You are here:

Cigars/Hologram Seal

Advertisement

Expert: - 12/16/2010


Question
Hi James,
I have a box of Trinidad fundadores that i purchased from a swiss store over the net. This store is an authorised Habanos SA dealer however the box is dated 06 and there is a hologram seal on it, also the cigars had very little taste.
Are they fakes? can boxes made before 08 have hologram warranty seals?

Answer
Hi Juan,

Is it the new warranty label with the hologram strip and barcode with serial number?  I personally have not seen boxes before 09 that uses this new hologram stamp.  If it has the serial barcode, check the serial number at Habanos' website (www.habanos.com)  for authentication.  If the cigars are genuine, the serial number will definitely confirm authencity.

It's hard to say whether or not the cigars are genuine.  Boxes before 2008 would not have the new hologram sticker but you say the retailer is reputable so there's the possibility that the box was recalled and relabled by Habanos.  Then again, you say the cigars have very litte flavour and that's suspicious for a box of 4 year old Trinidads.

I would contact both Habanos and the retailer and see what they say.

Regards,
James

Cigars

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.