Well we aren’t exactly sure what this is.
This was made at a rolling event in Texas where JohnTTwo son was attending. He was kind enough to pick me up 4 of these along with a couple of Gurkhas I’ll have later on.
These are quite mild and easy draw definitely a beginner smoke. Gifted sticks are always a favorite. Thanks Matt!
I’ll probably enjoy one of these tomorrow night following our winter storm.
0993A389-52B9-4CBD-8BFC-2377DF7731BB (resized).jpegThe last couple days I've had an Aurturo Fuentes Gran Reserva and a Romeo Y Julieta Reserve. I thought both were good, the Fuentes had better flavor throughout. They seemed a little lighter. It's been about 15 years since my last cigar, trying to get back into it and looking for suggestions. Maybe something a little bolder. I ordered a small humidor and sampler pack from Famous Smoke Shop. When an online retailer or local shop sells Cohiba or other Cuban brands, they aren't real Cubans are they? Or do the brands have factories in different countries and just use the name?
Quoted from PokerJake:When an online retailer or local shop sells Cohiba or other Cuban brands, they aren't real Cubans are they? Or do the brands have factories in different countries and just use the name?
Locally, no. Online, likely not.
If you are buying "red dot" Cohiba they are definitely not Cuban. The Cuban Cohiba you have to be really careful where you buy from. I've had the real thing and I've had fakes.
Looks like you live in the twin cites. If you wan to try a real (and good) Cuban let me know.
As for the names, yes, you can find the same names locally and online and be Cuban and non Cuban. There are differences in the bands. That's the short answer. They aren't trying to pass themselves off as Cuban UNLESS the bands are fake and the band is supposed to be passing itself off as a Cuban version. This happens so much so I believe there are dedicated web sites for spotting fakes.
Quoted from PokerJake:When an online retailer or local shop sells Cohiba or other Cuban brands, they aren't real Cubans are they? Or do the brands have factories in different countries and just use the name?
Because of the embargo, the US doesn’t recognize Cuban copyright, so the cigars with Cuban brand names you see on Famous Cigar and the like are non-Cuban companies (almost all are made by General Cigar Co) just making an easy buck off a legal loophole by creating a US copyright for an existing Cuban brand. Not saying they are good or bad, or better/worse than the Cuban ones, they just have no connection and share no similarities.
As for fakes, as EJS said, there are a ton, with Cohiba being the most common. There are sites that will help you learn how to spot fakes, but here are some quick tips:
Just like pinball, anything that looks too good is a scam.
Cuba never put a glass top on a box. (Not ever)
Cuban cigars haven’t been cellophane wrapped since 1992. (Except a few cheap machine mades, which you won’t see)
Cohiba cigars are expensive and any cheap ones are fake (Esplendidos are currently $33 each in Cuba).
Assume all cigars sold on or near cruise ships are fake (unless the store says “LCDH”… if it’s near a cruise ship it sells fake cigars)
Nobody’s cousin works at the factory and sends them boxes (the factories are owned and operated by the Cuban government…. They are not letting finished cigars walk away….. Seriously, every box is serial numbered).
Quoted from EJS:The Tatuaje sampler is getting down there. Five or six sticks left. I have a couple maduro looking ones I’m excited to try. I lost track of the monsters but this one is box-buy worthy [quoted image]
That one’s the Jekyll.
Quoted from EJS:Locally, no. Online, likely not.
If you are buying "red dot" Cohiba they are definitely not Cuban. The Cuban Cohiba you have to be really careful where you buy from. I've had the real thing and I've had fakes.
Looks like you live in the twin cites. If you wan to try a real (and good) Cuban let me know.
As for the names, yes, you can find the same names locally and online and be Cuban and non Cuban. There are differences in the bands. That's the short answer. They aren't trying to pass themselves off as Cuban UNLESS the bands are fake and the band is supposed to be passing itself off as a Cuban version. This happens so much so I believe there are dedicated web sites for spotting fakes.
Do you have a favorite place locally to buy? Gotta try those Tatuajes from your photos.
Quoted from PokerJake:Do you have a favorite place locally to buy? Gotta try those Tatuajes from your photos.
I've "ran through" a few of the local shops by my house. Most of them are low end to medium end sticks. I've only been to Tobacco Grove once with USMCSGT0331 once but I keep meaning to go back there. They have good valued smokes but a lot of higher end ones I want to try.
Quoted from EJS:I've "ran through" a few of the local shops by my house. Most of them are low end to medium end sticks. I've only been to Tobacco Grove once with USMCSGT0331 once but I keep meaning to go back there. They have good valued smokes but a lot of higher end ones I want to try.
That place looks nice, might have to take a trip soon.
Quoted from PokerJake:That place looks nice, might have to take a trip soon.
Let me know I’ll join you for a smoke
Quoted from EJS:Let me know I’ll join you for a smoke
For sure, about to head to the hot tub and fire this guy up.
20211212_200617 (resized).jpgQuoted from EJS:I think this is my favorite style baccarat.
[quoted image]
Don't those have a sweet taste?
I had one of that brand a long time ago, and didn't like the sweetness.
Quoted from jrpinball:Don't those have a sweet taste?
I had one of that brand a long time ago, and didn't like the sweetness.
It’s a little rich/sweet in flavor but not like a swisher. They are as close as I’d get to a novelty item. That and the Java latte cigars.
Quoted from PlanetExpress:They are not letting finished cigars walk away….. Seriously, every box is serial numbered
Indeed!
Quoted from EJS:It’s a little rich/sweet in flavor but not like a swisher. They are as close as I’d get to a novelty item. That and the Java latte cigars.
I like beer flavored beer, vodka flavored vodka, and cigar flavored cigars. Not into sweet, fruit flavored, coffee flavored, etc.
I'll have coffee with a cigar, or even a bar of chocolate if I want those flavors. To each, his own.
Quoted from jrpinball:I like beer flavored beer, vodka flavored vodka, and cigar flavored cigars. Not into sweet, fruit flavored, coffee flavored, etc.
I'll have coffee with a cigar, or even a bar of chocolate if I want those flavors. To each, his own.
Yeah my friend loves those Macanudo coffees. They’re alright. I wouldn’t even store them in my humi it would smell too much. I have a box of them coming to my house and will be deposited directly into his igloodor.
Quoted from EJS:Yeah my friend loves those Macanudo coffees. They’re alright. I wouldn’t even store them in my humi it would smell too much. I have a box of them coming to my house and will be deposited directly into his igloodor.
Most definitely need to store flavored smokes separately.
My son wants me to try Yuengling Porter with Hershey's Chocolate. He says it great. Ah, might have to give it a try. Maybe I'll drain a six pack while smoking a fine cigar!
Quoted from jrpinball:Yuengling
I wish we could have that. It’s not sold this far east so have one for me. I tried the dark and Black and Tan. Makes it hard to go back to the regular.
Quoted from EJS:I wish we could have that. It’s not sold this far east so have one for me. I tried the dark and Black and Tan. Makes it hard to go back to the regular.
I love most of what Yuengling brews. Did not like their Oktoberfest, or Golden Pilsner though.
They produced something called IPL (India Pale Lager). Loved it.
I hope they do it again.
Anyway, enjoyed an AVO XO last night. Decent little smoke!
Quoted from jrpinball:I love most of what Yuengling brews. Did not like their Oktoberfest, or Golden Pilsner though.
They produced something called IPL (India Pale Lager). Loved it.
I hope they do it again.
Anyway, enjoyed an AVO XO last night. Decent little smoke!
[quoted image]
I think I’m going to give AVO another try. I’ve only had one before from a manila tin. I know a few places that have a good selection and they do seem popular. Maybe I’ll try something Maduro and see what happens.
Anyone have input on online retailers that ship cubans? There's a few that do - one I go to in particular for monte cristo #2's. Research seems that their cubans are legit, and given the price I'd hope so.
Quoted from tommyp:Anyone have input on online retailers that ship cubans? There's a few that do - one I go to in particular for monte cristo #2's. Research seems that their cubans are legit, and given the price I'd hope so.
This thread is a good read for anyone checking up on an online vendor: https://www.reddit.com/r/cubancigars/comments/nwuqly/places_not_to_purchase_bad_experiences/
Quoted from PlanetExpress:This thread is a good read for anyone checking up on an online vendor: https://www.reddit.com/r/cubancigars/comments/nwuqly/places_not_to_purchase_bad_experiences/
Okay which one of you here is Digi_D on there
Quoted from EJS:Okay which one of you here is Digi_D on there
I only wish I had that cigar budget
I’m starting to come around to these again. Have a few left. I think they were freebies with buying some boxes awhile back.
Speaking of boxes I have three boxes on the way and one still on back order from a month ago. Haven’t been charged yet so that’s fine.
A93F5325-2A78-4A13-8B87-5C642251CE88 (resized).jpegReally liking everything I've had from Oliva. The Baptiste, O and V. Those and Fuentes have been my favorites so far.
Quoted from EJS:Almost done with my first box I think I have one or two more sticks from the first box.
[quoted image]
You guys seem to be raving about these. I don't know how to pronounce it, but I'm going to try to find one to try.
Quoted from jrpinball:I don't know how to pronounce it, but I'm going to try to find one to try.
“Tattoo - ah - hey”
Try a black label, if you find one.
Most are produced at My Father. Anything from their factory is safe bet, IMO.
Quoted from PlanetExpress:“Tattoo - ah - hey”
Try a black label, if you find one.
Most are produced at My Father. Anything from their factory is safe bet, IMO.
Good to hear. I was at Total Wine earlier today and picked up one of their Flor De Las Antillas. Might have to fire it up tomorrow.
Wanna join the discussion? Please sign in to reply to this topic.
Great to see you're enjoying Pinside! Did you know Pinside is able to run without any 3rd-party banners or ads, thanks to the support from our visitors? Please consider a donation to Pinside and get anext to your username to show for it! Or better yet, subscribe to Pinside+!