Cigars/Cohiba Piramides
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Question
I have an opportunity to buy a handful of Cohiba Piramides and am attempting to determine if they are genuine. They pass all the obvious tests (uniform color and size, embossed bands, bands don't appear to be re-glued), but two things trouble me; 1) even though the bands appear authentic some of them have the embossed Cohiba "box" overlapping the third row of dots on the band; and 2) the aroma is slightly off. You can't help me with the aroma, but can you tel lmr anything about Cohiba band consistency / quality that might assist me one way or the other. many thanks in advance.
Hi Blain,
I've seen genuine Cohiba bands that have the printing/embossing slightly off (very slightly) and overlapping the dots. It's not common but it can occur with genuine Cohibas (and other Cuban cigar brands as well).
However, if the aroma is off, I would be suspicious. Counterfeiters have been known to steal and recycle genuine cigar bands and boxes to pass their cigars off as being genuine. Unfortunately, aroma, taste and tobacco quality is how counterfeit cigars can be easily spotted. Counterfieting Cuban cigars has become extremely sophisticated these past few years but there are still some things that counterfeiters can't copy such as the aroma and taste.
Trust your instincts. If the cigars smell funny or look different, they may be fake.
Regards,
James
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| Comment | Thanks for the prompt reply; I also checked the color against a known good cigar and they were a few shades off. After a couple more hours in a ziploc I checked the aroma again and there was a noticeable straw / hay smell, so I passed on the offer. | ||
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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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