Expert: James Yee - 11/20/2008

Question
Just returned from Jamaica where I purchased a small assortment of Cuban (as far as I can determine) cigars.

Partagas Serie D 4, Bolivar toros, Cohiba Piramides.

THe store was on a 5 star resort and insisted that they would not last long there if they tried to sell conterfiets.  Their selection was not very large but they claimed to be able to get whatever I wanted from their 'main hqtrs.'

There was no hologram stickers on the boxes and I did not know to check for an authorized retailer sticker on the door.

Once in the airport at Montego Bay, I found a tobacco store there that I do believe had legitimate cubanos.  These boxes had the hologram with code numbers and all of the seals, etc. on the boxes that I have read about.

Would you happen to know if that outlet in the Montego Bay airport is an authorized dealer?  It is named "The Tobacco Shop".

THanks,
Keith  

Answer
Hi Keith,

I'm not too familiar with cigar stores in Jamaica but what I can do is provide you with the distributor info for genuine Cuban cigars in Jamaica/Caribbean and you can contact the official Habanos-appointed distributor for Jamaica to confirm which retailers are genuine or not.  

The official Habanos distributor for the Caribbean is CARIBBEAN CIGARS CORPORATION N.V.  Here is their contact info:

Caribbean Cigars Corporation N.V.
General Director: Mrs. Marisol Cantillo Jomolca
Commercial Director: Mr. Jorge Pérez Martell
Address: Hato Economic Zone Curacao, Office D-28, Curacao, Netherland Antilles.
Phone: (5-999) 833-9345
Fax: (5-999) 833-9344
Email: marisol3c@yahoo.com, jpmccc@yahoo.com
Website: www.habanoscaribe.com

Their website has a retailer directory but it's down at the moment.

Distribution Areas:
Panama, British Virgin Islands, St. Barthelemy, St. Kitts and Nevis, Surinam, Guadaloupe, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Jamaica, St. Marteen, Maria Galarte, St. Vicent and the Granadines, Bonaire, Haiti, St. Eustatius, Antigua and Barbudas, Dominica, Barbados, Curacao, Guyane Francaise, Anguilla, Montserrat, Martinique, Grenada, Aruba, Bahamas, Bermuda and Grand Caiman.

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

Regards,
James