Expert: James Yee - 5/1/2009

Question
Hi James,

I'm far from an expert but I know what I like, and I like Cuban cigars.  I've tried several brands manufactured from the Dominican and they always taste bitter to me.  They just don't have the scuttle flavors that I find in Cubans.  My question is as follows.  I plan to take a vacation in Costa Rica next week is it possible to get genuine Cubans or am I likely to be stuck with imitation.   Thanks.

dave

Answer
EDIT: 1/10/11 - Please note that the Habanos distributor for Costa Rica & Nicaragua has officially changed.  The new distributor is Cruz Canela & Trust.

Here is Cruz Canela's contact info:

Cruz Canela & Trust G B Sociedad Anonima
President: Mr. Diego Barrero Canela.
General Manager: Mr. Luis García Cruz.
Address: Escazú, La Galvia nº 2, San José, Costa Rica.
Phone: +506 22893286
Fax: +506 22893286
Email: lugarcruz@cruzcanelahabanos.com
Website: www.cruzcanelahabanos.com

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ORIGINAL POSTING: 5/1/09

Hi Dave,

Don't worry, there are indeed genuine Cuban cigars to found in Costa Rica.  When in Costa Rica, shop at reputable cigar stores and lounges as well as duty-free shops.  Avoid street vendors or small, questionable-looking shops that sells cigars.  The official Habanos distributor for Costa Rica is CORPORACION CALLINI S.A* (***Information change, please see edit; 1/10/11).  They are the only official Habanos distributor - personally appointed by Habanos SA - for Costa Rica.  When you visit a store in Costa Rica, ask the staff who their distributor for Cuban cigars is.  Reputable stores should have a storefront sticker that says they are an authorized Habanos store supplied by Callini SA in addition to a Habanos SA sticker.  I believe there is also a La Casa Del Habanos store (LCDH) in Costa Rica as well.  These are reputable stores as they are supplied by Habanos and only carry genuine Cuban cigars.

Here's the contact info for Callini SA if you would like to contact them with questions or concerns regarding authorized retailers in Costa Rica:

Contact:
President: Mr. Gian Pio Callini
Marketing Policy Director: Mr. Enrico Callini

Address: San Pedro De Montes De Oca, 100 mts Este, 100 mts Norte de La Fuente de La Hispanidad, Apartado 2057-2050 San Pedro De Montes De Oca, Costa Rica

Phone: (506) 253-11-48
Fax: (506) 524-13-48
Email: ecallini@habanoscr.net, ctasa@habanoscr.net

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

Regards,
James