Hello All,

I am currently working as a civilian contractor in Iraq. Yesterday while at the IZ PX I bought a Cohiba Cigar from the LN (Local National) shop.

It is a Edicion Limitada 2006 and is 6.5 inches Long.

Although it looks the part, the band seems odd and to be quite honest, I'm not sure there was a 2006 series. I took the band off and scanned it for future reference (not sure how to insert the pic here though).

The guy is selling them @ $13.00 ea or $325.00 for 25

Can anyone confirm my suspicions or am I just being paranoid?

You don't mention the ring gauge, but with the length you describe, I would have to guess it is being sold as a Cohiba Sublime. Was it a thick cigar (around 54 ring gauge)? Legitimate Cohiba Sublimes sell for around $560-600 per box. I don't believe that any were produced with a 2006 band. The only Cohiba EL that should have a 2006 band on it would be the re-release of the Cohiba Pyramid EL (which would be conical shaped) but those have yet to be released and would surely be more expensive than $325/box when they finally do come out.

Be careful in Iraq, my friend. Obviously not just with purchasing Cuban cigars over there (of which most, if not all, are going to be counterfeit), but with your personal safety. Good luck over there, and God bless.

Post the picture in your yahoo photo album. Make it a public access album and post the link here.

The only Cohiba Edicion Limitada cigars that are to be released in 2006 are the Piramide vitola -- torpedo shaped (tapered head) and 6 1/8 inches long. To the best of my knowledge these have not been distributed for international sale yet.

What you saw is almost surely fake.

From what my boyz in Iraq tell me, most of the cigars sold are not stored properly and are bone dry.

What you describe does not bode well for the cigar's legitimacy.

Sorry, fake.
...at least it was good?

quote:

Originally posted by Van55:
The only Cohiba Edicion Limitada cigars that are to be released in 2006 are the Piramide vitola -- torpedo shaped (tapered head) and 6 1/8 inches long. To the best of my knowledge these have not been distributed for international sale yet.

What you saw is almost surely fake.

This is the information I was waiting for someone to bring up. I thought a Cohiba figurado was coming out this year but could not speak with surety. Thanks, Van.

Sorry that you did not get the real deal. I have not heard good things about the cigars floating around Iraq right now.

LOL,

you're right, at leeast it was good. Like everyone sometimes, I thought I had stumbled across a deal of a lifetime.

Thanks for replying

LOL,

you're right, at least it was good. Like everyone sometimes, I thought I had stumbled across a deal of a lifetime.

Thanks for replying

Sorry about the "double reply" post guys, don't know what happened there.

You're right Cohibacristo, the cigars over here most times are dry as a bone. Some you can bring back, but most are as dry as autum leaves.

Periodically you get lucky and come across a legitimate shipment just in from Dubai or Jordan etc. When I travel in and out via Kuwait, I always go to a shop with a walk in humidor and buy a few to either take home or take into Iraq with me.

I guess when buying a cigar, even over here it's like anything else, if the deal sounds to good to be true.....then it probably is....LOL

Be safe over there.

These guys covered the answer to your question.
I just want to chime in and thank you for your service. It's very appreciated.
Be safe.

I know I'm a bit late in joining this conversation but that's never stopped me from tossing around my two cents.

I'm in Iraq as well and can say, without reservation, that every "Cuban" cigar I've encountered thus far (and I've been from Mosul to Basrah) has been either a forgery or misrepresented. Has anyone ever heard of Guantanamera? Apparently there's a guy here in Kirkuk that has an "inside source" to get these extremely rare Cubans.

Guantanamera are not rare, they are not very good but they are low cost, about $60 a box. Don't waste your time and money. I think they are the left over clippings rolled up with both ends open.

Guantanamera cigars are quite rare in the fact that they are one of very few authentic Cuban cigars that are not worth smoking. I believe that they are 100% machine made with tripa corta and include floor sweepings.

I'm in the same boat. I'm currently in Iraq, traveling the country over and have had my eyes on all of these "Cuban Cigars". I wish I could find some that were legit...

Be safe everyone.

quote:

Guantanamera cigars are quite rare in the fact that they are one of very few authentic Cuban cigars that are not worth smoking. I believe that they are 100% machine made with tripa corta and include floor sweepings.

Well said Kechke don't forget the insects and pubic hairs that give this cigar its unique flavor profile.These along with La Piedra Quintero have been on my do not smoke list forever.I always wondered why they even bother to produce such crap.I guess something needs to be done with the floor sweepings as you have said.

quote:

Originally posted by Butch1979:
I'm in the same boat. I'm currently in Iraq, traveling the country over and have had my eyes on all of these "Cuban Cigars". I wish I could find some that were legit...

Be safe everyone.

Butch,

I returned from the IZ this past April and found a source not too far from the Embassy. Let me know via email if you're headed there and I'll give you directions.

quote:

Did you ever notice: The Roman Numerals for forty (40) are " XL."

They stand for extra Large also.LOL
Love that signature Sub Chop