Everyone wants a Cuban cigar, and everyone knows that they are illegal in the United States. So unless you want to get charged for bringing in contraband, you cannot really enjoy the real deal.

Now what if I were to tell you that you have an alternative? I just heard of a new product from USACIG, Inc. and Hop-on, Inc. dubbed “The Electric Cuban Cigar(TM).” I am sure you’re heard of similar products before – we have even featured electric cigars in the past. The big difference that this new product offers is that it is supposed to taste just like Havana Hand Rolled Cigars.

To be honest, I am not quite convinced about that promise. It is hard enough to copy the authentic Cuban cigar experience with a “real” cigar – the one that you actually smoke till only ashes remain – how much more for an electric cigar? Still, the companies seem to be pretty confident. The president of Hop-on, Peter Michaels, says:

“We are working with a couple of sources in Latin America that who have access to the authentic plants used in the making of the famous Havana Cigars. These plants were taken on a boat out of Cuba to another foreign country, carried by mules over hundreds of miles through treacherous mountains and ended up in the fields where we have access to. We will use the natural nicotine from the tobacco plants and capture the flavors of the world famous cigars. Because the US has a trade embargo with Cuba, we are forced to take these steps in order to provide the most authentic flavors. The Electric Cuban Cigar will come in a collector’s wooden box with 5 Cuban flavored cartridges. Smokers can enjoy the real Cuban cigar taste!”

For $199, I am not sure I am willing to chance it and get disappointed. Would you give this a try?