Cigars

I have been asked by a friend to bring back cigars. The specific brand he wants is "L'eon Hemenes". We will be staying in the Boca Chica area. Can anyone tell me where these are available and at what price?? Thanks.

Dolores: Thanks for the info. Not being a cigar smoker, I have no idea.

He has probably asked you to bring back cigars made by E. León Jimenes. This company manufactures Aurora cigars. Your hotel front desk people should be able to refer you to the closest place in Boca Chica where you can purchase these. If you drive into Santo Domingo, they are sold in major supermarkets such as El Nacional, Pola.

The cigars you are after are made in Santiago at the RJ Reynolds plant I have been there many times to pick up cigars (you can buy them direct much cheaper, might cover the cost of a trip to Santiago, depends how close you are) The cigars you want are not the La Aurora mentioned by DR One, you want thier signature cigars. E. Leon Jimenes they come in a cedar presentation box and are sold in sizes 1 - 4. With number 1 as the largest. A box of these in #1 size may cost $80.00 US at the factory for a box of twenty. A steal, in the US they are $15.00 each. The La Aurora mentioned by DR One is made from the scraps from the making of these signature cigars.

Thanks for the post. What can I expect to pay for a box in a shop outside of a tourist area but not in Santiago?

What price can I expect to pay for lets say,,a box of quality hand made cigars........

Joe, we're asking the same question and I've yet to get any kind of response except from a DR shop. It's disappointing to me that the DR has not capitalized on their being one (if not THE) cigar capitals of the world and tourists are interested in this. I even had the response that we can expect to pay the same as in the US (where I am from). That can't be true: US taxes and exchange rates should make a good DR cigar almost 1/2 less the price. Arm yourself sith the best prices in your area for DR brands. That's all I can do.

The DR has not even capitalized on cigar tours!

I paid 1600 pesos for a box of 25 Cohibas rolled at the factory store.

I paid 900 pesos for 2 cedar boxes of 25 Cuban Cohiba "Bocados" in the market in Santo Domingo. I think the fact my husband is Dominican helps in the negotiation process.

Remember that everything is negotiable. I wanted a box of ten Cuban Cohibas, they asked 1000 pesos, I offered 400. They dropped to 800. I offered to buy a box of ten little Tavarez vanilla cigars (highly recommended) AND the Cohibas for 600. We ended up somewhere around 700 pesos. Of course the Cuban cigars will be confiscated at the US border if found, and the Dominican Cohibas are terrific too. I prefer them to the Auroras, Jimenes and other local brands. Try a few different kinds before you commit. Often you can purchase a single cigar or you might even get one for free.