Is there a real difference between real cubans and the legal versions of cuban cigars? My friends claim that only real cubans are the best cigars (simply because they are illegal?). They think that any cuban you can legally have in the US is just a cheap knockoff.

Mind filling me in on this bit? I imply that cuban cigars are illegal in the US.

You can't legally enjoy any cuban cigars in the US, period

There is no such thing as legal Cuban Cigars in the U.S. If they are grown and made in the country of Cuba they are illegal in the U.S. at this time.

There are instances where makers may say or state that their rollers or seeds are from Cuba but they are not made in Cuba. They may have been made in Nicaraqua,or the Dom. Republic or another country but definatly not from Cuba or again they would be illegal in the U.S.

So the flavor has no real difference from what I hear. Thanks for clearing that up, that helps!

Yep- there's beaucoup ceegars made with Cuban seed tobacco you can buy in the USA, but from what I understand it's the soil in Cuba that gives the Habanos their special je ne sais pas quoi- and THOSE are verboten here!

I think he is referring to the U.S versions of Cuban makes. For example the DR Cohiba vs. the Cuban Cohiba. A DR Monte vs. a Cuban Monte.

A Montecristo you buy in the US is made of Dominican tobacco. Outside the US you can buy a Montecristo made of Cuban tobacco. The flavors are different, but which is better is a matter of preference.

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Originally posted by Draygonia:
So the flavor has no real difference from what I hear.

You heard wrong.

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Originally posted by funkanimus:
A Montecristo you buy in the US is made of Dominican tobacco. Outside the US you can buy a Montecristo made of Cuban tobacco. The flavors are different, but which is better is a matter of preference.

correction...which is better is a matter of experience

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So the flavor has no real difference from what I hear. Thanks for clearing that up, that helps!

I think you misunderstood i think there is a big difference in flavor between CC and NC cigars.And the only legal Cuban Cigars in the United States are ones that are Pre Embargo.

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There is no such thing as legal Cuban Cigars in the U.S. If they are grown and made in the country of Cuba they are illegal in the U.S. at this time.

Except for the Pre-embargo cigars.

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Originally posted by SHEEPSHEAD BAY:

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So the flavor has no real difference from what I hear. Thanks for clearing that up, that helps!

I think you misunderstood i think there is a big difference in flavor between CC and NC cigars.And the only legal Cuban Cigars in the United States are ones that are Pre Embargo.

Sheep is right. When I hear "legal Cubans in the USA", I assume they mean the cigars made with pre-embargo Cuban tobacco such as the Pinars. Cigars made with Cuban seed tobacco grown outside of Cuba are not considered to be legal Cubans.

There is a huge difference between the legal and illegal Cubans. I agree with your friends.

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Sheep is right. When I hear "legal Cubans in the USA", I assume they mean the cigars made with pre-embargo Cuban tobacco such as the Pinars. Cigars made with Cuban seed tobacco grown outside of Cuba are not considered to be legal Cubans.

Hey Bo
How are those Pinars have you ever had one.I have seen them around and to be quite honest thought it to be a scam of sorts.What i mean to say is i found it hard to believe any pre embargo tobacco could still exist.

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Originally posted by SHEEPSHEAD BAY:

quote:

Sheep is right. When I hear "legal Cubans in the USA", I assume they mean the cigars made with pre-embargo Cuban tobacco such as the Pinars. Cigars made with Cuban seed tobacco grown outside of Cuba are not considered to be legal Cubans.

Hey Bo
How are those Pinars have you ever had one.I have seen them around and to be quite honest thought it to be a scam of sorts.What i mean to say is i found it hard to believe any pre embargo tobacco could still exist.

Nah, I never smoked a Pinar. My opinion on it is solely based on common sense. I saw some "special deals" where they're selling for around $5 a stick. That, plus the fact nobody is saying anything about them leads me to think they're not that great.

Actually, I just looked at a cigar review site and the Pinar 3000s are getting few, but decent reviews...hmmm, might just have to try one...or not....maybe....eh I don't know!

I can't speak to the Cuban provenance of Pinars' tobacco, but I can attest that their taste is poor. They're just not that good and certainly shouldn't command a premium. I do know that they taste nothing - repeat: nothing - like any Cuban cigar I've ever had. If you want the real CC experience, look to the nearest LCDH.

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Nah, I never smoked a Pinar. My opinion on it is solely based on common sense. I saw some "special deals" where they're selling for around $5 a stick. That, plus the fact nobody is saying anything about them leads me to think they're not that great.

Actually, I just looked at a cigar review site and the Pinar 3000s are getting few, but decent reviews...hmmm, might just have to try one...or not....maybe....eh I don't know!

Yeah at $5 what has one really got to lose.They are cheap enough.I try anything once just for the experience.

Every once in a while i get surprised.

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If you want the real CC experience, look to the nearest LCDH.

Its the only place i ever shop.

After reading this thread, I looked around online for Pinars. One place had the Pinar 2000 for $20 per stick.

LMAO!!!