Expert: Marcia Venema - 1/29/2003

Question
Recently I visited San Diego and went across the border to Tijuana, where a lot of liquor stores were selling what were advertised as Cuban cigars. But a Mexican friend told me most of them were fakes, made in Mexico, no Cuba.  Do you know anything about that?

Answer
Hello, Barry....and shake your friends hand...he's telling you the awful truth....!

Cigars are difficult to discern when it comes to being real or fake...because when you look at them, the can can be triple rolled in cuban style and still be a collosel fake....

The truth is in the size...coloring...aroma and taste...

If you have been exposed to genuine Cuban cigars for a while, you can start recognising the destinctive aroma that only Cuban tobacco has...then again...it can still be genuine Cuban tobacco and still b a FAKE Cuban brand....

SO...yes...he told you the truth...it's a shame, isn't it...?

Moral of the story is...make purchses only from reputable dealers...and there are a few in Mexico that you can trust...

Good luck...

Marcia