Cohiba Esplendido's: Do these look real to you?

[fireman_uk]

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum, but not to cigars and looking for the advice of more experienced smokers.

I've been offered a box of Cohiba Esplendidos for a ridiculously low price by a couple who brought them back from Cuba. I'm fully aware that most people that 'brought a box of Cohibas back from Cuba' are in possession of fakes, and that if it seems too good to be true it usually is....but i thought I'd see what you guys think as I have pics of the cigars, although not the clearest.

cohiba1.jpgcohiba2.jpgcohiba6.jpgcohiba 3.jpgCohiba 4.jpgCohiba 5.jpg

I've checked the online real/fake comparisons here:

Cigars: http://havanajournal.com/cigars/cohibas
Box: http://havanajournal.com/cigars/cohibas-box

The label looks like the real one, with the embossed Cohiba on the band. But the box looks different to the one in the pics...ie writing at different places on the box.

Apparently they are in mint condition, although haven't been kept in a humi since they were bought a year ago, but have been in the box. They say that they're aware they are worth a lot but are selling cheap due to having a baby on the way.

Any advice or opinions would be greatly appreciated. Cheers.

[HabanoSy]

Sorry...

But, so obviously FAKES...

Leave well alone...

Cheers, HabanoSy

[mackem keith]

Hi pal sorry to say these are fake stay away from them

[fireman_uk]

Haha, many thanks HabanoSy. That's all I needed to hear.

When they were offered to me, I had to try to tell them that there's an extremely high probability that they are fakes without offending them.

I will stay away.

Out of interest, what is the most obvious give away that they're fakes?

[monkey66]

As said 100% fakes.

[Pleevy]

Has anyone had a go on a fake one out of curiosity?

[fireman_uk]

Thanks guys, glad I posted on here. I really couldn't afford to buy them, but at the price they were being offered it would have been impossible not to. At least now I can buy a box of Boli Pc's or Monte 4's like I'd planned and save myself some cash.

[Detroit_Waves]

Just curious, what are most people seeing to know they are fakes? Just as knowledge for all of us in the future!

[Pleevy]

The green sticker is in the box for starters. That would always be put on in the factory.

[fireman_uk]

sorry double post

[Deano]

Yeah the fakes come with the stickers unstickered! Also the bands are really shoddy. Among a bunch of other things!

[Detroit_Waves]

You would think to help sell the fact they might not be fakes, they would just stick the sticker on! Is there no circumstance ever, where a real box, would not be stickered, and would have it on the inside?

Im not doubting these are fake, just trying to make sure I have enough knowledge and all the facts if ever presented with something like this!

[Pleevy]

The unfortunate customer can actually have a look at the merchandise that way, I think it might be harder to sell a sealed box on the street without knowing that there was something inside.

[monkey66]

What is immediately wrong with those cigars (even with poor photos)

1. The warranty seal loose inside the box means 100% fake.
2. The very poor quality of the spacing of the squares on the Cohiba lapels means 100% fake.
3. The poor quality of the embossing on the box means probably fake.
4. The lack of official receipt from the factory means probably fake.
5. The 'I just came back from Cuba' means probably fake.
6. The price (below Cuban factory pricing) means 100% fake.

Things to consider:

It is speculated that there are more fake Cohiba's in Cuba than real ones.

The only place to buy branded cigars in Cuba is the official outlets, all others are fake.

99.9 of people do not know the difference.

Nearly all Cohibas (slod outside official stores or LCdH's) in Cuba, the Caribbean and the US are fake.

There is a lot of reading on the subject (try a little search people) but that should be enough to tickle your fancy.

[Simon Bolivar]

Just to add to the above pointers, the box doesn't look properly varnished, no photo of the bottom of the box (which should have the box code with date on it). The price of Esplen in Havana is 17CUC so any offered less than that are probably going to be fakes, most will tell you they were smuggled out or made up of their two cigars day the rollers are allowed to keep. But they are still going to want a decent price.
Final point no one else mentioned, never worth smoking, let alone buying cigars that haven't been kept in a humi. The cigars will be very dry & the flavours lost & will not be regained by gradual re-humidifying.
I once spent a year re-humidifying a box of Cuban Davidoff No1, ending up smoking some tasteless smokable sticks.
This is not a very valuable box of cigars in any context. If they wanted to sell them, they should have tried to do so immediately on their return. Now they are best kept by them as a souvenier of their holiday. Fleabay won't take them either!
Before I was a member of a cigar site, I did buy half a box of Esplen from someone who had brought them back. I didn't see the receipt but they where all the same size, closely matched in colour, bands same (pre-embossed days) & they said I should smoke one to try it first. I smoke one & it was genuine so I brought the other 14. The price was also what was expected rather than a bargin. I wouldn't bother these days, happy to pay proper Cuban prices for the genuine article.