Below you can find the real box and authentic cigars. 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. Authenticity, quality and satisfaction; guaranteed! New Seal. What none of us recall as humorous is the experience of buying counterfeit Cuban cigars. Smell Here are the keys: The cigar bands are often difficult to distinguish on fakes. A lot of the so called 'fakes' are actually stolen and smuggled out of the factories. It is often called the "Red Dot Cohiba" because of the red dot on the band. 5000 | Same day delivery in Lahore & Karachi (selected areas) on selected items via Card Machine (POS) Payment. It is a good starting point to quickly understand how the counterfeit cigar boxes look like. 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. If youre going to abandon common sense and buy from an unreliable source, make sure you are intimately familiar (you know what I mean!) But JB you say, how do I know if its an authentic Cohiba? Read on, my friends. Dont assume simply because a vendor has a nice shop or looks the part the Cubans he is selling you are authentic. Cigar Aficionado c/o Counterfeit Cigars Look for the Cuban seal of authenticity with a hologram and bar code to help you avoid fake Cuban cigars. Source: http://www.habanos.com/en/verificacion-de-autenticidad/. The first, the white boxes on the main label continue under the gold band around the outside; and the second thing I noticed was a number (CHB056) on the back of each cigar label. However, enjoy while it lasts, because anyone who thinks they are going to change the Communist Rule I am sorry for them. In 1989, the Cohiba Esplndido, 7 x 47, and Cohiba Robusto, 4.875 x 50, were added to the classic line. Five Cohiba cigars are offered in wood boxes with a glass top, and each cigar is sheathed in cellophane. Finally, as with every real Cuban cigar, if youre offered a cigar that is inside a cellophane sleeve, its not an authentic Cuban cigar. Cuban Cigars Guide - Cohiba, Upmann & Co - Gentleman's Gazette Cuba releases three per year, and those releases are all documented on this website. Each box of legit sticks contains the hot-stamped words: Hecho en Cuba. A genuine box of Cuban cigars should have all of the following five attributes: Not unlike counterfeit cigar bands, the bottom of the box may be missing some of this key information; it could have typos, and may even be printed with different fonts. But enough about the hustle; lets get to the heart of how to spot fake Cuban cigars. Dec 30th 2020. The bottom of the box of real handmade Cubans has. But these leaves are in short supply because they are present in only about 10 to 15 percent of Cuban tobacco plants. Straight-sided Cuban cigars (i.e. Thats a little more work and expense than most counterfeiters want to do. As for the size of the leaves, we are referring to the dimensions that the tobacco leaves have. I purchased two boxes of Cuban cigars from a street guy in Costa Rica while staying at The Hotel Del Rey. In this video I'll take you through a few essential tips about knowing the diffe. 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. ?More on that later. (The Habanos website features a handy tool to search for Casa del Habanos around the world.). Get this UV Light: https://amzn.to/2m9EX3d https://amzn.to/2mNs4M1Check out my Amazon Store:https://www.amazon.com/shop/i_post_alone How to tell a real Cuban. In Cuba, they run around $12.00. Lets see how to distinguish genuine Cuban cigars from counterfeit ones. This is due to the minerals in the tobacco grown in Cuba. Ever since Fidel Castro adopted the Cohiba as his favorite cigar in 1966, after one of his bodyguards gave him one, the Cohiba has been the object of much desire among the worlds cigar lovers. So is the 10 CUC Cohiba. It often look like it has been badly printed. If the cigar burns white ash, thats a bad sign. And Havanas have never been all that cheap, either. The simplest answer to the question posed in the title is, a lot. Usually there are seals placed inside the box. Apart from the issues we've discussed about packaging, one way to determine if this is an authentic Esplndido is to smoke it. If the hustlers are going through the trouble of counterfeiting . 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. In most of the cases, finding counterfeit Cuban cigars is very simple. Neither one has a bar code or a date on the bottom of the box. You should know what a real Cuban cigar looks like. Providing fresh Flavored Cigars loaded with the finest tobacco and best flavor-infused ingredients. This is a common-sense tip that says your cigar box should look and feel sturdy and official. If youre lucky. 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. How to spot counterfeit or fake Cuban Cigar Websites & Facebook profiles Required fields are marked *. Everything checks out but no date on the bottom. There are no cuban boxes with glass or plexiglass covers. If someone is trying to sell this box in your country for $ 100-200, or you fnid people selling it for $ 50 in Cuba (sellers on the street), the situation is quite clear: in both cases, an alarm must sound in your mind. (The word Cohiba is the Taino word for tobacco.). Thats the easiest way to avoid fakes. Pass. Bands that are not perfect are not used in genuine cigars making. Cubans vs Non-Cubans: Are They Really Better Cigars? Squeeze the cigar to feel if it's firm all the way through. JR Cigar Blog & Videos - Reviews, Lists & More. How Long do Cigars Last in Plastic Wrapper | Storage & Tips He says he got them from the factory but they arent boxed. If youre going to buy Cuban cigars, you need to learn how to tell the difference between real vs. fake. . The earliest versions feature rows of white dots on a black background over the word Cohiba, with a yellow stripe at the bottom. Well, it might have been good, but it was a fake. 2 going for way less or way more than you know they should go for dont buy. Delivering your smokes at your doorsteps. Pricing can also be a tip-off to spotting fake Cuban cigars. 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. Many cigar boxes are real, with all the stamps and watermarks and holograms, but the cigars inside are bogus. Now lets look at the cigars finally. You can do online research or talk to an expert to find out roughly what the different real Cuban cigars should cost. The more complex answer to what Cuban cigars cost depends on a number of factors. If someone tries to sell you a $300 box of Cubans for $50 or even $100, odds are theyre not the genuine article. This has been the case since 2013. 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. Some counterfeiters are brazen. How To Spot A Fake Partags | Cigar Aficionado A graduate of the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, prior to his career in the cigar business, Gary worked in the music and video industry as a marketer and a publicist. How to Spot a Fake vs. A Real Cuban Montecristo, How to Spot a Fake vs. Real Cuban Romeo y Julieta Cigar. Keep in mind that Cohiba is one of the most counterfeited brands in the world. On the bottom, you want to make sure you find a stamp of approval. The authentic Cohiba Behike took anti-forging efforts to a new level. (See pictures at the bottom of the page). 4 only to be disappointed when you lit up, you weren't in a laughing mood. In the past we came across counterfeit Montecristo No.2 and, although the aromatic bouquet was very different from that of the genuine No.2, cigars were not bad at all! So sad what will become of such a once beautiful Island. Most importantly, smell the ends of the cigar. Reading Time: 5 minutes SWEET: see Garys Deadwood Yummy Bitches Sweet Jane cigar review! Cigar News: Scandinavian Tobacco Group To Acquire Alec Bradley Cigars for $72.5 Million, Fan Mail: Burning Cigar Questions Answered (Part 51), Cigar News: Southern Draw Adding Three New Cigars for IGNITE 2022 Program, The words Habanos s.a., and the words HECHO EN CUBA. Keep in mind that there's no such thing as a Fake Cuban cigar in Cuba. Cohiba Behike BHK cigars, one of the worlds rarest smokescome in boxes of 10. Our support team is ready to answer all your questions. This documentation varies from box to box, depending on whether the box belongs to the normal production or to limited editions, regional editions or other not ordinary series. 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 offake Cohiba cigars, the wrong size or number of white squares on the band. Holograms of the word Cuba and the Taino Indian head logo repeat on the gilded top edge of the band. They are shrink wrapped for easier transport .If the bands are ok should I go for it? Its important to note that the squares are full and do not get cut off either on the top or bottom row. All Rights Reserved. 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. Aside from the specific Edicin Limitada cigar, you should be wary of any kind of special edition cigar that is not sold to be a legitimate vendor. For example, the head on the label should be a holograph. Instead, check out our primer below for some simple, straightforward tips on what to look for to avoid imitation Cuban cigars. Weve seen fakes packed 25 to the box. Other box and cigars are fake. If youre notbuying your cigars in Cuba, or from a reputable retailer, youre at risk. New York, NY 10019, Save your money (and your palates) by following these eight key tips to avoid getting burned by a . 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. Therefore, its always better to smoke at least one cigar before you buy. 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. Use common sense and buy in a legitimate store, than you have no problem at all. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is frustrated with Twitter. The hologram is an important thing to check for because they are hard and expensive to copy. 10. In 1999, the Cubans added a serial code to the seal. The changes to this information leaflet were 3: This guide will help you spotting fake Cuban cigars. Buy your real Cuban cigars at a real Cuban cigar store. If you go to websites where people sell items, you will will find plenty of them. If theyre made by hand it will also say, Cuban cigars do not come packaged withcellos. On the right side of the seal, there is a small strip that has an hologram across its entire width. Starting in the 60s, another change was made to distinguish real Habano Cuban cigars from imitators. Maybe they want $300 for the box. The Esplndido, in particular, became hugely popular and immediately became a prime target for counterfeiters. In counterfeit boxes, this usually has an incorrect print of this logo. Real vs Fake Cuban Cohiba Cigar Band / Label . (Authors Note: This article was updated in May, 2017. The made in Cuba stamp is on the left. . Rounded or sloppy heads are a quick way to spot a cigar rolled elsewhere. All Cohiba cigars carry a distinctive and complex band, with sophisticated security measures that were developed mostly when the Behike was commercially introduced in 2010. Obvious signs of fake cigars that everyone who wants to buy Cuban If you dont have that kind of experience, then you are far better off staying away from the back alleys and buying from a main-street seller who you know, and can prove, is legit. I paid twenty dollars for a box of five just couldnt get the price lower but couldnt resist the souvenir. 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. The band is often the first place your eyes will go, so the more familiar you are with the genuine bands and their specific attributes, the sooner youll know how to spot fake Cuban cigars. Here are the elements of the newestCohiba band that you should look for to decide if its authentic or not: 1) Holographic Taino Indian Head 1997-2015 JRCigars.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved - 2589 Eric Lane, Burlington NC 27215. [Video] Counterfeit Cuban Cigars Part I: How To Tell A Fake From The Real Deal, [Video] Counterfeit Cuban Cigars Part II: Cutting Open Counterfeits, 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. Walk away. Proper packaging doesnt guarantee a genuine Cuban cigar, but bad packaging is a quick and easy way to spot a fake. In counterfeit cigars, filling is usually very low. 12/03/2021 at 5:15 PM. In Cuba, the biggest and most obvious sign of fakes is some guy on the street who has cigars and tells you his buddy, who works at the H. Upmann factory, snuck out the box. Youll notice the Behike-style hologram and the golden Taino Indian head right in the middle of the field of black-and-white squares. Not all fake cigars deliver a bad smoke indeed! These seals must be attached to the box and not simply inserted into it on adhesive paper. Cuban claims he has been losing more than 500 followers a day despite being subscribed to Twitter Blue. How can it be a fake?. 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? And the other number shows is the month and the year when the cigars were boxed (see below). The Canadian market, which allows the sale of Cubans, is almost as bad as the U.S. market, sitting []. 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. CIGAR CUT (CUT OPEN THE CIGAR AND LEAVES CHECK). Period. The fact is, the Cuban cigar industry doesnt make cigar boxes with glass or even clear plastic tops. The upgraded and much larger band features a Behike-style hologram and golden Taino Indian head, placed center stage in the field of black-and-white squares that sit above the word Cohiba. A proper box of real Cubans will have a certain amount of symmetry. Fake Cuban Cigars Reviews | Cigar Analysis Learn more here. It is a common tourist trap on cruises and resorts around the world. Numerous complex impressions and an intricate trim were accompanied by holographic images that carried codes. When Can I Buy Cuban Cigars in America? Finest Cuban Cigars is Fake or Real!! (Part 2) | Cigar Analysis This seal is placed either directly on the box or on the packaging that covers the box. These, obviously fake, Cubans are hardly the main problem, as some fake Cubans come with counterfeit bands and even in counterfeit boxes. . The Holographic Taino Indian Head-Within-a-Head: Look closely and youll see that the larger head contains a smaller head. What do you do? Avoiding Counterfeit Cubans | Cigar Aficionado One is a secret code that tells the industry which factory made the cigars. The Behike became its own line in the Cohiba stable in 2010 and is considered the most successful Cuban cigar launch ever. Don't take the bait and don't be tempted by the idea of a bargain. yadda-yadda-yadda.In some very rare cases, the cigars are the genuine article, having been snuck out of the factory, but the sucker who thinks hes getting Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, or Cohiba cigars is more likely getting cigars rolled with cheap tobacco that didnt even come from said factory; they may even be machine-made cigars. What do you look for? Find out if your Cuban Romeo y Julieta is real or fake. Like all things, Cuban cigars have a production cost. 6. 5) Embossed Lettering If you want to take a chance, get one cigar and test it. Look for the following to determine that your Cohiba is authentic. The first concerns the analysis of the band, if it is present (very old cigars may not have a band). - Cigar Advisor. Heres another problem. On the Behikes distinctive band, the nine rows of white squares run in a checkered pattern from the gilded top edge to the top of the word Behike. Again, if the squares are not full, even on the edges, then youre likely looking at a fake. Chances are, theyre fakes, and whats that old saying,A fool and his money. This verification is one of the most accurate, and in many cases we will realize that the box is counterfeit precisely from this. 2. When it comes to Cuban cigarsespecially Cohibasthere are no discounts. HOW TO SPOT A FAKE CUBAN CIGAR - Never Buy A Fake Cohiba or Montecristo Look closer and you will see that there isa smaller head within the larger. Seeing as the fake Cuban cigar business is a multi-million dollar a year enterprise, this seems like a relatively smart move. Just dont buy it. Now, about that box of fake Arturo Fuente cigars. The band is often the first place your eyes will go, so the more familiar you are with the genuine bands and their specific attributes, the sooner youll know how to spot fake Cuban cigars. The box is cool all the markings, labels and seals (if a bit off-center and crooked), theres a non-authentic glass top and the cigar bands sport a blobby fleur de lis. G.K.), [] you getting ripped off are pretty damn high. This check is performed simultaneously the touch analysis (next chapter). Think of it as a kind of secret code. This is the familiar seal you see on all boxes of handmade cigars from Central America. The logo is also repeated on the holographic edges several times. Today Cuba still produces some of the worlds best cigars, but countries like the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Honduras, where many Cuban tobacco-growers relocated after the Castro regime nationalized the tobacco industry in 1959, have leveled the playing field by making Cuban cigars just another option. Unless youve actually smoked a good number ofgenuineCuban cigars its easy to be fooled, especially if the counterfeiter got everything rightbutthe cigars. Produced by Vrijdag Premium Printing in the Netherlands, the Cohiba band shown here combines a beautiful, modern design with the latest in security measures that make it significantly more difficult to counterfeit. So what can you do? c/o Counterfeit Cigars 1. That said, a box of 25 Esplendidos has a retails price of around $ 750 (in Cuba $ 500). Here is an example. The exquisite collection of Premium cigars with well-maintained high-quality standards at cigar.pk. The dates are not in code and the year is simple enough. No ornamental hinges. Quality cigars are tripa larga, which means they have been made with whole tobacco leaves. 1 min read. 3) opening mechanism on box: some boxes have a mechanism that allows you to firmly close the box. By cutting the cigar open and unrolling the leaves, it will be fairly simple to see if the leaves used are whole or not. This sheet is written in 4 languages: Spanish, English, French, German. 8.2 Cigar Analysis: the wrapper must be a quality one; it doesnt have to be shriveled or ugly. Symmetry is very important in a box of Cuban cigars. A counterfeit box of Cohiba Behike, left, looks similar to the real thing, right, but there are several telltale signs that can help Cuban cigar buyers confirm the authenticity of their next purchase. with the cigar youre considering. 2. 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. They have about six different brands claiming to be Cuban but they have no bands. Just bought a box of phony Montecristo No. 3. And its really, really hard to find an authentic Cohiba Behike in any of its three vitolas (sizes). The bands have several minor marks that you can identify.