Cigars

[Bull Jiggy]

I think Cuban cigars are highly over-rated! It may be just a matter of taste, but give me a good Dominican any day. Beware of cigar sellers in Couzemel. I bought what I thought were Cohibas. They may have been Cubans but there was no way they were Cohibas! I always bring my smokes with me. When I light it up at least I know what I'm smoking.

 

Elvis

 

I agree.

[Cigar King]

I agree the habanos stores are real cubans, but more of a novelty and really tourist trap in the Caribbean ports. Regrettably, they tend to unravel because of improper storage and bugs infect my inventory.

 

 

FWIW, I freeze all my cigars for 72 hours before I store them. That will kill any beetles and/or their eggs. I had an outbreak a few years ago, and since I have started doing this I have had no problems.

[WECoyote]

I have had the best luck finding good cigars by talking to the person tending the cigar lounge on the RCI vessels. Most recommendations nowadays have been for Dominican cigars instead of Cubans. Good luck and enjoy.

[Kilroy]

Lots of spot-on advice in this thread, clearly from experienced cigar smokers.

 

I'll add a little more. I have had good luck getting authentic cubans in St. Marteen, on the Dutch side. That's about the only place I have had good luck in the south.

 

If you are not experienced with cubans, it is easy to get ripped off. Generally speaking, the most common fakes out there are Cohibas and Montecristos. Let price be your guide. There are no authentic $5.00 Siglo 6s or Monte #2s out there. You can save yourself a lot of hassle avoiding these brands entirely. There will be a much higher percentage of authentic lesser-known cuban brands (ramon allones, sanchez, etc.) They are great cigars. Cohibas and Montes are overrated, especially in you like stronger or more full-bodied cigars.

 

Regarding the LCDH in Cozumel, I find it to be sketchy and lesser quality than others to which I have been. A few years ago I was perusing the humidor and found boxes of Partagas Lusitanias and Punch double coronas that were infested with beetles. I took them to the counter and the proprietor apologized and put them under the counter. When I returned a few months later those same beetle-infested boxes were back out in the general population. I will not buy cigars there anymore and do not count on getting cubans in Cozumel anymore. There used to be a LCDH on the second floor of a diamond store that had proper cigars, along with good food and drink, but it was badly damaged in the hurricanes 8-9 years ago, and never recovered. It is gone now.

[stones902]

Have purchased Cubans in St Maarten several times, the last being just this week. I only buy from Cigar Emporium which is on Front Street about 3 doors down from the Coliseum Casino. The 2nd floor are Cubans.

 

For reference, I purchased 10 Montecristo #2 for $15.50 ea which is an excellent price. Normally they run $18 - $20 a stick

[Bull Jiggy]

Lots of spot-on advice in this thread, clearly from experienced cigar smokers.

 

Regarding the LCDH in Cozumel, I find it to be sketchy and lesser quality than others to which I have been. A few years ago I was perusing the humidor and found boxes of Partagas Lusitanias and Punch double coronas that were infested with beetles. I took them to the counter and the proprietor apologized and put them under the counter. When I returned a few months later those same beetle-infested boxes were back out in the general population. I will not buy cigars there anymore and do not count on getting cubans in Cozumel anymore.

 

Glad to hear its not just me, not impressed at all with this store.

[TravelerThom]

...Dominica has the same climate, same soil, and is using the same seed grown in Cuba...

I think you got the wrong country. Dominica [DOM-i-NEE-kə; capital: Roseau] is an English speaking former British colony which has essentially no involvement with tobacco. Dominican cigars come from the Dominican Republic [República Dominicana reˈpuβlika ðominiˈkana, capital Santa Domingo] a former Spanish colony; their cigars do have a high reputation. They are spelled confusingly alike [but pronounced differently], are both in the Caribbean, both members of the United Nations, but other than that very different places.

 

Thom

[Kilroy]

Thank you for reminding me of the name. I second the legitimacy of this place!

 

Have purchased Cubans in St Maarten several times, the last being just this week. I only buy from Cigar Emporium which is on Front Street about 3 doors down from the Coliseum Casino. The 2nd floor are Cubans.

 

For reference, I purchased 10 Montecristo #2 for $15.50 ea which is an excellent price. Normally they run $18 - $20 a stick