Expert: James Yee - 1/19/2011

Question
Please help me James!

I recently received a box of 25 Montecristo #2.  I am familiar with the typical "fraud" items to look out for -- and box and cigars all looked ok; and cigars taste great.  Except for 2 things:

1) The "new" warranty label (green and white, with no 2 letters in red followed by 6 numbers in red at the horizontal bottom of the label) did NOT have the coat of arms across the opening.  It was in the right place on the box generally (across the lower left hand opening, but the other circle (with the 5 pickers in the tabacco field near the hologram) was across the opening; and

2) When I checked the bar code for authenticity at the Habanos.com site, while it came up verified authentic, it was for Cohibas (NOT for the Montecristos(!)).

Question: are you aware of the Habanos authenticity check being faulty?  Is it possible that this is just a case of "close enough for government work" in Cuba?  All the rest of the "right" signs are there (stickers in correct place, the correct burn label on the back of box, etc.).  Warranty label was otherwise in perfect condition (even had the micro printing at the top and below the Ley De Julio 16/1912 -- don't see how they could have counterfitter that and/or lifted it from another box).

From one James to another, thanks for your help.

- James G.

Answer
Hi James,

Based on the placement of the warranty label, it sounds like you have a counterfeit box. :( The serial barcode should be placed at the front of the box with the edge of the lid running across the center of the coat of arms.  According to your description, the hologram is at the front of the box and the image of the tobacco field is across the seam of the lid.  This is incorrect and I don't think any Habanos employee would make this mistake.

Although the box labels appear genuine, counterfeiters have begun stealing labels (from the factories) and recycling legitimate boxes in hopes of passing off their cigars as being genuine. This is becoming a more common problem.  In Cuba, some counterfeiters will even sell their boxes with the warranty label and chevron stickers unaffixed and separate from the box.  This way, you can apply them to the box yourself.  (I was once offered a box of Cohibas off the street by a "street vendor".  The cigars and labels looked real except that the seller had the labels on a separate sticker sheet.) :(

I have never heard of Habanos' authenticity check being faulty.  Originally, the biggest problem most people had with the authenticity check system was entering the serial number incorrectly (because the website didn't provide clear instructions).  However, Habanos has greatly improved the authenticity check page by adding a photo tutorial as well as simpler instructions on how to enter the serial number.

Despite the fact that Habanos has increased security measures for their cigars, counterfeiters still find ways to beat the system.  The only way to protect ourselves from this is by purchasing from Habanos-approved retailers.

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

Regards,
James