Expert: James Yee - 8/27/2008

Question
QUESTION: I recently purchased some Cohiba Siglo IVs in 5-pack box's.  ALL of them
measure 140mm rather than the 143mm listed length,  and some have
noticably lighter coloring.  The packaging seems legitimate, and the salesman
is reputable.  They are re-hydrating now since many of them were fairly dry
so it will be a while before I can try one.  Also, there is an extremely small but
consistent variation on the bands (see photo).  Notice the upper edge of the
"COHIBA" border is VERY slightly off.
Are these normal variations, or are these likely counterfeits?

ANSWER: Hi David,

Are the gold letters embossed or raised?  It's hard to tell in that picture.  Genuine Cohibas will have embossed printing for the word "Cohiba".  The cardboard 5-pack boxes will also have embossed printing plus the word "Cohiba" will be pattern-printed inside the boxes.  Very slightly-off printing on the bands is not uncommon even with genuine Cuban cigars so I wouldn't call the cigar fake based on that alone.

The best method to determining if a cigar is fake or not is by taste and examining the filler tobacco.  Counterfeiting has become more sophiscated now and it is hard to distinguish most counterfeit cigars by packaging or looks alone because counterfeiters will recycle genuine boxes/bands or print their own with impressive quality.  Counterfeit cigars usually have short-filler tobacco which is a clear sign that a premium cigar is fake.  Also, because the tobacco is of a poorer and cheaper quality, it will taste different than real Cohibas.  

It's very possible that the cigars are counterfeit but the packaging is real.  If you purchased the Cohibas at a Habanos-approved retailer, they are most likely genuine.  If you purchased them in Cuba, they may not be genuine but instead, be black market cigars which means that they are made in Cuba (with Cuban tobacco) but are not genuine Cohibas produced at the factory.

Hopes this answers your question.  If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James

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

QUESTION: The packaging has all the proper embossing so I can assume that to be real.  
What about the 3mm difference in length (140mm vs 143mm)?  Is this normal?

Many Thanks,
Dave

Answer
Hi Dave,

Cigar factories are pretty strict about maintaining accurate and exact size dimensions with their cigars (especially premium cigar brands such as Cohiba) so it is suspicious that your Cohiba Siglo IVs are 140mm when they're listed at 143mm.  Even a 3mm difference is enough to make the cigars' authenticity questionable.  Again, if you didn't buy them from a Habanos-approved retailer, it's possible that the packaging is real but the cigars are fake.  You should contact the retailer and address your concerns with them.

Regards,
James