Cigars/Cuban Cigars
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Question
I am going to cuba this week, what are the best cigars to buy? Also if I was to get cigars for resale is there any profit margin in that? Where can I sell cigars I buy in cuba?
Hi Garry,
Generally, the premium brands and premium sizes are always popular and in demand. Cigars that are darker and more oily are highly sought after because they have the best potential for flavour and long-term aging. Limited edition cigars and unique box sets (such as multi-size samplers) are also very popular and in demand.
Here are the premium brands:
Cohiba
Montecristo
Partagas
Romeo y Julieta
Ramon Allones
Vegas Robaina
H. Upmann
Hoyo de Monterrey
The premium and most popular cigar sizes are:
Robusto
Piramides (Torpedo)
Churchill
Double Corona
As for resale, you can sell your cigars for a profit. Depending on the cigar brand, quality and size, the profit you make can vary. If you were to buy a box of cigars in Cuba for $200, an asking price of $300-400 in the US would be fair. (You could set a higher price but if the price is too high, no one will buy them.) As for where you can sell cigars, most people have the best luck selling them online at places such as craigslist. You can also ask around at your local cigar store/lounge as people are always interested in Cuban cigars. Some cigar message boards/forums may also have a buy-and-sell forum so you can list your cigars there.
I hope this helps. Good luck!
Regards,
James.
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James Yee
Expertise
My main area of expertise is Cuban cigars but I can also assist you with cigar etiquette, humidor maintenance and troubleshooting. Unsure of a certain cigar brand? Wondering what a certain cigar tastes like? Have any questions about Cuban cigars? Just let me know! I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. (NOTE: My main focus is on premium, hand-rolled cigars and not cheap, machine made, convenience store cigars.) IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE CIGAR OR CIGAR-RELATED APPRAISALS. If you have a vintage cigar item and you want to know if it's worth something, please contact an antique dealer that specializes in "TOBACCIANA".
Experience
I currently have 19 dedicated years of cigar smoking and counting. I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. For 5 years, I studied with Cuban torcedores (rollers), catadores (taste testers) and revisadores (inspectors) on every aspect involving the production of the Cuban cigar and I am currently writing a book that will help beginners understand everything they need to know about cigars and cigar smoking.
Publications
Maple Leaf Gardens: Memories & Dreams 1931-1999 (1999; ISBN: 0920445616)
50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do (2006; ISBN: 0452286654)
The [London] Times (October 8, 2009)
Education/Credentials
B.A. University of Toronto
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