i found a website that advertises that they sell duty-free cuban cigars. from all indications, they are located in the u.s.(345 area code). is this legal?

Real Cubans are illegal in this country, Canada on the other hand is legal, so maybe they're coming in from someone there. I have some real Cohibas' from my brother who lives in Florida, and these came in a sealed box with the Cuban stamp, be ware of counterfeits. Cigar aficianados' web sight describes in detail how to distinguish the real deal from the fake. Buyer beware

Florida has the highest counterfeit rate of any state, and 95% of Cohibas are fake. They are getting really good at making the counterfeits look real ... and unfortunately, Cohibas are the one most counterfeited.

Many counterfeits are made in Cuba, so it's still cuban tobacco, just 'farm' tobacco ... and not from the factory that the band states.

There's nothing like an authentic cuban cigar and if you are lucky you are among the 5% to 10% of the people that are over paying for them.....that's why I stick with Nicaraguans, Hondurans and Dominicans. Then again.....what the hell do I know.

You know absolutely nothing Bud. But in this case, you're right. lol

I have a real box of Cohiba Essplenditos (at least that's what its printed on the glass-top box) 😉

They came from Miami so they MUST be real

Never buy a Cuban at a bargain price, because there is no such thing. I will sell you a few of mine cheap, however, because you are a friend.

rookie139 i have one left out of a legit box of the lanceros from isom. they are my faorite, but the entire box was hard to draw. waste of good money and antisipashtin anticipation (atfer spell check)

antipashtin? jeeze, Rick, I thought you liked pashtins. The last one I smoked had that wonderful CA hint of burnt orange peel, and a long rasputin finish.

All I Can Say is Ha, Ha, And HA!!!
I have never had a true Cuban that came out of the US.. Canada Yes, Mexico Yes (Nikkos in Nogalas MX, Only place with a walk in Humidor in the town.. then they also have the Famous "Gringo Drink" a Must) Florida has them but not on the streets for sale as far as Legit ISOM's... Now as I sit here and type this I Say HA Because I have been Treating myself to a Cuban Every other Night from Partagas series D's, Saint Luis Rays "A"s, or the San Cristobal El' Principe's <--- Fantastic Smoke that Poker turned me onto last year at the LOLH... But I have also been enjoying allot of my Aged Nic's and Honduran's and can Honestly Say things get Better with Age!!!!!

So Ya'll Keep Searching I Found Mine LMAO!!!!

BTW Jack, Rookie,Mr.Mean On my Return I am Planning a trip to Chi Town and will Look ya'll up for a smoke and Possibly a Cubs Game?? Me and the Mrs. want to catch a Ball Game and may just be takin a train up there!!! will let ya'll know when and where... I will be Bringing some of these Quality Cigars for you all to Sample :0)~~~

Laterzzzz
Hog

Real Cubans can speak a little Russian. If you're dealing with a Cuban who can't speak some Russian, then you're probably stuck with an impostor.

I only got turned on to the hobby recently but travel overseas often. I have had Partagas series D #4 as recommended by a kind soul on the boards and they live up to the Cuban reputation. All in all though, the price makes it tough to justify them too often.

Every country in the world sells Cubans except the US, where only members of congress legally smoke them, as a general rule. I think they call it "fact finding." The rumor is that Pres. Clinton and that woman, Miss Lewinsky, were toying with a Cuban churchill in the Oral Office, though I did not hear the brand. If you find a good cigar store, outside this country, you will find real Cubans. If you find a bargain, or buy off the street, fuggeddabuddit.

NOTE TO ROOKIE:

Any Cohibas in a glass top box are fake. I have researched this fact in a few places. They are all in a solid wood box, as Cohiba never makes them in glass top boxes

It's sarcasm Daveyg2. Rookie don't know much, but he does know that.

When the Baltimore Orioles played in Havana a few years ago, they were each gifted two boxes of Cohibas by the Cuban Government aka Fidel Castro! So once again the "prividledged" (help spell check) get the "ISOMS"! Charlie

Oh

I suppose I'm one of the lucky ones.

Living in Southeast Asia, I have the benefit of an endless supply of Cubans. However, I will point out to you that there are plenty of individuals out there that ship them into the US to friends, so put your feelers out, and you may just find a good deal on some non-fakes.

Generally, if they are in-hand, you have a lot higher chance of them being fake. If you need to wait for them to be brought in especially for you, they might just be real.

Get in good with your cigar dealer and you might just get a surprise. There's a few guys out there that trade "US legal" ones (3 for 1 let's say) to their friends who live overseas for their own personal stock. Maybe one day, they'll invite you into their club.

I would never be so bold as to say that I've mailed them to friends many times.

Personally, on weekdays I smoke the cigars found easily on this board. The cubans are for the weekend.

Good luck.

adroomi since i am the official taster, kindly send me an assortment of 12 authentic cuban cigars and i will send you 4 american legal cigars (3 for 1). if i approve, i will inform the board and you will have a nice business going. [email protected] for my address.