[Texan in Mexico]

Thank you for your time Admiral

 

[chibnkr]

Thank you for your time Admiral

LOL! That's friggin' hillarious. "No, they're real - you can even put the warranty seal and Habanos sticker on yourself that way you can inspect the box before it is sealed." I've seen this before, and it never ceases to amaze me.

 

[jmcrawf1]

I don't get it?

 

[Texan in Mexico]

Ok, long story short - I asked the Admiral for his opinion on these cigars and since I am too tired to figure out how to put photos in the PM I did a quick thread so he could see it.

These come from Cuba as my boss's in-laws are from from there and travel back and forth from Cuba every month or so to see the grandkids and they get me a box.

One of their sons works at the factory not as a roller but in an admin position - the grandfather worked there too.

They are great sticks and for the price, well even if they are fakes God bless them because they are tasty.

As they come right from the factory I assumed they were the real deal even though the stickers have not been placed. Are there fakes made in the factory?????

Or do you guys feel so strongly they are fakes that maybe the son gets the boxes and stickers and just puts in some other kind??

EDIT: I live in Mexico so they travel back and forth pretty much freely...

 

[4WheelVFR]

If they are good and you feel you're getting your money's worth, that's all that matters.:tu

 

[jmcrawf1]

Ok, long story short - I asked the Admiral for his opinion on these cigars and since I am too tired to figure out how to put photos in the PM I did a quick thread so he could see it.

These come from Cuba as my boss's in-laws are from from there and travel back and forth from Cuba every month or so to see the grandkids and they get me a box.

One of their sons works at the factory not as a roller but in an admin position - the grandfather worked there too.

They are great sticks and for the price, well even if they are fakes God bless them because they are tasty.

As they come right from the factory I assumed they were the real deal even though the stickers have not been placed. Are there fakes made in the factory?????

Or do you guys feel so strongly they are fakes that maybe the son gets the boxes and stickers and just puts in some other kind??

Man, I'll let other's more knowledgable than me make the judgement, but with a story like that :hn:hn:hn

ETA- I would think you could see if they know the factory he works at, then check it against the factory code. Just thinking out loud...

 

[Texan in Mexico]

If they are good and you feel you're getting your money's worth, that's all that matters.:tu

You are right...

Just curious I guess and that got the cat killed so I shouldnt care, going to light up a Taboo to ease my pain :r

 

[justinphilly-cl]

I could be wrong, but isnt the hologram sticker placed on the box after it leaves the factory, by people NOT involved with the factory?

Either way, it seems like "one of those stories"..

 

[chibnkr]

I could be wrong, but isnt the hologram sticker placed on the box once it leaves the factory?

Either way, it seems like "one of those stories"..

I recall (could be wrong, but I don't think so) that the hologram is only placed on boxes that are sold in cigar stores in Cuba and does not appear on cigars for export outside of Cuba.

As for the story - FWIW, personally *I* wouldn't believe it. This is the textbook story, "someone who knows someone who works in the factory and can get the cigars and sell them for cheap" etc. etc. Why the heck would they procure boxes without the stickers and seals on them? Do you really think that they actually came from the factory? Take a step back and think critically. Would you purchase a bottle of Chateau Latour from a random Frenchman who claims to work at the Chateau and will sell you bottles (out of the trunk of his rusty Fiat) for a third of the release price? Probably not. True, they are most likely rolled with Cuban tobacco, but as for whether they are the official Cohiba "factory" blend...I seriously doubt it. However, if you like the cigars then what does it matter? That said, I presume that you would not gift / sell any of them.

 

[Texan in Mexico]

bottles (out of the trunk of his rusty Fiat) for a third of the release price? Probably not. True, they are most likely rolled with Cuban tobacco, but as for whether they are the official Cohiba "factory" blend...I seriously doubt it. However, if you like the cigars then what does it matter? That said, I presume that you would not gift / sell any of them.[/quote]

Ok, thank you for your thoughts, I really respect what you say.

I do "gift" alot of my sticks while smoking but would never sell any, Im not into that.

They are gifted to me actually by the family but you have made me doubt it now. I will smoke them as they are tasty - thanks again for your analysis.

 

[justinphilly-cl]

I recall (could be wrong, but I don't think so) that the hologram is only placed on boxes that are sold in cigar stores in Cuba and does not appear on cigars for export outside of Cuba.

Michael, thats what I thought as well. But I guess the question is, who puts the hologram stickers on the boxes.. I agree that either way particular box is one of those products of "the story"..

Does anyone know who puts the holograms on the boxes?

 

[chibnkr]

I do "gift" alot of my sticks while smoking but would never sell any, Im not into that.

Maybe I am overstepping here, but I would *strongly* encourage you not to gift any of these cigars without first disclosing that they are most likely not authentic. It isn't fair to the recipient, nor to the others down the line who may smoke them. Understand I'm not telling you what to do, but I for one would be very peeved if someone gifted me a cigar that they knew to be of questionable provenance (at a minimum) without first disclosing the above circumstances.

 

[Texan in Mexico]

Maybe I am overstepping here, but I would *strongly* encourage you not to gift any of these cigars without first disclosing that they are most likely not authentic. It isn't fair to the recipient, nor to the others down the line who may smoke them. Understand I'm not telling you what to do, but I for one would be very peeved if someone gifted me a cigar that they knew to be of questionable provenance (at a minimum) without first disclosing the above circumstances.

Point taken, thank you.

 

[icehog3]

I think Michael has pointed out the disparities that make these unlikely to be real Cohibas. Pictures of the foot of the cigars (macro) might help too, but the cool thing is they are possibly rolled with Cuban tobacco, and you like the smokes for the price, so it ain't a bad thing on the whole.

 

[mosesbotbol]

I had a box of Esplendidos from Cuba that were fakes. Decent tobacco and so-so rolling. The box was authentic yet beat up. Cuban cigar... yes, Habanos, no...