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How to identify authentic cuban cigars.

post #1 of 59
8/28/07 at 12:06pm
Thread Starter 
Hello,

I recently brought back some cigars from a trip to Mexico. Cuban cigars are legal to sell over there since they do not have an embargo with Cuba. I didn't bring back a lot, only a few cigars for my own enjoyment. Is there any way to identify if these cigars are authentic? I do enjoy these cigars and would like to purchase more. I just need to be able to trust the store I purchased these from before I can go back and purchase more on my next trip.

One box I purchased is a Montecristo Edicion Limitada 5Robusto package. The little tag on the cigar says Montecristo Habana 2004. It comes in a yellow package that is sealed with this green sticker that says Republica de Cuba. On this sticker it also says No. 3 along with other writing.

The other cigar comes in a silver aluminum tube and on it says Romeo Y Julieta Havana, Cuba. Churchill. On the side of the aluminum tube says "The rich aromatic flavor of this fine Havana cigar will be protected by the aluminum container until opened, Romeo y Julieta, S.A.".

The others are just machine wrapped Cohibas. Not really worth mentioning.

Any cigar experts want to chim in?

thank you,
Bruce
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post #2 of 59
8/28/07 at 2:52pm
Let me first say you have fine taste, I love most Monte Cristos as well as Romeo Y Julieta's.

You should be safe regarding Cubans purchased from Mexico, considering they're easily legally obtained there. It's actually more difficult to find Dominican cigars, just because they are taxed higher than the Cuban market cigars. It's way more profitable for them to aquire and sell Cuban cigars, especially to travelers who are either there on vacation or business. They're priced only slightly higher than the majority of cigars available on the U.S. market, however they purchase them at fairly low cost.

I remember when, my wife and I were in Mexico and we wondered into a shop to purchase some Monte Cristo's, I was smoking on one of my dominican Monte Cristo Platinums, oddly enough the store owner was very impressed with the Dominican Monte Cristo, just because they're difficult to get in the Mexican market.

At the present time, I have a half box left of Cuban Cohiba's, however I'm not so much fan of many of the Cohiba's rather Cuban or otherwise.
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post #3 of 59
8/28/07 at 6:52pm
I'm hardly an expert here but everyone else has gone silent...Generally speaking the labels are your only source. Try digging around Cigar Aficionado for the fake vs. real bands and use them as a reference. The web site should have good examples.

The real bands are ornate in design, embossed properly, and carefully glued onto the wrapper. The ersatz bands have washed-out colors, off-center embossing, and look slap-dash. Could you have gotten real bands on fake cigars, perhaps. Some fakes are said to look very good, even close to the real thing. Hard to tell, and if you're not sure, just enjoy the smoke and no one will be the wiser. After all, you're looking for smokes you like, not just a label, right?
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post #4 of 59
8/28/07 at 6:53pm
send them to me, I'll smoke them and let you know.
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post #5 of 59
8/28/07 at 8:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by globetrotter View Post
send them to me, I'll smoke them and let you know.

Glad one of us can tell the difference from puffing. Or is that just blowing smoke???
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post #6 of 59
8/28/07 at 9:41pm
hey, lets talk about how accurate I am, after I smoke the cigars....
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post #7 of 59
8/28/07 at 9:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas View Post
I'm hardly an expert here but everyone else has gone silent...Generally speaking the labels are your only source. Try digging around Cigar Aficionado for the fake vs. real bands and use them as a reference. The web site should have good examples.

The real bands are ornate in design, embossed properly, and carefully glued onto the wrapper. The ersatz bands have washed-out colors, off-center embossing, and look slap-dash. Could you have gotten real bands on fake cigars, perhaps. Some fakes are said to look very good, even close to the real thing. Hard to tell, and if you're not sure, just enjoy the smoke and no one will be the wiser. After all, you're looking for smokes you like, not just a label, right?
True,

The best way to tell is probably by the band or box.

He should be generally safe, if he bought them Mexico.....Ironically, if he purchased them in the U.S. he should be slightly suspicious.
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post #8 of 59
8/28/07 at 10:26pm
Smoke them and you'll find out if they're the real deal.

Also, this is worthless without pictures. Boxes, labels, bands, cigars (especially the cigar caps!)...
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post #9 of 59
8/29/07 at 1:34am
Is it that apparent that Cuban cigars are superior to others? From what I gather, it only fetches a higher price because it's prohibited. Why would a top Dominican producer not be on par with a top Cuban producer?
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post #10 of 59
8/29/07 at 2:14am
What about vintage Cuban cigars? I have an old box of Alfred Dunhill Seleccion Suprema No.280 by Partagas, made in Havana Cuba and "guaranteed by the Cuban government". This is when Dunhill had stores in 1516 Chestnut St., Philadelphia and 136 South Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills.
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post #11 of 59
8/29/07 at 3:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkNWorn View Post
Is it that apparent that Cuban cigars are superior to others? From what I gather, it only fetches a higher price because it's prohibited. Why would a top Dominican producer not be on par with a top Cuban producer?

I think a good analogy would be French wines compared to wines from the rest of the world (although the wine market has much more parity). The best French wines are the best in the world, but very good Californian/Spanish/Australian/Italian wines are comparable to very good French wines.

There is definitely something unique about a nice Cuban cigar that you don't get with a good Dominican (I myself prefer Nicaraguans to Dominicans on the whole).
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post #12 of 59
8/29/07 at 11:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by LabelKing View Post
What about vintage Cuban cigars?

I have an old box of Alfred Dunhill Seleccion Suprema No.280 by Partagas, made in Havana Cuba and "guaranteed by the Cuban government".

This is when Dunhill had stores in 1516 Chestnut St., Philadelphia and 136 South Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills.

How vintage are you talking about? If they were purchased in the US at a Dunhill store then they're probably over 40 years old. Kept in a humidor, well, for that long I think it's a chancy proposition, but it's better than the alternatives. More likely you've got some nice-smelling tinder. If they were purchased abroad (and therefore more likely to be newer), then your odds improve, somewhat.

But the good news is that they're likely authentic. Oh, and I Partagas. That and Punch are my top two smokes.
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post #13 of 59
8/29/07 at 12:06pm
I would be very suspect of any "Cuban" cigars purchased in Mexico. Unless you purchased them at a quality shop, there are many conterfiets. Tiajuana and the surrounding areas especially are notorious for this.
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post #14 of 59
8/29/07 at 2:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cocostella View Post
I would be very suspect of any "Cuban" cigars purchased in Mexico. Unless you purchased them at a quality shop, there are many conterfiets. Tiajuana and the surrounding areas especially are notorious for this.
Lol....I wouldn't buy anything in Tijuana, however in other parts of Mexico, as long as you stick to reputable stores, you shouldn't have many problems.
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post #15 of 59
8/29/07 at 3:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cocostella View Post
I would be very suspect of any "Cuban" cigars purchased in Mexico. Unless you purchased them at a quality shop, there are many conterfiets. Tiajuana and the surrounding areas especially are notorious for this.
Agreed, there are probably more fake Cuban cigars in Mexico than in any other country including Cuba. Buy them at La Casa del Habanos and you will be fine. Otherwise, it is a gamble.
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