How to spot counterfeits

[larrysputnik]

The glass top is the first sign, and I can easily spot the problem with the white checkers being too close to the top of the gold rectangle, but what is the last picture a sign of?

[Stevieboy]

I just received a PM from CJ who is TJ and BJ's sister (complicated I know).
She's translating for BJ who is conduit to TJ (still with me?)...TJ asked that I post more images of fakery. These are beauties:

[Stevieboy]

AFAIK all varnished boxes are sold inside a cardboard outer box which has the seal on it.

Having just looked at my Cohiba and Trinidad boxes, this is clearly a load of bollox. The Trinis have seals as do some of the Cohibas. Sorry for mis-leading

[Stevieboy]

Both my boxes of Esplendidos, old and new style, have the seal on the box, and of course the Siglo series SLB's have the seal on the box as well. The seal is of course in the wrong position on that box.

As you say Steve, Habanos being Habanos there's always exceptions

Christ!! How are we the consumer supposed to know what's what with Habanos! My box of Esplendidos has no seal on it, my Siglo VI (25 and 10 box) has it on the left and my Lanceros doesn't have one . These were all sourced from Gesto which as you know Ramon have impeccable credentials !?!?!?!

If there's no standard then counterfeiters can have a field day

[Ramon]

Both my boxes of Esplendidos, old and new style, have the seal on the box, and of course the Siglo series SLB's have the seal on the box as well. The seal is of course in the wrong position on that box.

As you say Steve, Habanos being Habanos there's always exceptions

[Stevieboy]

Whisky spotted the first flaw ie the seal is poorly positioned, the shield on the seal should be bi-sected by the edge of the box -half the seal on the top of the box, half on the front. The other less obvious flaw is the fact that the seal is actually on the varnished box itself. AFAIK all varnished boxes are sold inside a cardboard outer box which has the seal on it. Examples are Partagas 898, La Gloria Cubana Medaille D'or #1, Montecristo Serie D 2005 LE. Habanos being Habanos, you can bet your arse there will be exceptions...

[Stevieboy]

TJ's brother BJ suggested I add the fakes from earlier today to this section



The flaws on this one are glaring to anyone who has ever bought a genuine box of CCs.

1. The chevron would be on the varnished box
2. The seal would be on the cardboard box the varnished box comes in and not in the box (or on the varnished box!)
3. The cedar insert has a straight cut rather than a half-moon notch
4. The colour grading of the cigars looks all wrong ie from left to right they start dark, get lighter then get dark again.

[larrysputnik]

Cut one of those suckers open and see what it is that everyone at the convention was puffing on.

If you find worms, make sure they aren't covered in fur.

[larrysputnik]

Spot On, senor Goldencigars...you are the golden boy and know your fine Habana puros.

It is the wrong size. And each mfg'er approved to an Els during a particular year is authorized to make only on vitola - not two.

These big boys were passed out as gifts during a national broadcasters conference, which is how I received them. I knew they were counterfeits when I received them but did not say anything. Why spoil the fun. Besides, I'm told they smoke and taste pretty darn good. I just added 'em to my ever expending collection of fakes.

Well done, mates! No one was fooled by these imposters!

It's hard not saying anything when you are given fakes, isn't it? I have suffered through almost an entire box of fakes because I don't know how to tell my buddy that his father-in-law gave him fake CCs. Ugh. You're lucky you didn't have to smoke these things, I'm sure.

[yankeefan]

how to spot counterfeits

thanks tj good to know you learned how to juggle your balls here as well. i knew this place was informative!

[TJCoro]

With a little help from our UKCF friends!

it is unbelieviable what people will do to peddle off habanos been smoking about 8 yrs now and i,am more then certain my first few purchases were fakes.i.am a bit more seasoned now after some research but i hope to learn even more from you guys here

Well said, senor Yankeefan, and welcome to the circus!

As you may have noticed, we have a vast array of knowledge and experience here. But no matter the how long someone's been smoking fine stogies and Hananas or their level of "expertise," I think you will find that we all learn from one another from time to time in a fun and, dare I say it, thoughtful way.

Names TJ, TJCoro, and I always learn something new for the many fine folk at the UKCF!


For example, I learned how to juggle my balls here!

[yankeefan]

how to spot fakes

it is unbelieviable what people will do to peddle off habanos been smoking about 8 yrs now and i,am more then certain my first few purchases were fakes.i.am a bit more seasoned now after some research but i hope to learn even more from you guys here

[TJCoro]

You are correct, sir!

for the wrong size ,or perhaps you put tha rings?to confuse me?
the Romeo petit piramides LE 2005 has different size

Spot On, senor Goldencigars...you are the golden boy and know your fine Habana puros.

It is the wrong size. And each mfg'er approved to an Els during a particular year is authorized to make only on vitola - not two.

These big boys were passed out as gifts during a national broadcasters conference, which is how I received them. I knew they were counterfeits when I received them but did not say anything. Why spoil the fun. Besides, I'm told they smoke and taste pretty darn good. I just added 'em to my ever expending collection of fakes.

Well done, mates! No one was fooled by these imposters!

[goldencigars]

All very good points and solid information, especially for those just entering the wild and wonderful world of fine Habana puros.

But what was it, exactly, that lead you to the conclude that my big, fat and glorious perfectos are fakes?

Names TJ, TJCoro, and senor GoldenCigars speaks wisely.

for the wrong size ,or perhaps you put tha rings?to confuse me?
the Romeo petit piramides LE 2005 has different size

[TJCoro]

What's your basis, senor?

Fakes.

Sometimes it is really difficult to know,if a cigars is fake,I'm not talking about a cristal top boxes,or the years of LE's that they don't exsist..etc..

Also the cedar boxes,seals stamps,rings,cigar size,etc...can be real,but the cigars are fake.
For me a cigar is the only one thing that you can be sure,that it is fake or legit.
The smell,the taste,combuction,ash structure,ash color,triple cap.

I have had some bad experience too,and I improved my skills.

All very good points and solid information, especially for those just entering the wild and wonderful world of fine Habana puros.

But what was it, exactly, that lead you to the conclude that my big, fat and glorious perfectos are fakes?

Names TJ, TJCoro, and senor GoldenCigars speaks wisely.