Newcomer to Cigars

J

Jason762

Joined Oct 2005
130 Posts | 0+
San Francisco, California
Hello.

I'm kind of new to cigars. A while back I had a cigar, and I enjoyed it, and on top of that I didn't even barf!

The cigar was Cuban however, I don't know the brand. My high school teacher had gone on a trip to Cuba and I asked her to bring one back for me, and she did. Sadly, I didn't get the rum I also requested. :p

Anyway, I enjoyed it enough, and was thinking about having another one sometime. I wouldn't be a frequent smoker, just once in a while.

I know Cubans are supposedly illegal here in the US, but my teacher (legally) brought one back. Is it possible to purchase a Cuban or two?

If not, what are some good recommendations? Brands/stores/what have you.

I'd search for posts, but I have NO idea where to begin.

Thanks! Have a good 'un!

Jason
 
Hi Jason!

Sorry to say that there is no way your teacher brought a Cuban cigar to the United States legally. There is no longer any legal method to do that.

To find cigars that you might enjoy, I suggest you shop at Cigar.com. You can buy indivdual sticks instead of whole boxes. This way you can sample and figure out which you like best.

I would like to warn you that you must be 21 years old to buy cigars on-line at almost all on-line retailers.
 
Welcome.

As BP said, youre teacher didnt bring one back legally. Im actually really curious how your teacher even got permission to go to Cuba in the first place.
 
Well, this was in early 2004. It was a school thing, I'm not exactly sure, but the teachers were able to go.... with a lot of paper work and red tape.

There were limits imposed, so she could only bring back a few of this and a few of that. Something like 100 cigars, and 3 bottles of rum.

I saw pictures of when she was in Cuba, so I believe it to be true. Perhaps it was a ahhhh I dunno one of those volunteer organizations to save some people/animals/whatever.

I’d ask her, but she has moved to Huntington Beach, and we are no longer in contact.

I’ve been looking at Cigar.com and there are so many, I’m not sure what to do!

21 to buy, eh? Well that sucks. I’m 20. Perhaps I can have my parents order or something. Or visit a local tobacco shop. Anyone here know of a good one in the East Bay Area. From Oakland up to Concord, think Berkley area (not where I am – thankfully, but close enough). There’s a tobacco shop in San Fran when I go for Muay Thai training. Maybe I’ll pop in sometime.

Thanks for the tips!

Jason
 
Nope, she lied. NOONE is allowed to bring back Cuban merchandise from the island or cuban goods bought in another country period. Journalists arent even allowed to buy cuban merchandise while they are in Cuba. They have to take all the food and supplies that they would need for their stay. They may make use of lodging, but thats it.
You should tell your teacher to stop lieing to you guys.
There used to be legal amounts of cuban goods from other countries for personal use, but halfway through Clintons presidency, that was changed and tightened to no goods at all. Owning anything Cuban post-embargo in the US is illegal. Just having a post-embargo cuban in your humidor that was gifted to you is illegal for you to own(not saying i dont think anyone cares 8) )

Dont mean to jump, just tell your teacher to not lie.
 
Contrary to some advise given, I think you should let your fingers do the walking and find some local tobaccanists. Call them and ask them what their cigar selection is like. Find one with a large selection (they'll likely also be the most knowledgable), go in and explain to them what kind of smoke you're looking for (I would describe the flavors, I wouldn't say it was a Cuban, as every rank newbie goes in asking for Cubans).

But that's just my advice. IMO it MIGHT be possible she brought back a Cuban, but if she did, she smuggled it in and broke the law.

Also there's a lot of unscrupulous folks out there claiming to be selling Cubans when they are not.
 
Buying singles either at online or at your local cigar shop is the way to try out what you like at all different prices.

I am fairly new and am still trying different cigars and having a blast doing so.

I still haven't decided on my favs yet but I have a Cohiba waiting for me at home tonight :)

There is a local cigar shop that has a private club and I may join after I see what the benefits are.

I have family in Canada but there is no way I want to risk the fines for shipping Cuban cigars to me.
 
The law recently changed. Given that it was in early 2004 you could bring back a limited nimber of cuban cigar so personal use if you were on a licensed visit to cuba. This is not the case any more, but it used to be the case a few years back. Journalists, doctors, educators, and the like or if you can just show good cause can get licenses to visit cuba from the state department. My cousin got one 3 years ago.

On a side note. You can no longer bring anything back and the counterfit problem in Cuba is horrible. You might as well buy your havanas in Mexico.
 
Macallan said:
The law recently changed. Given that it was in early 2004 you could bring back a limited nimber of cuban cigar so personal use if you were on a licensed visit to cuba. This is not the case any more, but it used to be the case a few years back. Journalists, doctors, educators, and the like or if you can just show good cause can get licenses to visit cuba from the state department. My cousin got one 3 years ago.

On a side note. You can no longer bring anything back and the counterfit problem in Cuba is horrible. You might as well buy your havanas in Mexico.
Click to expand...


I thought the law changed in early 2000?
 
Well, I'm gonna try this place today.

http://grantspipeshop.com/grants/

I'll let you know what I get. I'm thinking about Monte Cristco, 5 Vegas A, Choix Supremes, and if they have it, a God of Fire cigar.

Might also try to find WWII type cigs (were they without the filter, or the roll your own type?) to go with a re-enactment costume. :)

That'd be cool.

Jason
 
Well, I ended up not going today. I've been up since 3 A.M., and working since 4 A.M. So I'm pretty tired.

Besides, the weather is looking pretty crappy and I want to gather more information on what to buy. :D

Axegod, wanna make a trip to Grant's tomorrow? Be neat to meet someone from these boards... Nah. You (probably) wouldn't be available to go anyway even IF you needed to make a trip out there.

I'll let you know what I buy tomorrow!

Thanks for the help!

Jason
 
axegod75 said:
I like Grant's. One of the few places around here that has Tatuaje cigars.
Click to expand...

Those any good?

My guy down here has never heard of them so now I'm forced to buy one online.
 
Well, after a bit of research, I have my list of what I think I want to get.

5 Vegas Gold - Robusto 5x50

5 Vegas Series A - Anomaly 4.5x44

Arturo Fuente Opus X - Robusto 5.25x50

Baccarat - Rothschild 5x50

Montecristo - Churchill 7x48 & Robusto 4.75x50

El Cobre - Can't find info on http://www.cigar.com/ (something along Robusto/Churchill size)

Seem like a good selection? I'm hoping I picked at least one mild, medium, and full cigar. :-S Not sure if I did.

Jason
 
DevilDog723 said:
axegod75 said:
I like Grant's. One of the few places around here that has Tatuaje cigars.
Click to expand...

Those any good?

My guy down here has never heard of them so now I'm forced to buy one online.
Click to expand...

I pretty much jump at anything Corojo and full-bodied, and these are no exception. Plus how often do you get to smoke a cigar rolled in the USA? But since they are produced in small quantites they range from like 9-15 bucks a pop.
 
I prefer the Montecristo White to the Montecristo. Costs a little more but a better quality smoking experience IMO.
 
Big Paintbrush said:
I prefer the Montecristo White to the Montecristo. Costs a little more but a better quality smoking experience IMO.
Click to expand...

I agree, to me the regular Montecristo line is bland...and not just because I enjoy Diplomas 8)
 
Jason, I really advise against going to that shop and buying cigars. I suggest buying them online as singles from Cigar.com or someplace else that sells singles. The tax on cigars in California is over 70%. You end up paying WAY too much. Smoke shops are cool to go look at and occasionally buy ONE cigar but I wouldn't buy more than that.
 
Calibus, I wouldn't mind buying cigars on-line, but sadly, I am only 20. Someone has told me I must be 21 to mail-order smokes.

Keep an eye out for my newest post! :)
 
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