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In the event you didn't make it to this year's XXI Habanos Festival, which celebrated the 500th anniversary of San Cristobal de La Habana, as the town of Havana was initially called, or are about to embark for a different nation at which you can legally buy Havana cigars (that is practically anyplace else in the world except the USA, where it's prohibited to sell Cuban products), here are seven of the best brands from our embargoed neighbor that we believe are well worth searching out. It is now legal to return up to 100 Cuban cigars--that's about four boxes--as long as they are for the private use and not for resale.

RELATED This Beverly Hills Whiskey Hideaway Feels Like a Private Club in the Wild West One of the World's Greatest BBQ Pitmasters Has Created the Supreme Guide to Steak But first, some caveats. They are more rampant than ever--even in Cuba--although currently Costa Rica is giving Mexico a struggle for the title of Counterfeit Cuban Cigars Per Square Mile. So be careful. If anyone offers you a Cohiba Esplendido for $5, then you know it can't be real. Some of the best places to purchase authentic Cuban cigars are the United Kingdom (where they're rigidly scrutinized by exclusive Habanos importers Hunters & Frankau), Spain--that also gets a few of the best Havanas--and any of their official La Casa del Habanos Cuban government-sanctioned retail shops; there are currently 90 of these internationally. Duty-free stores are also a safe haven for authentic Cuban cigars, although we recently purchased a three-pack of our enviable Montecristo No. 2 pyramids at Dubai International Airport and found them to be substandard so far as taste was concerned (a result of poor leaf choice and inadequate aging). Plus, one of those cigars was rolled much too closely to allow an adequate draw. However, all three Montecristos were genuine Habanos products. That brings up the continuing issue with Cuban cigars of quality control. This is confirmed by Mitchell Orchant, managing director of C.Gars, Ltd, one of the biggest purveyors of Cuban cigars in England, who also critiques the freshness of a cigars, in other words, whether they were obsolete sufficiently before being published. So a fantastic rule of thumb is, after you get your Cuban cigars safely home, place them on your humidor for at least a month or two to give them a while to fully develop the tastes that made Havana famous. Trinidad In addition to celebrating the 500th anniversary of San Cristobal de La Habana (which also appears to be the name of a rather mild-smoking Havana cigar which has been introduced in 1999 and showcased in the festival), the XXI Festival has been spotlighting the Trinidad brand, which premiered in 1996 as Fidel Castro's VIP cigar to supplant the Cohiba, which started being publically sold in 1982. The medium-full-flavored Trinidad is Havana's top notch cigar. Last season, three new contours are introduced: a 4 1/2 x 50 press luna, a 5 7/10 x 53 Esmeralda, along with a 4 11/12 x 56 Topes, which originally was a 2016 limited variant. Cohiba Nevertheless one of the very widely-counterfeited cigars on the planet, only buy these from dependable sources. The full-powered, large-ringed Behike is a high-priced smoke worth paying , simply for bragging rights, with the 54 and 56 ring gauges particularly sought after. Another benefit is the newly-launched Cohiba Robusto Reserva, and while we typically don't quote prices because of the fluctuating market for Cuban cigars, it's safe to say that these will normally run more than $100 a stick. Employing the very best of three year old tobaccos, it's available in only 1 size: a 4 7/8 x 50 robusto. Just 500 individually numbered boxes have been released. For something milder (and clearly less costly ) try the Siglo VI. Montecristo Regardless of our unsatisfactory experience in Dubai, the No. 2 pirámide stays our all-time favorite. For a smaller smoke, try out the No. 4--the best selling cigar in the world. Partagás This is a porterhouse steak and Napa Cabernet smoke, in any size. However, in addition to the Series D No.4 Robusto, another favorite of ours is that the newly-introduced 6 1/4 x47 Presidente, using its easy-to-light pinched foot and easy-to-clip Perfecto cap. That is just another cigar that never disappoints, especially for those in between times when you're not quite sure of what to smoke. Ideally suited for either a Plymouth Gin martini (extra dry, olive across the side) or a Macallan 12 Year Old Double Cask, we have recently switched from the Brief Churchill into the bigger-ringed 5 1/4 x 55 Wide Churchill Robusto. Apart from offering a slightly fuller flavor, it seems to be physically fitting into the contours' namesake. Another great medium strength cigar, this gentle smoke keeps only enough earthiness to make it suitable for early to late evenings. The current re-introduction of this preceding 2005 limited edition 6 1/3 x 50 Magnum 50 is like welcoming back an old friend. Orchant of C.Gars believes it is the best in the H.Upmann variety and we concur. Hoyo de Monterrey Don't fall in the preconception that Cuban cigars are powerful. This brand certainly isn't, although its strength will vary by shape. Thinking about using an Irish Whiskey and a cigar? Punch The Double Corona is a perfect game for a snifter of X.O. Cognac. Vegas Robaina Medium-full in flavor; the Vegas Robaina is one of the most complicated and hot Havanas around and ideal for any time and well into the day. Cuaba The contours of all Cuabas are all figurados: a mild-mannered smoke perfect for the novice in addition to the connoisseur who feels just like throttling down a little flavor intensity.

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