Hey all. I just got back from the Dominican Republic. I had a great trip and I was hoping to find some great cigar deals. But I backed off pretty quickly from purchasing anything much--fake cigars were everywhere!! Anyone else been there? Had any similar experiences? I am not anywhere near being an expert, but even I was able to tell they were fakes!

I sometimes pick up some ISOM cigars when I visit Cancun. How can you tell fakes from real?

Here is a good place to start.

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/Aficionado/Counterfeit/countgal.html 

MN_Mike is right on. That is a great place. Fake Cuban Cohibas were absolutely everywhere!

I hate to be negative, but if you buy them in Mexico, the chances are they are some kind of fake! Charlie

cigar nexus has a very good section on bogus ISOM smokes...

Hey Rick, was the R y J I sent you a fake or was it real? A friend of mine picked it up in Canada.

Years ago in sant martin they were selling fake ISOM cigars in all the stores except one who had a sign which said this is the only store in town with real cubans after going in the owner a indian guy showed me the newspaper article about the cigar sting.eom

La Casa Habanos Charlie

plabonte: real. it came from portugal and i have been dealing with the same people for over 3 years.

I guess until I can tell the difference I'll just have to send one to Rick to try and let me know if it is real or fake. (Please note Rick that if you DO tell me its fake I'm not going to send you all of them to get rid of) :o)

plabonte,if your ever in need of a second opinion..... ;0)