Expert: M J Robbins - 1/1/2011

Question
"Hi MJ,I recently bought a box of Montecristos from a reputable internet company dated Sep 09 without the warranty seal, are they fakes?"

Answer
Just like any large production, items can be forgotten. If the company is legit then the cigars are legit.
What is the name of the company you could just give initials like COC, TC, COH.

If a customer brings in a box for authentication I ask the source then peruse the box and open to check the leaf then the bands, finally I ask the price they paid.
Over faked can be the #1 bad sign. Incredible fancy box, or the wrong color leaf for a Monte.
I can usually tell the fake from across the room as the customer brings in some fancy box or fancy banded Cohiba. Then they tell me the price - the Cohiba 40th anniversary, barber pole (which was never made), fancy band, cost them $150 a box.
Monte #2 should be $240 - $300 a box of 25.
Then the color of the leaf is another factor - source then is the final tell tale sign.
Finally light it up as the customers usually gives me one, even the fakes. The fakes I light up just for a laugh, smoke a little, then throw it out. Of course many real Cohibas get the same response from me, too tight - here - meet mister trash can.
Monte #2 -
Get Vefas Robaina Unicos
Or Sancho Panza Belicoso instead

Enjoy
Mike