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Cigars/Upmann 2 - fake or not

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Expert: - 9/26/2009


Question
Hi James,
Couple of days ago I bought 3 Upmann № 2 cigars at my favorite cigar store, cigars look, feel and smell just right except for one thing. The cigar bands are of "C" type as shown at  cubancigarwebsite.com (colored in red-gold-white embossed), while all the references I know including the mentioned website show this cigar with "A" type band only (white-brown not embossed). Unless there were some recent changes of band types for Upmanns it seems to me that some no name cigars were just dressed up. If so I will return the cigars back to the store. However I would like to know your opinion on the matter before claiming damages :) So what do you think?
Thanks a lot in advance.
Vladimir

Answer
Hi Vladimir,

H Upmann No. 2 do in fact come with Band "B" and Band "C" variations.  Upmann began packaging the No. 2 with band B in 2003 and then changed the band to Band C a few years ago.  I do recall seeing Upmann No. 2s with these bands at my local La Casa del Habanos (supplied by Havana House; Canada's only authorized Habanos distributor) shop so I know they're genuine.

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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