How to spot a counterfeit....

I personally wouldnt know anything about this subject,,but I found this for you
http://www.cigarnexus.com/counsel/counterfeit/index.html
I ran across another similiar to this when i first started looking up cigar info it listed ALL the codes and such but cant remember where I saw it. Hope it helps.

j0z3r:

The fact that it had a very tight draw, so much so that you couldn't smoke it, would speak to its authenticity I think. Cuban cigars have a notoriously tight draw which is one of the reasons people recommend aging them for 1-2 years minimum. I'd have to see the cigars and bands to be even half sure, but I think you got the real deal.

I concur.

But here is a link to compare bands. http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/CA_Counterfeits/Counterfeit_Gallery/0,3390,,00.html
I hate CA but they're good for this.

Counterfeit Cubans- Are kinda pasty white, have no accent, do NOT like cigars, blink nervously a lot and walk funny and.......eerrr ...you were talking about the cigars wern't you?

I found a great page a while back that compared counterfeits to authentic ISOMs that was pretty informative. There are a few things to look for:

1. The band - this one is tough and you really have to train your eye, but cohiba is a great example. counterfeits typically use a different font than the original. The c and o on the original are typically more elongated, however this can be somewhat hard to spot. Also, colors may be off or just totally wrong, as well as texture with special bands (limited editions).
2. The cap - Apparently authentic cubans will always have a triple cap in addition to excellent quality in the roll as well as the wrapper. Any veins, water spots or lack of the triple cap are all red flags.
3. The ash - I saw this first hand when I bought what I knew would be a fake cohiba in Mexico. I just wanted to compare the difference and see if it was that obvious. The band wasn't perfect, the roll wasn't perfect, the wrapper was a very odd color and the ash had this burnt plastic look to it. It was too smooth and uniform and didn't look like typical cigar ash. Also, with all the rave about top quality cigars producing white ash - cubans produce dark grey ash.

I'm no expert, but I read as much as I could before I went on my cruise so I knew I wouldn't be getting ripped off. Found a La Casa Del Habana (apparently one of the few places you know you can trust because it's owned by the cuban governent), and purchased a few ISOMs. If I can find that article, I'll post it.

I have had plenty of Cuban Cohibas and Romeos. I have never liked any of them. With the Cohibas, most of them were a tight draw. The Romeos got really mushy and hot.

j0z3r:

rwheelwright:

I have had plenty of Cuban Cohibas and Romeos. I have never liked any of them. With the Cohibas, most of them were a tight draw. The Romeos got really mushy and hot.

Try a Bolivar, an Upmann or an El Rey Del Mundo. All excellent specimens IMO.

I have a few Monti #2 and some Partagas series P in my humi. Plus I have a few Hoyo robustos. I have had Upmans before and I think one Bolivar. Never had an El Rey Del Mundo though.

Have you every had a Cuabo? One of my favorites! Top 3 for me!

kaspera79:

j0z3r:

rwheelwright:

I have had plenty of Cuban Cohibas and Romeos. I have never liked any of them. With the Cohibas, most of them were a tight draw. The Romeos got really mushy and hot.

Try a Bolivar, an Upmann or an El Rey Del Mundo. All excellent specimens IMO.

Can't wait to try that Upman 'ya sent me brother Joe, It is resting comfortably for it's big day on July 4th.. Hey wait a minute...Is that okay if I smoke a Cuban Cigar on the fourth of July? Maybe I'll have a CAO Americana too, and sort of even it out.

It doesn't matter now bro we're a socialist regime , we'll be lucky if they don't abolish the holiday! Too much worrying about freedoms and not working enough hours so we can pay more taxes. Maybe we should have a "Washington Tea Party" and dump all the politicians in the drink .......hope I don't get a visit from the super sensetive new president police for typing that .......

I think stating that "Most cigars, even with real bands and boxes, sadly, are fakes." is a bit over-reaching. In certain places, like Mexico, yeah I'd agree that most are fake. I do agree with the last statement though, there is nothing quite like the taste.

Kas: I don't think it would be a problem to burn up that Upmann on the 4th, just think of it as destroying a piece of Communism. Or another way to look at it, Upmann cigars were the choice of JFK...do it for Jack.

kaspera79:

j0z3r:

I think stating that "Most cigars, even with real bands and boxes, sadly, are fakes." is a bit over-reaching. In certain places, like Mexico, yeah I'd agree that most are fake. I do agree with the last statement though, there is nothing quite like the taste.

Kas: I don't think it would be a problem to burn up that Upmann on the 4th, just think of it as destroying a piece of Communism. Or another way to look at it, Upmann cigars were the choice of JFK...do it for Jack.

Hey Joe, with that view point, It will be a patriotic gesture, do it for America, in memory of JFK !!

H. Upmann candelas actually. He sent his secretary out to buy a ton of boxes right before he signed the embargo.

madurofan:

kaspera79:

j0z3r:

I think stating that "Most cigars, even with real bands and boxes, sadly, are fakes." is a bit over-reaching. In certain places, like Mexico, yeah I'd agree that most are fake. I do agree with the last statement though, there is nothing quite like the taste.

Kas: I don't think it would be a problem to burn up that Upmann on the 4th, just think of it as destroying a piece of Communism. Or another way to look at it, Upmann cigars were the choice of JFK...do it for Jack.

Hey Joe, with that view point, It will be a patriotic gesture, do it for America, in memory of JFK !!

H. Upmann candelas actually. He sent his secretary out to buy a ton of boxes right before he signed the embargo.

Ahem...Petit Coronas.

i havent had time to post much as of late (work and all) but ive been following this thread.

if you have a real keen eye you can look at the foot of the cigar. most cubans are bunched in a very specific way. the rollers are good and they bunch that way for a reason. if its fake the rollers they use (or the cigars they use) are not as of high quality. the bunches tend to be different and not as expertly rolled.

j0z3r:

madurofan:

j0z3r:

madurofan:

kaspera79:

j0z3r:

I think stating that "Most cigars, even with real bands and boxes, sadly, are fakes." is a bit over-reaching. In certain places, like Mexico, yeah I'd agree that most are fake. I do agree with the last statement though, there is nothing quite like the taste.

Kas: I don't think it would be a problem to burn up that Upmann on the 4th, just think of it as destroying a piece of Communism. Or another way to look at it, Upmann cigars were the choice of JFK...do it for Jack.

Hey Joe, with that view point, It will be a patriotic gesture, do it for America, in memory of JFK !!

H. Upmann candelas Petit Coronas actually. He sent his secretary out to buy a ton of boxes right before he signed the embargo.

Ahem...Petit Coronas.

Better?

lol...just bustin ya. Damn sneaky Kennedys, first he get Marylin killed then he tries to bogart all the Cuban cigars for himself...no wonder that bullet jumped up and bit him. ...man, that's in poor taste, ah well me backspace is broken, or I'm just lazy...meh.

HA!

PuroFreak:

Ya know, if old Jack woulda been wearing a pair of "Tough Skin" blue jeans on the back of his head I think he would still be with us today!

I'm serious! Oswald woulda been laughing so hard he wouldn't have been able to hold that gun steady! haha

What did Oswald smoke .....evidently only Kennedys. I know , that was sick and twisted and I apoligize in advance !!!

kaspera79:

gmill880:

PuroFreak:

Ya know, if old Jack woulda been wearing a pair of "Tough Skin" blue jeans on the back of his head I think he would still be with us today!

I'm serious! Oswald woulda been laughing so hard he wouldn't have been able to hold that gun steady! haha

What did Oswald smoke .....evidently only Kennedys. I know , that was sick and twisted and I apoligize in advance !!!

'Ya all guys ain't got no respect 'fer the dead !!

Yea that was a cheap shot ( uhh no pun intended) but I did apologize Kas !