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Originally Posted by philzone
While we are on this thread, my brother in law asked me to look out for his favourite cigars while I am away (in 18 days yippee!). They are Cuban, and called Montecristo No. 2. Here in the UK, these are very expensive, as our tax is massive on tobacco (£14 per cigar). Does anyone know how prices compare ? I know that in Spain, I can get them for £4, and in Ansterdam for £3!!
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The general price in PDC/Playacar for the super premium cigars (Monte #2, Cohiba Siglo 5, Esplendido, etc.) is $20 to $25 each (USD). Given that I live in Florida we get these Cuban cigars floating around here periodically from Cubans coming to visit here -- they are allowed to bring 2 boxes of cigars into this country for their own smoking enjoyment. Most of them do and then sell them to make extra money. If you find them that way they are relatively cheap, otherwise expect to pay $25 each on the black market.
So, given their price in Mexico vs. that in the US, I generally smoke Mexican cigars. There is a tobacco shop on the corner of 6th St and 5th Ave, behind the Amex cash exchange window. I went in there several years ago and asked him for the best Mexican cigar he had. He pointed me to a Te-Amo
Anniversario Reserve cigar. It is excellent and depending upon size costs between $5 and $10 per cigar. I just got back from PDC 3 days ago and brought a half dozen back with me. They are unobtainable through local sources here and are really enjoyable.
One final note about purchasing Cuban cigars in Mexico: know your tobacconist or know your cigar labels. I have been in stores that don't have a single legal/legitimate Cuban cigar, all are fake. You can tell by the label, they are not printed exactly upto spec. See the Cigar Afficianado web site for counterfeit label details. Next, any store which says it is an authorized Habanos dealer is probably legit. Habanos is the name of the distribution company from Cuba which sells the authentic Cuban cigars. That said, the lack of a Habanos designation does not mean they are selling fakes just that if it is an authorized Habanos outlet you're good to go.
Hope this helps.