&J, but does the travelling roller circuit too? Just curious.

And what was the estimated price on those Deliciosos jars??

I have been told 220 $

[adic88]

Hamlet Paredes is the featured roller at the R&J Divan. Well, anyone who has been to R&J and seen Hamlet in full flight working the crowd would realise he runs the R&J Divan

Cuban National, One of the top 5 rollers in the country, fluent English Speaker and hence one of the first chosen for 3 monthly overseas field assignments. His personable nature and extraordinary skills make him the most requested roller by distributors. He has got to the point he picks where he goes.

Hamlet visited Malaysia in 2003. Nice guy.

http://mycigarblog.org/blog/?p=269 for review of his visit and pics.

[CanuckSARTech]

Hamlet Paredes is the featured roller at the R&J Divan. Well, anyone who has been to R&J and seen Hamlet in full flight working the crowd would realise he runs the R&J Divan

Cuban National, One of the top 5 rollers in the country, fluent English Speaker and hence one of the first chosen for 3 monthly overseas field assignments. His personable nature and extraordinary skills make him the most requested roller by distributors. He has got to the point he picks where he goes.

Okay, thanks - very cool. I've never really paid that much attention to any special roller's appearances at LCDH stores in Canada (don't even know if they have them). I might have to specifically look into that. And/or, for our next Cuba trip at the end of January, I may have to ask some in the know ( ) whether or not he'll be at R&J during certain dates, and maybe make a special trip to see him in action.

Very cool. Sounds like one heck of a great "ambassador" for Habanos.

[rckymtn22]

I paid around $290 US for a LCG jar this summer. Beautiful looking jar, haven't tried the cigars yet. Another jar to look for is the Partagas P1, also a beautiful jar

[Cooolish]

I paid around $290 US for a LCG jar this summer. Beautiful looking jar, haven't tried the cigars yet. Another jar to look for is the Partagas P1, also a beautiful jar

do u have a price on the partagas in cuba??!!

[padrinocubano]

do u have a price on the partagas in cuba??!!

the price, at the Partagas factory is 246,50 CUC, about 280,- USD.

This pictures I made five days ago in la casa de la fabrica de Partagas

regards

PC

[thechenman]

the price, at the Partagas factory is 246,50 CUC, about 280,- USD.

This pictures I made five days ago in la casa de la fabrica de Partagas

regards

PC

Looks like there might be an extreme shortage of LGC Delcias Jars in Cuba...

[rckymtn22]

do u have a price on the partagas in cuba??!!

Sorry, I did not see any Partagas P1's when I was in Cuba, if I did there would be a jar in my humidor. No sure they were out at that time. I would guess they would be similar price to the LCG.

[padrinocubano]

Sorry, I did not see any Partagas P1's when I was in Cuba, if I did there would be a jar in my humidor. No sure they were out at that time. I would guess they would be similar price to the LCG.

In the Partagas casa I haven`t seen the P1 Jar.

I saw some P1 Jars at the airport in Holguin / Cuba, each 220,- CUC, about 250 USD.

PC