Cuba Cigar Price List 12/7/22

[NSXCIGAR]

On 7/13/2022 at 12:09 PM, mcicvara said:

Monte Edmundo and Double Edmundo both $18.

Doesn't make sense.

How about RyJ Short Churchills more than Wide Churchills? And RAG the most expensive DC? 

The most intriguing one is no change to MdO4. That's a little odd. I hope it's not cut...

Also the new RA 3 is pretty reasonable. 

On 7/11/2022 at 3:43 PM, El Presidente said:

still available in a few places. 21 and 22 codes as I understand.

All I saw were 22 codes in June and every shop I went to had 6-12 boxes. Very evenly distributed. And we know some made it out to Andorra as well. Of note all the 22 NP use the premium Vrijdag hand used for ERs. 

There was plenty of SP Beli around in Apr but none in June. The difference in stock between Apr and June was significant. In particular there were hundreds of boxes of Cuba ERs in Apr and literally two left by June.

[JohnnyO]

On 7/13/2022 at 5:04 PM, Corylax18 said:

Those are black market/street exchange rates, so they're loose and ever changing. 

It more reflects personal demands/connections of the people you know than it does real value. I'm staying at a Casa for a few nights that prefers Euros because most of their family is in Spain. They actually give me a better real price paying in Euros to save them the hassle of another exchange. Lots of other people have family or other connections in the states, so they prefer USD. The "formal" government exchange rates don't shift, I'm not even sure what the formal Euro/CUP exchange is right now. 

If locals are leaving Cuba for good they want USD. If they are staying they want Euros as that gives them the best rates for the MLC markets. Both exchange easily on the parallel markets. John

[Lunettesman]

On 7/13/2022 at 9:28 PM, mcicvara said:

 

Thank you. Apparently my cell phone cannot read it correctly as there is those price nowhere even when I flip the phone 😅

[01Vert]

Could you have a local buy them with CUP and get them at the better exchange rate after you pay them in Euro?

Edited July 18, 2022 by 01Vert
spelling

[NSXCIGAR]

On 7/18/2022 at 9:10 AM, 01Vert said:

Could you have a local buy them with CUP

Buy what? 

[Corylax18]

On 7/18/2022 at 10:10 AM, 01Vert said:

Could you have a local buy them with CUP and get them at the better exchange rate after you pay them in Euro?

No. MLC is the only way to buy them. MLC cards are a scam, just another way for the government to take a skim. As @NSXCIGAR alluded to they aren't even for sale right now. The cigar shops have received the new stickers, but the old prices remain in the computer system. Full humidors at several LCDHs in Havana where closed/blocked off for customers. Others where just empty. It's a bigger mess down there than any of use could have imagined. I arrived back from Cuba yesterday. I'll post up a much more in depth thread on this and the general situation once I get settled in. 

[agentdaffy007]

@Corylax18, I have a few friends going to Cuba next week. There is a LCDH close to their resort.

Will they be able to buy cigars?
If yes, at the old price or new price?

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[Corylax18]

9 hours ago, agentdaffy007 said:

@Corylax18, I have a few friends going to Cuba next week. There is a LCDH close to their resort.

Will they be able to buy cigars?
If yes, at the old price or new price?

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"LCDH Close to their Resort" Are they going to Varadero? The rules should be the same as Havana, but should is the key word. 

Tourists can only buy Preloaded MLC cards from the Government at the airport, at insulting exchange rates and fees. I think 100 MLC is the largest denomination you can buy. So you would need 22 cards to buy a single box of Siglo VI, 10 of them for a box of Coloniales. The old prices are long gone. Forget about them. 

[mcicvara]

They accept Canadian and European credit cards too. My son just purchased some boxes at Cayo Santa Maria. And yes, NEW PRICES!!! At the resort cigar shop prices are ABOVE listed prices???

[Corylax18]

32 minutes ago, mcicvara said:

They accept Canadian and European credit cards too. My son just purchased some boxes at Cayo Santa Maria. And yes, NEW PRICES!!! At the resort cigar shop prices are ABOVE listed prices???

That's good to know on the CC's.

I'm guessing he was charged the correct amount, in MLC, but the total paid was higher because of the conversion and fee's from MLC to CAD.

Again, MLC isn't really anything. Its just a government backed "Credit Card" they use to hoover up hard(foreign) currency and "exchange" it for a smaller amount of local "currency" that can only be used in the country. Its not a replacement for the CUC. Its just like the T2 currency scam on a country wide level. 

"Sorry, we only accept CAD and Euro. But, Change is only given in CUP."  Everywhere you look, the government is trying to take their undeserved slice. 

[cgoodrich]

24 minutes ago, Corylax18 said:

That's good to know on the CC's.

I'm guessing he was charged the correct amount, in MLC, but the total paid was higher because of the conversion and fee's from MLC to CAD.

Again, MLC isn't really anything. Its just a government backed "Credit Card" they use to hoover up hard(foreign) currency and "exchange" it for a smaller amount of local "currency" that can only be used in the country. Its not a replacement for the CUC. Its just like the T2 currency scam on a country wide level. 

"Sorry, we only accept CAD and Euro. But, Change is only given in CUP."  Everywhere you look, the government is trying to take their undeserved slice. 

Ah yes, good ‘ol socialist paradise.

[NSXCIGAR]

5 hours ago, Corylax18 said:

Tourists can only buy Preloaded MLC cards from the Government at the airport, at insulting exchange rates and fees. I think 100 MLC is the largest denomination you can buy. So you would need 22 cards to buy a single box of Siglo VI, 10 of them for a box of Coloniales

The MLC cards aren't that much of a rip off. They can only be bought with Euro and are really only needed by those without a non-US bank card (US tourists). The exchange rate from EUR to USD is fair and they charge $5 for the card. I only saw them available at the airport exchange office. The cards are not reusable. Max value is 1000 USD. Some POS require the PIN, some do not. You have to keep track of your balance as you use it. You can check the balance at the ATM at the airport. 

[mcicvara]

5 hours ago, Corylax18 said:

That's good to know on the CC's.

I'm guessing he was charged the correct amount, in MLC, but the total paid was higher because of the conversion and fee's from MLC to CAD.

No, he was charged in US$. It was like that in June when I was at Cayo Coco.

[Fuzz]

7 hours ago, Corylax18 said:

Again, MLC isn't really anything. Its just a government backed "Credit Card" they use to hoover up hard(foreign) currency and "exchange" it for a smaller amount of local "currency" that can only be used in the country. Its not a replacement for the CUC. Its just like the T2 currency scam on a country wide level. 

"Sorry, we only accept CAD and Euro. But, Change is only given in CUP."  Everywhere you look, the government is trying to take their undeserved slice. 

They got the idea from Mickey.

[Corylax18]

17 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

The MLC cards aren't that much of a rip off. They can only be bought with Euro and are really only needed by those without a non-US bank card (US tourists). The exchange rate from EUR to USD is fair and they charge $5 for the card. I only saw them available at the airport exchange office. The cards are not reusable. Max value is 1000 USD. Some POS require the PIN, some do not. You have to keep track of your balance as you use it. You can check the balance at the ATM at the airport. 

The entire system is massive scam, please don't even insinuate that its anything else.

No tourist in their right mind will have any financial dealings with the Government if they can avoid it. Not just US citizens. Currency exchange, hotels, restaurants, whatever. Avoid them at all costs. There is no need for anyone to get one, I've spent 3 weeks down there in the last few months and haven't wanted/needed one for a second.   

I pasted a link to an article below that explains the entire situation a bit better. All of the prices are fake, set by the government. All the exchange rates are fake, set by the government. None of it tied to the actual value of goods/services or the value of the "currency."

Just like the rest of the "formal" economy in Cuba MLC is just another avenue to get spendable money into the hands of the government and military. If you think its anything else, you've been fooled. 

The CUP is the only way to go right now.(don't exchange at the airport/banks) You need piles of 1000 CUP notes, but I spent less than $250 on meals and booze during my last 8 day trip. It would have been at least 4x times that at official/MLC rates. The product and service at private establishments is far superior and at a much better price. Its the same with Cigars. I'm much happier buying superior cigars at fair prices, from private individuals, who care. 

I'm certainly not going to spend money, travelling to Cuba, so I can buy a fake credit card, to earn the "privilege" to pay the highest prices on the planet, for a product drastically declining in quality. 

https://eltoque.com/la-mlc-contraataca

 

15 hours ago, mcicvara said:

No, he was charged in US$. It was like that in June when I was at Cayo Coco.

Ah. The old "Kempinski" treatment. I have seen the higher prices there, but I've never been out to any of the all inclusive's. It makes more sense that they would do it out there though, its a lot harder to compare prices. Kempinski is about a 2 minute walk from the new partagas shop though, so comparing prices is easier than ever. Do you you know how much they where adding on top?

[mcicvara]

7 hours ago, Corylax18 said:

Ah. The old "Kempinski" treatment. I have seen the higher prices there, but I've never been out to any of the all inclusive's. It makes more sense that they would do it out there though, its a lot harder to compare prices. Kempinski is about a 2 minute walk from the new partagas shop though, so comparing prices is easier than ever. Do you you know how much they where adding on top?

They were asking $140 for a box of Partagas Shorts, so around 10% more. $125 for Vegueros Centrofinos, 17% more.

[NSXCIGAR]

5 hours ago, Corylax18 said:

The entire system is massive scam, please don't even insinuate that its anything else.

OK, I don't disagree. I'm speaking only in terms of the MLC cards. If you set foot in Cuba you're going to get scammed at some point. The state gets their money in many ways. I'm pointing out the MLC cards specifically are far from the worst rip off there if you must get one. They take about 3% on the exchange rate and $5 per card. 

I don't know what you're calling "MLC rates". MLC can only be bought with EUR (or possibly other major currencies like GBP but I'm not 100% sure about that). It is then converted to USD at a relatively fair exchange rate. In fact the cards say USD. MLC and CUP are not related in any way. That is where the biggest scam is--the absurd 24:1 CUP rate. 

Again, not disagreeing--just describing the MLC. Of all the ways to get ripped off in Cuba the MLC isn't that high on the list. 

[mcicvara]

Cuba more than quadruples dollar/peso exchange rate (msn.com)

 

[toledo1969]

So my good friend is leaving with his wife to La Habana tomorrow, any idea what the Official Stores have in stock, anyone has gone lately. I gave him $1,200 USD to see what he can get me, since he can only bring back 2 boxes or 50 cigars. 

My list was mostly Behike, Double Coronas, JL LCDH and just in case to refill with SP Belicosos. But with the price increase I am not so keen now, it used to be that one could get Cubans so much cheaper on the Island, now the prices are almost the same everywhere. 

So any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks 

[NSXCIGAR]

15 hours ago, toledo1969 said:

any idea what the Official Stores have in stock, anyone has gone lately.

Nothing on your list will be found. No change in stock since June. They've got small Cohibas, most Hoyo, PSD5, E2 and P2 in tubes, decent Monte stock, HU Connie 1 & 2, JL S1/S2, PLPC, most Boli. That's it. You might find a random box of SPNP, Punch Punch, Punch SdP, PL Galanes, VR Unicos, SC La Punta or ERDM CS but that's it. Nothing in demand unless more Party Legados have come in. 

And that's assuming the computer system has been updated and product can even be sold. As of last week it still had not. 

[havanaclub]

The Real Scam here is the 24/1 Conversion Rate. 1 USD is worth between 110 and 115 Cuban pesos right now and its been over 100 since late last year. The Euro is up around 125. 
If you could go into a Cuban Cigar store and pay with Actual currency (Cuban peso's in particular) these prices would be amazing. But you have to buy "MLC" with Euro's, at a state bank, pay that fee, then pay for cigars with it, at the fake exchange rate. 
The local Cuban Cigar market is now just a machine designed to let the Government Skim 75/100 cuban pesos worth of foreign currency dollar/Euro spent, on top of the profit they're already making. 

I have talked to fellow Canadians who used to vacation to Cuba all the time and buy cigars. They all say they will never set foot in that country again. I don’t blame them and I am starting to have that sentiment after seeing this garbage.


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[LLC]

4 hours ago, havanaclub said:

I have talked to fellow Canadians who used to vacation to Cuba all the time and buy cigars. They all say they will never set foot in that country again. I don’t blame them and I am starting to have that sentiment after seeing this garbage.


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I used to go to Havana two or three times a year. Last trip I left March 12,2020 just before things got serious with traveling. Can’t see myself go back any time soon. Things will really need to change to get me to go. 

[nick2021]

14 hours ago, toledo1969 said:

So my good friend is leaving with his wife to La Habana tomorrow, any idea what the Official Stores have in stock, anyone has gone lately. I gave him $1,200 USD to see what he can get me, since he can only bring back 2 boxes or 50 cigars. 

My list was mostly Behike, Double Coronas, JL LCDH and just in case to refill with SP Belicosos. But with the price increase I am not so keen now, it used to be that one could get Cubans so much cheaper on the Island, now the prices are almost the same everywhere. 

So any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks 

Even when the situation was better years ago, and US laws were relaxed, some of those cigars were still hard to find.  Best to focus on things that can easily be obtained as you don’t want your friend snagging something as a “compromise” that you may not like

 

5 hours ago, LLC said:

I used to go to Havana two or three times a year. Last trip I left March 12,2020 just before things got serious with traveling. Can’t see myself go back any time soon. Things will really need to change to get me to go. 

Those were the good ole’ days…was a really great place to visit, buy cigars, eat and relax.  At first, was hoping US laws would be relaxed again …. But now, the overall situation is way messed up lol…I am with you on not going back anytime soon

[Greenhorn2]

I have never been to Cuba due to the pain in the arse for US residents but was looking at ways to go as soon as this pandemic crap sorted itself out. Due to the state of the country and all the price increases,  I have no need or desire to spend my coin there. Hate it for the average citizens down there but I have the same feelings toward Cuba as they have towards the average cigar consumer, screw them.

[toledo1969]

I wanted to update on my friends recent visit to the Island. These friends have been going to Cuba for the past 40 years. And in his words, he has never seen Cuba as bad as it is now. Several days without power, hotels empty and in some restaurants no ingredients to prepare food. He says there is a huge discontent with the current leadership in Cuba. 

Concerning Cuban Cigars, everywhere he looked there was no supply, only small handmade cigars and machine made. Some small cohibas here and there, but huge price increases. One thing he told me stood out. At the Cigar Shop at Hotel el Nacional he asked why Habanos had gone up so much in price, and the cashier said, imagine how the cubans feel that 1 month of our salary is the equivalent to 1 Single Cohiba Cigar. 

Bottom line, they brought me back nothing from my list, and just some crappy machine made that they bought at the Airport in La Habana.