Limited Editions from Discounters

[Luis]

Hi

I've just received a box of Boli Pe Belicosos LE2009 which look alright and am actually considering ordering some Upmann LE as well, as their pricing on those is very good, but a member of another forum told me ordering LEs from discounters is a dodgy affair as we are more exposed to fakes than with regular production.

Why would that be ? And what is your experience with LE received ?

Thanks
Luis

[Jimmeh]

I've had a box of Romeo y Julieta Dukes - real deal - great cigars.

[mb55317]

Why would EL's be different to any other cigar they sell? I've purchased a few boxes with no problems, not EL's though.

[Luis]

Not sure, I think he was disatisfied with one box he received, but as the boxes are shipped unopened there's quite a risk. Received recently a box of Monte Sublimes - who is not considered a discounter and is supposed to check the goods he's shipping out AFAIK- and it looked like sh#te.

Still I have no idea why it should be worse of an issue with EL than with the regular prod.

A couple of days ago was selling H.Up Mag 50 for 113? the 25s, cheaper than other dealers mentionned on this forum, but they are unfortunately out of stock. Any idea if the quality in those particulary good deals are as good as similar vitolas sold more expensive elsewhere ?

[daverave999]

I know you can request the boxes be opened and looked at before they're sent. I don't see why it should be different elsewhere?

???? are quite a popular vendor here-I assume people wouldn't keep buying from them if the sticks were sub-standard. I've used them a couple of time, not for LEs though. Set up the email alert for when they come back into stock?

Pop over and say hi in Newbie Greets btw. ;)

[El Catador]

a member of another forum told me ordering LEs from discounters is a dodgy affair as we are more exposed to fakes than with regular production.

I could well be mistaken (nothing new there), but I've always been under the impression that, generally, it's trickier to produce passable fake LE's than standard production puro's. Due to the need for the counterfeiters to manufacture non-standard boxes/cabs, bands, etc. Not forgetting that the cigars themselves may be of a non-standard size, shape, colour etc.

As long as you do your homework and research what your LE's are supposed to look like (most reputable suppliers provide detailed photographs on their sites) you won't go too far wrong.
As a starting point there's some excellent info on spotting fakes on these very forums.

If all else fails, and your still a little suspicious, I'm sure you'll find plenty of willing UKCF members prepared to take one off your hands in order to 'evaluate' it on your behalf! :yo:

[Luis]

Sorry, I will take the time to go and introduce myself after that (maybe tomorrow, it's getting late...)!

I also received some clarification from this fellow afficionado, he meant that LE are profitable products and therefore well counterfeited. He reckons it's possible for ???? or even its suppliers to buy those unknowingly and than resell them further down the chain . In his opinion it's very unlikely with recent LEs but we should be more worried when older products come back on the market, especially 2000 and 2001.

It makes sense, as I read about very dodgy old cigars resurfacing in reputable cigar shops here in Paris, and I guess the problem would be even bigger for companies that don't inspect their goods properly but just stack the boxes and ship them taking one of the top of the pile.

Yet I've just ordered a new box of LEs :tongue:

[monkey66]

I have had perfect success and IMHO you can order with total confidence (LE's or anything else).

[Morris]

I agree. A big thumbs up. They always deliver within 5 days to the UK when I've ordered. Not had the same success rate with ????. First box had mold, replacement boli's I was promised were out of stock by the time they received the moldy ones I posted back. I then asked them to check a box I ordered before sealing it and sending it to me. It arrived (after 2 weeks in the post) having been opened and NOT SEALED. Cigars spent 2 weeks in unhumidified condition and the replacement sticks they sent to cover the postage were split.

Think I might just have had bad luck with ???? as many people have traded well with them.

[Luis]

Thanks for the positive feedback. Next time they have good deals I will jump on them (After the Mag50 I also missed the Sancho Belicosos at 95E ). Waiting for a box Mag 48 and wondering if a second box would be such a silly idea ?!?

[HabanoSy]

Waiting for a box Mag 48 and wondering if a second box would be such a silly idea ?!?

Sounds like a great idea to me...

Get 'em in...!!!

Cheers, HabanoSy

[yoruba hacker]

Sorry, I will take the time to go and introduce myself after that (maybe tomorrow, it's getting late...)!

I also received some clarification from this fellow afficionado, he meant that LE are profitable products and therefore well counterfeited. He reckons it's possible for ???? or even its suppliers to buy those unknowingly and than resell them further down the chain . In his opinion it's very unlikely with recent LEs but we should be more worried when older products come back on the market, especially 2000 and 2001.

It makes sense, as I read about very dodgy old cigars resurfacing in reputable cigar shops here in Paris, and I guess the problem would be even bigger for companies that don't inspect their goods properly but just stack the boxes and ship them taking one of the top of the pile.

Yet I've just ordered a new box of LEs :tongue:

It's happened before. A couple of years back there were some Cohiba and Partagas Pyramides and Monte Robustos that started reappearing after being utterly unavailable for a period of time. Worse still, they reappeared at some of the most reputable shops. They turned out to be really well made (and not so bad tasting) counterfeits.

The reason your friend points to some of the discounters is that they occaisionally source their product from the grey-market (outside of regional distribution points like PCC, Phonecia, H&F etc.,), which opens up the possibility of their receiving (and selling) fakes.

[Luis]

Thanks for the extra info Yoruba, you and this friend are indeed saying the same thing.

Habanosy, I hear you :tongue: I will probably order something extra this week end but I went a bit crazy since getting all the feedback from this forum on those dealers that one can't discuss on the other cigar forums I'm a member. Some very good deals indeed - on so many referrences:eek:

[Luis]

It's happened before. A couple of years back there were some Cohiba and Partagas Pyramides and Monte Robustos that started reappearing after being utterly unavailable for a period of time.


Aye !?! How dodgy are the Cohiba seleccion Reserva 03 on the market at the moment, which carry a few Cohiba Pyramid. It's a rather old LE but still available at reasonnable rates :cool:

[monkey66]

They are probably not dodgy but judging by the one i smoked yesterday in Singapore (the 2003 Esplindo from the selection box that appeared to have been lovingly stored by a dedicated professional) they have not aged particularly well. It was a very good, smooth smoke but a bit one dimensional and lacking in a strong character, OK for a mid price stick but not for a 6 year old Cohiba. Has anyone else smoked one of the 2003 recently and can contribute to the assessment?

I would imagine if they had aged as well as they might of they would be very hard to come by and very expensive.

I had been eyeing up a box for a while at their current prices but i won't be buying them now.

A very good smoke but not a great one from my experience.


Aye !?! How dodgy are the Cohiba seleccion Reserva 03 on the market at the moment, which carry a few Cohiba Pyramid. It's a rather old LE but still available at reasonnable rates :cool: