Dear Cuban Cigar Aficionado,
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Dear Cuban Cigar Aficionado,
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Please check our codes page at http://www.cigars-of-cuba.com/secure/codes.html
Q : I have received a box of Cuban Davidoff N'1 as a gift. How can
I be sure that these cigars are authentic ? Thank you. (Johny
K., London. 11/97)
A : You must give us more details about this box : factory and
date code, the stamp of Cubatobaco, etc. And if one of these elements
isn't concurrent, we can conclude that it is not authentic.
For example, if the logo of Habanos S.A. is on the box, you can
be sure that it is counterfeited, because Habanos S.A. didn't
yet exist when the last Davidoff N¡1 boxes were made; it was Cubatobaco
at that point.
If all the elements are in agreement, we recommend that you visit
personally one of Davidoff's boutiques (consult our addresses page), because without a certificate issued by Davidoff, your box
will be considered a counterfeit.
Q : I'm about to have a friend go on an international flight, and they said they would pick up some cigars for me, as a gift for my father...i'm wondering, though, when it comes to the date codes (i believe those mean when they were packaged?), what type is it better to get? Something Old? Something new? (Michael, USA 12/97)
A : Regarding date box codes, It depends on the quality of the
humidor where the boxes were stored in.
- Always buy your cigar at serious stores, even if that means
paying 1% more. You can not compromise with Cuban cigars.
- Do not buy cigars from boxes produced in the current year. Five
years ago, it was not possible to find cigars on the market that
were produced in the same year, because a good cigar is just like
good wine. It needs maturity. The reason why there are boxes from
1997 or 1998 in cigar stores today is because the Cubans need
... money !
- To conclude in response to age, try to buy boxes 2 to 4 years
old (1994-1996) (look at the code for determining age on our website
- advice page)
- Of course, look at the cigars before you buy them. Do not be
afraid to sniff them or touch them : they must have a flavor,
and they must be soft when touched. Always avoid dry cigars.
- Finally do not be afraid of the outer appearance of your cigar,
for instance the wrapper. Cuban cigars do not always have a beautiful
wrapper, when compared with a Dominican cigar like the Davidoffs,
but what matters is what is inside. The wrapper has no impact
on the cigar.
Q : I just received a wooden box of "COHIBA'S". The box is flat on the front and rear face and rounded on the sides. It has a seal on the outside which says "CUBAN GOVERNMENT'S WARRANTY FOR CIGARS EXPORTED FROM HAVANA" as well as several other markings and pictures. Looks very official. The cigars are about 6 inches in length. The end tapers to a sharp point like a torpedo. Each cigar also has an official looking COHIBA band. Can you tell me if these are counterfeit? (Tom, USA 12/97)
A :As you have described your cigars, they seem to be Cohiba Coronas
Especiales. They should be wrapped in a carton with the cuban
warranty seal stuck on the carton and not on the wooden box. The
Habanos or the Cubatabaco logo, the manufacturer code and the
date must be checked for authenticity.
Q : I bought some Cohiba Lancero's and am wondering if they are FAKE.If
you have any defining info let me know.THANX.
(Erik, Canada 02/98)
A : First, the cigars must be in a wooden varnished box with the
Habanos sticker on the side. Engraved on the bottom there must
be Habanos logo + the words "HECHO EN CUBA" and "Totalmente a
mano" in italics.You must also find the box date code and factory
name (example: EL NNSA). The wooden box is wrapped in a carton
with two stickers: one for "Republica de Cuba" another for "Cohiba
Lanceros".
The ring of each cigar is made of three colors: The black part
measures 4.5 mm with square white dots (not round dots) and the
yellowish part measures 9 mm. On this part is written in italics
" La Habana, Cuba". The dimensions mentioned above are very specific
to the Lanceros. Finally the cigars must not be claro (claro=bright
color which is specific to Dominican cigars). Check the cigar's
node, this is another caracteristic of the Lanceros. The ultimate
test is the Cuban smell and you are the one who can tell.
We need more information about the box code you have, the place
where the cigars were purchased and of course the price to answer
your question with more detail.
Q : I bought cigars in Cuba.The date stamp shows for the Cohibas FR and for the Montecristo FPG. In your list you show other manufacturers who produce these cigars. Are my cigars fake? The Cohibas look like you write in your advice, but the sticker Cohiba Esplendidos was cut out by hand. (Werner, Germany 02/98)
A : FPG makes large cigars in general. They are experts in Churchills,Robustos
and 8-9-8. EL is a Cohiba specialist (1.5 & 1.6 cm ). JM works
for Montecristo and from time to time for Cohiba for the large
shapes and the Siglos. HM makes the Upmanns. They are also experts
in large modules so they work for everybody. BM makes the R &
J. FR is a punch specialist.
Q : I have a question concerning Montecristos. I have been studying
my reference book; The Cigar Companion, by Anwer Bati and was
not sure which factory manufactures the Montecristos. It stated
that the founders were Alonzo Menendez and Pepe Garcia who bought
the H. Upmann brand from the British firm J. Frankau.
As history carried on these two left Cuba to the Canary Islands
with an associate behind; Jose Manuel Gonzalez. I figured if the
"Menendez Garcia y Cia" H. Upmann factory code is JM, is this
what should be stamped on a genuine Montecristo box?
Also, could you share information as to translating the alphabetical
code to puros manufactured dates? I have been attempting to gain
knowledge on this also.
Hope to hear from you soon, and hope all is well. Again thanks.
(Nicholas Muragin, Hawai 04/98)
A : Any cigar may be rolled at many factories.
Example: Montecristo #2 may be rolled at FPG, JM or HM. They are
all genuine. FPG makes large cigars in general. They are experts
in Churchills,Robustos and 8-9-8.
EL is a Cohiba specialist (1.5 & 1.6 cm ).
JM works for Montecristo and from time to time for Cohiba for
the large shapes and the Siglos.
HM makes the Upmanns. They are also experts in large modules so
they work for everybody.
BM makes the Romeo & Julieta.
FR is a punch specialist
The date codes are as follows:
O N I V E L A C U S
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 .
Q : I received a box of Monte #4's as a gift from Cuba but the manufacture
and date stamp on mine do not correspond to the ones that are
listed i.e. (HM, JM, SS, VSC) mine have FL.OISU.
What does this mean? (I know it means they are very newly made
02/98) but is FL a new manufacturer or are they fake?
Well they have all the right markings, Habanos: top right; Republica
de Cuba: bottom left; Habanos s.a., HECHO EN CUBA and Totalmente
a mano printed on wood bottom, the inside cedar strip is rounded
at the top right corner. Inside there was the yellow wrapping
along with a thin, small, white sheet of paper with the instructions
in 4 languages (spanish, english, french and german?).
Also I asked the guy who bought them, he says he went to a government
store; the box was in perfect condition and looks exactly like
others I've seen before. The purple stamp with the FL.OISU is
where it should be... Finally, they look great, all evenly coloured,
smell heavenly, soft to the touch, and they taste young but fine
(which is appropriate since they are dated OISU, 02/98)- It's
just that darn FL can't figure it out... please help, many thanks...
(Marc & Tracy, Canada 04/98)
A : As you said everything looks genuine except the FL code. We
don't have any information regarding this factory . It may be
helping out a peripheral factory like Villa Clara. The cigars
may be ok but we advise the JM for Montecristo.
Q : I was impressed with your website while I was surfing gathering
information regarding Cuban cigar counterfeits. I came across
some Bolivar Belicosos through a supposedly "reputable" dealer
and assumed by the size it was a Belicosos Finos.
Using my text book references, and through fellow aficionados,
the Bolivar seemed genuinely Cuban. The scent prior to smoking
displayed the unique stronger odor compared to most premium Dominican
brands. When smoking, again the aroma was more pungent, and of
course the taste was just as expected for Cubans.
When I replyed to the shop owner with my more than satisfied opinion
towards the Bolivar Belicosos, I was told that they also (the
shop) had other Bolivar Belicosos which measured approxiately
one inch longer than the one I tried. Assuming the Belicosos I
tried was indeed the Belicosos Finos, I researched all I could
find and could not find any other Belicosos that Bolivar produces.
Only the Belicosos Finos.
I immediately became sceptical even though I was reassured that
this was a new item to the Bolivar inventory. Are manufacturers
able to produce different sizes and not have them shown in reference
books until the publishing is up to date? Or are these "Belicosos"
indeed NOT genuine Cuban Bolivars? If your club has any information
concerning these Bolivars I would appreciate finding out.
I am obsessed with any knowledge regarding genuine authentic Cuban
Manufactured cigars. Being that there is so much negative information
towards Cuban cigar counterfeiting, I was hoping my experience
would have been true and honest. Please share any information
that you are aware of and I would be deeply grateful. Thank you
for your time and dedication to preserving these precious jewels
for true cigar connoisseurs to enjoy the whole purpose behind
genuine Cuban cigar smoking.
(Nicholas, Hawai 03/98)
A : Many details in your mail reveal that you have a fine connoisseur's
palate. Congratulations.
Concerning the Bolivar Belicosos Finos: As you know there are
two Belicosos from Bolivar, the first come in SBN boxes (Semi
Boite Nature) and the second is conditioned in a 25 cigars Cabinet,
both have the same size (L = 14cm, G = 2.6cm).
Theorically, both Bolivars must have the same taste, but we know
that the cigars of the Cabinet undergo a high quality control
and are matured in excellent conditions. Unitl now, our experts
have not been informed about a new Belicosos Finos from Bolivar.
The cigar you are talking about might be:
1- A new Cuban Torpedo. In fact, the Cubans have launched many
new shapes (Churchills, Torpedos, Robustos) handrolled in Cuba,
not referenced as a new brand, without rings, and presented in
common Cabinets of 50 cigars with no labels, or in small carton
cases of 5 cigars. These cigars have been launched at low prices
compared to other famous Cubans. The purpose of this maneuver
is to test the market and to offer a wider range of smokers equivalent
shapes at a better price.
2- Not a Cuban cigar.
3- A new Belicosos finos from Bolivar that we haven't heard about
(we say it to be exhaustive). We will contact Habanos S.A. for
more specific information. You will hear from us as soon as possible.
Replying to your obsession with any knowledge regarding genuine
authentic Cuban, we inform you that:
- There are many counterfeits of Cuban cigars. The Habanos logo
and the Cuban Republic warranty are no longer enough to tell if
the box is genuine. The best way to recognize a genuine Cuban
puros is the feel, the touch, the smell and the taste. We are
confident of your expertise in all this.
- Many Dominican, Nicaraguan, Honduran and American producers
take advantage of the marketing for a new brand or a special event
to launch some professionally counterfeited cigars (as it was
for the Cohiba Cristals: many conterfeited "Cohiba Esplendidos"
made in Nicaragua and presented in boxes with a glassy top have
been sold at the market place - at la Havana also -as special
boxes launched for the 30th Cohiba anniversary).
- Nowadays even some genuine Cuban puros are made with non-Cuban
wrappers ! This is due to the large demand for Cuban cigars and
because the wrappers are limited in production. (This must not
have influence on the taste if the filler remains Cuban.)
- Check the inventory made by Havanahouse on our brands page.
PS: the Bolivar Especiales is not listed.
- For more information about counterfeiting, check the interview
with Mr G. Mouawad in our news page.
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