Cuban Cigars
Some of the best cigars in the world are from Cuba. The real ones are called Habanos, and are available at LCDH (La Casa del Habanos) stores throughout the world. Most Cuban cigars are destined for export - a very small percentage of them actually stay in Cuba for sale to tourists. Some of the larger sizes can be difficult to find for that reason. Here is a link to a very popular Cuban cigar website often referred to on TA. It provides a good primer for the novice, and also has LCDH locations in Cuba as well as an up to date price list. For those bringing cigars back to Canada, you are allowed 50 per person duty free - amounts above that are subject to extra tax and duty.
http://www.marty.514crew.com/cigarsma...
http://www.lacasadelhabano.cu/site/co...
Spotting Fakes
The people caught most by cigar scams are usually those that are not regular smokers of Habanos, or those who know nothing and are looking to make a quick buck by buying something cheap and selling it when they get home for mega bucks. You will rarely get true Habanos on the street or beach - 99.9% of the time they are fakes, no matter how good they look to you. If you are intending to buy cigars while in Cuba, and don't want to get ripped off, either do some homework or seek the help of someone who knows while you are there. Most seasoned cigar smokers are only too happy to offer advice on cigars.
Although the fake ones are rolled with Cuban tobacco they are also rolled with extras such as leaves, stalks and even dried banana skin etc. The tobacco used is also not fermented properly and so will taste sharp and harsh. You then have the lack of blend as a proper Habano will be a blend of different leaves to give flavour and character to the cigar.
Once you know the basics it is quite easy to spot fakes by the boxes, seals, bands and even the wrappers.
You also run the risk with fakes of getting cigars that may have tobacco beetle eggs in them and if you put these with other cigars you can have serious problems.
For those interested in reading more, here are a few links:
http://www.cigarwatch.info/spotting-f...
http://www.puroreycigars.com/fakes.htm
http://www.aficionado-a-havanas.com/c...
http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/...
Traveling home via the U.S.
It is illegal to bring Cuban cigars to the U.S.