Real Cuban?

[Xgsdremix]

I got this cigar about a year ago and I wanted to know if it was real? -(P If anyone knows about Cuban counterfeits, please help me out.

[markem]

best place to start is here: http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/brand.aspx?brand=Cohiba

[JenksAnejo]

:r

Where did you get it? What does the box look like? Have you smoked Cubans before? How much did you pay for it?

It's pretty hard to tell just from posting a picture of the band. :2

[Xgsdremix]

:r

Where did you get it? What does the box look like? Have you smoked Cubans before? How much did you pay for it?

It's pretty hard to tell just from posting a picture of the band. :2

I got it from one of the guys at my local cigar lounge. I only bought two of them so i dont know how the box looks like, and I payed $50 for both of them.

[md4958]

photos of the entire cigar, the head , the foot included is a good place to start if you want help.

however, it may be inconclusive unless there are blaring problems. You would have to smoke it to be sure.

[Blak Smyth]

I have seen some that appeared to be fake, obvious warning signs. Your's do not have the same warning signs, doesn't mean much though. Listen to Mark and compare info at Cubancigarwebsite!!!

[lenguamor]

best place to start is here: http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/brand.aspx?brand=Cohiba

This.

[AlohaStyle]

If that's all the band has on it, then definitely fake. Here is a picture of the real band. There are pretty decent fake bands out there too... pretty hard to tell from your pictures.

http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/images%5CCohiba_band_401101672full.jpg

[icehog3]

Are they 52s, 54s 0r 56s? $25 each is a pretty low price for legit Behikes, especially the bigger the RG.

[Xgsdremix]

If that's all the band has on it, then definitely fake. Here is a picture of the real band. There are pretty decent fake bands out there too... pretty hard to tell from your pictures.

http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/images%5CCohiba_band_401101672full.jpg

It has everything that the real one has. If I had more pictures, it would much easier! Im going try getting another one so I can get a better pictures of it. Thanks everyone for your help!

[icehog3]

Which size is it?

[Xgsdremix]

Are they 52s, 54s 0r 56s? $25 each is a pretty low price for legit Behikes, especially the bigger the RG.

I also don't know the size. I think it was a 52 but it was almost a year ago.

[icehog3]

So you already smoked it a year ago?

[Xgsdremix]

So you already smoked it a year ago?

Yea I smoked it almost a year ago. If its real I want to pick up more, I just dont want to waste money on fakes.

[icehog3]

Good luck.

[Blak Smyth]

Yea I smoked it almost a year ago. If its real I want to pick up more, I just dont want to waste money on fakes.

Well if you already smoked it, did you enjoy it?
Was it worth the price payed?
If you answered yes to both of those questions, then buy more!

[The Poet]

Yea I smoked it almost a year ago. If its real I want to pick up more, I just dont want to waste money on fakes.

Did you enjoy it a year ago? Did you feel you got your money's worth? Can you afford to spend $25 for a cigar? Then, IMHO, what does it matter if it is "real" or "fake"? Bragging rights? :confused:


;s , but that's just how I feel.

[The Poet]

Well if you already smoked it, did you enjoy it?
Was it worth the price payed?
If you answered yes to both of those questions, then buy more!

Did you enjoy it a year ago? Did you feel you got your money's worth? Can you afford to spend $25 for a cigar? Then, IMHO, what does it matter if it is "real" or "fake"? Bragging rights? :confused:


;s , but that's just how I feel.



JINX!! :r

[Xgsdremix]

Good luck.

Thanks

[Xgsdremix]

JINX!! :r

Honestly I didn't think it was worth it but if he has other Cubans that are real, I'm willing to try them out :) But you guys are totally right!!

[cmitch]

From a printer's standpoint, the bands look legit compared to the sample posted. Generally, counterfeiters do not get it even close to right when it comes to spacing between the design elements. I pulled your pic and enhanced it the best I could and I can clearly see the hologram is comparable. The hologram is applied through a separate operation from the gold foil. The kind of foil stamping done on these bands is the embossing. It is a much more difficult procedure than standard spot and stamp since a male and female die is involved. Plus, even the best foil stamping mis-registers somewhat. This is my opinion and even I can't be 100% unless I see the actual sticks. But, I don't see any red flags.

Cigar counterfeiters aren't really worried about trying to fool guys like us and are not going to expend the resources when there's plenty of suckers willing to buy their so-so goods at astronomical prices. So, their work is usually atrocious and you're probably not going to see better specimens unless they're counterfeits of the most expensive sticks.

[Xgsdremix]

From a printer's standpoint, the bands look legit compared to the sample posted. Generally, counterfeiters do not get it even close to right when it comes to spacing between the design elements. I pulled your pic and enhanced it the best I could and I can clearly see the hologram is comparable. The hologram is applied through a separate operation from the gold foil. The kind of foil stamping done on these bands is the embossing. It is a much more difficult procedure than standard spot and stamp since a male and female die is involved. Plus, even the best foil stamping mis-registers somewhat. This is my opinion and even I can't be 100% unless I see the actual sticks. But, I don't see any red flags.

Cigar counterfeiters aren't really worried about trying to fool guys like us and are not going to expend the resources when there's plenty of suckers willing to buy their so-so goods at astronomical prices. So, their work is usually atrocious and you're probably not going to see better specimens unless they're counterfeits of the most expensive sticks.

Yes when I bought it from him he pointed out that the hologram is a way to know that it's legit. I also compared it to real and fake pictures online and it resembled the real one more. I'm going to ask him if he would sell me another one and I will post better pictures. If you don't mind can I message a few of the pictures to you? It seems to me you know a lot :)

[pnoon]

Yes when I bought it from him he pointed out that the hologram is a way to know that it's legit. I also compared it to real and fake pictures online and it resembled the real one more. I'm going to ask him if he would sell me another one and I will post better pictures. If you don't mind can I message a few of the pictures to you? It seems to me you know a lot :)

Why buy cigars you suspect to be fake? Even if only to get confirmation.
Provenance and a trusted source is paramount and it seems you have neither here.

Chalk it up to experience and move on.

:2

[Xgsdremix]

Why buy cigars you suspect to be fake? Even if only to get confirmation.
Provenance and a trusted source is paramount and it seems you have neither here.

Chalk it up to experience and move on.

:2

True you have a good point. It's also very expensive

[replicant_argent]

It could also be a legit used band on a new bunko cigar.

[cmitch]

Yes when I bought it from him he pointed out that the hologram is a way to know that it's legit. I also compared it to real and fake pictures online and it resembled the real one more. I'm going to ask him if he would sell me another one and I will post better pictures. If you don't mind can I message a few of the pictures to you? It seems to me you know a lot :)

I know about the printing and production process. Not as much about the fake/real argument since I have smoked very few Cubans. 99% of the fakes are quite obvious. Misaligned bands, extremely misregistered print, bold print when it should be fine, etc.

The one thing I'm going on is the sample band Alohastyle posted. If his band is real, then I'm 98% sure yours is. Of course, nothing to stop someone from smoking a real Cuban, removing the band and putting it on a similar stick. That's where the trust pnoon is talking about comes from.