Expert: James Yee - 5/21/2010

Question
QUESTION: I recently purchased a box of Cohiba Genios in Canada from a retailer that is listed on the official Havana House (i.e. Habanos) website.  I have had some good experiences with this retailer but this box seems to throw up red flags.  These Genios cigars only measure 5 3/8 in. and the Genios is a 5 1/2 in. cigar.  The previous Genios I had measured 5 1/2 in. exactly.  As the flagship brand, this much of a variation on a cigar's length seems unexplainable (in terms of being legitimate) but I would appreciate your insight. Paid $40 per stick.  Thanks again.

ANSWER: Hi Shaun,

That does sound suspicious.  Have you contacted the retailer and/or Havana House about this?  If not, I would suggest that you contact the retailer first, then Havana House.  Explain to the retailer that you recently bought a box of Genios but the cigar dimensions are incorrect.  When they reply back, forward that reply to Havana House and ask for their input.  If the retailer is in good standing with Havana House, HH will definitely confirm it.

Here is Havana House's contact info:

Havana House Cigar and Tobacco Merchants Ltd.
9 Davies Avenue, Suite 112
Toronto, ON
M4M 2A6

Tel:(416) 406 6644 - 1 800 465 1941
Fax:(416) 406 3340
cuserve@havanahouse.com
www.havanahouse.com

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

Regards,
James

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

QUESTION: Thanks for your response.  I did discuss with the retailer and he cc'd me on an email he sent to the operations manager at Havana House.  He also forwarded the reply from Havana House which supported the retailers claim that the variation of 1/8 in. is not something to be concerned about.  In addition, Havana House was going to contact someone at Habanos for further comment.  I have confidence that the legitimate sources are being consulted but still not 100% confident the cigars are legitimate because 1/8 in. seems to be outside the range of acceptance for the premier brand. However, I don't know enough about quality control, processes(hand vs. machine) involved in determining the length of a cigar.  Do you have any insight into this area?  I'll also try smoking one as this is probably the best test.  Thanks again!

Answer
Hi Shaun,

Yes, smoking one is the best test.  As for determining cigar length, the filler tobacco is first bunched and formed in mould presses, and then the cigar roller rolls the cigar and cuts them to length.  The length and ring gauge is then double checked with a measurement tool called a "cepo" which outlines the length and ring gauge of that specific cigar.  The cepo is like a wooden ruler or template; it is non-adjustable and there are many cepos representing all the cigar sizes.  I'm not sure why your Genios have a different length but I'm glad to hear Havana House is speaking with Habanos about it.

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

Regards,
James