Cigars/Failed Cohiba Authentication?
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Question
James,
)
Thanks for taking my question again.
My very first online Cuban cigar purchase was from a Canadian website, and it just arrived a few days ago. I got a recommendation for this place from Havana House in Canada. I purchased a box of Cohiba Robustos and a box of Montecristo No. 2. The problem is this: the Montes came with all the right stickers: the Havana House hologram, the Habanos S.A. chevron, the Duty Paid sticker, the serial number Havana House sticker on the bottom of the box (12-13 digits), and two warranty Republica de Cuba stickers. One of the warranty stickers has a serial number on it, and the other doesn't - it only has a box code (beginning with IE____). They're sort of overlapping each other. It may not be clear from my little list there, but there are two possible 12-13 digit serial numbers I can enter into the Habanos S.A. authentication site. I put in the one on the bottom of the box (the Havana House serial number sticker), and it fails. If I put in the one on the warranty sticker, it authenticates. Fine, no problem with that.
The problem lies with the box of Cohibas. The Cohibas had all the same stickers as the Montes, except there was only one warranty sticker, with only the box code (XV____), and no 12-13 digit serial code for authentication like the Monte box. Here are the problems: 1) the warranty sticker looks like it was placed right on top of another warranty sticker - in fact, I can see the outline of it through the one on top; 2) the Habanos S.A. chevron was already neatly sliced when I received it, but none of the other stickers resting on both the box and lid were. I read that my box may be a "revisado," which apparently means that it is opened at the Cuban factory and checked. It would make sense then, except that there is no "revisado" sticker or mark anywhere on the box, the way there is supposed to be. The one thing that marks it as possibly that, however, is the code on the warranty sticker: it begins with XV, which apparently could be a "revisado" box.
The bigger concern, however, is that when I enter the 12-13 serial number that is on the bottom of the Cohiba box (see attached photo) for verification on the Habanos S.A. website, it comes back as a fail. But then again, the serial on the same sticker on the bottom of the Monte box came back fail too; only the serial code on the warranty sticker came back as authentic. And there is no serial code on the warranty sticker on the Cohiba box.
My questions are these:
1) have you ever heard of a box that has an XV box code, with the chevron sliced, and the other stickers intact?
2) If so, is it normal not to have a warranty sticker with no serial code (12-13 digit), despite it having a box code (XV____)?
3) If so, is it common for the serial number on the bottom of the box to fail authenticity?
I might add that I smoked one of the Cohibas, just to see (even though I received it only a few days ago), and it was very smooth and mild, but with a TON of rich, creamy smoke. And I tore apart the nub to see how long the filler leaves are, and they were a pretty good size.
I hope this is somewhat comprehensible. And sorry for the uber long question. Thanks again, James.
Hi Steve,
The serial number on the Havana House sticker will not work with Habanos SA's authenticity check. The Havana House serial number is strictly for Havana House's computer system. The serial number that you need for authenticity check would be on the new Republica de Cuba sticker. If your box does not have the new warranty seal (with hologram and serial code), then it may just be an older box (2008 or earlier) from the retailer's shelf stock. Considering it's a box of Cohibas (not a super best seller due to the high Canadian prices), it's very possible that the store still has an old stock of them with the older warranty seal.
In regards to the cut chevron, I have seen authentic boxes that had one or two labels cut (not necessarily the chevron) while others labels remained intact but this isn't exactly proper procedure. I really can't explain this because there could be many circumstances why the box is like that... the labels could be purposely or inadvertently cut due to human error/intervention at the factory. Most cigar stores will break all the seals to inspect the box upon receiving them so it's possible the store forgot to inspect this box or was about to but didn't finish when they shipped it to you.
Despite all this, the fact that the retailer was recommended by Havana House is a good indication that the cigars and the retailer is 100% genuine. (And your taste test and examination of the filler tobacco sounds good too.) :)
Hopes this helps! As always, if you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.
Regards,
James
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James Yee
Expertise
My main area of expertise is Cuban cigars but I can also assist you with cigar etiquette, humidor maintenance and troubleshooting. Unsure of a certain cigar brand? Wondering what a certain cigar tastes like? Have any questions about Cuban cigars? Just let me know! I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. (NOTE: My main focus is on premium, hand-rolled cigars and not cheap, machine made, convenience store cigars.) IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE CIGAR OR CIGAR-RELATED APPRAISALS. If you have a vintage cigar item and you want to know if it's worth something, please contact an antique dealer that specializes in "TOBACCIANA".
Experience
I currently have 19 dedicated years of cigar smoking and counting. I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. For 5 years, I studied with Cuban torcedores (rollers), catadores (taste testers) and revisadores (inspectors) on every aspect involving the production of the Cuban cigar and I am currently writing a book that will help beginners understand everything they need to know about cigars and cigar smoking.
Publications
Maple Leaf Gardens: Memories & Dreams 1931-1999 (1999; ISBN: 0920445616)
50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do (2006; ISBN: 0452286654)
The [London] Times (October 8, 2009)
Education/Credentials
B.A. University of Toronto
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