Cigars/Habanos Barcode
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Question
QUESTION: James-
I checked the barcode on a box of Cohiba Esplendidos at habanos.com and the result came up as:
HOYO DE MONTERREY EPICURE No.2 SLB-UW-GPSR-M-n-25
Does this mean that the barcode label is copied from a box of Hoyos and that the cigars are probably fake?
Thanks for your help.
ANSWER: Hi Matt,
Yes, that barcode is meant for a slide lid box (SLB) of Hoyo de Monterrey robustos (Epicure No. 2) so the labels and cigar bands were clearly stolen from the factory and applied to this fake box of piramides to make it appear more genuine.
As I mentioned in the previous email, the cigars are indeed fake.
I hope 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
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: James, this is actually a different box than the piramides. This bar code was on a box of esplendidos. Nonetheless, I presume your take is that the box is fake. Thanks again.
Hi Matt,
Yes, the box is still counterfeit as the code doesn't correspond with Cohiba Esplendidos. For Cohiba Esplendidos, the code would resemble something like this: COHIBA ESPLENDIDOS BN-VW-C/L-12,13-N-25
When broken down, the code translates into the following:
Cohiba Esplendidos = Cigar brand and name of cigar
BN = Boite Nature box
VW = Varnished wood
C/L = Cedar sheet lining
12,13 = 12 cigars bottom row, 13 cigars top row
N = No individual cigar packaging
25 = 25 cigars in box
As always, if you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask.
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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