How can I identify if I have CC or fakes?

bobarian · 07-28-2012, 05:49 PM

Pictures of unbanded cigars will only lead to speculation and guesses. Unless a cigar is very obviously fake(bad construction, wrong size, etc) it is very difficult to tell by seeing a picture. Check the measurements exactly and compare to a true Monte #2 shown on the site mentioned.

Monte #2's are one of the most faked cigars in the world. It has been speculated in many articles that 30-60% of the Cuban cigars in the US are fake. Many legitimate shops in the US sell fake CC's out of the back room.
Also, fake does not necessarily mean bad. A few months ago I smoked a Cohiba "Esplendido" that came from Cuban and through two other countries. It was clearly a fake band, but it was still a very good cigar.

Did these come directly from Cuba or from another location in the Carribean?

07-28-2012, 05:49 PM	#8
bobarian Cranky Habanophile Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wine Country Posts: 8,869 Trading: (51)	Re: How can I identify if I have CC or fakes? Pictures of unbanded cigars will only lead to speculation and guesses. Unless a cigar is very obviously fake(bad construction, wrong size, etc) it is very difficult to tell by seeing a picture. Check the measurements exactly and compare to a true Monte #2 shown on the site mentioned. Monte #2's are one of the most faked cigars in the world. It has been speculated in many articles that 30-60% of the Cuban cigars in the US are fake. Many legitimate shops in the US sell fake CC's out of the back room. Also, fake does not necessarily mean bad. A few months ago I smoked a Cohiba "Esplendido" that came from Cuban and through two other countries. It was clearly a fake band, but it was still a very good cigar. Did these come directly from Cuba or from another location in the Carribean?