Expert: James Yee - 12/2/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi James, I'm new to this site and am very impressed by its content, especially the good advice you have given others! I am heading to Cuba next week and plan on bringing back to Canada my cigar maximum (50).  What cigars would you recommend to a newbie?  To give you an idea of what I enjoy, my current preferred cigars are Montecristo #2, Cohiba Maduro 5 Secretos and Romeo y Julieta - Exhibicion No. 4.  I do intend of bringing back several different brands/types so won't be looking for boxes.  Any help would be appreciated.

ANSWER: Hi Trent,

One great Cuban cigar brand you should look for is Punch.  Punch is not available in Canada (due the licensing agreement with non-Cuban Punch) so be sure to try some while in Cuba.  It's a great brand that Canadians can't find locally in Canada. :(  Try the Punch Double Corona, Churchill and Punch Punch.  Punch Black Prince is also great but has been discontinued for a few years now so you might have a hard time finding them.  If you find any, grab them immediately as they should have a few good years of age on them now.

Some other cigars you should try (if you haven't tried them before) are Cohiba Siglo VIs, Montecristo Edmundos, Partagas Serie P, Serie D No. 2 Edicion Limitada, Partagas Serie D. No 4, Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona (cabinet selection), San Cristobal de La Habana La Fuerzas and La Punta, Cuaba Salomones, Vegas Robaina Unicos, Bolivar Belicoso Finos and Royal Coronas.

You'll basically feel like a kid in a candy store when in Cuba so just try as many premium cigar brands as you can.  Try and get cigars with dark and oily wrappers.  I personally like to pick up dark and oily cigars because they have the most potential for rich flavours and are good for aging.

Hopes this helps!  If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Good evening James.

Thank you for your timely and detailed response.  I will certainly try the punch cigars.

I will be visiting Varadero.  Do you know any locations other than La casa del Habano I should visit?

ANSWER: Hi Trent,

There's a great cigar store in the Plaza Las Americas mall.  It's got a huge selection of cigars and is probably the best shop in all of Varadero.  There's also a LCDH on 63rd St that usually has a impressive selection of cigars.  A few colleagues have also mentioned that the Solimar resort has a good cigar shop.

If you make it to Havana for a visit, be sure to visit the Partagas Factory/LCDH.  

Hopes this helps.  As always, if you have any more questions, feel free to just ask.  Enjoy your trip to Cuba!

Regards,
James

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello again James,

Thank you for your advice!  Our honeymoon was excellent and I think my wife has picked up an appreciation for cigars now too! I ended up returning with a little over the cdn limit, including Monitcristo 2&4, Bolivar Royal Coronas, Partagas Serie P, Cristobal de La Habana La Fuerzas and La Punta and splurged on Cohiba VIs (not cheap!)

Now that I have them all back in Canada I'm trying to keep them in a perfect 70/70 condition, was having a little trouble with the humidity but then started using the pre-mixed Propylene glycol. I have read your articles and you recommend buying it pure (100%).  I can't seem to find any in Ottawa.  Do you know of any good locations here, or online?


Answer
Hi Trent,

Glad you enjoyed Cuba!  You brought back a good haul!

I'm not sure where you can find Propylene Glycol in Ottawa.  You may want to try your local cigar store as they may have some in stock or be able to order it for you.  I've always been told that many pharmacies and drug stores carry it and/or can also order it for you.  It's also available from many vendors through the Internet (ie: ebay).

Hopes this helps.

Regards,
James