Hello. I have just started smoking cigars. I've only smoked about 10 to 15 cigars. I'm really enjoying it so far.

I've smoked a few Nicaraguins, J.L. Salivar.
some different Monticristo's and a few other cheap ones.
I currently have about 15 Monticristo #5's in my humidore and a few J. R. Ultimates.
I'm really enjoying the smooth Monticristo's.

I will be travelling to the Dominican Republic in Puerto Plata. I'll be leaving in a few weeks.

I've been searching for cigar manufacturers in the Dominican. But most web sites, don't break down places where each cigar was manufactured.

I'm having a hard time researching who makes reasonably priced cigars in the Dominican.

I want to buy a box of nice medium flavour, small to medium, guage short cigars. But cannot find much on the internet.

So far my local cigar retailer has suggested I look for some Ashton, or Macanudo's.

But these look like they are high priced.

What should I look for?

You can buy Ashton, Macanudo, or 8,000 others sitting on your ass by the computer. Why not go to the LCDH and buy some Cubans?

UM, that doesn't answer my question my friend.

It may not, but what is the point of buying Ashton's in DR? It is like going to Ireland and bringing home a bottle of Jameson.

I just got back from a different part of DR. I don't know anything about your area.

Some people may not believe this, but they actually make fake DR cigars. I have seen fake Fuentes, and no, they were not Opus's. They were just their regular line. I think someone ripped off the 8-5-8.

So, buy Dominicans at home, in shops, or online. Going straight to the source in this case is pointless. Here is a good link to explain why...

http://www.cigarfamily.com/newsstand.cfm?documentID=82

If you want to head near Punta Cana, there are a few cigar factories over there that you can visit and buy cigars from.

I know full well there are plenty of Fakes in the DR. If you buy from the guy on the beach, most likely they'll be fakes. There are ligitimate cigar shops in our resort.

I'm not going to the Dominican just to buy cigars man. I'm going on vacation with the lovely little lady. Cigars will be an added bonus.

I'm just looking for a list of good Dominican cigar makers.

I just want to do a little research before I get there so I know what to look for.

I didn't want to start an argument. I'm just looking for a little help.

Mabye someone could point out a good web site that divides cigars into country of origin.

rob

Fuente and La Aurora. I'm not sure what prices are like down there, if they're cheaper than ordering online or not, but for quality I reccomend those two makers.

I could be wrong but I thought most cigar factories in the DR are in a free trade zone in which they cannot be sold in the country.
I would just bring cigars with me to be on the safe side.
Go to cigarfamily.com , that is the Fuente website and I believe they have info on the subjects you seek.

Oops , I see Jon Paul already set you up with the site.

quote:

Originally posted by littoines:
I could be wrong but I thought most cigar factories in the DR are in a free trade zone in which they cannot be sold in the country.

Correct-a-mundo. You won't find ANY authentic cigars from brands like Ashton or Fuente there because, by law, they would have to be exported, then re-imported to be sold.

You will find some of the little factories that make cigars for tourists but the cigars are of varying quality. I haven't tried them but most people say they range from okay to suck.

I understand you are going there on vacation.

Don Lucas cigars are pretty good. I don't know where to get them besides the factory which is in Punta Cana.

When you get to the resort, ask them if there are any cigar factories around that you can visit. They should know.

I was in Samana D.R. over the Christmas hollidays and saw plenty of cigars for sale there.

I wasn't into cigars then, so I cannot recall what brands I saw.
The resort had some expensive cigars for sale.

The resort I'm going to this time also has a cigar store on the main street of the vendors.

I should be able to get some authentic good quality cigars there.

rob

Plus the J R Ultimates in my humidor came from my neighbour who bought them in the Dominican.
He knows his cigars, and I'm pretty sure they're real.

quote:

Originally posted by fuzzuki:
I was in Samana D.R. over the Christmas hollidays and saw plenty of cigars for sale there.

I wasn't into cigars then, so I cannot recall what brands I saw.
The resort had some expensive cigars for sale.

The resort I'm going to this time also has a cigar store on the main street of the vendors.

I should be able to get some authentic good quality cigars there.

rob

Why ask advice if your not going to take it?
Bring your own.

quote:

Originally posted by fuzzuki:
Plus the J R Ultimates in my humidor came from my neighbour who bought them in the Dominican.
He knows his cigars, and I'm pretty sure they're real.

Oh brother.

quote:

Originally posted by littoines:

quote:

Originally posted by fuzzuki:
Plus the J R Ultimates in my humidor came from my neighbour who bought them in the Dominican.
He knows his cigars, and I'm pretty sure they're real.

Oh brother.

I agree.

quote:

Originally posted by fuzzuki:
Plus the J R Ultimates in my humidor came from my neighbour who bought them in the Dominican.
He knows his cigars, and I'm pretty sure they're real.

I nearly soaked my keyboard with cold corona when I read that.

What the hell's so funny about that?

I don't understand why you're all laughing at me.

Not that I really care. But let me in on the joke.

rob

What makes you think I'm not taking this advice.

I've been in the D.R. and have seen good quality cigars for sale. In the resort I was staying in. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't sell fake cigars in a 5 star resort.
Why would they want to rip off guests who may want to return and advise others to go to the resort they stayed in.

rob

My friend,
In your introduction you stated that you just started smoking cigars and smoked maybe 10-15 so how do you realy know a good quality cigar from a well made fake? I'm not trying to insult you, just trying to help educate you. I've been smoking cigars since 1992 or 93 off and on and it wasn't untill I joined this forum that I became educated on this great pastime. You could learn so much here if you just listen to the vets. When I first joined a year ago I thought I knew cigars because I smoked cigars. The key is to learn cigars. The whole process and that includes from seedlings untill a box arrives at your door. Every step of that process is relavent to becoming a knowledgable cigar consumer.
Now when your in the DR by all means by a couple cigars at the resort. If you like them then its worth it. But you would be doing yourself a huge favor by bringing your own just in case you find that the great quality cigar you just spent good money on turns out to be a dud. There are so many great cigars that you could find at your local B&M that there is no reason to roll the dice at a resort. Put it this way. The most famous cigar from the DR is Arturo Fuente and in order to purchase them in the DR they have to ship them out of the country to be purchased and then brought back in. Stands to reason that you are better off bringing Fuente's with you.
Now you spoke of JR's, if you like those go to their website and purchase some. Now while you are on the site check out other cigar lines. Get yourself a nice sampler pack with a travel humidor and you will be sure of smoking the real deal while you are on vacation.
I know that it is tempting to be in a cigar manufacturing country and want to buy in that country but the odds are stacked against you.
Read the tonights smoke section and some reviews to see what temps your palet.
Now enjoy your vacation and concentrate on your girl and a good romantic evening followed by a good smoke that you brought with you.
I hope this helps.