Cigar Purchasing advice needed! Varadero April 24

[Gubbins]

Morning (or evening) all

I'm travelling to the Blau Varadero for 10 days in April 14th.

Outside of all the standard do's and don'ts, I was looking for some advice when it comes to the purchase of cigars, and know this will be the best place to ask. So I've got a few questions and will order them clearly, to try and make any of your helpful responses a little easier.

1. Price list - Is the price list from the Jan 22 thread still up to date? I figured it wouldn't be, but can't find a price list anywhere on the internet, if there is a new list, does any one have access to it or a link?

2. Where to buy / detour to - I will probably go to Havana at some point, but would checking the LCDH's out around Varadero be worth it or are they more expensive? If there is limited selection currently, is it a case of look everywhere you can, or are there certain stores in either Havana / Varadero any hotels to buy? Also does the Blau Varadero have an in-house humidor, or any of the other hotels? Will the cigars be authentic if there is?

3. Custom rolls - I would love to get some farm rolls, but don't have any contacts, is there anyway to pick some up off a respected roller, or any house rollers at any particular LCDH's that are worth the detour?

4. Storing cigars - How do you store you cigars once you are there? Should I risk missing stock and wait until the last few days of the holiday, or should I take a tupperwear and boveda with me; would that suffice? I'm assuming the temperature shouldn't be a problem for beetles etc?

 

Thank you all in advance guys, I will be checking this thread regularly, I've never been to Cuba before and understand it can be quite the undertaking. Any advice is much appreciated.

Chris

[dangarneau]

Piggy-backing here...I am also heading to Cuba on April 14 but will be in Havana and Vinales. Would love to know the best locations for farm rolls. Still Juanita at Hotel Riviera?

Thanks!

[canadaleaf]

In Havana, go to La Casa Del Tobacco at Comodoro Hotel and try Yainy's Margarita blend custom rolls

[dangarneau]

Following up now that I have returned from my trip. I ended up picking up 30 Siglo VI-sized puros (6"x52) in Havana and 10 robusto-sized farm rolls in Vinales. I didn't end up going to any of the national hotels but didn't need to. Flew back home through Houston and didn't have any issues.

[havanaclub]

Was there the last 2 years at new years. They are slim pickings bud.
No D4 no Monte no4 no rass no Choix no bbf or brc. not much of anything.
A LCDH in CAyo was closed down. You’ll definitely find overpriced cohiba for thousands and the odd box of non plus, Romeo tubos, Hoyo no3 the new one, monte no3 and some small Stuff.
Good luck

You might have to go into Havana but I am sure it’s light there too.


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[Fuzz]

On 4/22/2024 at 7:16 AM, dangarneau said:

Following up now that I have returned from my trip. I ended up picking up 30 Siglo VI-sized puros (6"x52) in Havana and 10 robusto-sized farm rolls in Vinales. I didn't end up going to any of the national hotels but didn't need to. Flew back home through Houston and didn't have any issues.

Don't forget to freeze your cigars before adding them to your humidor.

[dangarneau]

Yessir! Doing 24 in fridge, 72 in freezer, 24 in fridge.

[helix]

12 in the freezer is all that's required. 

[Li Bai]

1 hour ago, helix said:

12 in the freezer is all that's required . 

So you put them directly in the freezer? You've never had any issue with your cigars this way?

I've always been scared of the thermal shock so what I do is 12 in the fridge, 24 in the freezer and then 12 in the fridge again.

[helix]

Never had an issue, just leave them alone unopened.