While on a recent trip to Germany

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Shugart:
No doubt this has already been discussed here, but I don't wanna scroll through 360+ pages.

Who do you like as an online cigar merchant?

Big sites:
JRCigars.com
Famous-Smoke.com
Less well known but incredible customer service:
CigarsDaily.com
UnicornHunters.club

Found out today I might be able to go to Cuba in April with my local cigar store for 4 days of coffee/food/beaches and obviously cigars. Fingers crossed that it can be worked out!

that would be a cool trip, I'd like to do it, wife isn't so keen on going to Cuba, but I'd like to see the cigar factories, old cars, coffee as well..

Cuba is awesome for cigar smokers. I’ve been twice.

Make sure you do some research before you go about conditions in Havana. Unfortunately it’s horrible currently. There are shortages of everything…food, coffee, sugar, bottled water, electity is sporadic, blackouts happen almost daily.

Even cigars are in short supply and prices have doubled since 2022. It use to be the best place in the world to buy Cuban Cigars but pricing is now about the same everywhere.

It’s still an amazing place that I hope to see again.

There is nothing like sitting on the patio at the hotel national enjoying a cigar and a mojito.

quote:

Make sure you do some research before you go about conditions in Havana. Unfortunately it’s horrible currently. There are shortages of everything…food, coffee, sugar, bottled water, electity is sporadic, blackouts happen almost daily.

The person organizing the trip is pretty well known within the cigar community and travels there often; the itinerary looks pretty detailed. We’ll be well taken care of. I appreciate the word of caution though, more to follow assuming the trip is confirmed. (Especially on tips/thoughts/and places to see with any free time)

Hope this works out for you and that you will give us a very detailed report upon your return.

I have never smoked a Cuban cigar. Are they worth it?

quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:
I have never smoked a Cuban cigar. Are they worth it?

It depends.

Personally I have no time for much that has been offered in the past 5-10 years. The crops and soils have been so overproduced that the quality and consistency are just not there anymore. That may be different for the crazy high-end stuff (Cohiba) but I purchased a box of Monte #2 a few years ago that were essentially garbage.

If I go on this trip it will be more about the idea of visiting the Mecca of cigar smoking than bringing home boxes of cigars.

Jeff Y is far more versed on the topic than I am and will likely have much more to add.

Personally I prefer Nicaraguan cigars (Liga and Tatuaje) over most Cubans I’ve had recently.

That said..I’d give just about anything for a box of pre-2015 Monte #2’s!

I’m a Cuban cigar guy. I love them. Much has happened post Covid in cuba to destroy the industry. Great cigars are still available but you have to be careful. I stay away from the high volume cigars as that is where most of the issues are.

I’ll post more in the topic when I get to my computer.

Double Double Night

Tonight I'm enjoying a LFD Double Ligero along with a Bells Double Two Hearted.

About to throw a couple of 18 oz ribeyes on the grill

Had some great cigars last week.

This is from a small cigar shop in Ybor City where the owner is a Cuban lady. This had a sweet wrapper to it. La Faraona is the name of the company/cigars. They have a variety of cigars to choose from in terms of strength, taste and size. Their cigars tend to be on the medium-heavy side.


My first time having one of these West Tampa cigars, not bad.


This was a pretty good cigar. Had this one after the West Tampa cigar. I've yet to be disappointed with anything from Drew Estates.

…and yet another reason Minneapolis can go fuck itself.

Minneapolis Cigar Shop Faces 15-Minute Time Limit For Smoking Cigars

I’ve noticed a pretty dramatic price increase of late. I would classify myself as an occasional cigar smoker. Now that the weather has turned nice, I’ll have one/week. That’s frequent enough that I order cigars every 4-8 weeks, depending on the season. My brother and SIL are coming over for a visit and we both like Partagas Legend Leyendo cigars. I ended up buying only two because they were a bit over $18/stick.

I looked a a few favorites and it seems that cigars that I was buying for ~$12/stick, are now $16, or about $60 for 5 is now $80 for the same amount. Inflation and transportation cost I guess.

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:
I’ve noticed a pretty dramatic price increase of late. I would classify myself as an occasional cigar smoker. Now that the weather has turned nice, I’ll have one/week. That’s frequent enough that I order cigars every 4-8 weeks, depending on the season. My brother and SIL are coming over for a visit and we both like Partagas Legend Leyendo cigars. I ended up buying only two because they were a bit over $18/stick.

I looked a a few favorites and it seems that cigars that I was buying for ~$12/stick, are now $16, or about $60 for 5 is now $80 for the same amount. Inflation and transportation cost I guess.

I cried uncle recently. Cuba raised prices through the roof over the past 12 months to make up for much lower tobacco yields, shortages of fuel, fertilizer and losing half the rollers to immigration.

Just a few years ago I was paying $250 for a box of 50 Pro Laranaga Petite Coronas, one of my favorites. If you can find them they are now over $600.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Jeff Yarchin,

Cuba has its own problems as mentioned above. Here in the states it is inflation and the fact that cigar smoking is "in" again. Factor that in with shipments being stolen and warehouses burning, the supply is less than the demand. There are plenty of great cigars available for reasonable prices, you just need to find them. My local shop usually increases once a year and at most $1 a stick. I choose if I want to continue to smoke them at the new price or not. I have found quite a few cigars for $12 or less that I smoke on a regular basis.

Had a nice Father's Day today. Listened to the new Dave Brubeck album my wife gave me, dinner was seared tuna sliced over a salad from our local farmer's market. Enjoyed one of my hoarded New Glarus Brewing Scream Double IPA's (only one left) and a Foundation The Tabernacle.

Had a damned fine My Father de las antillas maduro tonight with a glass of Old Forester 1910 bourbon. Good evening.

Both are fine selections.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Shugart:
No doubt this has already been discussed here, but I don't wanna scroll through 360+ pages.

Who do you like as an online cigar merchant?

I started with JR a long time ago. Transitioned to Cigars International, and stayed with them quite a while. A couple years ago I heard about Fox Cigar, out of Phoenix and I’ve been very happy with them, Fox has free shipping—always, and for each 5-pack you order, they throw in a 6th cigar that they think is in the same ballpark as those you order; these extras are not no-label knockoffs, but brand name cigars that you’ll recognize. I just ordered 2, 5-packs of Tatuajes, and yesterday smoked the Rocky Patel that was gifted. Give them a try.