Fake Cohibas, yes, but fake Belindas?

[Horsebox]

A friend came over for a BBQ and, knowing that I'm a cigar smoker, kindly bought with him 2 Cohiba (of some description) and a 3 box of Belinda tubos, all of which he'd been given as a gift by someone returning from Cuba.

The Cohiba are obviously fake - the bands are a dead giveaway (the actual construction wasn't too bad).

The Belinda I've never encountered before. Sure, I've seen them mentioned but never had the pleasure... are they usually this rustic looking? And the caps are pre-punched. Is this normal?














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[moteyi]

The Belindas look like they've been rolled by a 10 year old on work experience!

[PeeJay]

They all have to learn somewhere

[Simon Bolivar]

Difficult to judge if it's a fake, the last Belinder I bought in Cuba so so bad it earned the lowest score I have ever given to a Cuban cigar. It didn't look much better than this & the plastic tube hides a rough product. I would suggest buying Peso cigars instead. At least you can see them they look a darn sight better than this & can be a decent enough smoke. I ditched the Belinda after 1/2", I just knew it wasn't going to get any better. Same the old Machine made Belinda's from '98 era are still a good smoke today.

[RobustoClubHavana]

Yes that's the new Belinda only available normally via the Canadian market I have had some and they are pretty shit


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[mcdee]

Yeah, I've had some Belinda cigars before in less experienced days and they looked exactly like that. Maybe put them away for a few years and they might be okay.

[groundhog]

The Belinda looks a lot like a Guantanamera.....

[thedame007]

The Belindas look like they've been rolled by a 10 year old on work experience!

... who also lost an arm and both of their eyes in a terrible accident at the workhouse

[sheppsea]

Although I can't claim to have ever smoked one, everything I have read about Belinda suggests that the fakes won't be any worse...

I can't imagine anyone would fake a Belinda, if someone is going to the effort of print a fake band, they would surely go for a brand they can sell

A pre-punch cigar isn't unheard of

[TheMonk]

Fake Cohibas, yes, but fake Belindas?

That Belinda is most likely genuine. The wrappers can really be awful, and the tubed ones are indeed pre punched. Flavourwise, the ones I smoked were far from great, but I've smoked much worse (and more expensive) NCs.

[Horsebox]

I can't imagine anyone would fake a Belinda, if someone is going to the effort of print a fake band, they would surely go for a brand they can sell

Exactly what I thought. I'll leave it in the humi to rest for a special occasion.