That's a lot of fakes...

[Flying Cigar]

Being a complete novice and not really knowing how to tell the difference between a fake and a real cigar what should I look for?

Am I likely to get fakes passed off as the real deal in shops in Cuba when I go later in the year?

Hi,

no, you are not likely to get fakes if you you buy in official shops, Casas del Habano, with proper receipts and staying away from street vendors and/or "well meaning" friends.

I've never had any issues with cigars in official stores.

Only when you stray outside this area is when you will encounter all kinds of offers that are too good to be true. But stick to the rule of buying only in official places and you'll be safe ( and enjoying your smokes ).

Nino

[Simon Bolivar]

That's good advice there Nino, it always amuses me, guys pay thousands to go on holiday to Cuba & then spend their time trying to save a few hundred on smokes that might be alive with weevils or just plain unsmokable. In the offical stores it'll be half the price you pay in Europe, isn't that cheap enough?

[cbob]

Also 2001 they made Cohiba Pyram. which was the first release...than 2006..but as Deano said not 2005.

You need to be a bit careful in dismissing some "unexpected" box dates and markings.

I agree that the pix show some pretty dodgy packaging and some horrendous looking cigars. Who would buy those dog-rockets if they inspected the boxes -which you should always do in any case?

Cuban manufacturing processes may prohibit scrapping a blend if there is tobacco left after the "official" date of a EL or ER. I have the remnants (sigh) of a great box of RyJ Robustos that were a EL in 2001. The special sticker on the box says 2001, the cigar bands say 2001 but the box was packed and date-stamped in Sep 2002. Bought at LCdH in 2003, these smokes have been FNP in every way and there is no question of their authenticity despite the later date on the box.

Thanx, Nino for sharing those photos. Scary stuff!

[HabanoSy]

Counterfeit Behikes...!!!

http://cigaraficionado.com/webfeatures/show/id/15999

Cheers, HabanoSy

[Stevieboy]

Counterfeit Behikes...!!!

http://cigaraficionado.com/webfeatures/show/id/15999

Cheers, HabanoSy

No surprise really due to the price...very attractive to the bootleggers. I can't see myself ever buying a box so I'm not worried lol

[snooky]

Good post Si , the obvious detail being sold in 25's shame they went and smoked the originals before the comparison review, Greedy biatches.

[monkey66]

Yup, there sure is a lot of effort going into better fakes. Buyer beware!

[Paul]

Yep, Esplendidos do come in the glass top boxes. They also come in normal varnished boxes of 25 as well.

[monkey66]

Yep, Esplendidos do come in the glass top boxes. They also come in normal varnished boxes of 25 as well.

Just to clarify for the less experienced glass top boxes are ALL fakes, this style of packaging has never been produced by HSA.

[cohibaIV]

So what your saying is the three glass top boxes I have stored to auction off are no good....!

Bummer

[Stevieboy]

So what your saying is the three glass top boxes I have stored to auction off are no good....!

Bummer

Ha ha.....and I'm not taking them back

[cohibaIV]

Ha ha.....and I'm not taking them back

Bazt....!

[larrysputnik]

My cousin's daughter's school teacher's swim coach's friend of a friend has the exact same Sublimes in a varnished bundle packaged in it's original vinyl satchel for sale. I offered $1000 for them. Hope hope I get em!

[TJCoro]

Good Point!

Just to clarify for the less experienced glass top boxes are ALL fakes, this style of packaging has never been produced by HSA.

I asked Catalina to make a note!


don TJ

[TJCoro]

Genuine Fauxhibas!

My cousin's daughter's school teacher's swim coach's friend of a friend has the exact same Sublimes in a varnished bundle packaged in it's original vinyl satchel for sale. I offered $1000 for them. Hope hope I get em!

I think I can help, chico! emoticon-south-park-004.gif


don TJ



Hey TJ! I think young steviethelad is looking for a box of fauxhiba sublimes as well.