For a modest priced mild, I've been smoking Cusano 18's and Cusano 1's.

I'm no expert but I know people who are and they all tell me not to go for the high priced smokes. Just because a stick costs $25 does not make it worthwhile.

If you have anything other than a passing interest, pick up a copy or two of Cigar Connesseur (sp). Anything in there rated 90 or above is a nice smoke.

And be careful about your Cubans. They're actually produced in three diffferent "batches." The best, the "1's," go to the Soviet Union. The "2's" go to Europe (Spain specifically, I believe) for East Hemisphere distribution. The lower quality "3's" go to S. America, Mexico and Canada. These are the units that most often wind up in the U.S.

You can get 2's over the internet (They ship the cigars and labels separately) from a European outfit but the Feds are cracking down.

Nothing like a nice smoke.

There is a mail order outfit in England that would send you a box of Cubans in an Ashton box complete with individual Ashton rings...costly but almost impossible to detect I'd imagine (unless the Feds actually test the tobacco). I never tried them (as I said, costly) but I hear from folks that they weren't rip-offs. I got my Cubans from friends who traveled to Cuba and central America....one guy played golf and smuggled them in his golf bag..lol!

*Note to TSA-Dept of Homeland Secutity*
Check golf bags. Those terrorists are sneaky. Stop with asking people to take off their shoes (cause it gets stinky doncha know), and the bad guys know where you're looking. Golf bags can hold a lot of cigars, or dynomite disguised as cigars.
Somer, I hope you friend dosen't get a visit now that you outed him.

Knock knock.
Who dare?
FBI
Fibby who?
Fibby yo' way out of this one, Buddy.

LOL...the only reason I posted it is because he passed away a couple years back, he lived alone so I doubt there could be any damage! Nice guy...he'd bring me about a dozen when he traveled...never charged a cent. Of course, he felt he owed me for a favor, I told him he didn't but he felt obligated and I wasn't gonna refuse Cubans!

Good you got a giggle. That was the intention.
You're a good sport.

Remember how Repent use to threaten folks who were "too liberal" saying he'd turn them into the FBI? He actually told me that he had done so with me...it was hilarious!

I can't tell you how many times he reported me! LMFAO!

Actually, the "batch" myth is just that. The "premier" smokes that leave Cuba are for the UK marketplace -- specifically for the Habanos distributor, Hunters & Frankau. These cigars are designated as "EMS" or "English Market Selection" and they get a very specific certification/label -- although Habanos and H&F claim they are not "better" or "different" than the remainder of the production cigars that Habanos produces. What you do find with EMS cigars is that there are less "plugs" or loosely rolled cigars, more consistency amongst wrapper shade, tooth, texture, etc.

Approximately 90% of Cuban cigars here in the US are counterfeit. The % is incredibly high throughout the world as well. However, when you buy Cuban cigars -- from an authorized Habanos retailer, in a country where there are not huge taxes or tariffs (like the UK has), Cuban cigars are not that expensive at all (relatively speaking, to some of the other high-end, expensive, so called ultra-premium smokes produced elsewhere in the world). Like I said -- the best cigar for you to smoke, is the one you like. Find something you like. Then experiment. Your tastebuds will mature and develop. Different cigars will introduce you to different flavors and will have a different "nose" to them. If it's a vice you enjoy -- it can be one of the finer things in life. I am thankful that I have come to enjoy cigars, cigar smoking and have developed a passion for the leaf.

As far as the rest of the coversation -- where to order, buy, etc. Cuban cigars . . . it is illegal to import Cuban cigars into the United States! LOL.


Eric

Got 'em in the mail today. Chickened out on trying something new and ordered an old faithful - Montecristo #2's.

See you at Saratoga. Thanks.

Here's a cigar recommendation.......Don't smoke, it's bad for your health.

Now there's a good one!
Do you know how many diseases you might catch from participating in "SEX"?
Think of how many people are willing to give that up.
I can think of many other things that are "bad for your health".
I ain't giving up cheeseburgers or beer either.

I was joking

Go smoke your White Owls and pipe down...

ok....sometimes I take what people say seriously. Made the same mistake before, and let me tell ya, did I catch heat!
Smoke 'em if ya got 'em.

I only smoke the best Pmac......Only the best.

Question - why do most cigars smell like someone picked up a turd out of the yard and set it a blaze?