whats better the isom monte#2 or an opux x double corona?

... that's like asking, 'whats better ... a blonde or brunette?

... all a matter of personal taste!

I agree with Rick #5 is an amazing smoke

Tried a Dominican #2 yesterday. Was mild and nice. Nothing extraordinary.

I'm staring at a whole humidor full of great cigars from several places, made by different manufacturers. Not an ISOM in the lot. For the price of 6 or 7 of these cigars, I too can buy a single Cuban cigar.

Or

I can enjoy what I got, for what I paid for them. Maybe one day, Castro will die and we will find it in our hearts to lift the embargo.

Then, I will probably bid on a few 5 packs from Cbid at a reasonable price. Then I will be better informed. I just can't stomach blowing a few to several hundred dollars on a handful of smokes to take a chance at disappointment...providing they get here at all.

I think I might have tried a few ISOM's while on a cruise, looked good, tasted good, but not guaranteed they were real.

Sounds like the Montecristo #2 Cuban is the preferred cigar of the elite. When Castro rests in peace and they lift the embargo,I will buy one and smoke it to honor his passing.

cigarz,
If the smokes had no scars, marks, or tattoos id'ing them as ISOM's, how did the federales justify their capture? I'm not a tobacconist nor am I a botanist but to me all leaf looks the same. Could our government now be doing DNA testing on the smokes coming across the border?

CJBully --- FYI, there are some very distinguishing ways to tell if a cigar is Cuban, even without it's band.

If the cigar is not a figurado, or a curly-head, have a close look to its head. You will see a fine spiral line making two and a half turns (the trademark triple-cap), that corresponds to a piece of wrapper leaf cut in a half-moon shape (named "pañuelo"), that is twisted at the very end of the cigar, and covered by another piece of wrapper leaf with a circular shape (named "casquillo").

This kind of finishing is done to keep the wrapper from unraveling when cutting the head of the cigar (provided you do not cut the cap completely!). Most counterfeits and domestic cigars do not have this characteristic "pañuelo" finishing, but only the "casquillo".

Also, All Cohíbas (except the new Pirámides) are parejos, i.e. no irregular shapes ... but there are two of them with a clear differentiation; Lanceros and Coronas Especiales caps are finished with a "pig tail" (curly heads).

Cohíba Lanceros are the most counterfeited Cuban cigars. Their format (7 1/2" x 38) makes them very difficult to manufacture, even for the best rollers with the best tobacco leaves, so a bogus is much more difficult to make... and to smoke!. False Lanceros have generally a so tight draw that makes them nearly impossible to be smoked.

I'm sure the customs people are well trained in looking for the 'red flags' that determine whether they are Cuban or domestic ...

Thanks Slim for setting the record straight. I've figured it was probably something on that level...

FAV. to me is Ashton aged maddie(any number)

I think Customs takes a box...samples one or two. If they are dog rockets, they let them through. If they taste up to par with Cubans...they send out the note to the recipient.

I think in the long run, they have some phenominal herfs.

We need to recruit some Custom's agents to this forum. As for politicians, they have this little case they carry called a diplomatic satchel or briefcase. It is exempt from Customs in all countries. Nice place to stuff a couple boxes of Montecristo #2 ISOM's.

rayder1 - can the diplomatic satchle be scanned thru the x-ray or metal detector? Seems to be a potential security hazard!!

CJ
I'm not sure if the US Customs agents are C. aficionados to notice the difference as mentioned above, but they probably scan all European shipments, open the suspicious ones, notice they have no bands, confiscate, send a letter to have me prove they are legal. Again it cost $200+ just to protest the confiscation. Interesting note: they were Cohiba Robustos and Diplimaticos. The bastards are now enjoying my smokes.
Z

I've read that U.S. Customs has developed a chemical test to Cuban cigars. Supposedly they can drop a few drops of it onto a suspected smoke and wait for a reaction, the chemical works with an acid that is only present in Cuban smokes.

It is legal to have cuban cigars, if they come through legal channels. I'm sure that politicians would have no trouble finding legal sources to credit for their smokes, even if they hadn't gotten them legaly.

Well guys, I ordered a 4-pack of Cuban Montes #2 Today. I will let you know how it goes. CJ turned me on to a site that is pretty nice. $55 + $8 S+H. I will keep you posted on the progress of the order and the eventual taste test. Thanks for all the posts !! Mag

Cwilhelmi. The diplomatic immunity extends immunity from search, scrutiny and delay in travel. I don't think it is a terrorist threat, since it would be considered an act of war for an diplomat to commit an act of terrorism. But a majority of smuggled documents, results of spy operations and stolen military secrets are smuggled in and out of countries via diplomatic couriers in secured diplimatically immune satchels.

I just thought it would be a breat way to smuggle in some smokes if you are a high ranking politician.