Expert: Bill Finck Jr. - 8/3/2009

Question
Hi,

I recently visited Punta Cana Dominican republic and bought 4 Cohiba Epliendidos boxes of 10 and 1 box of Cohiba robusto also 10 in box. I spent $125 U.S. Total.  I want to give these as gifts but don't know if there fake or crap or any good. I could use some help to find out the value and more about the cigar. I have a gut feeling that they are probably worthless

Thanks,
Seth

Answer
Seth,

First, check the boxes to see if they say made in Cuba or made in the Dominican Republic. Actually, regardless of where they were made, $2.50 per cigar is way less than you can buy Cuban or Dominican Cohiba cigars for, so it sounds like they are either fake or black market. Chances are they are fake, but the only thing that matters at this point is how they taste, so smoke a couple and see what you think. At $2.50, if the cigars are decent then you still didn't get too bad of a deal.

Bill