Expert: James Yee - 12/4/2008

Question
QUESTION: I just received a box of Upmann #2's and they are about the ugliest cigar I have seen since a guy tried to sell me fake Cohibas on the beach in Cancun, Mexico last year. There are heavy veins with wrinkles running from the foot to the head. I have not smoked them yet. Did notice two holes under the lid where it appears to have been nailed closed twice. Appears to have all the legit labels and markings but have a hunch this may not be the real thing. What say Yee?

ANSWER: Hi Mike,

It sounds like the cigars are fake.  I've seen genuine premium Cuban cigars that are not "picture perfect" but ugly cigars with heavy veins and wrinkles is definitely not a good sign.  To be 100% sure, you may want to smoke one if you can't return them.  As for the box and labels, they can easily be genuine but recycled (or stolen) by counterfeiters so the proof of authenticity is unequivocally in the tobacco.

If you can return the cigars to wherever you bought them from, you should do so immediately.

Hopes this helps.

Regards,
James

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: James, thanks for the quick response. I will smoke one tonight. I can return the box for a full refund, so I am told. Think I should smoke half and then cut it open to make sure it is not sandwich tobacco inside?

ANSWER: Hi Mike,

Yes, that's a good idea.  Smoke 1/3rd of the cigar to assess the taste and ash quality and then examine the filler tobacco.

Regards,
James

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well, I smoked one and must say it was good. However, I just re-examined the box and notice there are labels over the labels. I actually cut through two of each label when I opened the box. As regards the smoke, good tight ash, long filler and quite tasty But all I have read of this cigar tells me it should be a showcase cigar to look at and these are not. Also I am told there should have been a wax strip over the labels of the cigars when opened. Do you agree?

Answer
Hi Mike,

Some premium Cuban cigar boxes don't have this wax paper strip.  If your Upmann #2s are from a cedar slide lid box, then there won't be a wax strip.  Paper dress boxes will definitely have it but vendors have been known to remove this strip when they open a box for inspection.  Labels over other labels however, is very suspicious.

As I mentioned previously, not all premium Cuban cigars will be a picture perfect, showcase cigar.  H. Upmann is considered a middle-level Cuban brand and sometimes does not look as nice as Montecristo, Partagas or Cohiba cigars (which are the higher-end brands.)  However, if the cigar tastes good and has a good tobacco/ash quality, then it may not be counterfeit after all (or at least, not a bad counterfeit).  The flavour and construction characteristics you mentioned sound positive so it may be authentic.  Whether or not you return them to the retailer is entirely up to you.  If you're pleased with the way the cigar tastes but think the cigars do not look very good, inquire with the retailer as to whether or not you can exchange them.  If you believe these are convincing fakes, you should return them immediately.

Hopes this helps.

Regards,
James