Buying blind in Cuba: Customs vs Regular Production

[Kierkegaard]

 

Hope all is well with you gentlemen, it has been a while. Someone in my family who doesn't smoke is going to Cuba, very soon, this weekend, and they have promised to bring me 50 cigars. Since they aren't trained in picking out cigars, nor can I give them a course in what to look for, I wanted to ask: what can someone buy blind in Cuba? And what is a better choice, customs or regular production? What is less risky? If you were to choose customs(which I have never smoked) what do you recommend for sweetness? Thanks in advance.

 

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[Wookie]

I haven't been to the island but ive heard the stories. If if I were you I'd give them the address of a noted LCDH and tell them to go only there and buy regular production...something you know will likely be in stock. Choice a, b, c etc. Keep it simple. Good luck!

[prodigy]

I thought you gave up on cigars? Did you finally smoke some good ones?

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[Hookmaker]

3 hours ago, Wookie said:

I haven't been to the island but ive heard the stories. If if I were you I'd give them the address of a noted LCDH and tell them to go only there and buy regular production...something you know will likely be in stock. Choice a, b, c etc. Keep it simple. Good luck!

Excatly, I'd go for some of the new Trinis that are trickling into shops, but if you're into ER, get them to bring you 5 boxes of La Isla - plenty in stock everywhere.

[Kierkegaard]

I thought you gave up on cigars? Did you finally smoke some good ones?

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I did for a while, then some friends of mine were gifted a box of Sir Winstons, which I bought off them, and they were incredible... After 90 days of rest. So after that incredible experience I am back craving more...

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[DSegal]

I did that with a friend a couple years ago after I returned from a visit to Cuba wishing I'd brought home more. He was going a few months later. I think it's easiest to direct someone to a hotel with a good LCDH shop. I am not a fan of the Hotel National LCDH, but the hotel itself is kind of irresistible for the back patio experience, with beverage of choice and a nice luxurious smoke. I did buy a box of SCdLH El Principe there that I made the mistake of not opening before leaving the shop--and the box was full of tobacco beetles. But I'm sure overall the LCDH there has a lot of good boxes that I'd be happy to smoke. 

[BarryVT]

1 hour ago, DSegal said:

made the mistake of not opening before leaving the shop--and the box was full of tobacco beetles.

I hear this often from people buying in cuba, I have heard to freeze everything coming out of cuba, do they not freeze cigars sold in cuba? Or do they freeze cigars sold in cuba, and the beetles are reintroduced due to climate or custom rolls? I do realize all exports are frozen as of 2005.

[Tstew75]

Don't buy singles!!!  Only boxes.

[Nino]

8 hours ago, Kierkegaard said:

I wanted to ask: what can someone buy blind in Cuba? And what is a better choice, customs or regular production? What is less risky? If you were to choose customs(which I have never smoked) what do you recommend for sweetness? Thanks in advance.

 

Nothing. Do not buy blind in Cuba.

Better choice : standard production. PSD 4, P2, anything "standard" production if bought by others with no knowledge..

Less risky and MOST important : Buy from a LCDH ONLY.

You should try custom rolled first - What is sweet to you might be sour to others ...

[SCgarman]

If they buy you production boxes, make sure they open the lid and inspect for tobacco beetles. Whatever you end up with make sure you properly freeze them at your home to prevent beetle outbreaks. 

[El Presidente]

Buy 2019 stock. The later the better. 

Give the beetles as little head start as possible 

QD 54

Upmann Connie A

Upmann SW  (you already love them). 

 

[Viva Vegas]

Can you open all your boxes in Cuba and check them with out any issues leaving. I thought it had to be sealed boxes leaving with invoices? Thanks

[El Presidente]

5 minutes ago, Viva Vegas said:

Can you open all your boxes in Cuba and check them with out any issues leaving. I thought it had to be sealed boxes leaving with invoices? Thanks

Some days you can cherry pick from a few boxes.  Some places are more agreeable to it than others. If they know you, it generally isn't a problem.  I haven't been aware of my crew ever being stopped at the airport on the way out because the seal had been sliced. It is pretty hard to tell. 

[CanuckSARTech]

21 minutes ago, Viva Vegas said:

Can you open all your boxes in Cuba and check them with out any issues leaving. I thought it had to be sealed boxes leaving with invoices? Thanks

 

13 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

Some days you can cherry pick from a few boxes.  Some places are more agreeable to it than others. If they know you, it generally isn't a problem.  I haven't been aware of my crew ever being stopped at the airport on the way out because the seal had been sliced. It is pretty hard to tell. 

Same as what Rob said.

I open and inspect everything.  Most of the places we go to get to know us, and know that if we're looking for something in particular, and wanting something opened, that we're buying.  Most places are good with it, and understand.

But, VV, they don't have to be still-sealed boxes.  They just simply have to be proper boxes, WITH seals and such, and the relevant invoices / "facturas". 

[Chas.Alpha]

17 minutes ago, CanuckSARTech said:

 

Same as what Rob said.

I open and inspect everything.  Most of the places we go to get to know us, and know that if we're looking for something in particular, and wanting something opened, that we're buying.  Most places are good with it, and understand.

But, VV, they don't have to be still-sealed boxes.  They just simply have to be proper boxes, WITH seals and such, and the relevant invoices / "facturas". 

I (we), we’re actually invited downstairs at HAV this last time. I was carrying a bunch of boxes from shops, with receipts, as well as a couple of bundles of hand-made. 
The boxes seemed to be more of an issue. 
 

Most of those lovely young ladies probably don’t know what they’re looking at. Just doing their job...

[CanuckSARTech]

5 minutes ago, Chas.Alpha said:

I (we), we’re actually invited downstairs at HAV this last time. I was carrying a bunch of boxes from shops, with receipts, as well as a couple of bundles of hand-made. 
The boxes seemed to be more of an issue. 
 

Most of those lovely young ladies probably don’t know what they’re looking at. Just doing their job...

Depending on things, they're checking over the boxes to make sure it's not street-bought fakes.  THAT'S where the majority of their focus is on stopping, in my experience / opinion.

 

[HDGSN]

My Cuba list would be any of:

Reynaldo Customs (easy shop to access)

Upmann SW

Trini Fundadores

Punch La Isla

RA Superiores or Upmann Royal Robustos

[Habana Mike]

Easiest option I'd suggest is have them go to the Casa del Tabaco 'La Escogida' at Hotel Comodoro in Miramar where Alex rolls and ask him, or the staff if he's not there, for two bundles of smaller ring gauge seco cigars.