Expert: James Yee - 8/25/2008

Question
Hi,

It looks like I'm heading to Cuba in a month(1st time(. I will obviously be bringing back a couple of boxes. So could you provide me with any tips?

1) Where to buy?
2) How cheap are they vs. Toronto prices. Is there any brand down there that is the best value?
3) Is there any specific cigar I should look for/buy that is hard to get in Canada?

Thanks

Answer
Hi Mike,

To answer you questions:

1/ You should always buy at Habanos SA-approved retailers or directly from the cigar factory shops.  A reputable shop in Cuba is La Casa del Habanos (LCDH).  There are several LCDH shops in Cuba and they are all guaranteed to carry genuine Cuban cigars.  While in Cuba, any tour guide/driver will gladly direct you to a La Casa del Habanos shop.  (Or, if you need addresses/contact info for the shops, visit www.habanos.com or just let me know.)

2/ Cigar prices in Cuba are much cheaper than Toronto prices.  In Toronto for example, a box of Ramon Allones Specially Selected robustos will sell for about $500 CAD while in Cuba, they're about $90 USD.  A box of Hoyo de Monterrey double coronas will sell for about $1000 in Canada while a box in Cuba sells for about $160 USD.  (These prices aren't exact so don't quote me on them.  They're just  approximate prices.)  Canadians pay more for cigars because of our tobacco taxes.

3/ A great Cuban brand that is not available for sale in Canada is Punch.  Cuban Punch are not available for sale in Canada because non-Cuban Punch has the licensing rights for Canada which is why you can find them for sale in many cigar stores but not Cuban Punch. :(  Cuban Punch Churchills, Double Coronas and Punch Punch/Black Prince are fantastic.  Black Princes are discontinued but Punch Punch are still available and they're the same size as Punch Punch.

Hope this answers your questions.  If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.  Enjoy your trip to Cuba!

Regards,
James