Airport Duty-Free cigars

[njstone]

Hey gang. So I'm going to be flying out of Tokyo in a couple weeks, and was planning to get some Duty Free stuff (boose). I've seen cigars in Duty Free shops before (the Amsterdam airport had a nice humidor), but I'm not sure how reliable these are.

Does anyone know if that stuff is legit?

 

[BEN(SWEDEN)]

If I get the chanse to open and inspect the box before buying I wouldnt hesitate.

 

[xddco]

Bought a couple boxes in Hong Kong two years ago. They were legit as can be....
and the scotch selection was special too!

 

[wolfman]

I've been going to Narita for years and I always come back with some nice sticks

 

[Thegreekone]

not to hijack the thread, often certain spirits, Cask-strength bourbons for example, are ONLY released overseas or at duty-free shops.

Study up on smokes and keys to authenticity and look for what you want spirit-wise.

 

[amsgpwarrior]

Most of the cigar selections in the duty free areas are Habanos S.A. kiosks. Tokyo's are probably as legit as can be. To date, I believe the smoking lounge and rum bar at Buenos Aires airport is the best. They have almost every cuban you can think of and the best rum selection I have come across in a bar, all within one lounge!

 

[vivalanation734]

If one were to acquire said sticks, how do you actually get them to your destination without them getting seized? Seems like customs would rape you on this one....

 

[stroke]

If one were to acquire said sticks, how do you actually get them to your destination without them getting seized? Seems like customs would rape you on this one....

take the bands off and put 'em in your wallet. If you really want to get creative, put some NC bands on 'em. They can't prove the origin of the cigar. :thumbsup: :cbig:

 

[njstone]

Thanks or the info, guys! I was hoping to hear good news

The plan is this:

Buy a few singles on my way to the States (remove the bands in the airport). Then I'll smoke them while in the States to check legitimacy (I'll get a couple I am familiar with, then a couple ones that are new to me if they have them ... been wanting to try an R&J Wide Churchill and HdM Epi #1). If they're good, I'll buy some when I'm headed BACK to Japan ... Japan is cool with it :halfgrinw.

As far as spirits, it depends on price. I'll buy a bottle of something (probably a nicer Scotch and some Zacappa) on my way to the States, as I'll want something while I'm there. Then get as much as my wife lets me on the way back to Japan

I hear that Duty Free booze is awesomely cheap, its that really true? I know many of my European friends rave about it, but taxes on alcohol are often higher there so that makes sense. Then again, taxes in Japan are crazy too.

If prices really are good, I should get some nicer stuff ... been wanting to try a Macallan 18 yr ...

 

[dpricenator]

Mac 18 is reeeeeeealy smooth

 

[njstone]

Mac 18 is reeeeeeealy smooth

That's what i hear. It's just so pricey ... I can get two bottles of really good stuff for that price. And I'm still really a Scotch noob, so I'm just not sure if it will be wasted on me. Though of course, whiskey doesn't go bad or anything so if I hand onto it for years it's no big deal I suppose.

I'd love to pick up a few bottles, whatever limit Japan will allow me to bring in ... and hopefully a couple boxes of cigars

 

[ama]

I hear that Duty Free booze is awesomely cheap, its that really true? I know many of my European friends rave about it, but taxes on alcohol are often higher there so that makes sense. Then again, taxes in Japan are crazy too.

If prices really are good, I should get some nicer stuff ... been wanting to try a Macallan 18 yr ...

Not necessarily true at all. Duty free pricing on most stuff isn't that great, there are exceptions and travel exclusives, but on the regular stuff you can generally do better at the store and definitely on the internet.

 

[ChazHollywood]

I hear that Duty Free booze is awesomely cheap, its that really true?

Seems to vary from country to country.

-Charles

 

[njstone]

Not necessarily true at all. Duty free pricing on most stuff isn't that great, there are exceptions and travel exclusives, but on the regular stuff you can generally do better at the store and definitely on the internet.

Okay, thanks. I"ll keep a price list with me to check stuff. The problem for me is that here in Japan my selection is extremely limited, and taxes are high. Internet companies won't ship to APOs (or home to MN either).

Maybe when I move back to the States I'll become a bootlegger like my Grampa was in the 20s in Chicago

 

[pnoguy]

Big thumbs up for the Mac 18.....

 

[ama]

Okay, thanks. I"ll keep a price list with me to check stuff. The problem for me is that here in Japan my selection is extremely limited, and taxes are high. Internet companies won't ship to APOs (or home to MN either).

Maybe when I move back to the States I'll become a bootlegger like my Grampa was in the 20s in Chicago

I live in MN and I get tons of liquor shipped here. That said, prices here are great on lots of things.

 

[wolfman]

I've never had an issue bringing my stick into the states from Narita. I usually just buy what I want, put them in my bag and walk right on out. Maybe it's just me and I have been lucky, but no one has ever checked me, so I've never taken the bands off. I probably have about 6 left from my last trip.

 

[PLUSH]

I sure wish they delivered there are some smoke I want that a duty free has.

 

[njstone]

^ lol, Duty Free delivery would be awesome! Yea, I'm not expecting many great sticks, probably just your average faire. It really depends on pricing for me. But I'll pick up a few samples on my way through so I can judge the quality for myself

 

[ciggy]

Duty free does not nessessarly mean cheap. I spent three and a half years at the same base. The booze is a few dollars cheaper but nothing to write home about. However off base American booze is very expensive. Very, very expensive! I would bring a fith of Johny Walker to my favorite off base dive/dinner and hand it to Momma-san or Pappa-san and they would be so greatfull. Took us in and always gave us good times and warm welcomes. I miss some of the wisky, like good Santory for sure. In fact I miss alot about that place. I wasn't into cigars then so I don't know about that but what I do know is 99% of anything in Japan at shops is real. There very honest people with lots of integrity!