Know Your Cigar Boxes. Guarantee purchase returns within 48 hours in case cigar is not what customers order or defected. Familiarize yourself on how Cuban cigars are packaged, and you greatly reduce the chances of being ripped-off. Of course, just about anything printed on paper can be reproduced, and with todays technology, it takes a really well-trained eye to tell the difference. JRCigars.com is not responsible for typographical errors. I have boxes from LCDH Knokke, who has sterling rep. All my box hologram labels match Habanos authenticity check. This seal should be accompanied by another seal if the cigar box is a special edition. Also, inside the box, the Cubans should all be the same length and color. For more specific information regarding the Cuo, concerning the codes, the different types of Cuo and how to decode this stamp and understand if it was affixed in the wrong way: GUIDE TO HOW TO READ THE CUO. pecial edition can be either a Limited Edition, or a Regional Edition. If you want to take a chance, get one cigar and test it. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is frustrated with Twitter. If you remember nothing else from this article, remember that real Cuban cigars should bebought only in a reputable shop, like the official La Casa del Habano (LCDH). ZinoDavidofflearned this first-hand in the early part of the 20thcentury, and was the first European cigar retailer to introduce Cuban cigars to the world. It only features the HABANOS written. Check out Cigar Aficionado's newsletters, bringing you our latest ratings & reviews, cigar news and our guide to the good life. A great example of how Cuba has dealt with preventing the counterfeiting of bands can be found on the Cohiba Behike cigars. So, start saving up. On the bottom, you want to make sure you find a stamp of approval. In Cuba, they run around $12.00. No matter what label they put on it, if it was made in Cuba with Cuban tobacco it is a Cuban Cigar. Felt also envelops the box, and a black cardboard box covers all that. If your Cuban doesnt have a band on it, odds are, its a fake. Cuban cigars are quite expensive, especially in countries with a higher tobacco tax. The veins should be very fine or barely visible. In both of the aforementioned cases, the mark doesnt realize hes been ripped-off until he lights-up one of his prized purchases, or tries to share one with a cigar smoker who knows the difference. It had a sliding glass top. The 'made in Cuba' stamp is on the left. Of course, just about anything printed on paper can be reproduced, and with todays technology, it takes a really well-trained eye to tell the difference. A reader of mine once sent me a box of counterfeit Arturo Fuente cigars and it was obvious the bands had been cheaply printed, most likely on a laser printer. Take Cohiba, for example. The streets are filled with hustlers looking for a mark to whom they can sell a box of Cubans for way below retail. c/o Counterfeit Cigars * Offers valid while supplies last. If you see that the cigars in a box are not the same length and of the same ring gauge, youve likely got a box of frauds or some very badly made cigars. Wondering if anyone here has noticed the same things and has any feedback as to whether these are signs the cigars are facke or confirmation the cigars real?? When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. This might be a little tough for a beginner, but for anyone who has smoked a real Cuba, the bands are a dead giveaway. I paid twenty dollars for a box of five just couldnt get the price lower but couldnt resist the souvenir. . I just got two boxes straight from Cuba was there on vacation and I think they are fake. Familiarize yourself on how Cuban cigars are packaged, and you greatly reduce the chances of being ripped-off. The cigars might be Cuban, or at least made from Cuban tobacco, but theyre unlikely to be real H. Upmanns and the tobacco will likely be scraps that end up on the floor of a factory. If you have already smoked the same type of cigar, you will be able to understand if the aromas and strength developed during the smoke are typical of the brand and in particular of that type of cigar. But enough about the hustle; lets get to the heart of how to spot fake Cuban cigars. Your access is restricted because of your age. Cuban cigars should come in an all-wood box. In Cuba, which is a good baseline because it has the lowest Cuban cigar prices on the planet, Montecristo No. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account. Neither one has a bar code or a date on the bottom of the box. If the box is bought outside Cuba, we can also find the importer seal. For instance one customer has a Cohiba - my first note was that . If the price sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you want to learn more about fake Cuban cigars, you can also read this article with two personal storiesfrom folks who got swindled in their quest for Cuban cigars. Shorter leaves will always be present, since during construction the leaves are also broken and the shorter parts are used to ensure that the cigar has a homogeneous filling. It is because of this, casual smokers can often be tricked into buying what they think are real Cuban cigars. Furthermore, since the end of 2010, the seal has undergone a slight change: the ends of the seal are no longer rounded, but have a sharp oblique cut. Phase 5 DHA, Karachi | 12 PM to 8 PM. Learn how to tell whether theHoyo De Monterrey you're smoking is authentic or fake. Some Cuban cigars come in various packagesothers dont. It would be very helpful for everyone if you posted clear, front on pictures of the band and cap, as well as a comment advising where the cigar was obtained from. The bands themselves are often telling, as fake bands often lack embossing, proper color and the right details found on the original article. They are sure fakes. The ash on Cuban cigars is almost always gray or salt-and-pepper in color. For example, the popular Cuban brands like Cohiba, Partagas, Punch, Hoyo de Monterrey, Romeo y Julieta, Montecristo, et al., all feature the Habanos S.A. seal on the top right-hand corner of the box. One of the most counterfeit cigars in the world are the Cohiba Esplendidos, due to its value and fame. The lack of Cuo or if it features wrong codes, are in fact a very valid method to understand if the box is counterfeit. Like all things, Cuban cigars have a production cost. Holograms of the word Cuba and the Taino Indian head logo repeat on the gilded top edge of the band. If the ash is white, you're likely smoking a fake. The purchase will also further expand STGs portfolio of top-rated premium cigars worldwide. 3) Nine White Squares You just have to know what a real Cuban cigar looks and tastes like in order to tell. Lets see how to distinguish genuine Cuban cigars from counterfeit ones. Discover the world of exquisite smoking with Pakistan's largest collection of cigars, tobacco products and accessories from the greatest Cuban and non-Cuban cigar brands. In fact, by illiminating it with UV rays, the coat of arms of Cuba will appear in its central part (the same coat of arms that can be seen on the seal with normal light, the one on the left side of the seal. To help prevent this, in 2010 Habanos S.A. designed a new seal using watermarks, a super-strong adhesive, a hologram on the right side of the seal, and a bar code on the left. This dark n oily Connecticut Broadleaf Corona got Gary smiling what will it do for you? Well, it might have been good, but it was a fake. . There are no cuban boxes with glass or plexiglass covers. - Cigar Advisor. If theyre made by hand it will also say, Cuban cigars do not come packaged withcellos. Beginning in 2010, that stamp has a hologram on the far right of the stamp and a bar code on . Cuos. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. (Authors Note: This article was updated in May, 2017. When telling the difference between a fake vs. real Montecristo, if the fleur-de-lis is flat when you run your finger over it, you've got a fake band. Nine rows of white squares in a checkerboard pattern run from the gilded holographic top edge to the solid gold line that spans the bottom third of the band. Thats the easiest way to avoid fakes. DOP means Denominacin de Origen Protegida, or Denomination of Protected Origin in Spanish. Rounded or sloppy heads are a quick way to spot a cigar rolled elsewhere. The Holographic Taino Indian Head-Within-a-Head: Look closely and youll see that the larger head contains a smaller head. It is often called the "Red Dot Cohiba" because of the red dot on the band. Behikes cost even more, around 30 to 40 CUC eachwhen they are in stock. Cuban wrappers tend to be naturally oily with a smooth, buttery appearance and entirely even in color. Although many fake Cuban cigar bands maylookauthentic and in some rare cases are its not unusual to find bands with spelling errors, poor alignment, the wrong color and/or typeface, missing embossing, and in the case of fake Cohiba cigars, the wrong size or number of white squares on the band. 825 8th Avenue, 33rd Floor 1997-2015 JRCigars.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved - 2589 Eric Lane, Burlington NC 27215. Thankfully, there are ways to tell if your Cuban is legit. True, a lot of cigars made outside of Cuba many of these same attributes, but if your Cuban cigars are missing all or most of these attributes, theyre most likelynotof Cuban origin. . Originally this green and white stamp came in three sizes: Large (~ 2 1/2 wide), Small (~1 1/4 wide), and Miniature (~ 13/16 wide). And you really will not find an authentic Cohiba Behike for sale outside of a licensed Habanos (Cuban cigar entity) store. The final difficulty with fake Cuban cigars is that some of the better counterfeits come in authentic boxes but are not actual Cuban cigars. It is a good starting point to quickly understand how the counterfeit cigar boxes look like. While recently inspecting a box of Cohibas Piramides Extra both the labels on the box and the bands themselves I observed two anomolies I have not heard much mention of. #themoderndaydrifter #havanacubavlog #howtospotafakecigarFor demonstration purposes only, we purchase a FAKE box of Cohiba Siglo VI and compare it to a REAL . The next year, the cut on the ends of the seal was changed from rounded to a sharp, angled cut. Smell Obviously the scent your are looking for must be the tobacco one. If you're looking for real cuban cigars, you've got to have all the details. Source: http://www.habanos.com/en/el-mundo-del-habano/signos-de-distincion/. Some counterfeiters are brazen. For example, the head on the label should be a holograph. Knowing the average price for these cigars, especially limited editions, will aid you in avoiding getting hosed. The Behike became its own line in the Cohiba stable in 2010 and is considered the most successful Cuban cigar launch ever. Yes, at one time Cuban cigars reallywerethe best and had virtually no competition. (The Habanos website features a handy tool to search for Casa del Habanos around the world.). Dimensins are totally different. All Rights Reserved. That is, unless youre approached by a hustler who will sell you a cheap box of so-called Cubans while vacationing, most likely somewhere in the Caribbean. The first two things that are noticed when opening the cigar are: The thing you need to do to spot a fake is to become familiar with Cuban cigar packaging. The fact is, the Cuban cigar industry doesnt make cigar boxes with glass or even clear plastic tops. . The Habanos sticker and Cuban seal of guarantee are on the box. If we get smells that dont remind us too much of tobacco, we could be faced with fakes that have been filled with banana leaves! Its reputation and high prices have led it to be illegally copied over and over again, but the cigar remains an object of envy and desire, one that every cigar lover dreams about smoking. (The last year they did so was 1992. That said, most leaves will still have to be long as the cigar length. If youre lucky. If illuminated with ultraviolet light, it get phosphorescent. 3. This is due to the minerals in the tobacco grown in Cuba. One good clue isembossing. So how do you spot the fakes . This is the last analysis that can be performed and it is also an invasive type of analysis. Take Cohiba, for example. The authentic and highly desirable smokes use Cuba grown tobacco and are rolled by hand on the island in a process that involves over 500 . In most of the cases, finding counterfeit Cuban cigars is very simple. They are shrink wrapped for easier transport .If the bands are ok should I go for it? Find out if your Cuban Cohiba Behike BHK is real or fake. Check out Cigar Aficionado's newsletters, bringing you our latest ratings & reviews, cigar news and our guide to the good life. You should know that a Cuban Parejo has a mounted head (three seams, or a triple cap on the end you put in your mouth). This is due to the minerals in the tobacco grown in Cuba. Genuine Cuban Cohiba Esplendidos, when you can find them, sell for about 23 CUC. Despite the fact that the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Honduras manufacture most of the worlds bestcigarsthese days, cigar smokers still jump at the chance to buy Cubans. This is a strong sign of counterfeiting. 3) opening mechanism on box: some boxes have a mechanism that allows you to firmly close the box. Also, Cubas coat of arms will show in the middle and the seal itself has a reaction if directly exposed to ultraviolet light. . I think I just got duped by Cigars of Cuba seal on box looked real at first, they placed store barcode over barcode section of Cuban seal, when removed no barcode on seal. All Rights Reserved. EXTERNAL SEALSCuban cigars boxes come with two seals: the DOP seals and the Cuban state seal. Cubans were the best and great period but during the cigar boom they peed into their own pot of tea and muddied their QUALITY and yes, OFTEN tims OTHER countries can produce better sticks, and some I believe also get a little real Cuban baccy in their own blends its ALL in the taste of a REAL Cuban. This new seal was introduced starting in 2009, but the introduction was gradual. In counterfeit boxes, this usually has an incorrect print of this logo. The first and most important is to visit an authentic Cuban cigar shop like the Casa del Habanos. Visual analysis Cuban claims he has been losing more than 500 followers a day despite being subscribed to Twitter Blue. Dont assume simply because a vendor has a nice shop or looks the part the Cubans he is selling you are authentic. and BOTTOM LINE, besides taste, is HOW long the flavor LASTS. If someone offers you a Behike, and its in anything other than a box of 10, its a fake cigar. parejos) are finished with mounted heads, also known as three-seam caps. Even the box was wrong, which Ill get to shortly. Each box of legit sticks contains the hot-stamped words: Hecho en Cuba. If we are facing one of these boxes, we are facing a 100% counterfeit product. Fake cigars are often sold for unrealistically low prices, and a savvy cigar aficionado should know to beware when a cigar is too great a bargain. However, note also that the months are Spanish abbreviations, not English. The originals were packed in dress boxes, but by the time the line was expanded, the brand moved into plain, wooden boxes. If the hustlers are going through the trouble of counterfeiting . So, if you got a guy outside your Havana hotel whispering a lower price to you, ignore him. It is therefore difficult to find yourself in front of a box that doesnt feature it. Bands that are not perfect are not used in genuine cigars making. So, its also the biggest target for counterfeiters. In 2014 the holographic bands on Cohiba Behike cigars were updated to include even more detailed information to stop counterfeiters. Image 1: the color of the box is different from the standard color of Cohiba. They look a little like paper money and printed in different colors. Copyright 2023 Holt's Cigar Company. Your email address will not be published. Created in 1966, Cohiba was not commercially released until 1982. If a vendor offers you an Esplendido for 10 CUC, it's not the real deal. Is it because theyre still considered forbidden fruit, or is it that many cigar smokers believe Cuban cigars are the best? Buying Cuban cigars online is still restricted, but restrictions or not, the desire to smoke Cuban cigars continues to tug at the heartstrings of American cigar smokers. Unless, of course, theyre selling us fakes. We are available via email, phone, or chat. A burning Cuban cigar typically produces a gray ash. Childrens Parks and Playgrounds in the Cayman Islands, Run down to Harquail Theatre for comedy revue, Cuban in Cayman: A prisoner in a free land, The great escape: Cubans fight waves as big as mountains to reach Cayman, Special report: Inside the Cuban migration crisis, Cuban migration costs nears $3 million for 2022, Broken-down Cuban vessel sparks rescue in waters off Cayman Brac, Travelled to Cuba recently? If the squares are not full, even on the edges, then youre likely looking at a fake. The ash on Cuban cigars is almost always gray or salt-and-pepper in color. 8. ). Unless youve actually smoked a good number ofgenuineCuban cigars its easy to be fooled, especially if the counterfeiter got everything right but the cigars. The hologram is an important thing to check for because they are hard and expensive to copy. Think you may have purchased or smoked a fake Cuban cigar? Otherwise this analysis will be useful only to get a feedback on the quality of the tobacco used, long story short, if the cigar is good or not. Five Cohiba cigars are offered in wood boxes with a glass top, and each cigar is sheathed in cellophane. Gary Korb has been writing and editing content for CigarAdvisor.com since its debut in 2008. To help prevent this, in 2010 Habanos S.A. designed a new seal using watermarks, a super-strong adhesive, a hologram on the right side of the seal, and a bar code on the left. If, for example, you see a Montecristo No. 2. Online is still restricted, but restrictions or not, the desire to smoke Cuban cigars continues to tug at the heartstrings of American cigar smokers. Cohiba Cuban Robusto's. Please tell me how there fake and how you know cause just saying its fake and giving list of all cigar brands Doesnt cut it for me!! handy tool to search for Casa del Habanos around the world, 8 Things To Know About Counterfeit Cuban Cigars, Cuba Increases Prices Of Cohiba BehikesAgain, Punch Golden Era Showcases Honduran Corojo, Blatt Billiards: A Century Of Pool And Games, Blue Flame Cigar Lounge, Torrance, California, New York Health Department Testing Interest In Potential Tobacco Ban, New S.T. This seal is placed either directly on the box or on the packaging that covers the box. Let us be the judge. Just bought a box of phony Montecristo No. No ornamental hinges. Cuba releases three per year, and those releases are all documented on this website. If someone tries to sell you a $300 box of Cubans for $50 or even $100, odds are theyre not the genuine article. Unfortunately, you cant do the ash test while your Cuban is still in the box, but if you can light and try at least one cigar before buying you should pay careful attention to how the cigar ashes. The heart and soul of Cohibas packaging, though, is the famous Taino Indian head logo, a graphic depiction of Cubas native tribe. No, seriously. And Havanas have never been all that cheap, either. A true, genuine, official box of Cohiba Esplendidos can cost anywhere between US$600 and US$800, and a pack of just three cigars will cost around $90, even in Cuba. New York, NY 10019, Save your money (and your palates) by following these eight key tips to avoid getting burned by a . Un-banded cigars are often sold on street corners in Cuba to unsuspecting tourists. The veins should be very fine or barely visible. How can it be a fake?. So is the 10 CUC Cohiba. Any Cohiba you are being offered for $10 is fake. A true Cuban cigar should have grey or salt-and-pepper ash. Cuban wrappers tend to be naturally oily with a smooth, buttery appearance and entirely even in color. One of the questions Im often asked by other cigar smokers is, How do I know if I bought a box of fake Cuban cigars? Its a good question because, even though on October 14, 2016, the U.S. Treasury Department announced that they had removed the limits on bringing Cuban cigars and rum into the United States from Cuba and other countries, there are still plenty of counterfeit Cuban cigars to be had or to put it another way to be duped. The Cuban boxes also have a date stamp on the bottom of the box. Look closer and you will see that there isa smaller head within the larger. That requires a little work on your part. So, youve studied and you think youre ready to spot the fakes. Now, Ive heard from some that the cuo is not necessarily on all boxes, but Id play it safe and stay away if its not present along with the Habanos, S.A., Hecho en Cuba, and Totalmente a mano on the bottom. Chances are, theyre fakes, and whats that old saying,A fool and his money. Price. That also makes the Cohiba Behike one of the most widely counterfeited cigars in the world. Therefore, its always better to smoke at least one cigar before you buy. Indeed, a hologram has been introduced to the seal. In 1989, the Cohiba Esplndido, 7 x 47, and Cohiba Robusto, 4.875 x 50, were added to the classic line. . Not sure and dont care. Youll notice the Behike-style hologram and the golden Taino Indian head right in the middle of the field of black-and-white squares. You can do online research or talk to an expert to find out roughly what the different real Cuban cigars should cost. I believe its a combination of the two. You have to be familiar with the exact shade of red on a Partagas, for example, not to mention other brands. Below you can find the real box and authentic cigars. Some of them even smoke okayalthough, if you know what you are doing, you can certainly tell the difference. The logo is also repeated on the holographic edges several times. The bands have several minor marks that you can identify. Cohibas, such as the Edicion Limitadas or Behikes are even easier to spot. Your fugazi alarm should be ringing loudly. Shine a UV light on it, and the seal will react. Cigar Aficionado Online, M. Shanken Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. 4. Cohiba's bands have changed considerably. What do you do? If you see Cuban cigars sold in a partial glass or plastic box, they are probably fake. 6. All Cuban cigar boxes should have a Made in Cuba stamp on their left. The earliest versions feature rows of white dots on a black background over the word Cohiba, with a yellow stripe at the bottom. Quality cigars are tripa larga, which means they have been made with whole tobacco leaves. If you've put down good money for what you thought was a genuine Cohiba Esplendido, Montecristo No.
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how can you tell a fake cuban cohiba?