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Ok, so most people know that the US has an embargo on Cuba. One that has been in place since the 60's. 99% of the US citizens know this.
So, we can't get real Cuban cigars. If we did, even from Canada or Mexico, it is against US FEDERAL LAW. Because we are a tobacco retailer, this means FEDERAL PRISON TIME if caught.
Yet at least once per day, I will get people who are DEAD SERIOUS when asking "Do you sell Cubans?"
Even so, the ones that ask about them trying to be funny are about as funny as customers of other retail stores saying 'well if there's no price it must be free'.
Besides, Cuban cigars available even overseas typically are not worth what you pay for them. Most of the other brands (see Gurkha, Rocky Patel, Arturo Fuente, and Padron) out-sell Cubans for various reasons. Mostly because a majority of the tobacco grown in Cuba isn't that great because of the over-farming and poor soil quality. The good stuff is usually saved by the farmers for themselves, the rest is offered to the government who then gives the next best stuff to dignitaries, Sheiks, Russian Czars, China, etc. The rest of what is left (not much because only so much is produced & aged-most cigar-quality tobacco is aged about 5-7 years before it is rolled) is sent to the other countries. 80% of what is bought in Mexico and/or Canada (or even the internet) is actually not Cuban either. It is Dominican or Nicaraguan with a Cuban band on it. So unless someone either had cigars from pre-embargo Cuba (those are grandfathered) that were stored properly (in a properly maintained humidor) OR they have actually been to Havana (difficult for US citizens), and know a tobacco farmer there, there is more than a good likely chance the cigar is not an actual Cuban. Most people in the US wouldn't know a Cuban cigar if it hit them in the face. I laugh to myself when I get someone who insists they've had one (or more).
Most of the stores in Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean will TELL you what you are getting is a real Cuban, then just take your money and hand you what is actually a Dominican or Nicaraguan. Kind of like the guys in New York selling fake Oakleys and other stuff on the street or even in the corner stores.
If you enjoy the cigar, great. That is all that matters. But be wary when they tell you the price is equivalent to more than $25 per stick. Your big question you should always ask yourself is "Do I trust this source 110%?"
Ok, I'm off my soapbox now.
So, we can't get real Cuban cigars. If we did, even from Canada or Mexico, it is against US FEDERAL LAW. Because we are a tobacco retailer, this means FEDERAL PRISON TIME if caught.
Yet at least once per day, I will get people who are DEAD SERIOUS when asking "Do you sell Cubans?"
Even so, the ones that ask about them trying to be funny are about as funny as customers of other retail stores saying 'well if there's no price it must be free'.
Besides, Cuban cigars available even overseas typically are not worth what you pay for them. Most of the other brands (see Gurkha, Rocky Patel, Arturo Fuente, and Padron) out-sell Cubans for various reasons. Mostly because a majority of the tobacco grown in Cuba isn't that great because of the over-farming and poor soil quality. The good stuff is usually saved by the farmers for themselves, the rest is offered to the government who then gives the next best stuff to dignitaries, Sheiks, Russian Czars, China, etc. The rest of what is left (not much because only so much is produced & aged-most cigar-quality tobacco is aged about 5-7 years before it is rolled) is sent to the other countries. 80% of what is bought in Mexico and/or Canada (or even the internet) is actually not Cuban either. It is Dominican or Nicaraguan with a Cuban band on it. So unless someone either had cigars from pre-embargo Cuba (those are grandfathered) that were stored properly (in a properly maintained humidor) OR they have actually been to Havana (difficult for US citizens), and know a tobacco farmer there, there is more than a good likely chance the cigar is not an actual Cuban. Most people in the US wouldn't know a Cuban cigar if it hit them in the face. I laugh to myself when I get someone who insists they've had one (or more).
Most of the stores in Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean will TELL you what you are getting is a real Cuban, then just take your money and hand you what is actually a Dominican or Nicaraguan. Kind of like the guys in New York selling fake Oakleys and other stuff on the street or even in the corner stores.
If you enjoy the cigar, great. That is all that matters. But be wary when they tell you the price is equivalent to more than $25 per stick. Your big question you should always ask yourself is "Do I trust this source 110%?"
Ok, I'm off my soapbox now.