How I Spent $2,000 on Cigars in Cuba!

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  • Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
  • My wife and I just returned from Havana (December 2019). This video shows my choices for cigar purchases on the trip. Please also see my video from my 2018 trip regarding my purchases on that trip. Unfortunately on this trip I could not find Upmann Connie B's anywhere (well, at least not at any of the 5 locations I checked). CORRECTION! I found, when I opened the cardboard boxes that held the Montecristo Dumas and the Punch Punch 48 LCDH, that the cardboard is merely providing protection for beautiful wood presentation boxes!! Very pleased and I apologize to Habanos and my viewers for my naivety regarding the packaging for these cigars!!

КОМЕНТАРІ • 109

  • @JP-rv6hg
    @JP-rv6hg 11 місяців тому +1

    That would cost over 10k today…inflation…

  • @guymathis8982
    @guymathis8982 2 місяці тому +1

    Wow good score looks like way over 2k enjoy

  • @alfalf4531
    @alfalf4531 Рік тому +2

    it's a well spend money bro, i buy cigars whenever i go to cuba, unfortunatly the canada tobacco tax is high, it will cost triple the value of the cigars in import tax, and don't underestimate those unbranded cigars, u may find that those are the best one for the price.

  • @lorraineperron4840
    @lorraineperron4840 11 місяців тому +1

    Good luck with those !

  • @paulsingh9043
    @paulsingh9043 4 роки тому +3

    Godamnnnn!, you should open a store!!!.... nice haul!!

  • @bfdz94
    @bfdz94 2 роки тому +2

    two questions:
    1. How was the farm rolled cigar that your host gave you?
    2. Do you know how strict the ban on Cuban tobacco and rum is coming back to the US after trump banned it in 2020?

    • @bamabiologist2945
      @bamabiologist2945  Рік тому

      1. the 3 farm rolled cigars have not been smoked yet. One was literally green in color which means tobacco had not been aged at all. So i plan to let them get at least 5 years on them before i smoke them.
      2. Ban is still in effect. You can no longer bring back rum or cigars from cuba into the united states for personal use. That may change in the future but who knows.

  • @tigerstyle4505
    @tigerstyle4505 4 роки тому +2

    I gotta get my ass down to the island. I mostly smoke NC's but there are a few I'd like to buy there and bring back. Got a buddy down there too. Great haul there, family. Good luck! May the mold and beetles leave you be!

  • @Pabloeskiibra22
    @Pabloeskiibra22 Рік тому +2

    As a young man in the game this is goals 😊

  • @tythanh7321
    @tythanh7321 Рік тому

    Gửi về việt nam cho tui vài điếu hút đi bạn ơi

  • @jacqueskavafian4179
    @jacqueskavafian4179 Місяць тому

    These prices are up 10 times now.

  • @samboonjue1349
    @samboonjue1349 4 роки тому +1

    Nice haul!

  • @dionisioiacobelli6689
    @dionisioiacobelli6689 8 місяців тому +1

    Are all Cohibas sold in U.S. fake ?

  • @reginaldknight1426
    @reginaldknight1426 4 роки тому +1

    PLEASE PUT ME ON YOUR CHRISTMAS LIST.

  • @ir0n2541
    @ir0n2541 2 місяці тому

    You know what is wild, in the United Kingdom. $2000 only will get you 50 Bolivar Royal Corona cigars. not ever special edition, just the standard stuff. you are so lucky to walk away with som many cigars for $2k. i need to move to the US!

  • @salvadorgarcia168
    @salvadorgarcia168 4 роки тому +10

    I believe there is a wooden box inside the cardboard box. Great pickups!

    • @bamabiologist2945
      @bamabiologist2945  4 роки тому +2

      Yes, I opened them about a week ago and there is a beautiful wooden presentation box! I put a correction and apology in my main comments above.

  • @flavadog17
    @flavadog17 4 роки тому +2

    That's a sweet cache right there!

  • @cryptolord9826
    @cryptolord9826 4 роки тому +1

    Man I can blow sum cash there

  • @pricetag30
    @pricetag30 Рік тому

    Would love to see your humidor!

  • @gastondeveaux3783
    @gastondeveaux3783 8 місяців тому

    I fear those prices would be significantly higher now in 2024. Anyone have any recent experience?

  • @luisv491
    @luisv491 Рік тому +2

    Would be nice to see an update on how these cigars have smoked, if you have any plans on going back to Cuba and maybe a look at your humidor collection!
    Anyway, your videos are very informative and clear. Thanks

    • @bamabiologist2945
      @bamabiologist2945  Рік тому +1

      See some of my comments to other questions regarding how some smoked. Most have been very very good after several years in humidor. when cruise ships are allowed to go back we will. Right now no plans to stay a week again. Will try to do a humidor tour at some point when i get time this fall.

    • @luisv491
      @luisv491 Рік тому +1

      @@bamabiologist2945 yessir! Looking forward to it!

    • @doater
      @doater 8 місяців тому

      @@bamabiologist2945well good luck getting the same prices ! 😅

  • @lightshadow44
    @lightshadow44 Рік тому +1

    Hard to imagine you bought all those for 2k
    The montecristo alone are well over 1k in France and Canada

    • @alfalf4531
      @alfalf4531 Рік тому +1

      forget canada bro, u cannot compare canada to anything, the max is 50 cigars and the tax is ridiculously high, 40 cent for extra cigar, in canada is likly 40 dollrs per extra cigar

    • @bamabiologist2945
      @bamabiologist2945  Рік тому

      cuban pricing has gone crazy. Same cigars would be at least double now but i cannot bring any back to the US for personal use any more. Maybe the law will change again in the future.

  • @paultaylor2055
    @paultaylor2055 Рік тому +1

    You must’ve had a crystal ball! Everything here has quadrupled in price at least here in London since you made this

    • @bamabiologist2945
      @bamabiologist2945  Рік тому +3

      It's crazy. If the cuban govt had any sense at all they would have much lower pricing for cigars in cuba ONLY. That way tourists would come to cuba to buy cigars and stay and spend money, which they desperately need!

  • @kilroywasherebutnowhesgone9532
    @kilroywasherebutnowhesgone9532 10 місяців тому

    Sheeshh..got cigars!? 😁 nice haul bro one day ill smoke a real one. Enjoy huhh👌✌

  • @shoyourightrayrayray3142
    @shoyourightrayrayray3142 4 роки тому +2

    What are you packing all those boxes in along with your normal luggage?

    • @bamabiologist2945
      @bamabiologist2945  4 роки тому +3

      I filled my carry on with the most expensive boxes and then put the rest in my checked luggage with some clothes between them... I kept them from drying out by placing them in large ziplocks

  • @monusbrewer4911
    @monusbrewer4911 4 роки тому

    Dang you blow $3K on different products and grip about $6.25? 🤔
    Seriously go get a nice cold one and chill out with your favorite one.
    Priorities, enjoyment first, cost second.

  • @matthewjessee8937
    @matthewjessee8937 4 роки тому +1

    Humidor tour video would be sweet

  • @bamabiologist2945
    @bamabiologist2945  3 роки тому +1

    Please note at this time cigar imports are no longer legal from cuba to the usa. This is due to the changes that the trump administration enacted over the last few months. As of this time NO cigars or rum can be imported in luggage. This may change with the Biden administration but who knows if and when that will happen.

  • @leandershah1617
    @leandershah1617 8 місяців тому

    Wait, did you say you got chocolate notes from the Montecristo Regatta?

  • @MrDouglabwoy
    @MrDouglabwoy 4 роки тому +1

    partagas, luv it. lol Good video!

  • @charlespinson6693
    @charlespinson6693 4 роки тому +1

    You should watch The Doctor Joe Show. He can give you tons of information regarding security measures taken by La Casa del Habanos and the stamps on your boxes.

    • @s.k.8845
      @s.k.8845 4 роки тому

      He hasn’t been around for years man....he sold off his collection and all that jazz.

    • @charlespinson6693
      @charlespinson6693 4 роки тому

      Scott Kay _ Yet his information remains extremely relevant to the cigar enthusiast! This is my only point

  • @emiliocoronel4160
    @emiliocoronel4160 Рік тому

    I'd like to spend 2 thousand dollars in habanos but can't go to Cuba if you think it's possible to make kinda business let me know... Great video

    • @bamabiologist2945
      @bamabiologist2945  Рік тому

      US govt has pretty much stopped import of cuban cigars for personal use now... did that a couple years ago i think? So you would have to smoke em there. Maybe one day they will open it back up again.

  • @samp43
    @samp43 Рік тому +1

    now this is like 10K

    • @bamabiologist2945
      @bamabiologist2945  Рік тому +1

      yep! It's crazy. If the cuban govt had any sense at all they would have much lower pricing for cigars in cuba ONLY. That way tourists would come to cuba to buy cigars and stay and spend money, which they desperately need!

  • @Omar-kt6in
    @Omar-kt6in 3 роки тому

    What shop did you pick up the 3 single Partagas Maduros from ?

  • @cryptolord9826
    @cryptolord9826 4 роки тому +1

    Nice mate quick question do you open the boxes and put them in the humidor or do you put them with the box

    • @bamabiologist2945
      @bamabiologist2945  4 роки тому

      I put boxes in humidor either way. If not ready to smoke one I leave them unopened. I don't feel the need to crack open a box just to allow humidity to get into it... It will go through the box.

    • @cryptolord9826
      @cryptolord9826 4 роки тому

      Bama Biologist ok thanks I’m just starting to collect this helps

    • @deewen4232
      @deewen4232 6 місяців тому

      Boxes take up a lot of space, even in a large humidor. Take them out of the box and you can almost double your humidor capacity.

  • @Captfuntastic
    @Captfuntastic 4 роки тому +6

    Nice score! When you came home customs didn't give you a hard time about the quantity you brought back? A Cuba trip is on my bucket list

    • @bamabiologist2945
      @bamabiologist2945  4 роки тому +13

      US customs detained us and pulled us aside. I was required to pay $40 per hundred cigars that were OVER the 100 cigars per person allowed for import without excise tax. They did not require me to pay anything for the 12 bottles of rum. They allowed my wife and I to have 100 per person, even though she does not smoke. Therefore we had an exemption of 200 cigars and had to pay excise tax for the cigars over that amount

    • @Juiceman-fz6pm
      @Juiceman-fz6pm 3 роки тому

      @@bamabiologist2945 Thanks for clearing this up. Great video, sir.

  • @blacklotus7539
    @blacklotus7539 10 місяців тому

    So if I buy them from the store I can bring as many as I want?

  • @eddieakaskipper
    @eddieakaskipper Рік тому

    dumas comes in wooden box wrapped in felt inside the cardboard box,,,, amazing pick ups

    • @bamabiologist2945
      @bamabiologist2945  Рік тому

      yes i realized that when i opened it. They are excellent cigars! Lots of chocolate notes!

  • @marcopolo1906
    @marcopolo1906 4 роки тому

    What's the best on line site to buy Cubans cigars from

  • @AwesomeSauce81
    @AwesomeSauce81 29 днів тому

    Great haul, but please learn how to hold a camera for filming.

  • @jrpriest
    @jrpriest 4 роки тому

    Smoke the ones without the band. You will be surprised. If it’s the same blend that I got they were better than anything else I purchased. I am kicking myself for not getting more.

    • @bamabiologist2945
      @bamabiologist2945  4 роки тому

      my Airbnb host told me he could get as many as I wanted... they are still a bit young so Im gonna let them rest a while before I try one of them... like 2 years.

  • @alfalf4531
    @alfalf4531 Рік тому

    if you could update us about the smoking experience of those cigars, please

    • @bamabiologist2945
      @bamabiologist2945  Рік тому +1

      Well, i can tell you the Upmann Connie Bs are top notch, very creamy smoke. PLPC are very good aged. They have really improved. In fact most any cuban will become much better after 3 years and absolutely astounding after 5 years. The partagas serie p no 2 are very good. Hoyo Epricures very good. R&J short churchills and RASS very good. Partagas lusitanias are very good but too long of a smoke for me. They last about 2 1/2 hours for me and at the 2 hour mark i feel like i got kicked in the head by a horse. Quai Dorsay #50 don't do much for me even after aging. Same with the Montecristo open junior. Bought some boxes of those that were from 2010 and even after 13 years of age they dont do anything for me. i normally don't do reviews because everyone's taste is different. But if you have specific ones you want me to review i can take a shot at it.

  • @anthonywilson4696
    @anthonywilson4696 3 роки тому

    Are they athletic

  • @georgejoanidhi2434
    @georgejoanidhi2434 2 роки тому

    Canada ?? little bit confused how could you carry all the cigars??

    • @bamabiologist2945
      @bamabiologist2945  Рік тому +1

      I am in the US. The states no longer allow you to bring cubans back for personal use. I used a military duffle bag the first time when i went on a cruise and it was slam full. Second time i brought extra suitcases.

  • @IvanRossS
    @IvanRossS 4 роки тому

    Lol. 2000 its really not alot. :) like 4-6 box of premium cuban cigar.

  • @heijaslivani687
    @heijaslivani687 Рік тому

    How about the price in 2023?

    • @bamabiologist2945
      @bamabiologist2945  Рік тому

      Pricing increase in Cuba was substantial. If the US govt relaxes the import process for personal use again like they did back before 2020, only then could us citizens buy cubans for personal use to bring back into the US. At the current price point, there are only a few cubans i would pay the new price to get. Two in particular. H. Upmann Connoisseur B and the Por Larranaga petit coronas. When i was there in 2019 i picked up a couple of cabinets of PLPC and they are quite good after aging. I tried to find Connie B that second trip but could not find even a single stick for sale after searching 5 of the la casa de habanos locations. So i got several boxes of Connie A and Connoisseur #1. NOT the same. Good but not the same at least to me. Oh also the Partagas Serie P No 2 are really good. There are so many good non cubans priced relatively low on online stores now that you can get top quality for well under $10 a stick. Most of the cubans will now be well over that price. Those two i mentioned above i would definitely get. Have some others i need to smoke again now that i have 5+ years of aging on them to see if they would rate high enough for me to pick up again at the new price point. RASS might be one. R&J short churchills another. Monte Lineament 1935 Dumas and Hoyo Epicures are others.

  • @osvaldocastro3009
    @osvaldocastro3009 4 роки тому

    How much duty taxes did you have to pay for all of these ? With the restriction I’m sure they questioned you

    • @bamabiologist2945
      @bamabiologist2945  4 роки тому +2

      $120 duty on the cigars.

    • @Juiceman-fz6pm
      @Juiceman-fz6pm 3 роки тому

      @@bamabiologist2945 That is peanut to you, sir. I definitely enjoyed your video and explanation on things that most of us don’t know, enjoy your cigars, sir.

  • @charlespinson6693
    @charlespinson6693 4 роки тому

    I’ll be glad when you open your box of Monties, so you can expose the wood box inside the cardboard and repost.

    • @bamabiologist2945
      @bamabiologist2945  4 роки тому

      yes, I opened the boxes a couple of weeks after making this video and revised my comment below the video with an apology! I have smoked one Dumas and it was really good.

  • @bradquigley9379
    @bradquigley9379 2 роки тому

    Thank you so much for the useful information ☺️ I now can make a list & be prepared before I go. Great video. Do you have any about rum?

    • @bamabiologist2945
      @bamabiologist2945  Рік тому

      pricing has gone through the roof and if you are in the USA, you can no longer bring any back, even for personal use. Maybe that will change in the future.

  • @Futokuko
    @Futokuko 4 роки тому

    Open the “cardboard” box and have a look, it’s in a wooden humi

    • @bamabiologist2945
      @bamabiologist2945  4 роки тому

      yes, I opened the boxes a couple of weeks after making this video and revised my comment below the video with an apology! I have smoked one Dumas and it was really good.

  • @rrketc2
    @rrketc2 4 роки тому

    Did you see in LGC MDOs when you were down there. I think they might have axed the whole line.

    • @bamabiologist2945
      @bamabiologist2945  4 роки тому

      there were some LGC but don't specifically remember MDOs. Not saying they weren't there.

  • @robervalmachado5709
    @robervalmachado5709 4 роки тому

    From Brazil.

  • @LouieFromTheLounge
    @LouieFromTheLounge Рік тому

    Epic haul🏆

  • @frankquinby5502
    @frankquinby5502 4 роки тому

    I thought the limit is 100 cigars how do you get that many?

    • @bamabiologist2945
      @bamabiologist2945  4 роки тому +4

      The regs do not say 100 cigar limit. Regs say 100 cigars are exempt from import excise taxes, but you can bring more than 100 back. The only stipulation on numbers is that they must be for "personal use" which can include gifts for other people but CANNOT include ANY type of compensation (someone cannot pay you to bring some back). I was required to pay $40 per hundred cigars that were OVER the 100 cigars per person allowed for import without excise tax. They allowed my wife and I to have 100 per person, even though she does not smoke. Therefore we had an exemption of 200 cigars and had to pay excise tax for the cigars over that amount

  • @samliu7717
    @samliu7717 4 роки тому

    Were you joking about cardboard boxes? If not, if need to open them

    • @samliu7717
      @samliu7717 4 роки тому

      Good haul!

    • @bamabiologist2945
      @bamabiologist2945  4 роки тому +1

      yes, I opened the boxes a couple of weeks after making this video and revised my comment below the video with an apology! I have smoked one Dumas and it was really good.

  • @DarthAlgar5
    @DarthAlgar5 4 роки тому

    How did you get to Cuba?

  • @dallasbagley
    @dallasbagley 2 роки тому

    Youre paying 2-3x the price now on cubans.

    • @bamabiologist2945
      @bamabiologist2945  Рік тому

      yep! It's crazy. If the cuban govt had any sense at all they would have much lower pricing for cigars in cuba ONLY. That way tourists would come to cuba to buy cigars and stay and spend money, which they desperately need!

  • @timbenzel1751
    @timbenzel1751 8 місяців тому

    Why...

  • @Touche334
    @Touche334 4 роки тому

    Great video, but I wish you would have opened up the boxes for us.

  • @LlVE365
    @LlVE365 Рік тому

    I appreciate your time boss!

  • @poopagore
    @poopagore 4 роки тому +1

    holy shit, you selling any of those? lol nice 👌

  • @rickssticks9199
    @rickssticks9199 4 роки тому

    How hard is it to talk the GF into a trip to Cuba?! We’re looking now at vacation ideas and she knows my goal is to pick up cigars. Do you suggest the same hotel you stayed at? I believe I heard you mention that there’s a shop right in the hotel?

    • @rickssticks9199
      @rickssticks9199 4 роки тому

      Btw, I also have a few open juniors from 2010. There’s no way the worlds small enough for me to have gotten my 3 singles from one of your boxes. Just thought I mention it! Great vids man

    • @bamabiologist2945
      @bamabiologist2945  4 роки тому +1

      Most hotels are out for US citizens. Any business that has ties to the Cuban military is out and most hotels fit that bill... Airbnb has some good places. I stayed in a casa owned by Alexander near the capitol. Beautiful view and reasonable price but keep in mind this apartment has a good many stairs. We stayed a week and it took several days to get used to the stairs! There is a shop only about 100 yards or so from where I stayed. The old Partagas factory. However, they seem to be a little higher on some cigars than the other locations, so take your price list and make sure you check the prices.

    • @bamabiologist2945
      @bamabiologist2945  4 роки тому +1

      As far as talking the gf into going... well, you have to make the trip fun for her. Go to Airbnb and look at the experiences and choose them with her. One word of caution, make sure you book experiences that have a lot of good reviews and have been in business for a while. Also, keep in mind transportation is not the fastest in cuba so don't book experiences too far from where you are staying (outside of Havana if you are staying in Havana) unless they include transportation. One more thing, don't try to book too many experiences in a day. Many hosts go over their allotted time (a good thing but it could cause you to miss the next scheduled experience). But be sure to block out a couple of days to go to cigar shops!

  • @marwanal-tekrety3618
    @marwanal-tekrety3618 3 роки тому

    Open the f***g boxes

  • @cezanini23
    @cezanini23 4 роки тому

    Cuban cigars are an overrated myth. You got ripped off.

    • @tigerstyle4505
      @tigerstyle4505 4 роки тому +1

      Such certainty on such a subjective topic 🤔
      I mostly smoke NC's (particularly Nicaraguans, but I love a little of everything) but most Cubans are good cigars. Especially if you've acquired the taste for the tobacco that nickel rich soil produces. Not necessarily better than others most of the time but they're undoubtedly unique and generally pretty solid.
      The main reason I don't smoke em more often is the inconsistent QC and the pain of buying. It's not like an NC where I can go to a B&M or order a couple and see if they're box worthy, just something to keep a few around of or not for me. When buying (without actually going to Cuba) ya generally end up buying a box or splitting a box and I just don't like doing that as much so I end up smoking the same ones I know I like. That and that Cuba has been putting young tobacco out for a good while now and I'm not a big fan of having to age cigars. Some people love it and it's a part of the hobby that they enjoy but I ain't one. But if they upped their QC, it was easier just to get 2-5 and they aged em a little more I'd absolutely work em into the rotation more.
      But it has nothing to do with them being "bad". People smoke a lot of stuff I don't like and a few things I think are decent get a good deal of hate in some circles but I worry about what I'm smoking and don't judge what others choose to smoke. The man obviously knows what he's doing and didn't cop these on a whim so no, he didn't get ripped off. He got what he wanted and that's dope.

    • @jimmyfingers227
      @jimmyfingers227 4 роки тому +1

      Yes but some are very good, Christos, julietas, upmans and bolivars

    • @bryansolis3139
      @bryansolis3139 3 роки тому +1

      Haters will hate

  • @Steven-pn7dq
    @Steven-pn7dq 9 місяців тому

    No way the USA let u bring all that back from Cuba 😂😂😂
    I'm calling Cap