Some advice please

[Wid3y]

A family friend of mine has offered me a case of 25 monte cristo no4s. About 2 yrs old and have only been kept in a sealed bag and the box still has its seal from Cuba.

Asking ?100. My concern is whether the cigars will still be good?

Can anyone offer any advice? I won't know condition until I buy them..

[Stevieboy]

Pretty sure they're fakes mate. The seal is in the wrong position. The middle of the coat of arms should fold over the edge....

[PoohBore]

For ?4 a smoke I'd probably go for it.

Is there a box code on the bottom ?

Did they say where they got them?

You won't know for certain until you open the box

[monkey66]

Sorry to say they look fake (but not 100%) as the warranty seal is in the wrong place. You may not be aware but there is a huge volume of fake cigars around.

Additionally 2 years un-humidified will kill most cigars. The price is good though.

If he is a friend he should let you open the box (as any shop would). The reality is it is a high-risk punt, are you familiar with a Monte 2, how it should smoke/smell/look/feel etc?

I guess it comes down to a few things, is the source 100% reliable, did they buy them from a reputable retailer, if so who, have they been in a humidor for the past 2 years, can you afford to punt ?100.

If you post more detailed photos we should be able to tell more regarding authenticity.

[Wid3y]

Sorry to say they look fake (but not 100%) as the warranty seal is in the wrong place. You may not be aware but there is a huge volume of fake cigars around.

Additionally 2 years un-humidified will kill most cigars. The price is good though.

If he is a friend he should let you open the box (as any shop would). The reality is it is a high-risk punt, are you familiar with a Monte 2, how it should smoke/smell/look/feel etc?

I guess it comes down to a few things, is the source 100% reliable, did they buy them from a reputable retailer, if so who, have they been in a humidor for the past 2 years, can you afford to punt ?100.

If you post more detailed photos we should be able to tell more regarding authenticity.

Apparently his friend bought them from Cuba as a gift. They have been kept in bag in a normal cupboard.

Just got this. Does it help?

[Dherm]

The main and most important point is, where in Cuba, was it a reputable store, Airport or a friend of a friend or street vendor this info would give you a very good basis on its authenticity.

[Smallclub]

Just got this. Does it help?

Ouch, no box code…

[Wid3y]

The main and most important point is, where in Cuba, was it a reputable store, Airport or a friend of a friend or street vendor this info would give you a very good basis on its authenticity.

All I know is a friend bought them for him from a holiday in Cuba. ?100 punt and they could be both fake and in a poor condition.

[Wid3y]

Ouch, no box code…

I have a box of RyJ no2 and they have a stamp. Presuming no stamp isn't a good thing?!

[H4rty82]

Personally I wouldn't take the risk.

[nev coss]

certainly looks like fakes, all the pointers are there, without opening the box you can't tell what condition the cigars are in , bad fakes could contain any sort of rubbish plus the infestation of beetles, I would stay clear of them

[PoohBore]

No box code on the bottom so I'd keep the ?100 and just say to your friend sorry but I'm a little short of cash at the moment

:-)

[Stevieboy]

'Nuff said....the seal is wrong so they're fake...I said this in post 2 lol
Debate away though...

[Stevieboy]

Ouch, no box code?

Box code is stamped in purple but the glare is masking it...Looks deliberately obfuscated though...

[Spartan18]

Even if they're genuine, which I doubt given the picture I've seen, only the fact that they've been out of a humidor for 2 years makes them worthless...Max i would spend on them is 10 quid and then experiment to see if you can revive them by slowly introducing them to 70% humidity....I still think they're gonna be unsmokable though