I do understand. If I didn't have a well-to-do friend those years ago, one who travelled extensively, and who didn't mind spending what to me would be a very high price, I'd have never had the opportunity. But I do know these...da'rum wrote:I have smoked quite a few Cuban cigars from low to mediumly expensive. I, for the most part, wasn't convinced of their superiority. I have been told that I must spend big and age to get the ultimate Cuban cigars experience. I assume though that if I spent good money on a non Cuban my experiences would be similar. That won't probably ever happen.
There are several grades of Cubans, for example those made for domestic consumption, and the better cigars destined for export. However even though all of these are closely controlled, there are great variations in quality of construction. Here's the problem...
The problem of demand...
The truly fine Cubans are so superior that the demand for "real Cubans" is tremendous. So many of those exported, though authentic, are really of lesser quality. Counterfeiting is a major, major problem. It is such a huge problem that the Cuban government even developed special holographic labeling systems, but even these extreme measures fail, as there is a ready market for empty boxes. It is fair to say that most of what passes for Cuban isn't.
Last but not least, there are only a few markets and retailers skilled enough to demand, recognize and get the real deal. These skilled and premium outlets would mostly be in Britain, Switzerland and Canada. Most of the Cubans that are sold at even remotely attractive prices are probably counterfeit, as are many of the full priced (think $380+) boxes of cigars. The most important decision to make is finding and choosing one of the few reputable and respected retailers.
As one of these said so well "Trust your taste buds, if it doesn't look good, it may be Cuban, but if it doesn't taste good it probably isn't."
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http://www.cubancigars.com.ky/fakes.htm
http://www.cigars-of-cuba.com/readings/ ... Cigars.asp
...(a few quick links that illustrate the problem).