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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
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Cigars in Baja
Ok, the subject is cigars that you can buy in Baja. I just returned from a weekend in the Ensenada area and purchased this really nice Monticristo
Habana, about 48 x 6 ($12 US). Now, I love my cigars from Honduras, Nicaragra and the Dominican Republic (and the prices are right - buying on the
internet), but I must say that this particular cigar was very nice, indeed. Maybe I just got lucky and picked a fresh one, that was authentic, in the
right place, but I've never had a great Cuban cigar previously that I purchased in Baja - some OK, but not great like this one. (now I wish I could
remember where I bought it, but I could probably find the place again)...
Questions:
For those cigar smokers out there...
1. What is your opinion on the Cuban cigars offered in Baja?
2. Where are the reputable places to buy them? (Norte and Sur)
3. What are your favorites? (top three?)
Note: Not interested at all in Cohiba - it's just a total ripoff cigar, way over-rated.
Thanks amigos,
Bob H
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Packoderm
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I never had any luck buying Cubans in Baja. The only good ones I got from Mexico were about 5 Montecristo No. 5s brought up from a friend who got them
in Mexico City. I feel privileged to have smoked such fine cigars.
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Ken Bondy
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Bob H
Every "Cuban" cigar I have purchased in Baja, without exception, has tasted like it was just passed through a horse. I am sure they were all cheap
knockoffs. On the other hand, I have had good luck with Nicaraguans (Padron) and Dominicans (Fuentes, etc.) There is a nice shop in Rosarito on the
main drag, ocean side, just north of the Rosarito Beach Hotel, but I would recommend staying away from the "Cubans". I have bought a lot of cigars in
La Paz also with similar results, all of the shops on the Malecon seem to be about the same.
++Ken++
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Diver
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I've never really found a Cuban in Baja that I liked enough to pay the price.
I've bought puros at Santo Thomas, the "Yellow" store in Mulege', a small place in Cuidad Const, Todos Santos and San Jose'.
Maybe my taste buds are shot but I still like my Dominicans - mostly Mac's.
And at the segundo prices on the net, I bring my own.
I know mine are fresh and I can bring an assortment to suite my mood.
Last trip I brought almost 200 cigars for 6 weeks !!!
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Bob H
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Location: San Diego
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Good info... I have purchased some cigars, actually quite a few cigars, from Cuban Crafters in Miami.... WOW. Their cabinet selection is fantastic
and very reasonable.
http://www.cubancrafters.com/
But, sometimes when in Baja I run out of cigars or just forget to bring enough and need to buy them. That's the only reason for the questions. Plus,
I just like to try different brands and sometimes want to select a Cuban cigar. Most are way over-rated because I think many of the great former
Cuban growers/makers/rollers moved to Central America, etc. and have taken their expertise with them. I just got lucky with the Montecristo that I
purchased recently in Baja. It was soooo smooth! I will finish it tonight!
Bob H
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Packoderm
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The Cubans are bad because they are not authentic from the factory.
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Diver
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About 7-8 years ago, I bought some packaged cigars at the older CCC in La Paz. They were called "Havanas" but were made in Mexico. Cheap but fresh
with a little spice and no bite. Not the quality of a Dominican but a nice, light, once-in-a-while change. I went back and bought them out but have
never found them again.
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Ken Bondy
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Hey Diver you and I have similar tastes, diving and cigars!! But not at the same time 
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Diver
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Just before and after ! I always love the looks on the novice's faces. 
Although I can't make a 50 last for an hour at 60 feet anymore.
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Ken Bondy
Ultra Nomad
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Go to an 80 (or a steel 130!!) and Nitrox  : That'll get you an hour at
60fsw.
[Edited on 5-30-2006 by Ken Bondy]
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Bob H
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OK, as long as we are now talking about cigars other than Cubans... my all time favorite cigar (not as cheap but still reasonable) are the La Flor
Dominicana "Chisel" Double Ligero cigars... After years of aging their estate grown ligero tobaccos, La Flor created this Full Bodied cigar. The
wrapper is Ecuadorian Sumatra, the balance of the cigar is Dominican from the estate. Continuing their trend of making powerful cigars, La Flor
created the Double Ligero. All fillers and the binder are Dominican from the estate. The smoke is finished off with a dark Ecuadorian Sun Grown
wrapper. The "chisel" effect on the puffing end is outstanding!
You can get them here...
http://www.whatsknottolove.com/cigars.php/89
but google them for price shopping. I think last time I purchased them from Thompsons, Famous Smoke Shop or JR Cigars, not sure. But, they are so
tasty you cannot believe it.
Bob H
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Bajajorge
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Cuban cigars
Cuban cigars have never impressed me. Give me a good Dominican any day. During an extended stay in San Felipe my stash ran out and I had to buy some
Cubans. On the Malecon is "Smoke Shop" run by a gringo named Murray. Think he's from Brooklyn. He told me his Cubans are authentic as he travels to
Cuba each year makes his deal with distributors there who ship the cigars to his store in San Felipe. Even if they were authentic Cuban, I still
wasn't impressed.
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Marinero
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My choice is Dominican Ashton Madura. Pricey, but excellent.
Si estás buscando la person que cambiará su vida, échale una mirada en el espejo.
Fish logo from www.usafishing.com, used w/permission.
But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man
That he didn't, didn't already have..... |
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Bob H
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Marinero
My choice is Dominican Ashton Madura. Pricey, but excellent. |
I will probably try these... here's what Thompsons has to say about the Ashton Maduro.
http://www.thompsoncigar.com/Ashton_Maduro.asp
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Bob and Susan
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i thought the dominicans rolled the cigars too tight....
that's why they moved to the majic pan restruant chain and they went broke.
re: seinfeld (the english patient)
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Don Alley
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Posts: 1997
Registered: 12-4-2003
Location: Loreto
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Is it legal to buy a Cuban cigar in Mexico?
No. This is a new Bush administration law:
http://www.treasury.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/programs/cu...
From the Dept of the Treasury:
Transactions Involving Cuban-Origin Goods in Third Countries
The question is often asked whether United States citizens or permanent resident aliens of the United States may legally purchase Cuban origin
goods, including tobacco and alcohol products, in a third country for personal use outside the United States. The answer is no. The Regulations
prohibit persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States from purchasing, transporting, importing, or otherwise dealing in or engaging in
any transactions with respect to any merchandise outside the United States if such merchandise (1) is of Cuban origin; or (2) is or has been located
in or transported from or through Cuba; or (3) is made or derived in whole or in part of any article which is the growth, produce or manufacture of
Cuba. Thus, in the case of cigars, the prohibition extends to cigars manufactured in Cuba and sold in a third country and to cigars manufactured
in a third country from tobacco grown in Cuba.
Criminal penalties for violation of the Regulations range up to $1,000,000 in fines for corporations, $250,000 for individuals and up to 10 years in
prison. Civil penalties of up to $65,000 per violation may be imposed by OFAC.
And they give a phone # to rat on people.
I won't tell.
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Marinero
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The prohibition against buying Cuban goods, including cigars, is essentially part of the U.S. "Trading with the Enemy Act". It is part of the
economic embargo we have been engaged in for years. Enforcement varies from time to time and administration to administration, but the underlying
rules are pretty much the same.
I agree that, reputation and mystique notwithstanding, Cubans are overrated. (and therefore, overpriced)
Si estás buscando la person que cambiará su vida, échale una mirada en el espejo.
Fish logo from www.usafishing.com, used w/permission.
But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man
That he didn't, didn't already have..... |
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Paula
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Marinero,
In February or March of 2002 I made a legal trip to Cuba. It was a little easier then. I brought back Havana Club rum, 2 cigars, some handmade
musical instruments, and 3 small paintings, among other things. At that time you could bring unlimited artesanal items, books and tapes or cd's, and
up to $100 in manufactured goods. It all came through customs in Miami, all was declared, no problems.
It was an educational trip, and the group leaders discouraged shopping. Of course we ignored them! 
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
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Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Don Alley
Is it legal to buy a Cuban cigar in Mexico?
No. This is a new Bush administration law:
http://www.treasury.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/programs/cu...
From the Dept of the Treasury:
Transactions Involving Cuban-Origin Goods in Third Countries
The question is often asked whether United States citizens or permanent resident aliens of the United States may legally purchase Cuban origin
goods, including tobacco and alcohol products, in a third country for personal use outside the United States. The answer is no. The Regulations
prohibit persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States from purchasing, transporting, importing, or otherwise dealing in or engaging in
any transactions with respect to any merchandise outside the United States if such merchandise (1) is of Cuban origin; or (2) is or has been located
in or transported from or through Cuba; or (3) is made or derived in whole or in part of any article which is the growth, produce or manufacture of
Cuba. Thus, in the case of cigars, the prohibition extends to cigars manufactured in Cuba and sold in a third country and to cigars manufactured
in a third country from tobacco grown in Cuba.
Criminal penalties for violation of the Regulations range up to $1,000,000 in fines for corporations, $250,000 for individuals and up to 10 years in
prison. Civil penalties of up to $65,000 per violation may be imposed by OFAC.
And they give a phone # to rat on people.
I won't tell. |
why do you say This is a new Bush administration law?
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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Don Alley
Super Nomad
Posts: 1997
Registered: 12-4-2003
Location: Loreto
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
why do you say This is a new Bush administration law? |
Well, because it is. And because I love to bash Bush.
As Paula stated, she brought back Cuban cigars, legally, declared at US customs, just a few years ago.
According to the Treasury Dept. pdf file I quoted from, the regulations were changed effective August 1, 2004, and that before then limited legal
importations of cigars (and other products) from Cuba was allowed.
So I have my wife and a US Govt. publication to back me up.
OK, technically it's not a new law, it's a new rule. Political Science 101
They revised the regulations to make what was once legal, illegal. To me that's a new law. To Bush it's more "freedom."
Ah, banish this to some off-topic political board hell!
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